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App Boxer builds Native and Hybrid apps and we’re not biased to either option. Every project has its own unique requirements and we take the time to explore both options while weighing up the pros and cons with you.
What do you need to begin your native app development?
Much like building a house, you need an architectural plan(Our Kick-off Phase) and a design to ensure everything has been thought out before development starts to avoid the need to rip out the foundation when the roof has already been built. In the context of app development, we advise the following:
- Map out the user journey/Flow.
- Define all the user stories and list out the development tasks required for each.
- Draw out the wireframes and flesh it out with your technical team and use this to inform your designer.
- Design your brand to inform your UI and content.
- UI/UX (User Interface and User Experience) designs to make the app look and feel good.
- We also advise to involve the marketing and business discussion throughout this process. How will your app generate revenue? And how are you going to acquire, retain and boost referrals to increase revenue?
If you need help with the above, feel free to check out our Kick-off Phase service which is like hiring your building architect and designer in one hit.
What is native app development?
Native app development is the creation of software that only runs on a particular device, platform or operating system. In the context of the app world this usually means the app only runs on Apple’s IOS or Google’s Android(Samsung, Google, HTC etc.. products) operating systems.
Unlike Hybrid app development, Native app development requires you to build the same app for different operating systems which can increase your development costs by 100% if the objective was to launch on both platforms due to the need to build and manage two separate sets of code.
According to IDC’s 2018 data, Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS operating systems have squeezed all other mobile OSs out of the market during 2018. So going forward into 2019, native mobile app development is all about building native apps for Android and iOS devices.
The benefits of building a native app is that you get access to built-in smartphone features with a higher level of accuracy and functionality and overall better performance. If your app relies heavily on using a hardware feature like GPS, Accelerometer, Camera, Microphone etc.. then it is recommended you build your app in a native environment to provide the best experience for your users.
The only disadvantages that come with native development is that you deal with two completely separate sets of code if you build for both Android and IOS. This means you have double the expense for front end development from the start as well as the need to update and maintain two separate sets of code in the future. This disadvantage is usually outweighed by the benefit that comes from a better user experience to acquire and retain users. In some scenarios, a project is simple enough not to be built on a native platform.
App Boxer spends the time mapping out the 1-2 year development plan while weighing up the pros and cons with you in order to decide if native app development is right for you. In some situations we advise to start with a hybrid app to validate the project as cost effectively as possible with the aim to consider a re-development into a native app once a project/startup has been validated and potentially in revenue.
If you’re not sure if Native app development is for you then feel free to reach out and we’ll help you weigh up the options.