How Long Does It Really Take to Build a Mobile App?

Introduction

So, you've got an ingenious idea for a mobile app, and you're itching to get it out there. But you’re wondering: how long will it actually take to bring your mobile app to life? It's a question we hear all the time, and for good reason. The typical timeline for an app development project can be a bit of a grey area when taking into account design, coding, and testing. Don’t worry though, you’re not alone in feeling this way. 

Great things take time, and mobile app development is no different.

At Glance we've seen many clients get excited (and often a little anxious) about seeing their vision turn into a real, working app so we've written this guide to lift the curtain on the entire process and give you an idea of how we work on a typical project. From initial planning to post-launch maintenance, you’ll have a clearer picture of what to expect at each stage and how long each phase typically takes for our clients. 

Whilst this guide only covers our internal process and timings, it should give you a rough idea of what to expect with any app development partner you work with.

Ready to demystify the app development timeline? Let's get started.

Discovery and Research

Just as you wouldn’t start building a house without a solid plan, your app needs that foundation too. As a business, you've got ideas buzzing around, and it’s our job to harness those ideas and give them structure. 

First off, what’s the big idea? What problem is your app solving, or what unique service is it bringing to the table? This is where we get specific. Are you looking to streamline a process for your customers? Provide a new way for users to connect with your business? Identifying the core purpose is key here.

Next, we dive deeper with market research. Now, this might sound like a drag, but it's crucial. You wouldn’t want to build something that already exists in a crowded market, would you? Understanding your competition and audience can save a lot of headaches later on. Plus, this is where we start to see what works and what doesn’t, giving you a clearer picture of your app's chances of success. 

Once we've got your big idea and a grasp on the market, it's time to sketch out the features. Think about the must-haves. In business terms, this is your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). We recommend starting with a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) mindset. Think of it as the core essence of your app. It's better to launch with fewer features that work flawlessly than a myriad of half-baked ones!!

And now, onto the technical part—selecting the right technology stack and platforms. Will your app be for Android, iOS, or both? Do you need to think about scalability right from the outset? And what about integration with your existing systems? These questions are crucial as they set the stage for a smooth sailing development process. 

Ultimately, this discovery and research phase with us usually takes about 3-6 weeks. It's intense but necessary. This is the point where we will sit down with you, share some coffee (or tea!), and map out the entire journey. Trust us, getting this stage right can save a boatload of time—and money—in the long run. 

User Experience Design (UX)

The UX design phase is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. This is where we ensure your app is not just functional but delightful to use by focusing on user research to understand the who, what, and why of your app. These insights help us craft an experience that resonates with your target audience. Imagine trying to use an app with poorly placed buttons or confusing navigation—it’s frustrating, right? A thoughtful UX design prevents this kind of user headache. 

During this phase, our UX designers will map out the user flow. Think of it as a journey map guiding users from point A to B smoothly. We will create wireframes, which are like blueprints of your app, laying out where everything will go and how it will function. It's much easier (and cheaper) to move things around on paper (or a screen!) than once development has started. 

Good design is good business.Thomas J. Watson

This is also the stage where we would normally develop prototypes. A prototype is a preliminary version of your app that can be tested by real users and is an invaluable step that allows us to gather crucial feedback. We can then refine the designs based on what we've learned. It's better to discover early on that a feature needs reworking rather than after it's been painstakingly coded!!

Empathising with your users is key as their experience can make or break the success of your app. No one wants a beautiful app that’s a nightmare to navigate which is why we need to put some serious effort into the UX design process, ensuring your app not only looks good but feels good to use. By getting this step right, we set the stage for a product that users will love and recommend.

User Interface Design (UI)

When it comes to the User Interface (UI) design, we're delving into the aesthetic heart of your mobile app. This is where colours, fonts, images, tone of voice and overall visual elements come into play. Think of it as the wardrobe for your app—how it looks when users interact with it. 

This isn't just about looking pretty but also about enhancing the user experience. We start with a solid prototype, conduct some user testing, and iterate on the feedback. This phase is about weaving in your brand's identity seamlessly into the app. Consider elements like your logo, brand colours, and even the tiniest of icons, after all, it’s the little details that make a big difference, right?! 

One crucial tool in our toolkit is a UI Kit. Imagine it as a palette, complete with pre-designed components like buttons, menus, and other interactive elements. This ensures consistency throughout your app and can speed up the design and development process. Designing doesn’t stop at the static look of things; animations, transitions, and micro-interactions also come into play to make the user journey smooth and delightful. 

The UI design is where creativity meets functionality, it’s an opportunity to showcase your brand's personality while ensuring the app is intuitive and user-friendly. Stay tuned, because next, we’ll be diving into the details of development where we bring these designs to life!

Mobile App Development

Once we've laid down the groundwork with planning and design, it's time to get to the heart of the matter: development. This is where your app actually starts to take shape; think of it as building a house, you've got the blueprints and now it's time to bring in the builders. 

The development phase itself can vary widely in length, depending on the complexity of your app. If your app is like a simple cottage, it might not take long, but if you're envisioning a skyscraper with all the bells and whistles, brace yourself for a longer ride! Generally speaking, the development phase can span from 1 month to 8 months or more, with most projects averaging around 3-4 months work. 

During development, we will be diving into the code – both front-end and back-end. The front-end is what your users will interact with: the buttons, the text, the images – everything they see and touch. The back-end is the engine room, handling data storage, business logic, and all the behind-the-scenes functionalities. If you were building a shop, the front-end would be your lovely window display, while the back-end would be the stockroom and the cash register systems. 

Additionally, we will be working on integrating APIs (that’s Application Programming Interfaces) which allow your app to talk to other apps or services. Want your app to map out directions to your shop? An API makes that happen, it’s like giving your app a passport to interact with other systems. 

It’s important to keep in mind that this stage isn't just about writing lines of code, it's a collaborative process. Our team will be updating you regularly, presenting you with demos, and ensuring everything aligns with your vision. If there’s something that's not quite right, we'll tweak it. It’s a bit like fitting out your house – you want to make sure every room feels just right. 

Communication is key here so don't hesitate to share your feedback, after all, who knows your business better than you do? By the end of this phase, our aim is to have a working version of your app, ready to be tested and tweaked further.

Testing and Quality Assurance

During the testing and quality assurance (QA) phase, we put your mobile app through its paces to guarantee that it functions seamlessly. This is where we catch those pesky bugs before your users do. Think of it like fine-tuning an instrument before a concert; every detail matters. 

Our QA engineers step into the shoes of your app’s first users, they test every feature and functionality to make sure everything works as it should. This isn't just about finding errors; it’s about ensuring that users will have the best experience possible. They’ll validate changes to the code, check for security vulnerabilities, and confirm that the app performs well under all conditions. In other words, they'll give it a thorough health check. 

Automated testing also plays a crucial role here. Automation can speed up the process drastically and offer consistent results. It’s like having a vigilant watchdog that keeps an eye on your app 24/7. By running automated tests, we can effortlessly catch errors and save time, ensuring your app is robust and reliable. 

Now, it's not just about finding what’s wrong; it’s also about verifying what's right. Every time a change is made or a new feature is added, it goes through the QA team for validation, let’s face it, no one likes surprises—at least not the unpleasant kind. 

Once we’re confident that your app is running smoothly, it’s time to check if it meets the standards for distribution on app stores. We ensure that your app is ready for submission, ticking all the boxes required by the App Store or Google Play Store. This way, you avoid any last-minute hiccups during the review process. 

Diligent testing and quality assurance make sure that when your app finally hits the market, it’s polished and ready for prime time—this is how we safeguard your reputation and ensure that your users are delighted from the first tap.

Deployment and Launch

It's finally time—your app is ready for deployment and launch! This is the stage where all our hard work comes to fruition, and your mobile app will finally see the light of day. Now, this might seem like a simple push of a button, but there's a bit more to it. 

First things first: ensuring that the app meets all the platform guidelines. Whether you’re launching on iOS, Android, or both, each platform has its own set of rules and requirements and adhering to these guidelines is crucial for getting your app approved on the respective app stores. Nobody wants their app dream to crash because of a missing privacy policy or an overlooked technical requirement. 

