Author: Scott Nagy

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App Development

Hiring Backend Developers: Because Someone Has to Deal with All That Data Drama!

“Passing the Drama Baton: The Need for Backend Developers”

In the theatrical production that is a software application, the front-end may be the dazzling lead actor, but the backend is the diligent scriptwriter, director, and stage crew all rolled into one. Managing data, ensuring performance, maintaining security – it’s a lot of drama! This is why hiring backend developers is crucial. They are the experienced stagehands who know how to handle all this backstage data drama, so you don’t have to.

Backend developers are tasked with managing and manipulating databases, implementing server-side logic, ensuring application performance, and handling data security. It’s a role that requires a unique blend of technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a keen understanding of the user experience from a behind-the-scenes perspective.

“The Unsung Heroes: Why Backend Developers Deserve More Spotlight”

Backend developers are akin to the puppeteers who animate a puppet show from behind the scenes. While their work may not always be visible to the audience, the show simply wouldn’t go on without them. They create the systems that store and retrieve data, process user requests, and implement the business logic that drives the application.

The role of a backend developer extends beyond just coding. They are often responsible for devising strategies to effectively manage data, coming up with solutions to improve application speed and efficiency, and ensuring that everything on the front-end has the necessary support to function seamlessly. They are the peacekeepers in the world of data drama, and for this, they deserve more recognition!

“Drama Kings & Queens: Key Skills to Look for When Hiring Backend Developers”

So, what makes a backend developer capable of handling all the drama that comes with their job? Here are a few things to look out for:

  1. Proficiency in backend languages: Backend developers should be proficient in at least one backend language, such as Java, Python, Ruby, or .NET.
  2. Database management: Skills in managing databases (like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB) are a must. The ability to create, query, and manipulate databases is essential in managing data drama.
  3. Server-side frameworks knowledge: Familiarity with frameworks like Django (Python), Express (JavaScript), or Ruby on Rails can be a big plus.
  4. Understanding of front-end technologies: While they work primarily on the backend, understanding front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is also important to ensure seamless integration.
  5. Problem-solving skills: The ability to think critically and solve problems as they arise is arguably one of the most important skills a backend developer can have.

Hiring backend developers is like investing in professional drama handlers. They ensure that all the performance woes, security tantrums, and data divas are under control, allowing your application to function smoothly and efficiently. After all, someone has to deal with all that data drama!

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App Development

Why is mobile development difficult?

Understanding the Challenges of Mobile Development

Mobile development is an increasingly popular area of software development that is growing fast. With the rise of smartphones and tablets, more and more people are using their devices to access the web, download apps and use services. As a result, mobile development is becoming an important aspect of software development. However, it is not without its difficulties. This article will explore why mobile development is such a challenging task.

Mobile Platforms

One of the most significant challenges of mobile development is the wide range of mobile platforms. There are currently four major platforms: iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry. Each of these platforms has its own software development kit (SDK) and app store, which makes it difficult to develop mobile applications that are compatible with all platforms. Additionally, each platform has its own set of rules and guidelines that must be followed in order to be approved for their respective app stores.

Screen Sizes and Resolutions

Another challenge of mobile development is the wide range of screen sizes and resolutions. Mobile devices come in a variety of sizes, from small smartphones to large tablets. Each device has its own screen size and resolution, which makes it difficult to design and develop applications that look good on all devices. Additionally, some devices may not be able to support certain features or functions, which can make development more challenging.

Fragmentation

Fragmentation is another challenge of mobile development. Fragmentation refers to the wide variety of devices and operating systems that are currently in use. This makes it difficult to develop applications that are compatible with all devices and operating systems. Additionally, fragmentation can lead to compatibility issues, which can cause applications to crash or not function correctly.

Security

Security is an important aspect of mobile development. Mobile devices are often used to store sensitive information, such as banking information or personal data. As a result, it is important to ensure that applications are secure and cannot be easily hacked or compromised. Additionally, applications need to be designed with security in mind, in order to protect user data.

Conclusion

Mobile development is a complex and challenging task. It is important for developers to be aware of the challenges associated with mobile development in order to ensure that applications are secure, compatible and user-friendly. By understanding the challenges of mobile development, developers can create applications that are successful and useful.

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App Development

How can I become a mobile developer with no experience?

How to Become a Mobile Developer with No Experience

Are you interested in becoming a mobile developer but have no experience in coding or software development? Don’t worry! It is possible to learn the necessary skills and become a mobile developer without any prior experience. All you need is some patience, dedication, and the right resources.

In this article, we will discuss the various steps you can take to become a mobile developer without any prior experience. We will cover topics such as the best way to learn to code, the most popular mobile development languages, and how to find job opportunities in the mobile development field.

