How to Make an Android App: A Quick Guide to Android App Development

It has been a few years since AppFutura launched its first - and so far only- annual report on how to create a successful app. In 2016, our team spent a year gathering opinions from the best professionals around the globe to craft a comprehensive guide on the matter.

As 2019 advances, we would like to refresh some of the inputs published there and, today, we’d like to touch on how Android app development has evolved with this quick guide to developing android apps.

Everywhere, businesses are resorting to mobile apps to reach out to the customers and fulfill their needs better. While iOS and Android app development remain the most commonplace mobile OS platforms for which apps are made, Android apps have clear dominance. Any company with growth plans cannot overlook the importance of making Android apps nowadays.

Why make android apps for your business?

Developing Android apps can bring multiple benefits to any organization or innovator. These include:

Better ROI with lower expenses

While developing mobile apps, one cannot overlook the expenses. Because of the existence of the Android SDK, making interactive apps is simple and cost-effective. Android developers do need to pay a registration fee for app distribution but that is a one-time-only fee.

Afterward, they can use diverse computers and devices to build and test their Android apps. This helps in lowering development costs and, in the long run, benefits everyone - the developers, the brand and its target customers. The company can enjoy higher ROI eventually.

Faster app development

Every business wants to reach out to the target customers as quickly as possible, which brings us to development professionals that need to develop mobile apps fast. Android apps have a fast development cycle, making them suitable for a multitude of businesses. This is another compelling reason for businesses to opt for Android App development.

Scalability and versatility

After the arrival of the Android Studio, the flexibility of creating Android apps has skyrocketed - making things better and simpler for the Android developers. It integrates with the Android ecosystem (including Android TV and wearable devices), so this helps developers make Android apps that run on Smartphones and other devices with ease.

Better security

Of late, Google has become stringent about security in all its services and products – including Android OS. With Android P, several additional security features have been introduced. This makes Android an even more ideal platform for your app development needs.

Easy customization

Android continues to be an open source platform. As a result, developers can avail and utilize several app customization features. This makes it easy for businesses to make modifications to an app in the development stage.

Which are the main purposes of Android apps?

Android apps can be developed for a wide range of businesses. The list below shows some of the most popular uses being given to Android apps as of 2019:

• Interactive mobile gaming
• Creation of online safe financial transaction platforms
• Ordering services in varied industries (food, ticket booking, grocery…)
• Paying different types of utility bills
• Social networking and chatting
• Online shopping
• Unique utilities
• Enterprise apps for the interaction of employees and operations within an organization.

The process of developing Android apps

The basic process of developing Android can be divided into 5 main steps.

Conceptualization

This is the first step of creating any mobile app and Android apps are no different. People with an app idea need to research on the segment of the client company and its target customers. The existing brand image of the company is something they need to analyze as well. From color scheme to app features- everything should be discussed and decided by the team of creators at this stage.

Assessment of feasibility

Once the basic layout for the app is finalized and approved, the team gets into the feasibility assessment stage. The sketches and wireframes are used to give the client a close idea for the final product. The design elements are chosen. It is seen if the original app design is feasible from the end user perspective or not. Necessary changes to the app are made accordingly.

Android App designing

At this stage, the user experience designers step into the scene. The interactive elements are added to the app and tweaked to suit end-users’ needs. Android app design proves to be a multi-step process and several modifications may have to be made.

Android App development

A working prototype is made at this stage and the team works on to get to the final version of the desired Android app. Features and functionalities are added to the app and they are tested individually a number of times. Functionality testing is vital at this stage, as it prevents tedious final testing in the next and final stage. Developers try the app prototype for functionality checking and later it is also analyzed by an external team.

Testing and debugging

After app development is completed, the almost-ready Android app is tested rigorously to find any bug and functionality issues. The presence of any security loophole is also tested. This is especially relevant for apps that include sensitive information - like financial transactions.

Developers also check for interface functioning, integration with modules and compatibility with various OS versions. Not all Android devices run on the same version and there are multiple devices for it, so Android development testing is somewhat more complex than that of iOS, for example. If any bug or error is found at this stage, the team fixes it. The app becomes ready-to-launch and final touches are given so that it can be released to the Play Store.

Even after an Android app is declared ready to be released and it is made available in the Google Play Store, the work of developers and anyone involved in the app does not stop. In the majority of cases, feedback from end users pour in and require modifications to the app. This is what we call the app development cycle. Later on, newer versions of the same app are released in the Play store, with bug fixes and new features. It is a long term and ongoing process. There will always be more to do on your Android app!

Other things to keep in mind

When developing Android apps, you need to keep the following things in mind:

• If you are developing the app yourself, learning Java is a must. Java is the official language for Android app development and no developer can escape it. The learning curve, however, is steep. You may also learn Kotlin - a secondary “official” Java language, which is somewhat easier to pick up. Those with more expertise in programming can opt for C# and C++. It can be ideal for gaming app development. The Java NDK is used to let C++ run with Android Studio.
• Learning XML will be helpful for the app design process.
• Beginners in the Android app development scene need an IDE and there are several contenders in the market. More seasoned Developers will use Android Studio but alternatives like Eclipse and NetBeans do exist.
• No matter which IDE you choose, your first app will require more time to develop. Later, you will need less time to develop Android apps.
• For new developers stuck on various issues, the thriving online communities of Android developers come to the rescue.

Conclusion

Android app development is the most popular mobile platform in the world at present. Therefore, launching an Android app gives businesses and entrepreneurs exposure to millions. At the same time, providing services related to Android app development or learning Android development to fetch worthy career opportunities is also a good idea because Android developers are on high demand.

Idea validation, following a pre-decided process, strategizing the app design, creating mock-ups, crafting good design, keeping app functionality par with users’ expectations are a few important aspects which decide an app’s success or failure. So, focus on these. At the same time, do not forget to prepare well for post-development tasks like marketing, etc.

If you want to create an Android app or thing that Android app development is the right solution for your needs, you should get in touch with Top Android App Developers or explore other platforms and solutions with Top Mobile App Development Companies.

If you need help finding the best Android app developer for your needs, AppFutura is here for you! You can create your Android project and work with our team to receive top-notch development proposals from the best Android development teams out there.