In 2009, marketer Kevin Systrom decided to develop a mobile check-in application called Burbn. Without having any prior coding skills, he taught himself how to code and even managed to create the first version of Burbn independently while working full time by day and night. Amazed by its potential, in March of 2010, he had secured funding: $500,000 from Baseline Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz.
Later in the year, Kevin partnered with Mike Krieger. They pivoted Burbn into Instagram: it would be photo-sharing-centered. Launched in October of 2010, Instagram hit the ground running. It reached one million users in two months.
The following guide will take you through some important steps you need to consider if you want to create an app. Whether you are a novice in coding, an avid tech enthusiast, or have a great idea leading you to this, this guide will help you get started.
Key Takeaway
The blog shows you a basic and straightforward process for developing an iOS app all the way to launch in the App Store. After reading, you will know:
- Basics of iOS development, like the iOS programming language and Apple’s tools.
- How do you come up with app ideas, check if they’re good, and plan your app?
- How to design intuitive interfaces and develop key features using tools like Xcode.
- How to test your app, get past the Apple review process, and publish your app to the App Store.
- Tips on how to market your app, make it more visible, and keep it up-to-date.
Understanding the Fundamentals of iOS Development
Inspiration The case of Kevin Systrom can be considered just that. From beginner coder to a great creation. Indeed, the big idea plus the right tool helped him reach his potential. Yet every application developer must begin at an average size. Now, if you really want to realize your idea of an app, you need first to learn at least the fundamentals of iOS development. Now let’s dive into the heart of the matter and review those key tools and frameworks.
Swift
Swift is the main language that backs up iOS programming, which actually means this is the main language you would be using in the creation of code. As a beginner, it’s a good idea that you get back to basics regarding Swift. The first achievable step that one can do in learning how to make an iOS app is the following:.
UIKit
UIKit is the basic toolbox that underlies all development of your app. In layman’s terms, it helps you add buttons, labels, tables, and other interactive portions to your app. It is a must-know for all iPhone developers.
SwiftUI
SwiftUI is a bit newer. It’s super easy to work with, and ideal for laying out the interface of your application. If you are starting from scratch, this is one of the better things to learn.
APIs and Frameworks
Apple offers many tools to add extra features to your app. These include tools for connecting to the internet or using location services. Learning to use APIs is important in mobile app development. They let you add powerful features to your app.
By focusing on these tools, you’ll build a strong foundation for your iOS development journey. Remember, even the best developers once started with the basics.
Why Make an iOS App?
From businesses to developers, making an iOS app comes with many benefits. It’s not about building an app; it’s about unlocking opportunities for growth. Let’s look at the main reasons why iOS app development is considered wise:
Higher Revenue Potential
You will find eager users’ spends in the iOS App Store. Most of the time, these users have much more buying power than on other platforms. You can reach this valuable audience by making an iOS app using the right iOS programming language.
For example, there is a coffee chain that came up with an app where a consumer could pre-order and pay for a drink in advance. This made things faster and easier, boosting sales and building loyalty. This shows just how powerful mobile app development can be.
Enhanced User Experience
iOS offers a clean and simple design that users love. Its clear guidelines help developers build apps that look great and work well. Apps on iOS also fit perfectly with other Apple features.
Take a travel booking app, for instance. It used iOS location services and maps to give users custom travel tips and live updates. This added value to users and made the app stand out. Working with an iPhone app development company can help you create apps that meet user needs while fully using iOS programming language features.
Robust Security Features
Security is one of the top reasons to choose iOS. Features like Touch ID and Face ID keep data safe and stop unauthorized access. Learning how to make an iOS app with these advanced security tools can help build user trust.
For instance, a banking app uses Touch ID to secure logins and transactions. Users appreciated the extra layer of safety. This kind of mobile app development puts security first, which matters a lot in today’s world.
Access to a Loyal User Base
The users of iOS are quite loyal to their platform and will tend to remain within the ecosystem provided by Apple. This is, therefore, a good chance to retain good customer relationships. The partnership with an iPhone app development company will facilitate reaching and connecting with such users.
An example could be a fitness application that allows integration with Apple Health for workout tracking and custom fitness planning. The ease with which this was integrated made the user come back for more and more. And this is how mobile app development helps businesses grow their user base and maintain it.
The App-Making Journey: From Idea to App Store
The App-Making Journey: From Idea to App Store Making an iOS app is a thrilling and rewarding process. It’s a journey full of creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills. To learn how to make an iOS app, you need to plan, research, and make smart choices. It’s not just about coding but also understanding the platform, the iOS programming language, and the needs of your users. The process consists of an idea, development of the app, and its marketing. Whatever you do solo or hire an iPhone app development company, each step holds importance. Let’s dive into these stages one by one.