Learn to Code

The first step to becoming a mobile developer is to learn how to code. This is one of the most important steps, as it will form the foundation of your mobile development skills. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources available to help you learn how to code.

One of the best ways to learn to code is to use online tutorials. These tutorials provide step-by-step instructions on how to write code, as well as helpful tips and tricks. There are also a variety of coding courses available online, which can be a great way to learn the fundamentals of coding quickly and efficiently.

Choose a Mobile Development Language

Once you have a basic understanding of coding, the next step is to choose a language for mobile development. The most popular mobile development languages are Java, Kotlin, and Swift. Each language has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider which language best suits your needs.

Java is the most popular language for mobile development, and is used to create Android apps. It is a powerful language that is easy to learn and has a wide range of libraries and tools. Kotlin is another popular language for mobile development, and is also used to create Android apps. It is a more concise language than Java and is easier to learn. Lastly, Swift is used to create iOS apps and is a modern language that is easy to read and write.

Get Experience

Once you have chosen a language, it is important to get some experience building mobile apps. The best way to do this is to practice building simple apps and gradually increase the difficulty. This will help you get used to the language and increase your confidence in your mobile development skills.

It can also be beneficial to look for opportunities to work on projects with other developers. This will give you the opportunity to learn from experienced developers and gain valuable experience in the field.

Find Job Opportunities

Once you have gained some experience in mobile development, the next step is to start looking for job opportunities. There are a variety of job boards and websites that specialize in mobile development jobs. It is important to research each job listing carefully and make sure you have the necessary skills and experience for the position.

You can also network with other mobile developers and attend industry events to connect with potential employers. Additionally, you can post your portfolio on websites such as GitHub and Stack Overflow, which can help you get noticed by potential employers.

Conclusion

Becoming a mobile developer with no experience is possible with the right resources and dedication. It is important to learn to code, choose a language for mobile development, get experience, and find job opportunities. With patience and hard work, you can become a successful mobile developer with no prior experience.

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App Development

Who is a mobile app developer

A mobile developer is a specialist who creates software applications for mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, smart watches, e-books and other portable gadgets). A good developer must understand more than just programming. Erudition in UX\UI, business logic, prototyping – all this distinguishes an enthusiast with great prospects in life from a person who only exchanges his time for money.

In the BBC ranking, programmers and IT developers are among the top 5 most in-demand professions in the world. They were only beaten by nurses, mechanical engineers, doctors and electrical engineers.

Every year, the growth in sales through applications on smartphones and tablets is increasing, and with it, the need for highly qualified developers continues to grow. Therefore, the digital environment, which is in the process of becoming, is experiencing a shortage of good specialists.

The development of the mobile application market will make this shortage even more acute. Therefore, if you have been eyeing this profession for a long time, now is the time to start taking the first steps in development – you will definitely not be left without work.

What are the prospects for mobile development

Today, there are 5 billion smartphones for every 5.5 billion people on the planet over the age of 14. On average, each has 35 apps installed. In total, 204 billion applications were downloaded by users in 2019.

Mobile Internet outstripped the stationary one in terms of the number of users four years ago. The mobile development market as a whole has grown by 40% in 2021, and there is no reason to expect a decline in numbers. On the contrary, the sphere of mobile systems and mobile development is actively involved in global economic processes.

What does a mobile app developer do?

This is a specialist who develops applications for various kinds of mobile devices. In addition to direct programming, he often communicates with other product departments, tests various forms and stages of creating an application, conducts a final review and uploads to the required platforms.

What tasks does a mobile developer solve

The roles and tasks of the developer directly depend on the area of ​​his responsibility, which was determined by the manager. Most often, a new application is created according to the terms of reference from, for example, a product manager. In this case, the executing developer discusses the terms and progress of work on the project with colleagues, coordinates all stages of creating the application, and adapts it to the necessary sites.

Sometimes the work of a mobile developer is completely creative: the idea of ​​a new application comes either from himself or from other employees, but without a clear TOR. This is a more complex form of cooperation in which the developer is the leader. He not only codes, but also delegates tasks to colleagues, monitors the quality of their implementation, gives advice, conducts code reviews.

What are the trends in mobile development

It’s almost impossible to find a “Developer” vacancy: it will always be with some kind of prefix that defines the functionality and area of ​​responsibility of the employee on the project. The world of mobile development is also vast and diverse, for example, development for Android and iOS are two parallel universes. The learning process will be more productive if you already at the initial stage decide on the direction you want to master.

There are two main areas in mobile development:

1. According to the purpose of the product being developed:

  • games;
  • business applications;
  • social applications;
  • applications based on the operation of sensors and IoT in general (navigation, physiological, etc.);

application of neural networks.

