Ever heard of Slack? It’s one of the most widely used collaboration tools today, with over 10 million daily active users. But it didn’t start that way. Slack began as an internal tool at a company called Tiny Speck, where the team needed better communication while working on a now-defunct game called Glitch. Though the game didn’t survive, the tool they built did, turning into exactly what several other teams needed. Fast forward to 2023, and Slack generated over $5960 million. (Source: DemandSage)

So, if you’re wondering when to build an app for your business, the answer is: there’s no perfect time. If you’ve got an idea, a clear need, and the budget to bring it to life, don’t overthink—just go for it. Hopefully, by the end of this write-up, you have a clearer vision. Who knows? Your app could be the next big success story like Slack.

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How to Decide if you Need an App?

With millions of apps already flooding Google Play (2 million) and the App Store (3.8 million), you may wonder: is building another mobile app the best path forward for your business?

Well, there’s no correct answer to this question. However, a few factors can help you make the call. Let’s see.

Things to Consider

• Who needs an app?
  Ask yourself, should my business build an app? Not every company requires one. Those with a tech-savvy audience or those in the telecommunication, eLearning, gaming, or entertainment industry might benefit from one.
• Android, Apple, or Both?
  Decide which platform you want to build for. Android, Apple, or both. While it’s easier to publish on Google’s Play Store due to guideline leniency, Apple’s strict quality standards ensure a high-performing application.
• Will your app solve a problem?
  Ask yourself, why build an app, and will it solve a problem? Mobile apps should generally serve some purpose—entertain people, impart knowledge, enable them to track progress, etc.
• Can you afford to build an app?
  Building an app takes more than an idea. It is a hefty investment, so be sure to consider your budget.
• Who are your competitors?
  Look at what your competitors are doing. If they already have apps that offer something similar, it might not be a good idea to go ahead with. You may need to explore more to get a competitive edge and ensure your app is created thoughtfully.
• Who is it For?
  Determine your target users. If you want it to streamline internal processes, like task management, team collaboration, productivity tracking, or data sharing, then build a business app for internal use.
  On the other hand, if your app is meant for clients or partners, especially in a B2B setting, it should focus on solving a specific problem they face.
  You can build an app directly for consumers. It could be anything, from a food delivery app to a live movie streaming app.

How Should I Build an App?

With mobile app revenue expected to cross US$522,720 million by 2024 end, the answer to why build an app seems pretty clear. But how to do so?

There are several approaches to building a mobile application.

• Build it yourself using a DIY app builder
• Build one internally with in-house dev teams
• Hire mobile app developers
• Outsource the project to a mobile app development company

Let’s dig deeper.

Will DIY App Development be the Right Choice

There are many DIY application builders available today. These low-code/no-code platforms allow users to create apps by dragging and dropping pre-built features and functionalities, making app development seem simple and cost-effective. However, while they are great for basic apps or MVPs, they come with significant limitations. Customization options are often restricted, and scaling in such a situation can be a challenge for a growing business.

In-House Mobile App Development

If you have the resources—a team skilled in app technologies and the budget to build an app, then in-house development offers more control and alignment with your vision. It gives you the freedom to steer your project as needed. However, this approach requires skilled developers, designers, QA specialists, and project managers. You must also have the necessary tech infrastructure to support the process. All of this adds up to a hefty total cost.

Hiring Mobile App Developers

Another option is to hire mobile app developers to work on your project. With this approach, you gain access to specialized expertise in frameworks like Flutter, React Native, etc., programming languages like PHP, Python, C#, Golang, etc., API technologies (RESTful, GraphQL, gRPC, etc), databases, and testing tools.

They are also proficient in building custom apps, fit for highly specific use cases, ranging from complex enterprise apps to user-friendly B2C apps.

Outsourcing to a Mobile App Development Company

If you do not have the resources or want to skip the hassle of overseeing the entire project, you can outsource it to a mobile app development company. This approach allows you to benefit from a suite of app development services—from MVP development and custom UI/UX to agile development and testing.

Partnering with such a company also allows you to benefit from ongoing application development services, extending beyond deployment. They provide regular software upgrades, security patches, and bug fixes, guaranteeing your app works without any issues. While this approach incurs significant upfront costs, it is a cost-effective approach in the long-term, with no hidden charges or complications.

