Best Mobile App Developers in Alexandria, VA

FAQs

• What is a mobile app?

  A mobile app is a type of program that runs on smartphones and tablets. Early mobile apps were little more than simple arcade games. Today, apps can do almost anything from helping users manage their productivity to connecting with others on social media. Native apps are built for a specific operating system or device, while web apps work on any platform.

• What is mobile app development?

  Mobile app development is the process of designing and building an app from scratch. This process involves market research, identifying a target audience, and planning what the app is meant to do. Developers need to choose which platforms will run the app, create a budget, and set a timeline to develop and launch. The app goes into the development phase once these decisions are made.

• Who develops apps?

  App development requires a variety of skills and expertise in fields like graphic design and programming. A good programmer will understand how to code the app so that it works on the desired platform or operating system. Designers will create renderings of the app's wireframes, which represent the user interface. Apps can be developed by anyone from independent freelancers to large teams within a dedicated development agency.

• How do I get my app developed?

  After clarifying the app's features and target audience, creators need to decide what work can be completed in house and what parts of the process should be outsourced to professional developers.

  Wireframing the app shows what it will look like and includes things such as menu placement, page flow, and overall user experience. There are programs and online tools to help with this, but the process may take up a lot of valuable time. A professional developer with design skills can deliver impressive results.

  The next steps involve creating the app's back end, which controls how the app runs, and writing the code to pull it all together. Pro developers have the experience needed to handle every part of the coding phase.

• What is app development software?

  App development software helps creators bring their project to life. Much of this software lets creators build their app without any coding, and many offer drag-and-drop editing. There are programs available for specific operating systems or cross-platform use. Some tools are designed for business or service-type apps, while others are better suited for apps designed around a product

• How do I make an Android app for personal use?

  There are many tools and programs to help make a simple Android app for personal use. Free versions of development software are a good starting point for beginners, especially those without coding or design experience, as they'll guide creators through each part of the process. 

  If available free development software isn't an option for the type of personal app you want to create, Android apps can be written in Java or C++. For personal use, creators don't need to get their app approved on the Google Play marketplace. The app can be sent directly to an Android device via the Android Debug Bridge utility.

• How hard is it to make an app?

  This depends on what the app is meant to accomplish and the skill level of the developer. Building an enterprise app or an app for an online storefront can be a complex process. It might take an entire team of artists, designers, and programmers months to create and monetize a mobile game. With the help of a pro developer, creators can cut development time and bring a superior product to market.

• How do you make an app look professional?

  Developers use a method called wireframing to strategically place elements on each page of an app. Wireframing software lets developers experiment with color choice, menu styles, and button positioning, which contribute to how professional the app looks and feels. Every page should flow sensibly from one to the next. Font and text size are important too as the wrong style can give a poor impression and make the app seem amateurish.

• What kind of apps make money?

  A well-monetized app can generate sizable profits for developers. Some types of apps are more popular and profitable than others. These include:

  • Mobile games: Players can spend big on extra lives, cheats, and other bonuses.
  • Dating apps: Subscription fees and ads pull in cash.
  • Streaming apps: Users can pay a weekly or monthly charge to access dynamic video and music content.
  • Health apps: Fitness trackers and apps for meditation, workout plans, and calorie counters are very popular. Apps can charge a one-time fee or use a subscription model.
  • Social media apps: These can be monetized by showing users ads.

• What was the first mobile app made?

  The 1994 IBM Simon included several utilities, like Sketchpad and Calendar, which some consider among the first apps. In 1997, the Nokia 6110 came with the simple arcade game Snake. The first-generation iPod, released in 2001, had some early apps too. It came with the games Brick and Solitaire installed.