 2. According to the technical parameters and the platform for which the application is being developed:

  • Android apps
  • cross-platform applications;
  • iOS applications;

What is the salary of a mobile developer

The vast majority of mobile application developers choose this profession for quite mundane reasons: the specialty is considered one of the highest paid and promising. In addition, this is really the point of application of efforts that will help to get the maximum result, and now we are not talking about money, but about the scale of projects and impact on the world.

No one will be able to give an exact average figure to the question about the fee – everything varies greatly depending on the professionalism of the specialist, the level of the company in which he works, and the region.

As a person who worked at IT company in the entire “ladder” of positions, from a layout designer to an architect and a manager, I can say that the person who came to development by hanging a similar table with fees over the bed is the last person I myself would like to see in to your team. Money is a bad motivator in any business, and even more so in such a progressive one as mobile development. Money is a reward for the result, not the purpose of the work.

If you are not driven by the idea of ​​changing the world with this, then it is better to spend your energy not on learning programming languages, but on something simpler, for example, smearing sleepers with creosote. Because a really cool product is obtained when people who are in love with their work and inspired by a big idea work on them. At least that’s how it works in our company. Work should first of all bring pleasure and self-realization.

The career ladder of a developer in many IT companies is quite multi-stage and allows you to develop both in a managerial and technical way. The first involves usually vertical growth: you can grow from a junior to a team leader in an average of five years. The second prioritizes not so much managerial positions as an increase in technical expertise. Employees who do not aspire to become managers can grow professionally and horizontally, developing on different projects and platforms.

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App Development

Development of web and mobile applications from No-code studios

According to the 2020 study “Global Developer Population and Demographic Study” by Evans Data Corporation, today IT developer is one of the most sought-after professions: the number of developers in the world is 31 million people.

I think you also noticed that code development studios and freelancers have become a dime a dozen: contextual advertising and targeting give us thousands of offers for IT development services every single day. “We write in JavaScript, Java, Swift, Python, Kotlin and more.”

And the services of code studios are not cheap: the market average cost of developing, for example, mobile applications is from 450 thousand to 4.5 million, and the implementation period varies from 4 to 10 months.

Due to such “price lawlessness” and long implementation periods, many ideas only remain ideas, and many startups are not even born.

What if I told you that you can create profitable web and mobile applications 3 times faster and cheaper without resorting to the services of developers-coders?

The key to such a sharp reduction in the cost and acceleration of IT development is No-code services and Low-code solutions!

Interested? Then let’s move on!

Remark

In the comments to similar materials, I noticed a lot of dissatisfied exclamations in the spirit: “Nothing is clear, a very technical article.” For this reason, my article is focused not so much on fellow developers, but on entrepreneurs who can use this information to solve their business problems.

My name is Andrey Ilyinsky – I am the founder of the visual programming studio Sinneo! If you are a starter or an entrepreneur looking to launch a new product, this article is for you!

What is No-code/Low-code?

There are two concepts that people often confuse – No-code and Low-code.

No-code are constructors for creating IT products that do not require the use of code. Surely you know Tilda and Wix website builders? However, I should immediately bring you up to date: No-code constructors are much more than Tilda and Wix. In today’s article, I rely on the experience of developing on services designed to create web and mobile applications – Bubble and Adalo.

Low-code – I define how the approach to the implementation of an IT product is when the product base is made on a No-code service, and everything else that is not implemented on the constructor is added manually on the code.

Advantages of Low and No-code development over code

First of all, it is less laborious to develop applications on No-code constructors. Assembling a product from ready-made blocks is easier than writing dozens of lines of code for each element.

Creating an IT product on No-code is 3 times faster compared to code development – less labor intensity leads to a decrease in man-hours spent.

It is 1.5-2 times cheaper to develop an application on No-code only by reducing the man-hours spent on work.

If we also take into account that the man-hour of a middle nocoder costs 25-40% less than a middle coder, No-coding becomes at least 4 times cheaper than traditional coding.

With the help of pre-made plugins and API keys, No-code constructors integrate with third-party services, such as: payment modules, Google maps, email newsletter platforms, chat bots, third-party databases, CRM systems and others. This simplifies the work and expands the Application.

You can create a product not only from ready-made blocks, but also on zero block. On a white sheet, you yourself create this or that block, using not the entire ready-made template, but only specific elements.

Some services are Open Source. This means that on the basis of the No-code platform, you can enter your program code. This just transforms No-code into Low-code, and takes visual programming beyond block solutions.

Intrigued you? Here you can learn about the best No-code services and what you can build on them.

