source: appmaster.io

The global custom software development market reached an estimated USD 35.42 billion in 2023, with projections indicating a robust CAGR of 22.5% from 2024 to 2030. This growth reflects the increasing demand for tailored solutions. More companies seek to build unique products that meet their specific business needs and stand out.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the eight essential steps in the mobile application development services from Purrweb. However, this approach is used in other agencies too.

source: appmaster.io

Discovery phase. Laying the foundation for a successful app

The discovery phase tests your hypothesis before committing to app development. While some ideas might seem promising on the surface, they don’t always resonate with users. The discovery phase offers a preliminary check on potential success.

source: jelvix.com

This stage is composed of several core activities:

• Market research. Identify target audiences, trends, competitors, and user needs. Understand what other apps exist and how they solve (or fail to solve) relevant problems.
• User feedback collection. Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups with potential users. These sessions offer insights into real needs, preferences, and pain points, guiding your app’s core functionalities.
• Product validation. Create a lean prototype or basic proof-of-concept version. You’ll be able to gather data on user engagement and identify areas of improvement.
• Cost-benefit analysis. With the data collected, determine if the app’s potential justifies the budget. Analyze whether it’s worth moving to the development stage or if adjustments are needed first.

This phase is optional but saves resources in the early stages. If your discovery phase yields positive outcomes, it strengthens your case for investors and provides a solid foundation for creating features and design.

Team brainstorming. Designing features and setting the budget

In this phase, the team gathers to brainstorm the app’s features. Consider these aspects carefully:

• Feature ideation. Explore the app’s functionality, focusing on essential features that align with user needs identified during the discovery phase. Avoid “feature creep” by concentrating on the app’s core purpose.
• Budget calculation. Calculate the development budget, balancing feature needs with financial constraints. Consider how much you’re prepared to invest and determine the minimum viable product (MVP) features.

Involving the team closely in these discussions improves coordination with mobile app development service providers and external partners.

Partner agreements. Setting expectations with contractors

This phase sets a structured framework, minimizing misunderstandings down the line.

Once you’ve defined features and budget, it’s time to select contractors. To facilitate smooth collaboration, you should:

• Sign legal agreements. Draft and sign contracts, including nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) if needed. This protects intellectual property and prevents data leaks.
• Provide references and mood boards. Share reference apps and mood boards to give developers a visual and functional guide. Mood boards help set design expectations, while references clarify functionality.
• Fill out a project brief. Prepare a comprehensive brief outlining your goals, target audience, core features, and any must-haves for the app. This provides clear guidance to app development services.

A part of a project brief used by app development service providers

source: purrweb.com

Design phase. Building a visual identity and user interface

Design kicks off with wireframes and evolves into a fully-fledged UI.

At this stage, designers create:

• Wireframes. Low-detail mockups that outline the app’s layout. Wireframes emphasize user flows, basic placements, and functionality rather than aesthetics.
• Design concept. Designers create a few polished screens based on the wireframes. The team reviews these screens, which can also serve as a visual reference for investors.
• Full design and UI kit. Once the concept is approved, designers create detailed screens for every app page. The UI kit, a collection of reusable design components, is then handed to developers for efficient implementation.

How screens transform during the design phase

source: moqups.com

Development. Bringing your app to life

The development phase is where your vision becomes a functioning product. It consists of two main parts — frontend and backend.

Below is a comparison table outlining frontend and backend roles:

Aspect	Frontend development	Backend development
Primary focus	User interface and user experience	Data handling and server management
Languages used	HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React Native	Python, Node.js, Ruby, Java, and server-side frameworks
Data storage	N/A (handled by backend)	Integration with databases, e.g., MongoDB, PostgreSQL
Key responsibilities	UI creation, responsiveness, aesthetics	Data management, server-side logic, security
Objective	Providing a seamless, interactive user experience	Ensuring app stability, data integrity, and secure transactions

Testing phase. Ensuring quality and reliability

Testing is made during development. It is essential for quality control. Various types of testing validate that your app meets its intended standards.

Application development services usually conduct:

• Unit testing. Tests individual components to ensure each feature operates as expected.
• Integration testing. Assesses how different components work together, detecting any compatibility or workflow issues.
• User acceptance testing (UAT). Real users interact with the app to provide feedback on usability, layout, and functionality. This is often a final check before launch.
• Performance testing. Measures app response times, stability, and scalability under different loads.  

Release phase. Publishing on app stores

The release phase prepares the app for distribution. It’s crucial to meet app store guidelines to avoid delays in publishing.

source: studiomosaicapps.com

Write a compelling app description, choose relevant keywords, and select screenshots that showcase key features. ASO increases visibility and attracts downloads.

Ensure the app adheres to design standards, privacy policies, and functionality requirements.

Support phase. Maintaining and expanding the app

The journey doesn’t end at release. Apps require ongoing support to remain functional and relevant. Post-release tasks include.

• Updates. Timely updates are essential, both to fix bugs and to ensure compatibility with the latest operating system versions. Regular updates also show users that the app is actively maintained.
• Bug fixes. Users may report issues that slipped through initial testing. Quick fixes maintain user satisfaction and help avoid negative reviews.
• Feature expansion. If users express interest in specific features, consider adding them in future updates.  

Wrapping up

Mobile app development services involve multiple stages and detailed steps that demand careful planning and execution. 

With the right team, your vision can become a powerful, user-friendly application that aligns with your business goals.