Guide for non-tech entrepreneurs to build an app

With the rapid advancements in technology, creating an app has become as simple as ordering a pizza online.

Thanks to readymade solutions and no-code platforms, you can now build and deploy apps faster than ever before, no tech expertise required!

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time app developer, this guide will walk you through the entire process of creating an app, from ideation to launch.

Let's dive in!

1. Define your app's purpose

Every successful app starts with a clear purpose. Before jumping into development, ask yourself:

• What problem does my app solve?
• Who is my target audience?
• How will my app benefit users?

Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) to guide your development process.

Break these goals into smaller tasks or milestones to ensure steady progress.

Pro Tip: Use the Agile development methodology to maximize productivity, minimize risks, and deliver your app faster.

Agile allows you to adapt to changes and continuously improve your product.

2. Conduct market research

Once you have a solid app idea, it's time to validate it.

Market research helps you understand:

• Is there a demand for your app?
• How does your app solve user problems better than existing solutions?
• What are the pain points of your competitors' users?

By analyzing your competitors, you can identify gaps in the market and refine your app's features. Focus on what users truly need, and avoid adding unnecessary features just because your competitors have them.

3. Prioritize your features

After thorough market research, you'll have a clear idea of the features your app needs. Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—a version of your app with just the essential features. This approach allows you to:

• Launch faster.
• Test your app with real users.
• Gather feedback for future improvements.

Rank your features in order of importance and add them incrementally at each milestone. Remember, your MVP should focus on solving the core problem effectively.

4. Design your app

With your requirements in hand, it's time to bring your app to life through design. Work closely with a designer to create mockups and finalize the app’s user flow.

Key design tips:

• Conduct UX research to understand your target users' needs and preferences.
• Use design tools like Figma or Adobe XD to create intuitive and visually appealing designs.
• Keep the user journey simple, especially during onboarding and registration.

• Pro Tip: Organize a design review meeting with your team to analyze the workflow and ensure a seamless user experience.

5. Choose your platform

Decide whether to develop your app for iOS, Android, or both.

Your choice should be based on your target audience and market research.

If your audience is evenly split between both platforms, consider building for both.

• Pro Tip: If you opt for readymade solutions, you can often get both iOS and Android apps at a single cost, saving time and resources.

6. Select the right technology

The technology you choose will significantly impact your app's performance and development cost. Here are your options:

• Native Development: Use Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android for optimal performance.
• Cross-Platform Development: Use frameworks like Flutter, React Native, or Xamarin to build apps for both platforms with a single codebase.

• Pro Tip: Flutter is an excellent choice for cross-platform development, offering fast performance and reduced development costs.

7. Decide on the development approach

There are multiple ways to build your app:

• Custom development: Build your app from scratch for complete control over features and design.
• Readymade solutions: Use pre-built templates or platforms to speed up development.

If you're building a marketplace app like Uber, Airbnb, or Instacart, readymade solutions can save you significant time and effort.

• Pro Tip: If you're unsure which approach to take, consult with experts to determine the best path for your project.

8. Build your MVP

Your MVP is the foundation of your app. It includes only the essential features needed to solve the core problem. Launching an MVP allows you to:

• Test your app with real users.
• Gather valuable feedback.
• Minimize risks by avoiding large upfront investments.

• Pro Tip: Use the MVP to validate your app idea and make data-driven decisions for future updates.

9. Test your app thoroughly

Quality assurance is critical to ensuring your app performs flawlessly. Test your app for:

• Functionality: Does it work as intended?
• Compatibility: Is it compatible with different devices and operating systems?
• Usability: Is the user interface intuitive and easy to navigate?
• Security: Are user data and transactions secure?

Testing tips:

• Use tools like Diawi to share app builds with your QA team.
• Perform both positive testing (valid inputs) and negative testing (invalid inputs) to uncover unexpected issues.

10. Launch your app

Congratulations! You're now ready to launch your app. Submit it to the App Store and Google Play Store, ensuring you follow their guidelines for a smooth approval process.

Resources to help you launch:

Google Play Store Submission Guidelines

Apple App Store Review Guidelines

• Pro Tip: If you're using a readymade solution, your development partner may handle the submission process for you.

11. Post-Launch: Monitor and Improve

Your work doesn't end after the launch. Continuously monitor user feedback and app performance to identify areas for improvement.

Regular updates and new features will keep your users engaged and help you stay ahead of the competition.

Final thoughts

Building an app is an exciting journey that requires careful planning, research, and execution.

Following these steps, you can create a user-friendly, high-performing app that meets your audience's needs.

Whether you choose custom development or a readymade solution, the key to success lies in understanding your users, prioritizing their needs, and delivering a seamless experience.