Where is it applied and to whom is it relevant?

Defining the target audience, we can safely say that Low and No-code development is primarily necessary for startups who have the task of bringing their MVP (Minimum Viable Product, Minimum Viable Product) to the market with little blood.

What is an MVP and why are startups bringing it to market?

Let’s say you have an idea. You have analyzed the market, studied the competitors, come up with your ideal product with a “Unique Selling Proposition”. Everything cool!

Then you invested money and time in the IT development of a complex and multifunctional product, brought it to the market. And, suddenly, the project, for some inexplicable reason, does not produce the results that were expected.

Why did it happen? The problem may lie in the overconfidence of start-up entrepreneurs in their product. They release their web or mobile application to the market without regard to the needs of the target audience, relying only on their intuition.

What to do to avoid failure? In order to minimize your potential losses, it makes sense to moderate your starting appetites and start with two steps:

1. Conduct CustDev (Customer development), or as it is commonly called in the English-speaking environment User Research or “User Research”.

In short, CustDev / User Research / User Research is a set of works to identify the target audience’s need for a future product, as well as their preferences for functionality, design, interface and other components of the product.

If you are interested in reading about “User Research”, write in the comments, I will definitely make a separate article.

2. Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP, Minimum Viable Product).

Regarding MVP, I will also be brief. The Minimum Viable Product is a product that:

  • is done not so much for making money, but for “testing the hypothesis”
  • reaches the market 3-4 times faster than the “final product”
  • contains the functionality necessary to meet the main needs of the target audience
  • has a minimum number of optional “stray”
  • demonstrates relevance and relevance among the target audience.
  • brings you the first money,
  • forms the first permanent audience.
  • If you are interested in learning more about MVP, then you are here!
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App Development

Whom to choose: internal team, development studio or freelancers

The choice of the contractor is influenced by the size of your business, financial capabilities and time.

Freelancers.

These are non-staff workers that you hire for a limited time to work on the entire project or just specific tasks. A freelancer can work with several clients at the same time or combine his main job with freelance work.

Plus:

  • The cost of working with freelancers is the lowest compared to other options. However, it is worth planning some expenses in case the freelancer incorrectly estimated the project or, for example, if you have to urgently look for a replacement for him.

Minuses:

  • Breaking deadlines and stretching tasks is a common situation in working with freelancers. If he is working on several projects, he will primarily solve the tasks of more hot projects. A freelancer can completely stop communicating and disappear. However, a lot depends on how you organize your work with a specialist.
  • Relations with a freelancer are based on mutual trust, but there is always a risk of stumbling upon an unscrupulous contractor. In addition, without testing and code review by professionals, it is not a fact that the project will be implemented without bugs and other specialists will be able to support it if you decide to change the contractor;
  • A freelancer has no interest in working on your project, except for material. But inclusion to the project is important, and the success of the project will depend on which specialists you select and how you build interaction.

Working with freelancers is suitable when the budget is limited and you have a wealth of experience in project management and willingness to spend a lot of time communicating with contractors. The most important thing is to calculate the risks and always have a plan B at hand.

Development studio.

This is a team of professionals with well-established production processes, to which the client entrusts the work on the project. The studio is responsible for the correct assessment of the stages of work on the project, the implementation of these stages, the documentation and the release of a workable application that corresponds to what is written in the documentation. The client is responsible for achieving business goals and the correctness of the chosen monetization model.

Also, the client is included in the project as its full participant and is responsible for maintaining communication with the studio, providing its employees with access to everything necessary and for promoting the product.

Pros:

  • An experienced studio will most likely have experience with projects similar to yours and will be able to warn you against common mistakes;
  • The studio is responsible for the quality of the project implementation.
  • Code review, testing, management and additional processes organized by the contractor help to make the project of the expected quality within a fixed time frame and budget;
  • The client communicates primarily with the project manager. The manager regularly reports to the client about how the work on the project is going, discusses what difficulties arise and how they can be resolved, whether there are risks of not meeting the deadline and what to do to prevent this.

Minus and plus:

  • The cost of outsourcing company services is higher than that of freelancers, but lower than the maintenance of an in-house team. On the one hand, the client actually pays the contractor extra for eliminating risks, on the other hand, it reduces fixed costs that are inevitable when working with full-time specialists.
  • This is not the most budget option, but it is yours if you want to get a ready-made high-quality project of the required functionality in a limited time frame. Studio will save your time and prevent numerous risks from being realized.

In house team.

This is an internal development team that works on a regular basis in the client’s staff.

Pros:

  • High speed of response;
  • Involvement of specialists;
  • Following the quality standards set by the department;
  • High motivation to complete the project with high quality and on time.

