We might be biased here, but we think that Android app development should be at the top of every business owner's list. Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, which means an Android app could be extremely lucrative for your business.
However, there are a multitude of different ways of getting your app to market, and the best solution for you will depend on factors like time, experience, budget, and the app’s overall functionality.
So, let’s dive right in, and we’ll tell you what you need to consider when you create an app for Android.
Why would you want to create an Android app?
We can give you a couple of billion reasons! Here are some stats that will make your eyes water:
There are 3.3 billion Android users worldwide
There are 2.76 million Android apps on the Google Play app store
1.57 billion Android phones were sold in 2022 alone
As an operating system, Android has a 71.8% share of the market, almost 3-times that of Apple’s iOS
That’s pretty convincing, right?!
So, what do you tackle first?
The idea
Before we tell you how to create an app for Android, you’ll need an idea. Our advice is to do lots of planning and research before you start building because, as the figures above show, the competition is seriously tough. You'll need to know things like, what are the most popular apps in your category? What are the trends? What are the pain points that your app can solve?
Once you have that established, map it all out on paper, set out your goals, sketch out some wireframe designs, and devote a lot of time to getting the UI and UX right because those are the things that will keep people coming back for more. You can find out more about our own design process here.
Right, now that you’ve got the idea and the design mapped out, who’s going to build it?
App builders vs freelancers vs agency
There are three different ways you could go about doing your Android app development: using an app builder, hiring a freelancer, or working with an agency. App builders should really only be considered if you’ve got no coding experience, next to zero budget, and just want to produce a very limited demo. Freelancers can give you more control over the design and functionality of your app, but they can be more expensive, while agencies like Foresight Mobile can provide you with a full range of services, from design and development to marketing and support.
But let’s look at the app builder side of things in a bit more detail. How does that work?
Design a pre-configured template with no-code app builders
If you decide to use an app builder, you’ll need to know whether you want to use a pre-configured template or if you’ll be designing your app from scratch. Pre-configured templates are a good option if you’re on a tight deadline or have a limited budget, but they probably won’t be as flexible as a custom-designed app is, particularly when it comes to performing updates.
Bespoke functionality or pre-configured using a no-code app builder
No-code app builders use AI to create Android apps. This can be a great option if you have no coding experience or if you want to create a simple app quickly, but the apps can be extremely limited in terms of the functionality they offer. If you need to create a complex Android app with bespoke functionality, then you should seriously consider hiring a freelancer or working with an agency instead.
Okay, your Android app is now built. Hurrah! What’s next?
Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3
Regardless of how your app is built, testing is an integral part of any app's build. Conduct as much unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing as you can to fix bugs and improve the app's overall performance before it’s published.
Submitting the app to the store
Once your app is developed and as glitch-free as you can make it, you'll need to submit it to the Google Play Store. This process is relatively straightforward, but there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that your app meets the Google Play Store's requirements. Second, you need to create a compelling app description and screenshots to entice people to download it, and finally, you need to set a price for your app. It’s worth noting here that 96.9% of apps available on the Google Play app store are free, so if you are going to charge for your Android app, then it will have to be reasonably priced to be competitive.
Conclusion
Android app development can be a daunting task, even if it’s not your first time building one. You have plenty of options available to you, but the old saying, ‘you get what you pay for’, is especially true here. No-code app development might save you a bit of time and money initially, but it's notoriously restrictive to work with and buggy. Freelance developers will do a good job, but their involvement will probably end not long after the project’s completion, so who’ll keep it up to date for you?
The team at Foresight Mobile can help you plan, troubleshoot, and execute your build, and we can also keep your Android app up-to-date, bug-free, and running as smooth as silk with our support and maintenance service.
We’ve been developing apps for almost a decade, and we’ve used Flutter, React Native and native Kotlin in Android app development for our clients. We’re confident we can pour our years of experience into creating a world-class Android app for your business, so get in touch, tell us about your idea, and together, we’ll craft something that will take your business to the next level and beyond.
