Navigating the development process with a well-defined mobile app development timeline is essential since the app’s success depends on careful planning, perfect execution, and timely delivery.
Updated 21 March 2024
CEO at Appventurez
Mobile apps are an indispensable part of everyone’s lives as it is like a complete package that offers everything within a few taps. There is an app for literally everything; as a result, business owners have started to avail of custom mobile app development services.
Now, as an entrepreneur, it is important to be well aware of the development process along with the required app development timeline.
The timeline for app development varies depending on the type of app that is being developed. For instance, a mobile game app might need extensive client testing and application store approval.
Notably, the variation in mobile app development timeline depends on multiple factors including the app’s features, complexity, and regulatory compliance, among others.
In this blog, we will see how long does it take to develop a mobile app, and various factors affecting the app development timeline.
According to a study, more than 350 billion mobile apps are downloaded across the globe. After witnessing the increasing growth of mobile apps, business owners from different industries have started to invest in mobile app development.
Mobile app development is no rocket science; however, it requires a lot of dedication, effort, and time. Let’s have a look at the different stages of the app development timeline:
Planning out the whole thing requires special attention from clients and developers because it is the beginning of the development stage. This phase is key to the app’s success because it sets realistic expectations based on the client’s budget. It will take 2-3 weeks to complete this stage, depending on the features you want to integrate or any other elements to make the app more engaging.
During this stage, the app development team defines the requirements to strategize the app development process. 2-3 weeks is the minimum app development timeline required to build and finalize the project’s outline. Business analysis of the app facilitates differentiating the must-have features, providing consultation, and documenting everything about the future app.
Designing the app’s user interface is the phase that consumes the most time as it deals with different elements of the app like transitions, effects, and animations to maintain the app’s efficiency. Mobile UI design services focus on integrating structural and consistent functionality across multiple platforms by leveraging features of both platforms.
Creating UX design is based on dealing with fields, screens, and button positions, among others. Under UX design, the designer plans the screen overview and where the particular buttons will be located. Besides that, the UX designers are also responsible for the simple and intuitive navigation that the users look for.
The app timeline of the development phase is based on the app’s complexity, and it is a long process that takes up to 8 to 10 weeks.
The app development process is followed as
The app development timeline of building a back-end is 6-8 weeks, which works with the app server and the database. For such service applications, all the data is stored in the back-end server.
The role of backend developers is to build robust back-end architecture, which includes the app server and the database. Every dynamic app requires data synchronization, the ability to keep up with various HTTP methods, and storage capability among others.
Once the server and the structure of the database are ready, it’s time to begin the development of the front-end server. It will render and organize the data from the back-end server. The front-end developers commonly manage the tasks that enable the functionality for 6 to 8 weeks.
Answering the most asked question- how long does it take to launch an app? Well, it is required to go through a series of tests. It includes manual and automated Quality Assurance checks and gathering user feedback. Testing of the app before launch provides important details that might not have been into consideration previously.
The final stage of the app is a significant step in the app development timeline. It is important to finalize the details, fix last-minute bugs, and launch the app on the Play Store and App Store. During the finalization phase, the app is examined carefully and polished to ensure that it meets all the criteria.
This stage also includes preparing app for the distribution and setting up the required field and app store configurations. After following the app launch checklist and getting approval from the App Store, you will be moving one step forward toward success.
Providing post-app launch maintenance and support is important in order to keep the app up-to-date and free from bugs or any type of errors. Maintaining the app even after the final launch helps in bringing the marketing strategy to increase the success rate of the mobile application.
Note: The app maintenance cost can be significantly higher in the initial year; it could be up to 50% of the overall development cost.
As every app is unique in itself, it is difficult to predict a fixed range to estimate the app development timeline. The estimation of the software development timeline depends on app complexity, UX/UI design, features, and the usage of third-party services.
However, other factors such as what kind of development methodology will be used for different apps also impact the time duration of app development.
For instance, the development of complex apps will take more than 9 months, whereas, simple apps will take a short time.
Let’s understand in detail the time duration that will go into app development while also understanding the different features that will be integrated into them.
In most cases, simple applications have more than five screens. The simple apps are developed in around 16 weeks (4 months) or slightly more.
Simple apps, like Time Buddy or reminder applications, don’t exchange data with other systems databases. Moreover, it does not collect analytics of the user’s actions and stories, and register users by email.
Average apps can have multiple processes and their development can take around 4 to 7 months. Average apps have around ten screens- a personal account, integration through a server or a website, authorization through social networks, and payment systems.
Examples of average apps are e-commerce shops with advanced features like the 3D view of the products. Some of the other examples are booking systems or applications that are based on an application builder.
The complex app needs more than 40 weeks for development, depending on the scale of the project. Such apps usually have a couple of advanced features such as AR, custom AI development solutions, unique interfaces, and machine learning, among others.