Since you yourself select people, it also depends on you what values ​​\u200b\u200bwill underlie the work of the team.

Minus:

This is the most expensive interaction option. It is necessary to find qualified specialists, to interest

them with your project, provide the team with permanent and long-term employment, look for replacements for those who have decided to quit.

Also, the employer must pay wages with taxes, regardless of downtime in production, vacation pay, as well as renting an office, equipping workplaces, etc.

Creating your own development team is worth it if you have a product that requires constant development and inclusion, and you are sure that you can provide a team with a constant load and know how to manage such a team.

A common practice is to order the first version of the application in the development studio, and if the project is successful, to assemble your own team to support and develop it. In this case, you need to make sure that the project is easily transferable from one developer to another: it has a set of documentation, understandable readable code with comments, and is written using well-known technologies.

How to find a studio contractor

The outcome of the project depends on the right choice of studio. It should be as responsible as choosing an apartment or a car: at best, you will be the happy owner of a practical property,

at worst, you will get a burden and a feeling of regret for many years.

Start with ratings. Studying them will give you an idea of ​​the number of studios, the cost of their services and their position in the industry. It is worth focusing on four ratings:

  • “Tagline”. The most authoritative ranking of mobile app developers on the market. It takes into account the annual revenue of the studio, the number of employees, the quality of the studio’s website and its recognition among colleagues in the shop;
  • Ruward. Aggregator of other ratings. Takes into account the positions of studios in Tagline and a number of secondary ratings.
  • Clutch. Ranking with editorial in the USA. The positions of the studios depend on real reviews and ratings from clients who have already worked with them;
Categories
App Development

Mobile application for business: what the customer needs to know, part two

What are we talking about

What exactly is involved in creating an application? The most frequently asked question by our clients. They want to know how much money and time will be required from them, how the work is built, where to start and how to earn money as a result, not lose it.

This important question, which cannot be answered in a nutshell, inspired us to publish this series of articles. They will not contain vague advice from the series “how to make an application: three easy steps.” But there will be experience gained over more than five years of work in the mobile development market, examples from practice and a guide to action.

In the first material of the series, we talked about how to understand that your business needs an application. And now let’s talk about how applications make life easier for companies from different industries.

How businesses use mobile apps

With the help of mobile, companies seek to automate processes, simplify the work of employees and partners, attract new customers and increase the share of mobile sales.

According to Gartner, mobile services will have the biggest impact on business success in 2020. Thus, 90% of companies from different industries have already invested in the development of mobile applications.

By 2021, the share of mobile commerce in all e-commerce will grow to 72.9%.

Appinventiv predicts $3.5 trillion in global mobile sales revenue by 2021.

We are most often approached by clients from retail, e-commerce, education, medicine, construction, industry – our experience of working with such customers is especially indicative. That’s what they do mobile services for.

Retail

The application helps sellers of goods and services to retain customers and optimize the work of employees.

Loyalty system. Large chains, small workshops, restaurants and barbershops seek to study existing customers, engage and retain them, rather than chasing new ones. To do this, companies refuse plastic cards and transfer the loyalty system to smartphones.

84% of shoppers make impulsive purchases. With a convenient loyalty system in mobile, this figure is growing.

Usually. Sasha comes to the hardware store to buy some headphones. He sees a toaster – this is what his friend wanted. Today there is a -25% discount for loyalty card holders on this toaster. Sasha takes headphones, a toaster and goes to the cash register. When the cashier asks to see the card, the young man realizes that he forgot it at home. Sasha refuses the toaster and decides to buy it next time – when he takes a plastic card with him.

In mobile. The loyalty card is always at hand, in the smartphone application. It is impossible to forget it at home, but you can get a good discount on the right product. You just need to open the application and show the barcode to the cashier – the cost of the purchase will automatically decrease.

Debugging processes within the company

Mobile business process automation is a good opportunity to simplify daily and repetitive tasks.

Usually. A sales representative or manager who is involved in sales spends about 65% of his working time on data entry and other minor activities that do not directly affect profit.

In mobile. The mobile application automates routine operations. As soon as a person enters data into a mobile application, they are transferred to Google Docs or CRM. This saves the employee time, which he usually spent on several records on different platforms – and he can be more active in doing what brings the company money.

Large retailers usually have a staff of analysts who test applications, check user scenarios and new features, tell developers what and how to fix to make it even more convenient.

Smaller companies can’t afford it – it’s expensive. If you want to make a working and convenient application, be guided by the experience of market leaders. In this article, we analyzed the applications of well-known retailers.

E-commerce

Companies from this field often use mobile service to stand out from competitors and attract the attention of the user.

