Develop an app: From the idea to the finished application — and when you should bring professionals on board

From idea to concept

Before you can start the actual development, you should first take the time to work out your idea in concrete terms. This applies to both small and large projects. A good concept is the foundation on which you will later build your app.

• Define target group: Think about which users you want to target and which problems you want to solve with your app. The more specifically you define your target group (age, interests, job, everyday habits, etc.), the more precisely you can design functions and design.
• Use cases and features: What are the main functions of your app? Collect all the ideas you can think of and prioritize them in order of importance. It is often better to start with a “Minimum Viable Product” (MVP) — i.e. with an app version that only contains the most important functions and can be brought to market quickly. This allows you to get feedback earlier and further develop your app in a targeted manner.
• Competitive analysis: Take a look at which similar apps are already on the market, what they do well and where there are still gaps. This is how you can find out how you can stand out and offer real added value to your target group.
• Mockups & wireframes: To get a better feel for the later look and feel, you can create simple sketches or wireframes. There are numerous tools for this that are very beginner-friendly (such as Figma, Sketch, or AdobeXD). This is just about the rough structure — the fine-tuning is done later in the design process.

Native vs. cross-platform vs. hybrid: overview of app types

The next step is to consider how your app should be technically implemented. Basically, there are three main categories:

Native apps

• iOS: Develop with Swift or Objective-C in the Apple ecosystem.
• Android: Develop with Kotlin or Java.

advantages:

• Highest performance and best user experience, as the app is tailored directly to the operating systems.
• Full use of all device features (camera, GPS, sensors, etc.).
• Updates and new platform features can be integrated very quickly.

Disadvantages:

• Higher costs and development effort as you have to maintain separate code bases for iOS and Android.
• Longer development time if both platforms are to be operated at the same time.

cross-platform frameworks

Frameworks for cross-platform apps include React Native, Flutter or Xamarin. The name means that thanks to them, you can cover several platforms with one development service.

advantages:

• One code base for both (or more) platforms.
• Faster development because you don't have to code everything twice.
• Good balance between performance and development effort.

Disadvantages:

• Sometimes worse performance than native apps (although modern frameworks such as Flutter or React Native are getting better and better here).
• Some dependency on frameworks that require continuous updates and maintenance.
• Possible restrictions on very specific hardware features.

hybrid apps

Basically, these are web apps in an app shell, based on web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Typical development environments include Ionic, Titanium or Cordova.

‍advantages:

• Usually very cost-effective to develop, as web developers can build these types of apps.
• Quick adjustments and updates, as there is a lot going on via web technologies.

‍Disadvantages:

• Performance and user experience are often not at the level of native or cross-platform apps.
• Restricted access to certain hardware features.

Especially if you want to conquer the market quickly or are not yet sure how your app will be accepted, a cross-platform approach can be an attractive choice. However, for highly specialized and performance-critical applications, native apps are the better option.

Develop your own app: steps, tools and typical pitfalls

If you are tech-savvy or already have experienced developers in your team, you can implement your app yourself. But even if you don't have any programming knowledge, there are some platforms on the market that allow you to create simple apps with little or no code (so-called “no-code” or “low-code” tools such as AppGyver, Bubble, or Adalo).

Develop your own app: important steps

prototyping

Create as concrete a prototype as possible that you can test and show to potential users. Feedback is extremely valuable in this phase — it shows you whether your idea is met with approval and which features are still missing.

Design and user experience

Good design is much more than just “looking chic.” It makes a big difference whether your app is intuitive and easy to use. Even if you're not a professional designer, you can draw on ready-made UI libraries (such as Material Design for Android or Human Interface Guidelines for iOS). Make sure that your app looks consistent and doesn't pose a mystery when it comes to user navigation.

development process

• Choose a programming language or technology stack that you (or your team) are confident in.
• Set small, achievable interim goals.
• Maintain clean documentation so that you don't have to research later changes long afterwards.

Testing

Test your app regularly on various devices and operating system versions. It's worth inviting beta testers here. Pay particular attention to performance, load times, and stability.

Deployment

Once your app is ready, you'll need to submit it to the respective stores (Google Play and Apple App Store). There are certain guidelines to follow — from store policies to mandatory screenshots and descriptions.

