The days when only a few companies could create an app are gone. Today, apps are part of our daily lives, from getting into our homes, to shopping, store rewards, exercise, and how we talk to others. But with so many apps out there, how can a startup get in and stand out? We’ll try to break that down.

Do I really need an application?

Let’s think about your needs:

• Looking for advertising? Maybe platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc., would be better.
• Want to offer a service? Maybe using existing platforms like Google Maps, Google Ads, Apple Ads, Fiverr, Freelancer, etc., is a better fit.
• Do your users need to interact with you (register, access data, get notifications)? Then you need a service, but is it an app?
  • Do your users need to access it from anywhere?
    • No – A website is enough.
    • Yes – Then you do need an app. How do you create an app?

There are two choices here, and each has its own challenges:

1. Hire a company to do the development. This is the most expensive choice money-wise, but it allows for faster development. It will fit your planning needs and, of course, your budget.
2. Have your own development team. If your company’s business is not software development, this will be the most expensive choice. You’ll need to hire staff, and beyond their pay, you’ll also have administrative costs.

Note: If your company’s goal is not development, let specialists handle it. This will let you focus all your effort on what truly gives value to your customers.

What technology should I use for development? iOS vs. Android?

Here comes the endless debate: Which is better? Android or iOS? The answer… IT DEPENDS.

Let’s start by defining and knowing your market. To do that, let’s look at some data:

• In the USA, between 55% and 60% of the market is run by iOS.
• In Mexico, 76% of the market is run by Android.
• In Spain, 80% of the market is run by Android.
• In the USA, 44% of iOS users are under 29 years old.
• In the USA, 30% of Android users are under 29 years old.

Let’s look at how your users behave when using devices, for example:

• Statistically, iOS users have 43% more income compared to Android users.
• iOS users take an average of 12 selfies daily, compared to only 7 for Android users.
• The iOS App Store has 1.9 million apps, while the Google Play Store has 2 million.
• In 2021, the iOS App Store made $85.1 billion, while the Google Play Store only made $47.9 billion.

Now let’s understand your product:

• Is my service paid? iOS users tend to make more payments.
• Is it for corporate users? Companies trust the security iOS offers more.
• Does it need to connect with other devices (Bluetooth, cameras, scanners)? Android provides more flexibility.
• Is it focused on a specific device? Use the recommended one.
• Do you want to reach more users? Android is the choice.

If it’s still not clear, let’s look at the options that exist:

• Platform-specific development, one app for Android and one for iOS.

  • Expensive to develop because it needs two different teams working at the same time.
  • Longer development time.
  • More stable apps; ongoing maintenance is more stable, no matter the updates.
  • Releasing is simpler, as the app stores will put fewer restrictions on the code (cough cough Apple cough cough).

• Develop one app that works for both. (Yeah, like those things exist.)

  • Today, there are app development kits that let us create code for both platforms (Kotlin Multiplatform, Flutter, React Native).
  • Getting the developed app deployed on the first try is an impossible mission.
  • Many adjustments are needed for it to work on both operating systems.
  • Only one development team is needed, with knowledge of both platforms, so it will be more expensive.

In the end, the decision will come down to budget, time, and goals, like everything in life.

In the next article, we’ll talk about UX, user feedback, and stakeholders in app development.

Thanks a lot! #DropTheMic