As there are about 350 billion app downloads worldwide, businesses are looking to get the same attention. For any business, it is essential to know about the app development process and the app development cost. Usually, businesses like to know how long does it take to make a mobile app, the cost for the development and the efforts involved to develop an app. This article gives you a brief explanation about how long does it take to develop an app. Not only the development process but also the factors affecting the time of the app development is discussed wondrously.

Also, it is clear that app with different sizes and different features have different app development timelines. Usually, the timeline for app development looks like this –

 

 

But there is no guarantee for how long does it take for a mobile app and hence this guide to help you.

The time for an app is the sum total of the time it takes at various stages. Time allotment for each phase of app building is important. The entire process from planning to launch process is interdependent and requires proper attendance.

Each development stage is discussed below to answer the question ‘How long does it take to make an app?’.

 

Stage 1: Formation of Ideas and Research

“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.”

The first and foremost step for an app development process is the idea formation and research part that decides the time duration. This stage deals with the idea formation and then researching it for more improvements. Conduct a test to keep things as real as possible. Forming ideas and research are very important as it ensures that the users are going to love it when the app is launched in the market. Another important aspect of this stage involves targeting the right audience as it enables in shaping the app in the right direction.

The different app has different sizes and ages of the target audience. For example, Facebook has all age group people on its platform, whereas Tinder has a younger target audience. Therefore, proper targeting of audience and research should be done.

The very important aspect here is to gather information about the competitors and potential threats during the research process. So that the app owners can face any difficulty after the launch of the app, this research itself takes several weeks. From the end of the research, you must know all the strengths and weakness of the competitors, the app strategies, and the right targeted audience.

 

Stage 2: Planning it all out

The next stage is the planning stage. This stage involves the decisions regarding the configuration, such as making choice, whether iOS or Android, native or hybrid, cross-platform or not, and mobile app or web-based app, has to be planned.

After this, you have to go for features that should be such that neither does it complicate the app nor slows it down. For the convenient of the users, the features should include some basic things such as search bar, social media sharing button, profile building, and login option, etc. The features of the app should be more directed towards the type of.

For instance, an e-commerce app will have the option for “Add to cart.” Similarly, social media apps have options for media sharing and profile building options. This planning process will be quite complicated and will require a month or more.

 

Stage 3: Development Stage

“All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.”

Development stage includes three stages, namely: the UI, Front End, and Back End. Once the planning process is done, the developers and the designers will work to show their innovation to build the app. The answer for your most curious question “how long does it take to make a mobile app” is that the development and the designing stage takes about six weeks.

First the UI of app is built by graphics designers, which gives an appearance to enhance the user experience. The development of a UI is significant as it will help the app to flourish in the market by visually attracting the users.

The next important things are the Front End and Back End app development process. The Front End is what the users see and how they act in an app, but it doesn’t make sense until the Back End is developed. Finally, the Back End connects the UI and allows the proper functioning of the app.

 

Stage 4: Testing

We need to do some test runs to ensure the running of the app after the development process. Testing the app before the final launch will make the app developers fix the bugs and errors in the app. There are so many ways and strategies to test an app’s performance and functioning. The quality tests give assurance so that the user doesn’t find any issues, and the app is more likable to them.

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.”

For an error, free app, Alpha and Beta tests can be conducted. After the testing process, the app can be launched. Feedbacks about the app is gathered for further changes if necessary.

Reddit: number of subreddits present users with the chance to recruit testers for their in-development app, including r/beta, r/androidapps, r/betatests, and r/aplhabetausers. Reddit also offers game developers the chance to receive free feedback on their game screenshots every Saturday.

 

What slows down the app development process

Mid-project changes:

App development is a continuous process, and sudden changes in the middle of the process are bound to get slower. Mid-project changes can affect the app’s performance.

Unexperienced developers:

A good developer is a primary key to app development success. The big mistake often the business, especially start-ups make is the hiring of developers that aren’t up to the mark with work. Unfortunately, this leads to slowing down the process as well as a poor app for the business.

Industry-wise difference:

The industry for which the app is being built also plays a crucial role in the app development timeline. For social media app, it takes 1-2 months, and for demand apps, it takes more time to be developed.

Steps to speed up the time of application development

MVPs and prototyping:

MVPs and prototyping are an excellent way to reduce the time as they easily resemble the original idea of the application. Once these are out in public, the actual app can be made by adding additional features to it. Many businesses are started as MVPs before the actual implementation includes Airbnb and MailChimp, etc.

Hire a professional developer:

Choosing a professional app developer plays a vital role not only in fantastic UI/UX but also to develop it in very less time. Such a professional developer will have a good experience and will make your work better and easier.  Many app development companies are available, which has developed successful apps for clients.

“If you think a professional is expensive wait to see what it costs by hiring a novice.” 

White label solutions:

These are the products that were produced by one company and then is rebranded and made to look like other company’s. For time-saving, this is very useful as there is no need to build anything from scratch. But this will not result in a proper application, especially not the one that generates huge traffic or sales.

Conclusion:

“Slow and Steady Wins the Race”

Developing and building a mobile app needs concentration and determination. Building an app is a rather long and complicated process that requires lots of preparation, patience, and dedication to execute correctly. The average app development time before launch is 4-6 months. Always expect delays and remain flexible in your timeline expectations. Also, ensure that you have access to your mobile development team-post release.