How Long Does It Take to Develop an App?

On average, it takes three to nine months to develop an app. Because a number of factors might influence the time it takes to develop a mobile app, there is no single, persuasive answer to this question. Research, product design, development, and testing are some of these factors. There is also a myriad of applications to choose from, each with its own set of benefits. Web applications, for example, don't require a platform or operating system (OS). This is why developing a well-thought-out digital partnership is critical. 

How the app development process looks like

Thanks to contemporary technologies, developing an iOS or Android app requires less time. The typical app will make its debut in the iOS or Android market in a short amount of time. It is uncertain, however, if this is the kind of application that people will want to download and use. It may be difficult for an Android or iOS app to stand out in the face of so much competition with new apps being created on a regular basis. It's vital to concentrate on the correct audience when creating an app. Entrepreneurs must also spend time ensuring that their application is on track. Similarly, assessing the mobile app development timeline and market potential is critical. 

Typical Mobile App Development Process

Regardless of the scale of the participants, the mobile app development industry follows a similar approach to app development.

The following is an example of a typical mobile app development process:

1. Research phase

This is where business owners conduct their research. The purpose of this phase is to determine whether the app's concept is practical. To do so, the company must first comprehend the issue it is trying to solve, as well as the characteristics of its users and competitors.

2. Development phase

During this phase, they create content that will be accessible to the app's users. Developers confront a range of issues while planning and creating the front end of an application. This phase aids the developer in having a clear vision and goal while building the app's basic functionality.

3. Testing phase

Testing is necessary to guarantee that the app works as intended. After development, testing is required to guarantee that the application functions properly. It's unavoidable that the software will have bugs that must be addressed before it can be released. Testing is an effective method for finding these issues. 

4. Support and maintenance phase

‍Maintaining an app after it has been released may be just as time-consuming and challenging as building it. As a result, testing is an important part of the app development process. During the development stage, a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) plan that involves testing and code review may help guarantee the application's security, stability, and usability.

How long does it take to create an app?

The length of time it takes to develop a mobile app is determined by a number of factors. It depends on where the startup founder is in the planning stage, the type of app being developed, and the degree of assistance provided by the design and development team.

Factors that might affect how long it takes to create an app:

Project team 

The entrepreneurs' choice of development team will determine how fast an app can go live. Utilizing an experienced app development company will cut development time in half, whilst using an inexperienced mobile app development company may take weeks to complete even the simplest tasks.

Idea generation and research

It's easy to come up with a great idea, but it doesn't mean everyone will agree. The length of time it takes to build mobile apps is heavily influenced by the concept formulation and research phases. This phase starts with the app's idea and progresses through intensive study and development. This is where the app's target audience is determined. Developers may tweak an app after it's been published, but they can also make sure it's on the right track by identifying the target audience.

The budget

In the business world, "time" and "money" are interchangeable terms. As a result, if speed is crucial, entrepreneurs must consider the mobile app development cost. As previously stated, creating an MVP will enable entrepreneurs and marketers to communicate their message more quickly. Furthermore, if resources are wisely invested, there is no need to put a project on hold or deliver a half-finished product owing to a cash shortage.

Testing

A high-quality app takes time to develop. Every aspect of the application, including a bug-free user interface, a pleasant user experience, and a quick, efficient workflow, must be thoroughly tested before it goes live. Any flaws found by the development and design teams must be corrected, and the app must be retested to guarantee that it works properly. 

What of app development takes the most amount of time?

After the planning phase, developers and designers collaborate to begin developing the app. Each application is unique in terms of complexity and design during the development and design stages. Each app's look and feel will take longer to develop and will require more code. The front end and back end of an application are equally important. The front end is what the user sees and interacts with, but nothing makes sense without the back end. That's why the backend has received so much attention.

UX planning

At this stage, the developer creates an application architecture to better understand the concept and creates a detailed prototype of the final product. This category includes buttons, pop-up windows, and text boxes. They also analyse and categorize all of the information provided by the marketing managers, filling in any gaps.

Development

The number of features associated with an application is one of the most significant elements in determining the development time. As the development process progresses, new features become accessible. For example, an app with features that guide the user along the best route may take longer to create than a simple app that only deals with content that requires minimum user input.

Testing

To ensure an application's quality, a variety of tests must be performed throughout the testing period. Unit testing, functional testing, integration testing, and issue fixing are just a few examples. This enables the developer to quickly uncover a wide range of issues, many of which may be identified prior to or during the user interface design process. It should only take two weeks to complete the tests. The application is then released to users after it has been thoroughly. 

App development timeline

Marketers can estimate a reasonable schedule for mobile app development services by comprehending the complete process. This includes the phases that each application goes through, all of which are intertwined. Here is a list of all the stages and what happens at each one.

Planning (2-3 weeks)

Throughout the planning phase, market research and feasibility studies are frequently used. A great amount of effort must be spent planning in order to ensure the project's success. Entrepreneurs must ask themselves three questions: Who will download the app, pay for it, and keep it. The entrepreneur must be able to answer these questions definitively before commencing the design process.

Design (2-4 weeks)

Design is an important aspect of app development. Designers can accomplish the desired look and feel, but the specifics may take a bit longer to work out. They work with the developers to figure out exactly what the app should accomplish. They'll also discuss user requirements and how the app will meet those requirements in terms of navigation and functionality.

Development (3-6 weeks)

Any type of mobile application takes time to build. The developer can begin building once the marketing manager has approved the design. The user interface (UI), user experience (UX), front-end, and back-end are all part of the architecture. This is the most difficult stage of development, especially if the application is linked to other technologies.

