Tips and Tricks of creating a mobile app
Tags: Android, Design, Mobile App Development, iOS App Development, Software Development

Thinking of creating a mobile app? If you aren’t an app developer, here are some tips and tricks to look out for!! This is your ultimate cheat sheet. Being organized and consistency is two main factors.

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What is a mobile app? A mobile app is a computer program or a software application that is designed to run on a mobile device. The mobile device can either be a phone, tablet or even a watch. A mobile app is created from many components and tools. These components allow an app developer to write, test and deploy the mobile application to the users. There are tips and tricks that are used in creating a mobile app and they are indicated below. The tips and tricks are:

1. Make market research

It is very important to first scan the market so as to find out if the mobile app that you would like to create is a viable idea. First and foremost, start with evaluating the problem that you are solving. Moreover, you need to research the market so as to find out what is already out there using the following tips and tricks:

· Evaluating your competitors

Evaluate your competitors who have made a similar app or an app doing the same thing. Find out how to better make your app to be a better one that the one that they created or to perform better than theirs.

· Interviewing potential users of the app

Find out what the customers want and ask them if the idea that you have for the app can help them by providing a solution. Also, ask them if they would be willing to buy your product or service.

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· Presenting to investors

Present your mobile app ideas to investors and get their feedback and advice on it. The investors will provide you with insights that will help you develop a business plan for your mobile app.

· Creating a pre-launch website

It is helpful to create a kick starter about your mobile app idea and measure the number of people interested in it.

2. Grid setup

Grids help the app designer to achieve consistency of elements, establish connections between the elements as well as build a visual system that would look like one. Also, the grid helps users to navigate. The tips and tricks that are used by the designer when setting up the grid in the design of mobile interfaces are:

· The optimal number of columns

You need to create a lo-fi or hi-fi prototype of your interface and decide on the basic elements and user flows. Afterwards, begin to choose the optimal number of columns and sizes. You should not limit yourself to the number of columns during the first stage of designing because you can change the number in the process.

· Gutters and margins

The margins should not be less than 16pt for Android or iOS. However, they can be bigger. The gutters should not be too large due to the small width. If the gutters are too large, the columns will visually break up.

· Fixed and responsive grids

The designer can use flexible grids and stretch the columns in width. This is the optimal solution. However, using a responsive grid is a better approach because it will make more efficient use of the entire screen space of the smartphone.

3. White space

White space is an empty space between and around elements of a page. The tips and tricks used in creating white space are:

· Emphasize certain elements by giving priority to specific content or an element so as to direct the attention of the user towards a primary object.

· Clarifying relationships between objects based on the relative distance between objects.

· Improve the readability of the content of the mobile app.

· Divide elements without using visible dividers and use fewer lines to give the interface a cleaner feel.

· Create a feeling of elegance by using whitespace as a primary tool which helps to put the product they sell in the spotlight.

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4. Colour palette

A mobile app that has contrast and striking colours is likely to be more appealing than dull and sophisticated ones. The tips and tricks used in creating colour palette are:

· User interface elements and colour palettes should go with each other.

· Important components should have broken up sections between them through colours that draw the user’s attention to them naturally.

· Use of proper colours.

· Highlight of important information so that the user can differentiate between texts, images, buttons, labels and multimedia components.

5. Typography

Typography is a way of communicating with users of the mobile application. The tips and tricks used in creating typography are:

· All the elements should be well organized and clear to navigate. The use of clear topographic hierarchy makes text legible as well as easy to scan.

· Consider the context of the mobile app as well as the audience by learning the customer’s goals and needs as well as preferences before you choose a font.

· Provide attention to the details including the appropriate size of fonts, compelling tracking and line length.

6. Images

The tips and tricks used in creating images are:

· Choosing realistic stock photos which match the look and feel of the mobile app.

· Take your own photos so as to add authenticity to your mobile app content.

· Declutter your images and keep the interface simple and focused.

· Use a singular point of focus to direct the user’s attention and make the message stand out.

7. UI Components

The tips and tricks used in creating UI components are:

· Choose the right colours or the colour theme of your mobile app.

· Get the demographic and analytics that define the users and turn them into meaningful information.

· The user interface should be designed in such a way that the app is fully usable on different devices.

8. Test It

The tips and tricks for testing the mobile app are:

· Testing the right platform depending on which platform the app is built for.

· Measuring end-user data so as to identify the relevant test strategy.

· Testing the functionality to ensure that it is fully implemented.

9. Keep updating

The tips that will help you figure out when and how to update the mobile app are:

· Monitor user feedback.

· Keep up to date with the latest innovations within the industry.

· Carry out regular software tests.

· Monitor engagement statistics as well as the number of downloads.

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These tips and tricks will help you in creating a good mobile app. However, creating a mobile app is the easy part, but getting the customers is the hard part.