Apple products are known for their exclusiveness, style, and uniqueness. Anyone who owns any of Apple's products is regarded as classy and having a good taste. In order to maintain this high quality, Apple enforces strict requirements on its developers. As an iOS developer, you must abide by standard practices for your app to be accepted into the App store. As long as you abide by the laid down guidelines of iOS development, you should be just fine. Below are nine tips for a successful
iPhone app development;
1. Outline app's purpose:
The first step towards creating a successful iOS app is outlining the app's purpose. Before you write any single line of code you must create a mobile strategy that answers these questions; why are you developing the app? What need is it meant to meet? Apps are built to meet specific needs. Defining these needs before setting out to code improves the chances for a successful iPhone app development.
A competitor research is equally important in the development of a successful app. This research is aimed at determining how your app can offer more value to customers or perform better.
2. Define target market:
There won't be an app if there is no audience to market it to. Therefore, it is highly important to develop your iOS app with a target audience in mind.
3. Content layout:
Apple is very concerned about the layout of developer's content. The central rule of content development is that content should fit the screen perfectly such that users won't have to scroll right or left. The other three rules of Apple iOS design are depth, clarity, deference.
Depth: This describes a sense of drilling deeper as users navigate through each screen
Clarity: This describes making text bold enough such that they can be read quite easily on any device
Deference: This describes the fluidity and intuitiveness that all iOS apps must have. The app must have a neat simple design that does not overly compete for attention on objects such as text and images.
Font size and color is another aspect that must be put into consideration. The font size should be such that users won't have to zoom in or out to read content. The use of a lighter font is typically discouraged, this is because it can be challenging for users to read such content especially when they are in the sun.
Before you publish to App store ensure you make use of any of the several emulators to review your layout. It is recommended that images and content fit device screen. The only challenge is that there are multiple screens available. It is impossible to test the app on all screen sizes. Instead, the idea is to make use of the most common sizes.
4. Intuitive project directory structure:
If what you have in mind is to develop small personal projects then an intuitive project directory would not be necessary. But when you are developing apps for
app development companies or working with enterprise level development, you will probably not be the only coder working on the project. Therefore, it is good practice to maintain an organized and intuitive project directory. This is important in cases where other developers within the app development companies have to fix issues with your code or maintain it.
A lack of intuitive project structure will lead to messy and unorganized code. The consequence of this is that another developer while trying to make changes may add bugs to the code or end up creating redundant classes. An intuitive project directory helps to keep any new developer updated on the latest that has happened with the iPhone app development.
5. Apple ID Code:
An
Apple ID is needed to help users sign their code. It is compulsory for any developer or coder to sign their code before they upload it. The sign is a mark of identification, tagging you as the developer or coder of the code. However, if you had developed the app for a client you are required to send them all the necessary documents for them to do the upload. Although it is free to create an Apple ID, it attracts an annual account fee of $100 if you wish to host your app in the App store. As long as your app abides by Apple's terms of service, you are free to upload them. It is possible for a client or app development companies to add you to their account as their developer. This way, you can help them upload and manage their code.
It is advisable that you get everything relating to Apple ID sorted out before the completion of iPhone app development process. This way, you will be ready to release the app as quickly as possible for your client and audience.
6. Streamlined interaction:
Another important tip that can guarantee a successful iOS app is streamlining the interaction on both website and app. A good example of this can be seen on Amazon where there is a seamless interaction between their website and app. Users may choose to add an item to their cart on the website which they can then purchase on the app.
7. Compatibility:
In order to improve reach and attract more downloads, a mobile app development company must develop an iPhone app that supports multiple versions of iOS. During app development, the mobile app development company must give allowance for consumers who may be using an older version of iOS. This allows them to gain more users. A practical example of this is
Facebook Messenger. With over a billion downloads, the app supports multiple iOS and Android platforms.
8. High-performance:
For an iPhone app to be successful, it has to be high performing and meet the requirement of the typical iPhone user. The typical iPhone user expects apps that are agile, fast and flexible. Failure to make your iOS app high performing will cause it to be deleted without remorse. A good example of a high-performing app is Whatsapp. This app allows for smooth interaction between users, where they can communicate in text, videos, and images.
9. Test, test, test:
You can never do enough of this. It is important that any mobile app development company carry out sufficient testing before they release their app. A good example of the test they can perform is the A/B testing. This allows the mobile app development company to release two different versions of their app to the different audience. Their aim is to find out which version (A or B) the audience respond better to.