Next, you’ll need to prepare the metadata which includes creating engaging app descriptions, eye-catching screenshots, and, of course, a captivating app icon. Remember, first impressions count. Your app's presentation on the store could determine whether users tap that 'Download' button or scroll past. 

Now, here's where it gets a bit technical: the submission process. For iOS apps, you’ll be dealing with Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines. For Android, the Google Play Console will be your go-to. Both have comprehensive step-by-step processes, from uploading your app to setting pricing, target audience, and choosing distribution markets. 

Once submitted, there’s usually a waiting period for approval. For Apple, this can take from a day to a week. Google Play is generally quicker, often just a day, but can also take longer. During this time, reviewers will scrutinise your app to ensure it meets all the required standards. 

• The Apple App Store review process is known for its strict guidelines, which is why it can take anywhere from 1 to 7 days.
• For Google Play Store, the review process typically takes between 1 to 5 days, though sometimes it’s quicker.
• Both stores have different reviewing processes, so what might be accepted quickly on one platform could take longer on the other.
• The approval timeline can affect your planned launch date, making it essential to account for these delays in your project timeline.
• On average, it can take up to 1 month to launch your app when you consider the review process.

Assuming your app passes this scrutiny, congratulations—you're live! But remember, launch day isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning of your app’s real journey. It's a good idea to coordinate your marketing efforts to coincide with your app’s launch, ensuring that you reach as many potential users as possible. Social media, email newsletters, and even traditional PR can be powerful tools to create buzz around your new app. 

Finally, be prepared to gather insights and feedback. Monitoring your app’s performance and user reviews will provide invaluable data, guiding you in making necessary adjustments and improvements. After all, a successful launch is one that leads to continuous growth and user satisfaction.

Post-Launch Maintenance

So, now your app is live it requires continuous attention to thrive in a bustling digital ecosystem. Firstly, let’s talk about bug fixes and updates. No matter how thoroughly we test, some bugs will wriggle through the cracks once real users start engaging with your app. Regular updates aren’t just about squashing these pesky bugs; they also ensure your app remains compatible with the latest operating systems and device models. This is where user feedback really comes in handy—listening to your users can guide you in fine-tuning features and improving user satisfaction. 

Then there are feature enhancements. The digital world is ever-evolving, and staying stagnant isn't an option if you want to stay ahead of the competition. By regularly rolling out new features or improving existing ones, you keep your users engaged and tempted to keep tapping on your app. Consider popular apps like Instagram or WhatsApp. Their success is largely down to constant innovation and evolution, ensuring they meet users' growing expectations. 

Don’t overlook the importance of analytics, monitoring how users interact with your app provides invaluable insights. Are there features that are barely touched? Are users dropping off at a particular stage? Analysing this data helps you make informed decisions about what to improve, what to eliminate, and where to focus your energy next. 

Lastly, let’s not forget security updates. Cyber threats are real, and keeping your app secure should be a top priority. Regular security patches protect your users' data and build trust—in the business world, trust is a currency you can’t afford to lose. 

In a nutshell, post-launch maintenance isn't a one-time task – it’s an ongoing commitment. It’s about keeping your app relevant, efficient, and enjoyable to use. Partnering with a dedicated development agency like Glance can make this process much smoother, but whether you do it in-house or with external help, don't skimp on it. Your app’s future depends on it.

Conclusion

So, how long does it really take to build a mobile app? As you've seen, it depends on several factors. From the initial spark of an idea to the meticulous touches in post-launch maintenance, creating a mobile app is a journey filled with steps that ensure your final product not only meets business goals but exceeds user expectations. 

Yes, this entire process can seem overwhelming. It’s natural to feel apprehensive about the time and resources required. But understanding each stage—from planning to designing, developing, testing, launching, and maintaining—helps demystify the timeline and prove that the investment is worthwhile. 

Our goal at Glance is to guide businesses like yours through this complex landscape. And remember, whether your app aims to boost productivity, capture new audiences, or reinvent user experiences, knowing what to expect will keep you prepared and confident. 

So, let’s turn your great idea into an exceptional app—after all, every minute spent meticulously crafting your app today, means happy and engaged users tomorrow. And that, dear reader, is time well spent!