App development: from idea to app in seven steps

Do you really need an app?

Many business owners think of an app when a good mobile website or web application would do the same job. Having an app built makes most sense if:

• People use it often, for example weekly or daily.
• You need phone features, such as the camera, location or push notifications.
• It also has to work without internet, for example for mechanics on the road.
• You want a permanent spot on your customer's home screen.

Do customers only use something a few times a year? Then they often won't even download the app. A fast mobile website works better. Not sure? Read native app or web app first.

Which types of app development are there?

There are roughly three types. The difference is in how they're built and where they run.

• Native app: built separately for iPhone (iOS) and Android, and downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. Full access to the phone, but two versions to build and maintain.
• Cross-platform app: one codebase that runs as an app on both platforms. Often a good middle ground in cost and capabilities.
• Web app or PWA: an app that runs in the browser and can be added to the home screen. No app store needed, one version for every device. More on this in progressive web app.

App development in seven steps

Every project is different, but the process usually looks like this:

• Step 1. Idea and goal. What should the app do, for whom, and how will you know it worked?
• Step 2. Wish list. Write down what each user needs to be able to do. Decide what goes in the first version and what can wait.
• Step 3. Design. Sketches and a clickable prototype of the most important screens. This is where you test whether the app feels logical.
• Step 4. Building. The app is built in parts. You see versions along the way so you can respond.
• Step 5. Testing. On real phones, with real users and real data.
• Step 6. Launch. A native app has to pass Apple's and Google's review. A web app goes live straight away.
• Step 7. Maintenance and improvement. New versions of iOS and Android, bugs and user wishes keep an app moving.

Start small. A first version with just the core quickly shows whether people use the app. Then you expand based on what you see. That idea is called an MVP: a minimum viable product, the smallest version that already delivers value.

What to sort out before you have an app built

You can prepare a few things in advance. That saves time and money:

• A short description of your target group and the problem you solve.
• Examples of apps you like, and why.
• Your brand identity: logo, colours and font.
• Which systems the app needs to connect to, such as your accounting software, calendar or webshop.
• A developer account with Apple and Google if you want a native app. Ideally this is in your own company's name.
• Texts for the app store: name, short description, screenshots and a privacy policy.

App development for your business: examples

Business apps are often about practical things that save time. A few examples of what small and medium-sized businesses have built:

• An ordering app for a restaurant or takeaway, with menu, basket and delivery charges.
• An app for mechanics with job sheets, photos and the customer's signature.
• A customer app to book and reschedule appointments.
• A student portal where people see their lessons and progress.
• An internal app for time tracking or reporting damage.

An example from our work: for Apple Mix Fried Chicken in Den Helder we built a custom online ordering platform, with a menu in 18 categories, labels for diets and allergies and a basket with delivery charges and a minimum order.

Common mistakes when having an app built

• Too many features in the first version. The bigger the start, the later you learn what users really want.
• Forgetting how people will find the app. An app in the store doesn't get downloaded by itself. Think ahead about how you'll point customers to it, for example through your website, email or at the counter.
• No budget for maintenance. New versions of iOS and Android regularly require changes.
• Leaving privacy until the end. If the app processes personal data, you need a privacy policy and must comply with the GDPR (AVG in Dutch).

What to look for in an app developer

• Do they ask about your goal, or start talking about technology straight away?
• Do they advise honestly on native, cross-platform or web app, even when the cheapest option is enough?
• Can you see previous work and try it yourself?
• Do you get a clear price and timeline, and what is and isn't included?
• Do you own the code and the app store accounts?
• How is maintenance arranged after launch?

You can read all about the costs in how much does it cost to have an app built.

App development with Violexa

At Violexa we build websites and apps for business owners across the Netherlands, from Amsterdam. Hisham first looks at the goal with you and advises which type of app fits. Often that's a fast web app, sometimes an app in the stores. You get the advice that suits your situation, not the most expensive option.

A custom website or web application starts from €1,799 excl. VAT (€2,177 incl. VAT) per project. Larger projects get a fixed price up front, in writing.

Got an idea for an app? Book a free quickscan. In 30 minutes, online or at your location, we discuss your plan. Afterwards you get short written advice with a price indication, with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions