Developing the cross-platform app of your dream
Tags: programming, reactnative, flutter
Published: 2022-10-21 06:32:28


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When you start with your own app development, the first step is choosing: native or cross-platform? Most businesses prefer the cross-platform option — it allows using a unified codebase for the same app targeted at different platforms. Saving time, money and other resources, businesses can build their apps faster and beat the competition for clients.
These apps can belong to two types of such software: native or hybrid cross-platform apps. The difference is building an app with a unified API in case of native ones, and Hybrid ones are built to run in mobile browsers. Basically, the idea is the same — both kinds of a cross-platform app enable users of different devices to use the same app, making business-to-client communication unified and simple.

Why choosing a cross-platform app?
Cross-platform apps work well with both iOS and Android, and more mobile operating systems at the same time. The team builds an application capable of running on different devices, instead of creating two different apps. This means, Android and iOS users can use the same app, and even run it on a smartwatch or TV.
A great app can improve sales and revenue, and increase them. It provides a unified resource for your target audience, and improves employee and clients communication. It increases your brand awareness and enhances your marketing.
These apps are independent of any platform, which means 70–90% reusable code for further upgrades, easy maintenance, and broader reach by clients. Moreover, these apps make development way faster and cheaper compared to the creation of two separate apps. Here are some structured reasons to choose a cross-platform app as one of the best marketing channels.
Simultaneous launch. Source code can be re-used, and no separate team specializing in other platforms is needed. No separate launches, and more flexibility with updates — they can be done for all platforms simultaneously.
Fast development and easy update. The code is usually 90%-ready when the team starts a deployment of your application to the other platform, and the possibility of code errors is low. The easy deployment of your cross-platform app allows for a shorter time to market and makes both minor and major changes on Android and iOS simultaneously.
Reaching your target audience. Working on many devices, it can be used by a larger number of users. Cross-platform apps allow you to reach more of your target audience due to wider spreading.
Earn more and grow faster. The approach entails major cost savings due to having one developer team only and using the same reusable code. After development, the app can go straight to devices working on different platforms and works just as is.
Nothing is perfect, so these apps can face issues with integration due to the lack of compatibility, or perform lower compared to native apps. They have a limited number of tools which affect UX. However, the experienced developer team can resolve all these issues.

Choosing a vendor for the best app
It might seem easy to build your own app (when only one team is needed!), but besides just hiring people, you have to go through at least 10 basic steps to the app of your dreams.
1. Understanding the goals of your mobile app.
2. Specifications with all the detailed features of your future app.
3. Reaching out to analyze competitors.
4. Creating use cases and wireframes
5. Testing the basic structure
6. Revision of the code
7. Building a development roadmap
8. CODE WRITING (Yes, all these steps were made before!)
9. Tests and checking
10. Launch and support
Looks somehow crazy, doesn't it? That’s why ordering a cross-platform app from an outsourced vendor can be a great solution. So here are some steps on choosing the vendor who can build the app of your dreams:
Check if the developer is interested in your industry and business. This means, the vendor should not just want to build apps, but also have experience in your industry. This makes them able to add creativity to the app based on previous apps similar to yours. Such vendors know what works and what doesn’t because they've done it before.
Ask them to share the portfolio. The cross-platform app developer of your dreams must have great UI/UX skills to enable your users to work with an app efficiently.
Check references and feedback. Other companies might share their opinion on the work of the chosen vendor.
Try to build a relationship with your new vendor. You might need to update your app in the future, create a new one, or change the idea of the app. The vendor ready to communicate would be really useful in such cases as they have the codebase, needed experience and know everything about your business already.
Choose by quality, not by price! We know your budget might be limited and there is a desire to buy the cheapest solution. The lowest cost options often turn to the most expensive, when you have to re-work your app or add features that were missing for some reason, even written in the agreement.
Think bigger — the work of a perfect vendor must include more than just coding (coding supposes just one expert!). [Building a cross-platform app](https://brivian.com/mobile-app-development) is about functional design and the end user experience. If the vendor team offers coding only, you must be sure you can hire a team who will do the rest of the steps described above.
Pay enough attention to your app design. The visual part is just as important as the back-end. Your app is built for users first, so think about their convenience.
Sign a high-quality agreement with a good SLA. Big companies such as [Brivian ](https://brivian.com/mobile-app-development)always offer to sign a list of minimum requirements and specifications. To ensure your newly-chosen vendor builds exactly what you need, write it down and document it in the papers.
Starting with your own cross-platform app, always choose your client or user. The convenience of these people will play the biggest role in your future sales. Choose the vendor carefully, and your app will surely bring you even more revenue than was planned.