5 Factors to Consider Before Developing an iOS App

With over 1.46 billion iPhone users in 2024, it’s no surprise that the iOS app industry is thriving. So, developing an iOS app that can thrive in the market is essential, as the number of users are expected to grow to 1.56 billion by 2025.

Key factors include understanding the target audience, costs, app design, user experience, platform-specific guidelines, and selecting the right development tools. Developers must consider these factors before initiating development to stay ahead in the competitive app market.

• Target Audience and Competitors

As per a recent report by Business of Apps, “Key in-app purchases statistics,”

The numbers suggest that iOS users will spend more on in-app purchases and mobile commerce transactions. But, the choice of the mobile app varies from user to user.

So, before building an iOS app, developers must identify and analyze its target audience. They must define the audience’s age group, occupation, preferences, geographic location, and who will and can use the iOS app.

Also read: Navigating iOS and Android Development Challenges

Moreover, each user has a ton of apps to choose from. Hence, developers must come up with new ways to beat the competitors’ apps and achieve more app downloads and installations.

They must spend some time scrutinizing competitor iOS apps. Thorough research will help developers make the iOS app stand out by optimizing its UI and UX.

• Development Method and Programming Language

When building an iOS app, developers must write it in Objective-C or Swift. While Objective-C is a mature and general-purpose programming language, Swift was designed by Apple as a modern programming language for iOS app development.

Both Objective-C and Swift are fully interoperable and compatible. Hence, developers must choose the most appropriate programming language for writing iOS apps.

They can also use cross-platform mobile app development tools like Xamarin to build native apps for iOS with a single and shared code base. The iOS app developed with Xamarin helps deliver a native app-like user experience by accessing the native UI and APIs. However, Xamarin needs developers to write iOS apps in C#.

• User Analytics and App Store Guidelines

It is challenging to keep an iOS app profitable in the long run, especially when developers are unaware of the user’s choices and preferences. Monitoring the behavior of end users consistently will help understand their likes and dislikes.

As per a recent report by AppsFlyer, “2023 App Retention Benchmarks Report,”

With solid mobile analytics, developers can continuously track the performance of iOS apps. The insights obtained via analytics can help firms prevent app abandonment and meet business requirements.

So, developers must decide on the right mobile analytics solution to keep the iOS app popular and profitable in the long run.

At the same time, an iOS app can only be listed if it meets Apple’s app store review guidelines. Understanding and implementing the latest app store review guidelines while developing is essential.

Adhering to the guidelines will allow developers to enhance the app’s user experience and eliminate the chances of the iOS app being removed from the App Store.

• Wireframes, UI, and UX

Apple allows developers to create wireframes for iOS apps without extra time and effort. Showcasing important elements of the iOS app makes it easier for developers to try out new UI and UX ideas.

Developers can also have the client review the app’s features and functionality and adjust the wireframe before beginning the iOS app development process.

After finalizing the wireframe, the developers can begin working on the iOS app’s UI and UX. It is important for them to prioritize the app’s UI and UX to stay ahead of the competition.

A well-designed UI can boost app downloads, while a good UX can prevent user abandonment. Developers should seek ways to consistently optimize the iOS app’s UI and UX to generate revenue.

• Cost, Security, and Testing

Developers can build an iOS app with multiple backend options. They can create a custom backend to facilitate database connectivity and connect the iOS app with the local database through APIs.

Therefore, developers must evaluate different backend solutions and choose one that maintains a consistent user experience without increasing infrastructure costs.

At the same time, developers must build the iOS app with solid security features. They must also implement advanced data encryption mechanisms to assure users that their data is entirely secure.

They must also conduct thorough security testing to identify and eliminate any gaps that could hinder the security of the iOS app and user data.

Moreover, there is a chance that the users might abandon the iOS apps after just one use. So, iOS apps must provide an optimal user experience across different conditions to keep users engaged. Developers should evaluate the app’s user experience by conducting various tests using real devices and emulators. Continuous testing and evaluation are essential to prevent future issues and maintenance. Developers must integrate testing activities into the iOS app development lifecycle seamlessly.

Conclusion

Developing a successful iOS app requires understanding the target audience and competitors and choosing the right development method and programming language. It also includes prioritizing user analytics, adhering to App Store guidelines, security, and testing considerations.

By considering these critical factors, developers can enhance the functionality and appeal of their iOS apps and ensure their longevity in the market. Emphasizing the importance of a strategic marketing plan and robust post-launch support will further solidify the app’s position and success among iOS users.

Also, the trends in iOS app development are constantly changing. Therefore, it is vital to keep the iOS app development strategy flexible enough to adapt to emerging trends and prioritize additional factors.