{"id":10793,"date":"2022-09-20T20:48:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T20:48:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheesecakelabs.com\/blog\/"},"modified":"2024-05-07T19:15:06","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T19:15:06","slug":"how-to-build-an-app","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cheesecakelabs.com\/blog\/how-to-build-an-app\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Build An App: Best Practices for Developing Scalable Apps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here at Cheesecake Labs, we’ve helped companies across various industries develop apps of all shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about how to build an app, it’s that you’re going to need to make a lot of decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you’re going to build your own app in 2023, what are the key things you’ll need to consider? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And more importantly, how do you make an scalable applications<\/a> from scratch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we’re going to cover everything you need to know, from the phases of building an app to the potential of emerging technologies to what frameworks you should consider and how you can best provide value to your target market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step zero: deciding who will build your app<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When creating an app, you have options when deciding how<\/em> you\u2019ll work through these steps but also who <\/em>will go through the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have the talent and expertise in-house you can take on the task yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you don\u2019t have the time or teams to build an app, or you\u2019ve hit a wall midway through the process, you should consider working with a dedicated team of engineers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of them as your outside-in-house team <\/a>\u2014 an extension of your company working to build an app to drive innovation in your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Cheesecake Labs, we\u2019ve developed our Dedicated Teams service<\/a> to help businesses build the right engineering teams and build apps efficiently \u2014 using the same foundation we\u2019ll lay out in this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First time figuring out how to create an app from scratch? Learn how to start an app here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are countless reasons to invest in building an app. It can serve as its own endeavor, being the primary offering from your company. Or it could accompany another product or service, enhancing its usability. Or you could simply use an app to connect with customers over a new medium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the case, the benefits of an app are clear. It can act as a unique revenue stream, put you in touch with a new segment of customers or users, and open up new opportunities for your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheesecake Labs’ 4 phases of app development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you develop an iOS app or start programming for Android, knowing the basics of how to build an app is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you get started, here are the four phases of app development we use at Cheesecake Labs, regardless of whether we’re working on iPhone app design or otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Product Definition <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, we begin with product definition<\/a>. This is the phase of development where we outline the basics of what we’re going to build. Is this going to be a tool for our users?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new avenue for selling goods and services? Maybe it’s a service in its own right or a tool that will work with an existing product?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the case, this is where you come up with the name, core purpose, and initial goals for your app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This first step is the most important part of learning how to build an app \u2014 without a clearly defined product everything else is much harder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Product Design<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next, we move on to product design<\/a>. While the first phase is more conceptual, product design is where pen meets paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you\u2019ll outline features, clear up navigation, and, importantly, determine how users are supposed to interact with the app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Product Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That brings us to product development<\/a>. This is where you move from the drawing board to the programming floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll begin wireframing prototypes, building and testing features, seeing how your ideas function in practical usage, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also where the first two phases of prep work start to pay off. The more work you invest in the first two phases, the more payoff you’ll begin to see here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Product Optimization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The last phase is product optimization<\/a>. If you’ve ever built an app before, then you already know there’s no such thing as an app that works as soon as you finish developing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, you’re going to need to start testing it. That doesn’t just include removing bugs, though that is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to that, you’ll need to eliminate features that don’t work, replace navigational elements with ideas that make more sense, and, in general, work on polishing your handiwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if you\u2019ve already been through some of these phases?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve already defined your app or have even started the design phase, that\u2019s great! You\u2019re well on your way to having an innovative app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Cheesecake Labs, we can help you build an app no matter where in the process you are. If you\u2019ve already done the first two stages, we can help you build velocity and scale during the product development and optimization phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to provide value to your customers (without spending too much)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the key things you should know about how to build an app is that you need to balance providing value to your customers with your budget. Unsurprisingly, designing an app can cost a lot<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s why the team here at Cheesecake Labs doesn’t necessarily vouch for creating a minimum “viable” product<\/a> (as is standard), but instead creating a minimum “valuable” product<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A merely viable product risk being lackluster, especially when compared to competitors. Instead, shoot for making the most valuable product<\/a> that your team is capable of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you create an app that is your minimum valuable product (MVP)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To do this, you’ll need to begin by answering these important questions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n