A little background to the app market
The number of people using smartphones globally has increased by the millions since the iPhone’s 2007 release, and so has the number of apps available – a trend that is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. With a projected market value of $100 billion by 2024, the Australian market is developing into a major player in the global mobile app business.
The prevalence of smartphones over the past decade in both consumer and commercial markets means businesses today need mobile applications in order to reach a variety of consumers and take advantage of new business opportunities. These days, there is an app element to practically every other purchase, reservation, or form submission interaction.
In this digital age, mobile and web apps for businesses have become a catalyst for success and an asset to showcase modernity and relevancy in the digital age. Australian businesses may stand out from the competition, enhance their customer’s experience, collect user insights, and even boost customer retention by utilising the right technology. For any business looking to make a name for themselves in Australia’s rapidly evolving mobile market, understanding the ins and outs of app development is crucial to their success.
The Rapid Adoption of Mobile Apps in Melbourne
Some fun facts about the app development market in Australia:
- Australian app developers have built 12,884 apps in Google Play’s ecosystem in 2023 alone.
- 60% of Australian apps are available on both iOS and Android platforms (that’s more than the global average of 31%)
- 13% of top-performing apps in Australia come from local app developers like Platfio.
Australians are using a growing number of different app categories, with Fintech, Food & Drink, Health & Fitness, and Travel app categories seeing significant increases in usage. This growth reinforces the constantly changing preferences of Australian consumers and highlights the significance of providing improved user experiences through real-time functionality and advanced data integration.
Getting Started On Building A Custom App For Your Business?
Whether you own a humble Gym in your town, run a massive eCommerce site like Amazon, or manage a creative Agency – we believe one thing should unite every business in 2024: an app for their customers.
With features like push notifications, membership portals, and subscription management, apps are one of the best ways to stay at the front of your consumers’ minds all the time. Their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and it seems certain to continue.
However building an app typically looks like a challenge, particularly for SMEs who don’t necessarily have hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest. When creating an app for your business, the following three elements are crucial to take into account:
- What kind of app would you like developed? A Native App, Hybrid App, or Progressive Web App?
- Which programming language should be used when building your app?
- Features that the app will offer.
Having the answers to all of them makes it much simpler to understand the process of creating an app and what specifications, level of control, and customisation your business should expect from it.
What’s the difference between a Native App, Hybrid App, and Progressive Web App Development?
Before we delve into the cost of building your own app, it’s also important to understand the three main categories of app builds, extending beyond iOS or Android. There are three primary methods into which app development falls: Native apps, Hybrid apps, and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
Native App Development
This approach involves building separate apps catered for both iOS and Android. Although native apps are more customisable and have better performance, they require more time and resources to develop, resulting in higher costs. Additionally, because of their extremely code-dependent interfaces, developer assistance is often required for even the simplest modifications. Because of this, they aren’t the best option for small to medium-sized businesses with limited budget for apps.
Hybrid App Development
Hybrid apps are developed using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are subsequently wrapped in a native container. In comparison to native apps, they offer cross-platform compatibility and quicker development times, which makes them a more cost-effective option for businesses trying to expand their customer base. They are perfect for SMEs due to its well-rounded approach, and give business owners a degree of control and allow them to edit and customise them to suit their needs.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
PWAs provide a seamless, app-like experience directly within a web browser, saving users from having to download anything. Because of this, PWAs are an attractive and affordable choice for businesses who prioritise web-based interactions.
Each of these approaches has a purpose, based on your specific goals and your intended audience. Knowing these options will help you make well-informed decisions that align with your vision and budget, enabling you to develop your app as efficiently as possible.
Top 5 Programming Languages for Modern Mobile App Development
Now that the different types of app development methods have been discussed, let’s move on to look at the various languages that can be used for developing these apps. Although this may seem tedious, your choice of programming language does have a significant impact on the type of app you are building.
