10 Essential Strategies for Successful App Development
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction to App Development
In this guide, I will share key strategies that can aid you from the initial stages of app development all the way through to the release. This advice is particularly useful for those who are relatively new to service operations. For seasoned developers, some of this may feel familiar, but I welcome any additional insights you might have.
Section 1.1: Understanding Project Goals
Start by clarifying the project’s objectives with the planner. What is the intended purpose of the app? What specific issues are you aiming to address? Consider the inconveniences users might face without this application. Additionally, analyze your competitors: what features do their apps offer? A SWOT analysis can provide a clearer picture of your current situation.
This understanding will guide you in determining priorities—what to include or exclude when designing features and user interfaces.
Section 1.2: Structuring Your Code
Select an appropriate design pattern such as MVC, MVP, MVVM, Clean Architecture, or VIPER. Defining how to structure your code, including where to place different elements and the roles of various classes, is crucial for maintainability.
Keep in mind that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution in design. Assess multiple factors such as the pace of business growth, potential business changes, team size and skill levels, and technical aspirations. Documenting your rationale is key. In the iOS ecosystem, MVC and MVVM are commonly adopted patterns.
Subsection 1.2.1: Coding Conventions
Establishing a unified coding style within your team can significantly reduce the cognitive load. Utilize established coding standards, like those from Google, and consider employing tools like SwiftLint, which identifies code violations, and SwiftFormat, which can automatically correct formatting issues.
Section 1.3: Creating a Team Glossary
Developing a glossary of terms ensures that everyone involved—planners, developers, designers, and operators—uses consistent terminology. This practice minimizes misunderstandings. In Domain-Driven Design (DDD), this concept is referred to as “Ubiquitous Language.” By standardizing terms, communication between front-end, back-end, and application engineers becomes more effective.
Section 1.4: Implementing Continuous Integration
Continuous Integration (CI) automates builds and tests triggered by repository pushes and pull requests. This method accelerates error detection resulting from code changes. Bitrise is a prominent CI tool in the app development industry.
Section 1.5: Establishing App Distribution Mechanisms
At some point, you will want stakeholders to review the app you are developing. Rather than manually connecting devices and building for multiple users, consider using distribution solutions like Firebase App Distribution or Bitrise. These tools streamline the review process and facilitate feedback.
Section 1.7: Enforcing Updates and Maintenance
Unlike web applications, mobile apps reside on users' devices. Over time, you'll notice that some users may not update their apps. It’s essential to implement a forced update mechanism to guide users to the latest versions on app stores. Additionally, consider establishing a notification system for server maintenance or even blocking access in certain scenarios to minimize user complaints about errors.
Section 1.8: Integrating Analytics Tools
Tracking user behavior is vital for service growth. For instance, I once operated an app for two years without any analytics, only to find that the data revealed user behaviors diverging from our expectations. Tools like Firebase Google Analytics can provide valuable insights, especially when log designs are consistent across platforms.
Section 1.9: Utilizing Crash Reporting Tools
Receiving negative reviews like “it won’t start, one star” can be disheartening, especially without insights into the issues. Implementing a crash reporting tool simplifies the identification of problems. By associating user IDs with crash reports, you can pinpoint the source of crashes, the device conditions at the time, and the specific lines of code involved. Firebase Crashlytics is a popular choice for this purpose.
In conclusion, these strategies stem from my experiences in app development and are intended to assist others. If you have different approaches, I would love to hear your insights.
More content at PlainEnglish.io.
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Discord.
Chapter 2: Video Resources
In this section, we will explore video resources that provide valuable insights into app development.
This video, "How to Make an App in 8 Days (2024) - Full Walkthrough," offers a comprehensive guide for beginners to navigate the app development process efficiently.
Another great resource is "App Development: Process Overview, From Start to Finish," presented by Udemy instructor Angela Yu. This video summarizes the entire app development cycle, providing essential knowledge for aspiring developers.