Complex apps also support real-time synchronization and integration with any databases, animation, and much more. Some examples of complex apps are Google Drive, Uber, and Telegram.
With evolving mobile app development technologies, figuring out the time for building the app has become more tricky.
The factors impacting the timeline for app development include the size of the development team, app complexity, and the kinds of features that will be part of the app.
Even if the team has an estimate, knowing what other factors are at play and how they might impact average app development time is a significant part of the process.
The length of time required for development depends on a number of things. We’ll start with the app’s complexity.
While a more complicated app with several features and functionalities will take longer to design, a simple app with limited functionality can be made reasonably quickly.
A variety of things can influence the complexity of an app. This covers how many options there are, how many displays there are, how much information needs to be kept, and how interactive the system is. The degree of the app’s ambition determines how sophisticated it is.
A larger team with specialized skills can assist in the completion of the mobile application design process and development much more efficiently. Notably, the experience and skill level of the team members can also impact the app development timeline.
It is a crucial process that could also impact the mobile app development timeline. Comprehensive testing and quality assurance help ensure the app functions as intended and is free of bugs and errors.
Automated testing tools can help in speeding up the process, however, they require an initial investment of time and process.
Developing an app for different operating systems, screen sizes, and devices can also significantly impact the development roadmap. The development process for Android, iOS, or hybrid apps can differ significantly.
However, each platform has its unique design and development guidelines. Building apps for, devices such as tablets, smartphones, or smartwatches can also increase the timeline of mobile app development.
The changes in the app’s designs and functionalities can also impact the stages of developing an app. Frequent changes and revisions can cause delays and can also increase overall mobile app maintenance costs.
To manage it, it is important to have a detailed project plan outlining the scope of work to minimize the changes and to ensure that the project stays on track.
The companies involved in the app development timeline process look for ways to decrease the app development timeline. Developers implement mobile app development strategy to make the app more efficient.
However, some of the strategies such as MVP, and outsourcing services can also help in reducing the time spent on creating an app.
Let’s understand how the app development process can be optimized while also saving the company’s resources.
Automated testing adds several benefits to the mobile app development cycle by aiding in creating an error-free mobile app. Automated testing means that a machine is used for app testing and for minimizing errors. It will further provide some extra time to focus on things that will require more attention in the app development.
With the help of cross platform development services, mobile app developers can use a single codebase and develop apps that are compatible with both iOS and Android application development services. In comparison to building native apps for individual platforms, utilizing cross-platform mobile app development is more time-saving and cost-effective.
The size of the project is directly proportional to the time it will take to develop. The more complex the app’s design and functionality, the longer it will take for the team to develop it. Instead of making an app more complex, it is better to add only the necessary elements.
MVP development services are a great way to save time. Minimum Viable Product is a basic version of the software that is presented to the users to gather feedback. Applying this strategy can shorten the app development timeline by 30%. Apart from saving time, with MVP, the company also learns to withstand market demands and competition.
An outsource mobile app development is more efficient than building an in-house team of developers. The option is even better if the company is planning to include add-ons to the products or needs to launch a different version of the app for the other platform.
Mobile app development is integral for taking businesses to the next level. Investing in a mobile app is also the most effective way to match your business model to your key consumer’s behavior.
However, the success of the mobile app initiative depends on how effectively the mobile app development process has been executed. Appventurez, an app development company, specializes in providing top-notch mobile app development services.
Our team of experts can position your app for success, right from the initial idea to the post-launch app maintenance. We have delivered several projects with the utmost client satisfaction, like EFL – a convenient loan application, Amaze – a ride booking app, and many more.
The team guides through the entire app development timeline while also providing market-researched data that will further help in enhancing the app’s user engagement.
Q. How long does it take to make an app?
The average time to develop an app is around 7 to 12 months. However, the estimation for the mobile app development timeline depends on app complexity, UX/UI design, features, and the usage of third-party services.
Q. What are the steps to develop a mobile app?
The steps in the app development process include business analysis, back-end development, front-end development, UX/UI design, testing and launching, and post-launch support and maintenance.
Q. How to shorten the mobile app development timeline?
To shorten the app development timeline, reasonable development, and marketing strategies must be applied. MVP development, cross-platform app solutions, and staff augmentations are just a few of the examples to decrease the app development timeline.
Q. How long does it take for the Google Play Store to approve the app?
Google Play Store typically takes up to 3 to 6 days to assess your application and it will get published as soon as possible as it utilizes default standard publishing guidelines.
Q. How long does it take for the Apple App Store to approve the app?
Apple App Store has a strict guideline and follows an extensive review process, which ultimately takes up to 2 to 7 days. The review time of iOS-based apps takes up to 4 weeks; however, it will be worth your patience.
Elevate your journey and empower your choices with our insightful guidance.
CEO at Appventurez
Ajay Kumar has 15+ years of experience in entrepreneurship, project management, and team handling. He has technical expertise in software development and database management. He currently directs the company’s day-to-day functioning and administration.
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