Idea Generation for the App
First, you need to have an idea for your application. Of course, that is if you do; that’s great, otherwise, there’s nothing to worry about because a way to get one will be shown. The app idea should add value to the users.
Generating an App Idea
First, you need to have an idea for your app. Of course, if you do, that is great. If not, there is nothing to be concerned about since there are ways of getting one. Your app idea should add value to the users. Here are some tips to help:
- Define the purpose: What is your app going to help solve? How will it aid the users?
- Know your audience: Who is your user? Your application should be targeted to fit their needs.
- Market research: Check whether there are such apps already in the market.
- Competition Analysis: Do research on other competing apps. Read user reviews to see what works and what doesn’t.
- List features: Decide on the key features that your app needs to have.
By following these steps, you are sure to create something quite unique.
Planning Your iOS App
Prior to developing your application, one of the most important things to do is planning. This step starts all the subsequent work. Now, it’s time to plan how your app will look, work, and feel. Whether you are working alone or hiring an iPhone app development company, this is one of the most crucial stages.
- Understand the need: Be very clear as to why your app is necessary. What will it do for users?
- Market research: Validate your idea. Is your app solving an actual problem?
- Features listing: The features your app has to have in store. Be very specific.
- Focus on basics: Build an MVP- a small, simple application with only a few key features.
- Think about money: Decide how your app will make money. At first, focus on getting users.
- Plan marketing: Make a strategy regarding how to market your app and reach your target audience.
With a clear plan, you’ll have the confidence to take that next step.
Choosing the Right Development Approach
There are various ways to create an app, each having its pros and cons. Let’s break them down so that you can choose the best option for your needs.
- Learn to code and build yourself: It takes a lot of time, but you will learn some helpful things. First of all, to do this, you would have to know at least one programming language in which iOS is programmed. It is Swift, and it is one of the most critical things for making an iOS app.
- Freelancer: This works perfectly if you want to focus on the business side, but make sure that the freelancer has good experience in developing iPhone apps.
- Hire an app development company: While this costs more, you get added benefits. These include consulting and project management, making it a popular option for mobile app development.
- Partner with a programmer: This can work if you find someone skilled in an iOS programming language. However, it’s tricky without a trusted partner.
- Use an app builder: This is ideal for beginners. You don’t need coding skills. Just pick a template and customize it. It’s an easy way to get started on how to make an iOS app.
- Buy an app template: This is another quick option. You get pre-written code with basic features. Then, you can tweak it to speed up mobile app development.
Setting up Your Development Environment
Before you can start to write any code, you need the right tools. Here’s what you need to get started:
- Mac Computer: You will need a Mac because iPhone app development relies on tools like Xcode, which only works on Mac computers.
- Xcode: Download Xcode from the App Store. This tool will enable you to write code and design your app’s interface. Xcode is a complete toolkit for creating and testing apps for Apple devices. It is a huge part of mobile app development.
- Apple Developer Account: Enroll in the Apple Developer Program. This allows you to test your application on actual devices and publish it on the App Store. It is one of the major steps in developing an iPhone application.
Designing Your App
A good app design makes people want to use it. Here’s how to make your design work:
- UI: How your app looks, icons, colors, fonts, and layouts. Keep it simple and clean. A neat design is one of the factors for success in iPhone app development.
- User Experience: UX reflects how people sense the usage of your application, which should be fast, easy, and responsive. A good UX can let mobile app development shine. Measuring App Success.
- Wireframes: A wireframe is the basic outline of your app. It shows where buttons, text, and images will go. Start with wireframes to organize your app before adding design details.
- Mockups: Mockups are basically the blueprint. They represent the appearance of your application. It can be used for sharing ideas with a team or an iPhone app development company.
- 3-Click Rule: Anything in the app should be found by users within three clicks. This rule is one of the leading rules that keep your app simple, which is necessary for mobile app development.
Building Your App
After designing and planning, it’s time to bring your app to life.
- Create a New Xcode Project: Open Xcode and start a new project. Choose a template. If you’re new, the “App” template is a simple way to learn how to make an iOS app.
- Creating the User Interface: You design the user interface for your app with Xcode’s Interface Builder. Simply drag and drop buttons, labels, and text fields to build the interface. These are basic tools for iPhone application development.
- Code Implementation: Swift code to give functionality to an application. Swift is the dominant iOS programming language, and it is important to learn it for iOS mobile app development.
- Add Content: Add text, pictures, videos, or other media that your app needs. These make your app more interesting and keep users engaged.
- Navigation: There has to be an easy layout for which navigating throughout the application can go simply smooth, while for any iPhone App development company good navigation indeed happens to count for an essential factor too.
- Special Features: Implement special features that will make your application unique. This step adds extra value to your mobile app development project.
