The Timeline of Mobile App Development

In this fast digital world, mobile applications are a must for individuals and businesses. Whether an entrepreneur, a new idea, or a business as old as time, is meant to increase the engagement of customers. It will always require an understanding of the mobile app development timeline. So, how long does it take for developers to transform an idea into a fully functional application?

1. Ideation and Planning (1-2 Weeks)

Every successful mobile application is the product of an excellent idea. However, an idea alone is not a complete package; thorough planning and strategy are required. This phase of development is important because it requires collaboration between the development team and stakeholders to define the purpose of the application, who their audience is, what core features are supposed to exist within the application, and what unique selling points are. Often, when the developer of a mobile app application wants to make an application, he develops it after studying through research and competitor analysis what similar applications offer, thus where possible, how they can come closer and still stand out.

This is an essential step because it is a blueprint for the project. A well-thought-out plan will protect against roadblocks in the development process.

2. Design and Prototyping (2-4 Weeks)

Designing the UI/UX follows a well-framed plan. Mobile application development companies begin with wireframes or rough sketches outlining every screen and how users will navigate the application. Aiding the designers with a sense of satisfaction from their designs of wireframes, they create high-fidelity prototypes with all the colors, fonts, and design elements that would represent the brand of the application.

This is where creativity meets functionality. The design must be attractive and intuitive to attract customers; the prototype will help stakeholders visualize the end product before development really begins.

3. Development (6-12 Weeks)

The actual development phase usually takes time. Code writing brings the app to life, and is a time-consuming activity. This phase is usually divided into a front end and a back end. While the front end goes for what users see and happen to interact with, the back end goes for data being stored, managed, and retrieved. Depending on this, it could add to the timeline for some apps that require API integrations with third-party services or custom-built features.

A mobile app development company typically follows a milestone-based approach. They may break the project into sprints, each around a particular number of features. This enables easy tracking and accommodates flexibility especially if changes are required.

4. Testing and Quality Assurance (2-4 Weeks)

Testing is crucial in the development of a mobile app. Precisely; an application should work accurately on various devices and operating systems. Different kinds of testing, such as functional testing, performance testing, security testing, and usability testing, are conducted to check for bugs and ensure smooth functioning.

User testing at this stage may also detect bugs that would otherwise go unnoticed. The development team squishes bugs, improves the performance, and perfects the app to provide a seamless user experience.

5. Deployment and Launch (1 Week)

Once the mobile application has gone through all of these quality checks, it is ready for release! Deployment is the submission of a mobile application to an app store, like the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Since each app store has a review procedure and rules, the company should be aware of these regulations to ensure that the mobile app is released successfully.

Launching an app is not the end of the journey; it is merely the beginning. After launching, the app receives user feedback, which opens up avenues for the next update and improvements. The regular maintenance, upgrades, and features implemented make the app refreshing, relevant, and engaging.

Factors That Drive the Development Timeline

 Even though the above stages give a wide overview of the process, the actual timeline is influenced by various factors:

• Features: The more complex the features you want to develop the more time it will take.
• Platform: Android and iOS require a lot more time as opposed to a single platform.
• Team Size: The bigger the team the faster it will work but coordination works perfectly if the team size is a bit larger.
• Budget: A higher budget sometimes accelerates development when more resources are available.

The development timeline significantly needs planning

The timeline for the development of the mobile app may range from a few months, depending on the type of application, for simple applications up to even more than a year for complicated applications. Working with an established mobile app development company will help manage expectations, streamline the process, and bring your vision to life. With a full understanding of each phase and proper preparation, you are set to develop a functional, engaging, and above all, aligns with your business goals.

The right planning and a skilled team of mobile app developers can make the journey from concept to launch an exciting ride. So, are you ready to make your mobile application idea a reality?

At BNK Infotech we go the extra mile to deliver your digital dreams into reality.