How To Build and Launch Your First App

In many parts of the world, most people manage their entire lives with their phones. They depend on scheduling apps, timers, email, social media, and all sorts of other applications that make their lives easier. If you think you have the potential to solve a problem or make life more convenient for the masses, the world could use your new ideas. Here's how you can get started building and launching your first app.

Write Down Your Goals

When planning a new app, think about what exactly you want to accomplish. This way you spend more time reaching specific achievements and less time on tasks that won't get you where you want to be. Do you want to create a real, working app? Is this project for practice, or your own use? Will you handle everything yourself, or will you enlist others to help? Do you need a mentor, either for coding, or marketing and business advice? Will you use tools like Flagger to make your life easier? The more answers you can come up with now, the less time, effort, and money you'll waste later on. 

Pick a Good Idea

Everyone and their grandmother thinks they have a good idea for an app, and you need to do rigorous research to make sure that your idea is actually viable. If you have a problem you want to solve, make sure there isn't anything else already doing it well. Check with your friends and colleagues to see if the problem you want to solve is relevant to them, or if it's too niche and not worth the time you'd spend developing the app. You can code the best app in the world, but if it isn't filling the gap in the marketplace, no one will see and appreciate your genius. 

Build Your Prototype

Once you've got your goals and the idea for your app, it's time to begin work on the prototype. It's important that you don't get too attached to anything at this stage. A prototype can and will change, so you don't want such a complex build that changing anything is a nightmare later on. The whole point is that you can integrate new things easily. Not everything has to be included in this version, either. Make sure the app can do the main thing you want it to, and worry about the rest later. This is what will get you to the testing stage in good condition.

Test Your App

Before you send your app to anybody who will listen, think about the kind of feedback you really want. Don't send the app to your parents if they aren't the target audience. Their feedback will be because they love you, not because they know how they want the app to function. Find your target audience, and collect your testers, but make sure you determine the right amount. Too few testers may not catch all the issues, or they may give bad advice you don't really need to implement. Too many testers and suddenly you're drowning in feedback. Once you've found your ideal group of testers, deliver the app and stay in contact throughout the process. You may even want to consider throwing in premium or paid content as an added incentive.

Begin Marketing and Prepare for Launch

Once you're feeling comfortable about the progress of your app, you can turn your eye to marketing and launch. Focus your attention on a great website and social media presence. This is one of the best ways to connect with your potential audience, and you can ask your testers to spread the word with others who will love your product. For an added boost, research social media ads, or hire someone who knows how to market apps effectively. 

Take your time, plan accordingly, and ask for help when you need it. Building an app is a lot of work, but seeing the impact your project can have on the world is immensely rewarding.