Usually. Katya wants to buy a desk. She takes a smartphone, writes a search query in a mobile browser and sees a lot of links with offers. The girl goes through them, looks through the goods, compares the offers of different sellers. This month you did not give contextual advertising, so you did not get into the first lines of the issue. Katya did not remember you, and bought a table from competitors.

In mobile. Last year, Katya bought a wardrobe and even then installed your mobile application. When she needed a table, she remembered you, clicked on the icon and found what suits her. In ten minutes, the girl placed an order, not even remembering that you can look for other options in a mobile browser.

By opening a mobile application, the client interacts only with you – you have no one to compete with for his attention and money.

Education

Those who work with students have to constantly use different sources of information, devices and gadgets. The app offers a seamless user experience and saves time on repetitive tasks.

Usually. The school teacher records attendance in a journal, transfers this data to an Excel spreadsheet on a computer after class, and at the end of each month prepares reports for each student and manually sends them by e-mail to parents.

In mobile. The teacher notes attendance in the mobile application. This data is automatically transferred to the school’s accounting system and added to the reports, which are sent to the parents of each student at the appointed time. Instead of a lot of actions, the teacher only needs to mark the attendance – everything else happens without his participation.

The medicine

Mobile makes clinics more modern and customer-oriented. A medical institution that has a mobile application offers patients a more convenient appointment.

Usually. Anton has a fever, he decided to make an appointment with a doctor. Finding the phone number of the clinic, Anton could not get through the first time. Toward evening, he succeeded, but the administrator said that the appointment with the doctor for tomorrow was already closed. The young man had to make an appointment for another day, but for now self-medicate.

In mobile. Taking a smartphone, Anton opened the clinic’s application and made an appointment online. The application displays the current schedule of doctors, you can see their profiles and competencies, choose the right specialist and convenient appointment time. And you don’t even need to talk on the phone.

Categories
App Development

Mobile applications – the way to the heart of the buyer

The relationship between a person and a brand is almost personal. Shopping in our favorite store is like talking with friends for us – it relaxes, gives pleasant emotions and a sense of security. But first, the application needs to win the trust of the buyer: send notifications in time, show the price with all possible discounts, find the nearest pickup points, correctly orient users on the delivery time. And of course, be convenient and understandable to use.

If you’ve developed the right eCommerce app, people will come back to shop for you. What will the store get from this?

Increase conversions and LTV.

Regular customers know your product, appreciate the service, so they do not need to be convinced of something – they already trust you. People purposefully come for a purchase and make it. Due to such user behavior, the conversion of the store and the life of the buyer increase.

Reducing acquisition costs.

 Re-attracting users is cheaper for the store, so even such giants as OZON and Wildberries are fighting for regular customers. Hence loyalty programs, special offers and discounts that activate repeat purchases.

 From the experience of stores, we can say that the costs of such promotions pay off.

How to get a lost customer back

American businessman John Shoal says that “acquiring a new client is about 5 times more expensive than keeping the one you already worked with.” Referring to the study by F. Reichheld and W.E. Sussers, he argues that a 5% increase in customer retention can increase a company’s profits by up to 100%.

But what if the user forgot about the app after the first purchase? Adjust analyzed 8 billion app installs worldwide and found they were deleted within a week of being used. The reasons can be different from objective (abundance of advertising, little memory, incompatibility with the device, inconvenient interface) to subjective (don’t like the design, don’t have time to use it). The task of the marketing department in this case is to reach the user.

For example, Lamoda – the largest multi-brand online clothing and footwear boutique in Eastern Europe, allows you to find things by photo: the user uploads it to the search bar and gets similar options. The minimalistic design of the catalog helps to focus on shopping, and the photo gallery swipes into the preview without going to the product card. The price in the catalog is indicated taking into account the Lamoda Club loyalty program, and the application gives a discount on the first purchase. In addition to these applications, people often buy goods on AliExpress, ASOS and order food through the Delivery Club. And they do it from the phone. Why? Find out in our roundup of popular eCommerce apps. Barrier-free shopping is a trend that eCommerce applications are developing. The task of designers and developers is to make sure that the user can make purchases without thinking about what his next step will be. Intuitive interface, personalization, loyalty programs, and checkout in two clicks are needed in order for the purchase to turn into a reflex.

According to the recent research

There are many ways to return a lost customer, but for some reason, marketers pay undeservedly little attention to remarketing and retargeting.

Tools from Google Ads, Yandex.Direct and Facebook work on the same principle: these are advertisements that personally appeal to people from your target audience.

Imagine that a user is looking at a product in your store app, but is hesitant to buy it. On other apps, it’s caught up with your product ad: “You’ve been looking at jeans recently. We give them a 15% discount. The user clicks on the ad and is returned to your app via a deep link, a URL that takes the user straight to the purchase screen.