The Dangers of Skimping on Mobile App Development for Businesses

1. A Low-Quality App Can Tarnish your Reputation
   Significantly cutting down on your mobile app investment can result in a rushed, poorly designed app that leaves users unsatisfied and even frustrated. This can generate bad reviews and negative word of mouth, which could severely harm your brand’s image.
2. Poor App Performance Won’t Help your Brand Grow
   If your app crashes frequently or is not optimized for consistent experiences on different devices, it will struggle to impress users, preventing you from growing your brand’s presence in the mobile space.
3. Breaking Through in a Crowded Market is Tough
   With so many apps vying for attention, a lackluster app will get lost in the noise. Only a thoughtful and well-designed app can help you stand out.
4. You Have Limited Time to Make a Good First Impression
   Users make snap judgments (in just a few milliseconds) about apps. If your app doesn’t deliver immediate value or fails to draw their attention, they will likely abandon it and move on to some other application. This is another reason why many users abandon an app on the very first day.

How Professional Mobile App Development Makes a Difference

Building a mobile app without much experience or specialized expertise increases the risks of you facing the above roadblocks. Conversely, opting for expert-led development, either by hiring mobile app developers or outsourcing the project to a mobile app development company, saves you from the risks.

Here is how they make a difference:

1. Easy integration with other existing systems and apps:
   Whether it’s connecting the app to your CRM, ERP, social media profiles, or payment gateways, mobile app developers ensure proper and secure connections.
2. Improve UI/UX: If you already have a basic app, professional app developers can improve its look and functionality. They can conduct a thorough UI/UX audit to identify areas where users struggle and suggest improvements. Then, using design tools like InVision, Figma, or Adobe, they create intuitive, modern interfaces with better navigation and appeal.
3. Integrate technologies like AI, AR, VR, etc.: Professional app developers can help you deliver highly-personalized and immersive user experiences by integrating AI capabilities into your app. In today’s technology-first world, this has become a necessity to make your app stand out in a pool of millions of others. Don’t believe us! See how AI integration resulted in 30% more conversions for an eCommerce application.
4. Enhanced security features to protect sensitive data: From end-to-end encryption to multi-factor authentication like 2FA, professionals implement the best security measures to keep your data safe and ensure your app complies with all necessary regulations.
5. Application Migration for maintainability: Hiring mobile app developers can also help move your application to newer technologies and frameworks for better maintainability. They can refactor codebases, update APIs, redirect content, and implement efficient architecture to future-proof your app.
6. Scalability to support future business growth: Professional developers design your app with scalability in mind. They use cloud-based architectures like microservices or implement serverless computing. This makes it easy to add new features, support more users, and expand into new markets without many technical hurdles.
7. Expert support for maintenance and updates: Your app is not a one-and-done deal for professional developers or the app development you partner with. They provide ongoing support to make sure your app stays updated with the latest features, bug fixes, and security enhancements.

End Note

The only thing to take away from this write-up is that building an app is a wise decision if you:

• Have a tech-savvy target audience,
• Want to expand your digital footprint,
• And have the budget to do so!

It’s not just about offering convenience to your customers; mobile apps have emerged as a means for expanding your reach and driving engagement. In fact, they’ve become major revenue generators, contributing millions to businesses across various industries. You just have to consider a few things to ace your app idea and get started with a suitable development approach. Who is your app for? Will it solve a problem? Do you have the necessary resources? Taking these considerations into account will set you well on your way to developing an app that is not only financially viable but also appeals to your customers in this competitive market. All left will be to choose the right development approach: build an app in-house, hire mobile app developers, or outsource the entire thing to a mobile app development company.

Author Bio 

Amelia Swank is a seasoned Digital Marketing Specialist at SunTec India with over eight years of experience in IT industry. She excels in SEO, PPC, and content marketing, and is proficient in Google Analytics, SEMrush, and HubSpot. She is a subject matter expert in Application Development, Software Engineering, AI/ML, QA Testing, Cloud Management, DevOps, and Staff Augmentation (Hire mobile app developers, hire web developers, and hire full stack developers etc.). Amelia stays updated with industry trends and loves experimenting with new marketing techniques.