Testing Your App
Testing will ensure your app works, works well, and provides a great user experience.
- Testing on Devices and Simulators: Try your app on different iOS devices and simulators. This helps you find and fix issues. It’s a key step in learning how to make an iOS app that works everywhere.
- Application Testing: Test your application through automated tools and check manually; this will ensure it is ready for iPhone app development.
- TestFlight: Through Apple’s TestFlight, you can share your application with beta testers, who will go ahead and provide you with feedback before the release. This is a helpful part of mobile app development.
Publishing Your App
Once testing is complete, it’s time to launch your app on the App Store.
- App Store Connect: Log in to App Store Connect. Create a new app record and fill in all the required details. This step is part of the mobile app development process.
- Metadata: Write a description for your app. Add screenshots, keywords, and other important details. These are essential when submitting your app.
- App Store Submission: Submit your app for review. Follow Apple’s rules carefully to avoid rejection. This is an important step in how to make an iOS app available to users.
- Review Process: Wait for Apple to review your app. They will send an email with approval or suggestions for fixes.
- Release: Once approved, release your app. You can choose to launch it manually or let it go live automatically. This completes your mobile app development journey.
Marketing Your App
After you publish your app, marketing becomes very important. It helps your app get noticed. You should focus on marketing before and after the launch of your app.
- Landing Page: Create a landing page for your app. This page will give people more information about your app. It’s also a great way for them to sign up for your email list before the launch. This step is key when learning how to make an iOS app that gets attention.
- Media Kit: Make a media kit. It should include details about your app and its logos. This will make it easier for journalists to write about your app. It also helps promote the services of an iPhone app development company.
- Document Your Journey: Share your app development story. Post about it online to build an audience. This shows how mobile app development works and brings attention to your app.
- Social Media: Be active on social media. Employing different platforms enables one to be in contact with potential users, whereby engaging with the target audience will grow a following that is quite loyal. This serves as a primary way of encouraging mobile app development and teaching other people how to make an iOS app.
- App Store Optimization: It involves the optimization of keywords, title, and description of your app to make it more visible in the App Store. ASO is one of the most important strategies that every iPhone app development company needs.
Ongoing Maintenance and Improvements
The job isn’t done once your app goes live.
- Monitor Feedback: Understand what users have to say about your app. Take analytics to know how they will interact with the app. At each stage in mobile application development, it’s very important to listen to users for an awesome experience.
- App Updates: Update your app regularly. Add new features, fix bugs, and improve it. This will help your app stay on par with the fast changes happening in the world of mobile app development.
- User Engagement: Keep the content of your app fresh and interesting; this will make users come back for more. Good user engagement is one of the important parts of any mobile app development.
Conclusion
Of course, making an iOS app is a high challenge, but it is one that you’re perfectly capable of pulling off if you create the right plan and stay focused on it. Bit by bit, you’ll bring your app idea into the real world and share it in the App Store. Making an iOS app can be more than just checking off items on your bucket list; this can revolutionize your business.
Otherwise, if not done according to the right process, delays might happen, opportunities get lost, and so on, or not being able to engage your users. That’s where we come in.
At Linkitsoft, we specialize in everything discussed in this guide—from conceptualizing app ideas to crafting cutting-edge designs, implementing advanced security features, and ensuring seamless launches on the App Store. Our expertise ensures your app doesn’t just survive but thrives in the competitive iOS market. Missing out on working with us could mean losing potential customers, revenue, and that critical edge in your industry. With Linkitsoft, you’re guaranteed top-tier results and satisfaction. Contact us today to bring your app to life with the guidance and tools you need to succeed. Don’t wait—secure your place in the App Store and revolutionize your business now!
FAQs
1. Is iOS better than Android?
The seamless integration with Apple devices, greater controls related to privacy, and longer software support make iOS the ideal choice for those highly invested in the Apple ecosystem. The choice depends on priorities: uniformity vs. customization or ecosystem lock-in vs. open-source adaptability.
2. How much do the applications pay Apple?
It captures between 15% to 30% on all the app sales and in-app purchases. Apple charges a commission of 15% on those who make less than $1 million in the App Store during the course of the year. As for subscriptions, after the first year, commissions slide to 15%.
3. Is it free to put an app on Google Play?
Publishing applications on Google Play requires a one-time registration fee of $25, while the distribution of free applications is free. On the other hand, other applications are charged a service fee of 15% to 30% on every transaction. Over 97% of the developers do not pay any fee since the fees are applicable only for monetized applications.
4. How much does Playstore pay for 1,000 downloads?
Google Play does not pay on downloads, and revenue depends on how an app monetizes, such as from ads and subscriptions. For instance, apps that earn money from advertising generated ~$0.06 per download, while paid apps will also earn $100-$1,000+, depending on the price of the application.