Without the application on the phone, this scenario would not exist.

The role of a mobile application in your business

Thanks to the mobile application, a person carries your store in his pocket: he can make a purchase at any time, arrange delivery, and receive privileges and discounts for the next purchase. But the idea of ​​a selling application is not limited to a convenient service.

First of all, the application is necessary for business. It strengthens the connection with users, forms a loyal audience and has tools to increase profits.

A mobile application gives businesses a huge scope for studying user behavior.

The application has tools to return users to purchase.

Due to the loyalty program, the application increases the conversion and frequency of purchases.

In the application, buyers go through their shopping journey and complete all actions faster than on the website.

The application provides an average check 130-140% higher than on sites and their adaptive versions.

A mobile application is an independent sales channel that adapts to each customer. In it, you can study user behavior in detail, implement new marketing strategies and maintain constant contact with people.

What is the price of a mobile application

The price of developing an application depends not only on the time that the team spends on the project. The price is affected by its complexity, the number of supported devices and operating systems, and the experience of developers… In the article, we analyzed how these factors work with examples, so that you can imagine approximate prices and terms for developing applications and make the right management decisions. In the meantime, let’s talk about what makes up the price of a mobile application.

‣ Country and developer experience

The price per man-hours depends not only on the experience of the developer, but also on the country in which he lives. The developer exchange Arc Formerly Codementor found out how much freelancers get per hour of work in different countries:

Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand – from $70;

France, England, Canada – from $65;

Russia, Belarus, Ukraine – from $25;

India, Pakistan – from $15.

Developer rates from Pakistan are at least 30% lower than in Switzerland. Does it mean that it is more profitable to hire those people whose services are cheaper? Averaged data hides significant details: time zones, language barriers, skills. When choosing a developer from another country, it is important to consider these factors in conjunction with the development price.

But to create a good application, one freelancer is not enough. You need a team with competent analysts, programmers, designers and testers who will take care of your application at all stages of development.

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App Development

Does mobile development require coding?

Does Mobile Development Require Coding?

Mobile development is a rapidly growing field of technology that has been gaining momentum over the past few years. With the proliferation of smartphones and related devices, businesses and individuals are increasingly turning to mobile development to create apps, games, and other software products. But does mobile development require coding?

The answer is, yes. Mobile development does require coding. Coding is the language of computers and, without it, there would be no way to create mobile applications or software. The process of coding involves writing instructions for the computer so that it can understand and execute the desired tasks. Writing code requires knowledge of programming languages, such as Java, C++, or Python, and knowledge of frameworks such as React Native or Flutter.

However, coding is not the only skill required for mobile development. Even if you know how to code, you still need to understand the fundamentals of mobile development, such as user experience (UX) design, interface design, and project management. You also need to be aware of the latest trends in mobile technology and understand how to use them to create the best possible app.

In order to create a successful mobile application, you need to have a strong understanding of how to design and develop the user experience. This involves creating a user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate, as well as developing features and functions that provide a great user experience. Additionally, you need to be able to handle the complexities of project management, such as coordinating resources, setting deadlines, and monitoring progress.

When it comes to coding, there are a few different approaches to mobile development. The most popular is native mobile development, which involves coding directly in the language of the device’s operating system. This approach offers the most control over the design and features of the app, as well as the best performance. However, it is also the most time-consuming approach to mobile development.

Another approach to mobile development is cross-platform development, which uses a single codebase that can be used on multiple platforms. This approach is faster and more cost-effective, but it also provides less control over the design and features of the app. It is often used for simple apps that don’t require a lot of customizations.

Finally, there is the hybrid approach, which combines native and cross-platform development. This approach is often used for more complex apps, as it offers the best of both worlds. It is also the most expensive and time-consuming approach to mobile development.

In conclusion, mobile development does require coding. However, coding is just one part of the process. You also need to understand the fundamentals of UX design, interface design, and project management. Additionally, you need to be aware of the latest trends in mobile technology and understand how to use them to create the best possible app. With the right skills and knowledge, you can create a successful mobile application.

Categories
App Development

What mistakes junior mobile app developers make

In a profession that is still new to the world, many are groping, learning both from their own and from the mistakes of others. Already successful specialists are happy to share their fakups at the start. So they remind that recently they were also newcomers, and this did not interfere with their career, because the main thing is to work on mistakes.

The failures of novice developers and their major blunders can be divided into two categories: professional and personal.

