Best Practices for Mobile App Development on iPhone

iPhone app development

Despite the growing popularity of Android mobile operating system, no one can deny the huge popularity of iPhone apps. The combination of innovative features and stylish interface make the iOS apps popular among users across the world. But the huge popularity of iPhone apps often makes it a daunting challenge for the developers to build new applications. As an experienced iPhone app developer, you may find the process both rewarding and fun. However, the new developers have to look for the perfect starting point for the application development project. Regardless of your experience, you can still consider best practices for mobile app development on iPhone to build a powerful interface within a limited timeframe.

Best Practices for Mobile App Development on iPhone

Involve Users in the Planning Phase: Each developer need to make a roadmap to develop the iPhone app on schedule. But most programmers forget to include users in the planning and testing phase of the project. You can always optimize the application idea by getting it evaluated by certain users in the initial planning phase. Also, you can allow the users to try the app, and observe the problems faced by them. You can always avail the assistance of your friends to check the impact of the mobile application on end users.

Allow Adequate Time to Test the App: With companies launching apps at frequent intervals, the mobile application development has become competitive. So, clients often require developers to build the application a time sensitive deadline. As the app will be approved by the Apple app store about two weeks after your submission, you must prepare a schedule to test and market the app properly. During the initial planning phase, you must decide the timeline for testing and marketing the app before it is approved by Apple.

Make a Content Strategy: The mobile apps are similar to websites. As no website can be hosted without content, the mobile applications cannot be designed without deciding the content and context. You will need content as early as possible to develop the app in a quick and hassle-free way. When you are planning the app, it is a good idea to decide the content. If you are using the services of a professional content writer, he must be instructed to develop content according to the initial plan. However, he may also be required to change the content slightly once the app development process is over.

Consider Designing Heterogeneous Applications: Once you develop an iPhone app, it needs to be updated regularly to support interface updates and provide fresh content. The heterogeneous apps make it easier for you to update the app by avoiding the app store approval process. As the app consists of a native base that is executed by referencing to HTML5 content located externally, you can replace the existing content at your own pace and convenience. Along with availing the advantages provided by HTML5, the heterogeneous application further allows you to execute the native code without requiring internet connectivity.

Take Advantage of the Device Components: Similar to other smartphones, iPhone also comes with a set of innovative features and tools. Some of the device components like microphone, high resolution camera and GPS are used by all users. So you can consider using these device components to optimize the performance of your mobile app. Further, these components will help you in improving the user experience without writing longer lines of code. However, you must choose the components according to the nature and requirement of the app maintain its speed.

Use the Latest Security Features: Along with gathering several types of information and data, users also carry out financial transactions using their iPhones. So there are chances that you app will require users to submit several types of sensitive information. As the sensitive financial and contact details of a user can be used to carry out identity thefts and financial frauds, you must use the latest security techniques. Along with availing the security features of the smartphone, you can also consider using the advanced encryption techniques to gain the trust of end users.

Understanding these best practices not only helps you during app development process, but also helps you in evaluating top app development companies.

If you want to hire mobile app programmers for your iPhone app development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

iPhone App Development Trends In 2013 and the Future

In comparison to desktop and laptop computers, many people nowadays use their mobile devices to access the web. A constant increase is also noted in the number of users downloading mobile apps according to their lifestyles and specific needs. The rapidly growing importance of mobile technologies and mobile apps has made it essential for app developers to stay tuned to the current and upcoming trends in mobile app development.

According to statistics posted on the TechnologyBusiness, “Mobile industry has developed over 300,000 applications over the past 3 years and approximately 10.9 million downloads have been made. Considering that the demand to download apps is expected to intensify around 2013, it comes with no surprise at all that the web development industry is focusing on designing and developing creative iPhone Applications.” Despite their impressive looks, sleek design and innovative features, the iPhone apps are facing tough competition from Android and Windows mobile applications.

As the popularity of applications depends directly on the popularity of the mobile operating systems, the apps must be effective in availing the advantages of extended and fresh features offered by the latest version of mobile platform. So the iPhone app development will be directly impacted by the way Apple updates the iOS in 2013. However, the applications also need to be developed by keeping in mind the current and latest trends in mobile app development.

Some of the Latest iPhone App Development Trends in 2013

Apps to Make Online Payments

Along with gathering information on a variety of products and services, many users also make online payments using their smartphones. The growing demand for mobile payment apps has encouraged many financial institutions to launch beta version of such applications. Many web stores also allow users to complete a transaction using their mobile device. But each user is required to submit sensitive financial information about his credit cards, PayPal account and bank accounts. So the mobile payment apps must be designed with advanced encryption technologies to keep the sensitive user data secure and inaccessible.

Growing Demand for Enterprise Apps

In comparison to business applications, the social networking and gaming apps are more popular among iPhone users. But a sharp growth is noted recently in the demand for business applications. The enterprise apps have further made it easier for all types of business to share information and complete multiple tasks in a fast and hassle-free way. The growing popularity of business application will not have any negative impact on the popularity of gaming and social networking apps. But the increasing demand will encourage more businesses to develop apps to make it easier for users to share content and carry out business transactions on the go.

Location-Based Apps

The social networks have changed the way people used to communicate with each other. Along with staying connected with their loved ones in a virtual environment, many people also use social networking platforms to exchange information and content. But many reports have highlighted that an increasing number of users are, nowadays, opting for location-based content. Many businesses have already enabled social media location monitoring tools to target the most relevant customers by evaluating their behavior. As Apple has designed iPhone with GPS support, many businesses will avail the advantage to market their products and services. The location-based applications will further help businesses in earning revenue by running advertisements.

Apps to Facilitate Content Sharing

Similar to social networking applications, the iPhone apps launched by content websites are also used widely by modern consumers. But the content sharing apps launched by different companies often fail to complex features and functionalities of original content sites. Many people even consider the iPhone apps to be a scaled down version of the full content site. So, developers will work on optimizing the mobile apps for content websites to help users in stay tuned to their favorite news channels and content websites. Similarly, many news channels, newspapers, blogs, and other popular content websites will also launch iPhone apps to attract more users.

Fully Functional Mobile Interfaces

The iPhone apps have made it easier for users to access their favorite documents on the go. Many apps allow users to read the word documents, spreadsheets and presentations. But most apps do not allow users to change the files due to security issues. But the enhanced mobile app security will encourage many developers to launch fully functional mobile interfaces. Along with accessing the files, the users will now have options to boost their effectiveness by incorporating relevant changes. The enhanced security will further make it easier for web stores and other business to carry out business transactions at their own pace and convenience.

iPhone app development trends will also be impacted by the extended and innovative features provided by the updated version of iOS. At the same time, the developers have to track the frequent changes in the lifestyles and choices of modern users to build applications that will go viral.

We provide iOS application development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our top iphone app developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.