React
React Native is a powerful framework for mobile app development, combining the best of React and JavaScript. It enables the creation of smooth and responsive interfaces for Android and iOS, mimicking native performance. With hot-reloading and a single codebase, it accelerates development and eases maintenance. Its community-driven approach ensures a wealth of libraries and tools, making React Native a smart choice for efficient and effective cross-platform development.
Swift
Swift is Apple’s innovative language, introduced in 2014, and has quickly become the go-to for iOS developers in Melbourne. It’s compatible with Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks and is adept at facilitating both native and web app development. Swift is efficient, enabling developers to write less code for the same outcomes and incorporates contemporary features like generics and closures to boost efficiency. By 2020, it secured 65.1% popularity amongst developers, ranking 14th globally. However, Swift isn’t without its constraints, as it awaits broader API availability and compatibility with some Objective-C third-party libraries.
Java
Java is a concurrent, class-based, object-oriented coding language designed to have minimal implementation dependencies. It allows app programmers to write once and run anywhere, eliminating the need for recompilation. Java applications are compiled to bytecode, which can run on any Java virtual machine (JVM) regardless of computer architecture.
As of 2020, Java is among the most popular programming languages, with over 9 million developers and ranking 5th with 35.35% popularity. Its virtual machine converts programs written in other languages into Java bytecode, ensuring high performance even after scaling to thousands of users.
Python
Python is a versatile programming language used for web development, data analysis, and machine learning. It offers dynamic, easily readable functionality without sacrificing readability or speed. Python is particularly suitable for creating mobile apps for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.
While typically used for back-end or web app development, app programmers can also create functional mobile apps. To boost business productivity, hiring app developers from reputable companies is recommended. Python is easy to learn, and even new coders can master its syntax. Its relatively free nature makes it an effective tool for both front-end and back-end development.
PHP
PHP is a server-side scripting language used for creating dynamic web pages and is popular for developing mobile apps and websites. It is used for various tasks, including system administration, desktop development, and video gameplay. Originally known as Personal Home Page, PHP has evolved to include new features and improve performance. With over 9 million domains globally running on PHP (primarily due to WordPress being built on PHP), it is a leading choice for writing websites or applications. Its adaptability and control over application logic make it an attractive option for developers looking to customise their projects.
Python vs React: Which is the Ideal Tech Path for Your App?
Python is a versatile programming language used for website development, while React.js is a JavaScript library primarily used for creating user interfaces.
Python is used in both front-end and back-end contexts, with key differences highlighted in a comparative table:
App Brilliance: Must-Have Features That Spark Success
When considering app development costs, it’s important to factor in the features that contribute to its overall functionality and appeal.
Here are key features that can add significant value to your mobile app:
- User Authentication and Authorization: Secure access control for personalized user experiences.
- Intuitive User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design: Streamlined design for seamless navigation and user satisfaction.
- Push Notifications for User Engagement: Real-time updates to keep users engaged and informed.
- In-app purchases and Payment Gateways: Monetization options for enhanced revenue generation.
- Social Media Integration for Seamless Sharing: Amplified reach and user connectivity through social platforms.
- Analytics and Reporting for Performance Monitoring: Data-driven insights to optimize app performance and user engagement.
- Subscription and Marketing Integration: Revenue generation and targeted marketing strategies.
- Integration: Seamless connectivity with third-party services for enhanced functionality.
Connect with a leading mobile app development company in Melbourne to avail these striking features.
The Power of No-Code App Development with Platfio
Platfio specialises in no-code app development, offering a range of advantages to all our clients. Our approach guarantees adherence to the original project quotation, significantly lowers costs, and minimises risks related to continual developer involvement for minor adjustments. Furthermore, our no-code solutions allow for faster launches, enabling our clients to have their customised apps up and running in less than two weeks.
Key Takeaways
Understanding app development costs requires a deep understanding of methodologies and key technologies. Platforms like Platfio help businesses streamline the development process by offering customizable solutions, seamless integrations, and a commitment to technological advancements. Platfio enables businesses to maximize their potential, create dynamic mobile experiences, and drive digital success by creating engaging, resonant experiences with their audience.