Among the professionals:

  • obsession with one programming language and unwillingness to learn others;
  • ignoring the fundamentals of programming in pursuit of the latest development trends;
  • misunderstanding of market conditions and consumer needs;

the absence of “vents” – non-work projects that allow you to hone your skills and apply all your skills, but at the same time are a kind of entertainment (creating a mini-game for a child or working on a new idea for a startup).

 Among the common ones:

  • unreasonable perfectionism, sometimes the best is really the enemy of the good;
  • reluctance to seek help from more experienced colleagues;
  • excessive enthusiasm for ready-made solutions and lack of creative thinking;
  • fear of error and criticism;
  • ignoring the physiological needs of the body, sleep and rest, which often lead to burnout and stress.

What is the future of mobile development

Experts note the exponential nature of the development of the field of mobile systems in general and the development of applications in the first place. Even 10 years ago, the world of mobile devices, their functionality and role in the lives of users were radically different from the picture that we see today.

The average time a smartphone owner spends today with their gadget is four hours. And those who read this article – even more. Less than half of this time is occupied by direct communication – something that once began the history of mobile communications.

Mobile devices are no longer about communication or entertainment. The expansion of functionality and optimization of technologies has turned gadgets into an integral part of life. What makes them important and indispensable is precisely the “stuffing” – those functional applications that educate, develop, solve problems, soothe and entertain, inform, help monitor your health, spend and earn.

Study findings

A study for 2021 confirmed that the digital economy is gaining momentum and is increasingly affecting related industries. And take a closer look at the trends – they still contain the same results of the work of mobile developers:

  • distribution of chatbots, digital assistants and VR;
  • development of machine learning and artificial intelligence;
  • ubiquitous gamification;
  • multifunctionality and the desire of applications for super-formats of ecosystems and universal services that combine several applications for different purposes.

Dive into the intricacies of the mobile is now not only interesting, but also very practical. And if the pandemic has instilled in you a desire for self-development, you know which course to enroll in soon.

With understanding for yourself

To begin with, it is worth saying that self-doubt, fear, excitement, self-flagellation and sweaty palms, in a situation where we are dealing with something unknown, are characteristic of even the most brutal of us. I do not like generalizations of this kind, because they are not very representative, but I have not yet known a person in my life who would not doubt himself when embarking on something new. So the first step is to treat all this emotional turbulence with understanding. Enlist the support of loved ones, be patient with your own clumsiness, think less about what everyone else is doing, what they look at every step under a microscope, and, most importantly, do not forget to apply moisturizer to your face before bed.

Look around the area

It is important to note that the context of assignment is different for everyone. Someone gets a promotion in a department in which they previously worked. Someone moves to an adjacent unit. Someone generally flies into the stratosphere of another company. All these cases have their own characteristics, which I cannot describe here, with all my desire, which I do not have. From the obvious for people getting into the new scenery, it is worth working out everything possible about the culture of the company or new division, find out about the experience of the predecessor, if there was one, about the strategy and goals of the company or new division.

Don’t Cling to Expertise

Did you grow out of a project role? Most importantly, do not focus frantically on your past expertise. Here the situation is quite paradoxical, because on the one hand, you were promoted for being good at coding/analyzing/drawing/testing/writing/substituting your own, on the other hand, you have to do something in which you have no expertise.

In a situation where there is no solid ground under their feet, people often begin to cling to what they are sure of. In some cases, this leads to overcontrol in the field of expertise and the collapse of all other processes.

Of course, expertise is great and it will definitely help. It’s important not to let her get hurt. Between understanding the process, mentoring, awareness of risks on the one hand and hyper-custody and micromanagement on the other, there is a difference, at the price of a position.

My boss is my friend

It is important to understand the goals of the leader and how your product contributes to these goals. What specific metrics are important for the common, so to speak, good.

It is important from the first days to interview the boss on the subject:

His expectations from you, as from a newly minted leader.

Understand how he sees the image of the result of the team’s work. Goals, key metrics. How do these goals and metrics fit into the overall KPI’s of the department (and, for the most inquisitive, of the entire company as a whole). Here for self-study, if this is your case, the methodology for calculating the goals of the product. If you come to a product with already approved goals, it is very important to understand on the shore how these goals were calculated and got on board, and most importantly, what you are signing up for.

What risks, in his opinion, are inherent in this particular area of ​​work.

Who does he consider key stakeholders. What are the main features of working with them.

If the boss is immersed in the vicissitudes of the personnel issue, ask for feedback on people. In the same box office – an understanding of maneuvers for growth and remuneration of employees (it would not be bad to understand what opportunities there are for motivating people besides a “friendly team” and a “promising company”)

What happened to your predecessor? Right here with all the consequences. If expelled, then why. If he left on his own, how did he justify it? If he was promoted, then for what?