4 Important tips about having an app made

Are you looking for tips on it to make an app? Then you have probably already done market research and you know exactly what the functionalities of your app idea are. Online there is endless information to be found about important aspects of app development. Not everyone has the time to search the internet, which is why Coffee IT has made this overview of the most important tips regarding app development. Any questions afterwards? Reassure them.

Often people think that their app idea is unique because of the amount of possibilities. However, nothing could be further from the truth, the amount of possibilities has nothing to do with whether your app will be a success. In theory, it can even make the app less successful. If you are at the beginning of your app development journey, it is important to start by determining which functionalities are unique and contribute to the problem you are trying to solve. I speak of 'the problem', because I believe that a good app essentially solves one problem. First make a list of functionalities and then follow our tips by removing functionalities that do not contribute to solving the problem. You then get these functionalities through the 100 euro test.

When you have extracted the most important functionalities from this, it is a good idea to have a prototype made. Try to make the prototype as simple as possible. With a prototype you can quickly find out whether you have made the right selection of functionalities. When your functionalities are almost certain, specify them completely. These do not have to be the definitive functionalities at all, but it clarifies your question enormously when you approach a developer.

Boring, but true: choosing the right technique and platform(s) for your app is one of the most important aspects of success. Now that you have an important picture of the functionalities of your app, it is important to have an overview of the use of hardware (GPS, bluetooth, camera etc.). If your app doesn't use hardware or push notifications, a web app or hybrid app can be a great solution, but if not, you'll probably need a native app. Also view our full selection guide for app techniques, if you can't figure it out, don't hesitate contact us.

After you have chosen a certain technique, you have to choose on which platform or platforms you want to have your app developed. Every platform (Android, iOS or Windows Phone) has different users with different expectations. For that reason, an app must be designed specifically for each platform, only then can you offer the end user the right experience. For hybrid apps, when choosing an extra platform, only the design needs to be redeveloped and realized, but for native apps, the underlying code is also created and optimized for each platform. The costs for an additional platform are often high and for that reason we often recommend starting development for one platform and expanding to more platforms after a number of iterations. Set achievable goals and start small, which ensures a good risk spread.

Choosing a specific target group is important. But how do I choose the right target group? First look at the problem you are trying to solve.

• Who experiences that problem?
• What is the average age?
• What are hobbies, habits and interests of these users?
• What is the education level of these users?
• On which social media do I find this target group the most?

Then set personas and then start a number of small social media campaigns to verify the problem in combination with the target group. This does not have to cost much, a campaign of 25 euros is enough and offers a high Return of Investment (RoI). If you have followed these tips, it is smart to see which platform your target group is on the most, you may have to adjust your supported platforms. The go-to-market strategy, design and marketing strategy are then aimed at the target group.

Finances are the biggest bottleneck of apps. Our tip is therefore that it is already important to properly map and verify your revenue model. First you have to look which revenue models suit your target audience. Matching means that not only you, but also the target group agrees with this. You can verify this by placing the revenue model directly with your target group. A simple example is asking the user directly: “Are you willing to pay €12,50 per month to listen to unlimited and ad-free music?” —Spotify. However, you run the risk that users answer that they are willing to pay, but when push comes to shove, don't tack. That's why it can be smart to build a page that pretends the app already exists and measures how many visitors click on pay (also called a landing page). That way you can see how many users are actually willing to pay for your app.

Of course there is much more to the development of an app than described in this article. However, if you work with an app developer such as Coffee IT, we act as an expert and support you in the entire process from A to Z. Are there any questions at the moment, or do you want to know how Coffee IT can help you? Then take it without obligation contact up, you can always ask.