The evolution of app development has undergone multiple stages, and every time, people thought that this was it, the pinnacle of technological progress. However, we went from basic mobile apps to AI-driven, cloud-integrated, cross-platform solutions that can answer our questions and predict our needs in a blink.
Is it a good thing? For us as users, yes, such progress is invaluable as it has made our lives pleasantly simpler. For startups, though, it might be challenging, as to succeed in this sphere, they need to be aware of all app development trends and find a way to stay ahead of their competition. This is where partnering with an experienced AI app development company can make a difference. Instead of spending months building AI expertise in-house, they can help teams move faster and innovate with confidence.
Let’s find out what knowledge and strategies can help them.
Key Stages that Shaped App Development
Before 2010, all we had were some basic mobile apps with minimal interactivity and limited distribution. App development tools were beyond modest, and they could only create single-purpose apps like calculators or note takers.
The App Store revolution changed the situation drastically by giving developers a centralized platform where they could share their increasingly complex products with millions of users simultaneously.
Unique networks like React Native and Flutter began to gain momentum in 2015, and they have brought a new wave of revolutionary changes. Now, you can achieve cross-platform app development by establishing one and the same codebase for both iOS and Android.
This allows creating an app that will run flawlessly on multiple platforms, as well as reducing the costs and the time that go into its development.
AI integration became the final cherry on top of this highly technical cake. This innovation did the following:
- Perfected modern apps to a new maximum.
- Gave birth to chatbots and predictive analytics.
- Acquired the ability to process natural language.
These are the attributes that all modern users expect from the apps they’re using, so developers have to work hard to meet these numerous needs and come up with something new — something that will give them an extra edge over their competitors.
App Development for Startups: Basics and Innovations
How to develop an app as a startup in the era when there are thousands of other companies and developers breathing down your neck? There are two key approaches that can help you stay ahead of the curve, and they include learning the basics and staying up to date with key technologies.
Mastering the Basics
There are three essential pillars you need to grasp if you want your startup to stand a chance of succeeding.
- Defining your vision. Decide what kind of problem your app will solve; determine your target audience and monetization strategy.
- Using the MVP approach. The smartest move is to launch the MVP, meaning a minimum viable product, aka the most basic version of the app with core features.
- Choosing the right stack. Determine if you’re targeting iOS, Android, or cross-platform devices, what kind of databases you’ll rely on, and which scalability needs you expect to have.
By figuring out these three aspects, you’ll have an excellent foundation to base your innovations on. It makes sense to start out as an MVP first, and if the response is positive, you can scale up as much as you’d like.
Applying New Strategies
To stay ahead of the curve, you need to keep up with technological trends and endless development changes. Here are the strategies that might be of help:
- Leverage and experiment with new technologies. Adapt AR/VR technologies from the start, without waiting for them to develop even more; use AI and blockchain, and experiment with new opportunities.
- Build cloud-native architectures. Consider using cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud — they are perfect for startups, as they come with pretty affordable cloud infrastructure.
- Embrace continuous innovation. Try combining Agile frameworks and DevOps practices; keep testing and improving your app to make sure it stays modern and updated.
- Make user experience a priority. Modern clients appreciate intuitive apps, so invest in UX, making simplicity and inclusivity your priorities; don’t be afraid to hire beta testers who’ll provide you with genuine feedback.
Plan for long-term adaptability and collaborate with external partners if you lack a specific kind of expertise. If you can think outside the box, it will give you even more fuel to create an app that will attract a large audience. Combining the basics and embracing the latest innovations is a sure way to success for a startup.
Finding the Right App Development Strategy
App development for startups contains multiple challenges, as these days, it’s difficult to impress your audience. It’s still possible, though: grasping historical basics and using all the ideas above is a good start.
Even if you master them all, it doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely succeed: you still need to offer something unique to your potential users.
However, with enough dedication, inspiration, and creative thinking, you’ll be able to stand out and create an app capable of withstanding the tests of time and change.