Testing (2-6 weeks)

During this phase, developers thoroughly test each component from start to finish. The user interface, front-end, and back-end are all thoroughly tested during the mobile app development cycle, but faults may arise only after all components have been integrated and tested. During the testing stage, all functionalities should be tested. Alpha and beta testing may be used by developers to see if an app can handle several users at the same time. Before an app is made available to the general public, it is put through load and performance testing to ensure that it is bug-free. Testing is done on several devices and browsers to verify that the user experience is accurately reflected.

How long does it take to create a brief for an app development project? 

It usually takes two to three weeks to write a brief. The first step in any engagement with an app development team is to write a brief. These documents help the developer understand the target market and the company's goals.

A well-defined brief will make the development process easier and provide the app development team with a better understanding of the requirements, allowing the app to reach its full potential once it's released on the App Store. Here is everything entrepreneurs need to know about writing an app brief. They should highlight the most important elements of their mobile app in the short.

What should be included in brief?

• Type of Android or iOS app and its user base.
• Details on the project and the app's concept. 
• A description of the end-users, such as who they are, how they make decisions, and what they hope to achieve.
• Platform preference: native or cross-platform (iOS, Android, or both). 
• Preferred communication protocol security, data storage, offline modes, etc. 

A developer with an established track record in application development has a higher chance of providing the results that their clients want. The majority of the data that marketers want is almost certainly already in their possession. All that's left is to sort through all of the different file formats.

How long does it take to make an app design?   

So, how long does it take to develop a mobile app? Approximately two to three weeks. When the founders give their approval to the app development team, the design phase begins. The intricacy of the design determines how long it takes to develop an app. It may take less time if the designer has a clear notion of how the design will look. If the designer has created an entirely new concept, it may take longer.

Designers usually start with the app's look and feel before moving on to its flow and structure. At this point, the structure is only a rough drawing. This gives them an idea of how the user will interact with the app and how many displays will be available to them. Many designers utilize pen and paper, while others use tools such as Sketch or Adobe XD. It may take three to four days to write application guidelines.

The drawings are forwarded to the marketing managers for approval before going on to the next phase of the design process. This is where mockups and prototypes are created. At this stage, designers showcase the app's icons, backgrounds, buttons, logos, fonts, and other features.

Collaboration with developers

Collaboration with developers is one of the most important aspects that designers consider while building applications. This is done to make the app development process more straightforward. If the designer's concept is not feasible for the developer, duplicating the designs might take a long time. Additionally, not all operating systems and devices are capable of supporting an application's exaggerated design. Finally, the designer handovers the project to the developer, who continues to work on it.

Average time to develop an app

In the app development process, the development stage is the most time-consuming and important. Error-free code is required to satisfy the mobile app development timeline. To deliver the best possible code, developers must first create a detailed strategy and timetable before starting to code. In the realm of development, there are two types of developers: back-end developers and front-end developers. Here's an estimate of how long it takes to create an app.

To make their mobile apps more user-friendly, mobile app developers must incorporate relevant features. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. It is vital to understand that today's users have higher expectations. To accomplish this, they'll require at least a basic grasp of UX/UI design. Keep in mind that having too many features might cause sluggish performance and a poor user experience. The kind of app determines which features an entrepreneur may use. If an Android app is to be used for digital marketing, it should have features such as adding items to a shopping cart and sharing.

Backend Development

While back-end developers code and install the system, front-end development has already begun. The entire process of developing a mobile app is faster when front-end development comes before back-end development. As a result, the majority of top mobile app development companies choose to start from the backend. But first, consider how long it takes to create an app's front end.

Front End Development

After the server and database infrastructures are in place, the development team will work on the front-end and the actual mobile application simultaneously. This includes rendering and data generation for the aforementioned back-end servers. The front-end developers are in charge of implementing the functionality, which typically takes 6-8 weeks. Developers use frameworks like Swift, Objective-C, and Java, to create stand-alone versions for Apple Store and Google Play store.

Once the development process is complete, a number of tests will be required. These tests help identify and resolve bugs and other issues in mobile apps. Before releasing an app, mobile app developers must guarantee that it is bug-free. If there are problems, the application will not work correctly, and people will not want to use it. As a result, developers must fix problems and ensure that code follows a set of guidelines. Businesses, too, use beta and alpha testing to ensure that their software is bug-free. Technical activities must be conducted as part of the development process. 

Deploying to the App Stores

When submitting apps to Apple's App Store or Google's Play Store, entrepreneurs must follow specific guidelines. These include:

• Screenshots
• App descriptions
• Icons
• Demo images and videos

When comparing the time, it takes to launch an app on the Apple Store with the Google Play Store, entrepreneurs will notice that Apple has a more stringent screening process, resulting in a somewhat longer launch time. Google, on the other hand, uses an algorithm to pre-screen apps, reducing the time it takes for them to launch.

Note the following points:

• Each application development process takes a different amount of time to complete.
• During the planning process, it may take two to three weeks, but if entrepreneurs do it right the first time, they will not only save time later on, but they will also make each step easier to follow.
• The usage of complicated technologies, as well as changes made throughout the project by unskilled developers, may create delays in the creation of mobile applications.
• RFPs, MVPs, and cross-platform development can all help speed up the app development process.
• Apps are evaluated through a Request for Proposal (RFP) procedure to ensure that they fulfil the App Store's requirements.

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