Typical challenges and mistakes when developing an app

• Underestimate time required: An app is not a weekend project. Plan realistically and expect setbacks.
• Lack of technical expertise: Anyone who is just learning how to program quickly reaches their limits. Bugs or complex logic may be blocking progress.
• Neglect user experience: Even technically flawless apps can flop if they're not user-friendly.
• Budget overestimation: Doing it yourself isn't free either — there are costs for software licenses, servers, test equipment, marketing, etc.
• No clear project management: If you don't distribute tasks properly and set deadlines, you quickly get lost in details.

Have the app developed: When does it make sense to hire professionals?

Although the DIY approach has its charms, it makes sense for many companies — especially in the B2B sector or for larger projects — to seek professional support. This is where agencies that specialize in app development come in. But why should you a Agency like Axisbits consider?

Benefits of professional development

• Experience and expertise: An experienced team of developers, designers and project managers brings a wealth of combined expertise. In this way, you can be sure that best practices are being applied and that typical mistakes are being avoided.
• Time savings: Through clear processes and proven workflows, professionals can usually implement your project faster than you would be able to alone or with an inexperienced team. That means you're on the market faster.
• Quality and scalability: Agencies usually use high-quality tools and frameworks and know how to set up an app so that it runs stably even as the number of users increases. Regular tests and code reviews also ensure high product quality.
• Consulting and Innovation: Good agencies not only advise you on technical issues, but also contribute strategic ideas. They might discover niches or opportunities that you haven't even thought of yet. In this way, you benefit from an outside view of your project.
• All-round service: From the initial concept idea to UI/UX design to marketing and post-launch maintenance: With a full-service agency like Axisbits, you get everything from a single source. This saves you a lot of coordination and communication with different service providers.

Possible disadvantages and points that you should consider

• costs: Professional development is of course not cheap. Depending on the range of functions and complexity, this can amount to five or six figures. But as with many things, quality and reliability pay off.
• Dependency: When you work with an agency, you depend on their expertise and time availability. However, this risk can be minimized with clear contracts and transparency.
• Communication: Successful cooperation depends on good communication. Make sure you and the agency are on the same page and schedule regular meetings or status updates.

The most important steps in the professional development process

If you decide to work with an agency, you should be prepared for a structured and multi-stage process. An example flow could look like this:

• Kick-off and design phase: Here, everyone involved gets to know each other and clarifies what the aim of the app is. The target group, functions and rough schedules are coordinated. At Axisbits, we value close communication with you to ensure that all ideas are brought in.
• Design and prototyping: In the next step, the designers create initial mockups and prototypes. These serve as a basis for feedback loops, so you get a feel for the app early on. This is also the phase in which the UI/UX design is defined — colors, fonts, branding elements, navigation, etc.
• Agile development: As soon as the design is ready, the developers start coding. Agencies often work after agile methods, which means working in short sprints and presenting an interim result after each sprint. In this way, requests for changes can be woven in promptly.
• Testing and quality control: Parallel to development, the app is continuously tested — both automatically (unit tests, integration tests) and manually (user acceptance tests). Every new feature or change is reviewed to quickly find and fix bugs.
• Launch and store submission: As soon as all functions have been implemented and tested, the app goes into live mode. We take care of submitting the app to the respective stores, posting screenshots and descriptions, and complying with all guidelines.
• Maintenance and updates: After launch is before update! Because apps are never “done.” User feedback, technical developments or new market requirements require regular updates. Axisbits continues to support you even after go-live and ensures that your app remains successful in the long term.

Costs, budget planning and funding opportunities

Regardless of whether you develop your app yourself or hire professionals: A clear budget and realistic financial planning are always the necessary basis.

• In-house development: This involves costs for your own time, possibly the time of team members, software licenses (e.g. for development environments), servers, test devices, etc. It is often difficult to precisely estimate the effort in advance, as problems or learning phases can break the schedule.
• Agency development: The price range can vary significantly. Simple apps may be in the five-digit range, while complex business applications can cost several hundred thousand euros. Reputable agencies will provide you with an offer that covers the scope or works with milestones.
• Funding and funding: Check whether there are government funding programs for digital development in companies. Also find out about potential investors or crowdfunding platforms if your budget is tight.

Make an app yourself or have it done?

The decision whether to develop your app yourself or hire an agency depends heavily on your resources, goals, and competencies. If you have enough time, basic development skills and not too complex a range of functions, a DIY approach can be appealing — especially to quickly build a prototype or a first version and get feedback.

But when it comes to professional demands, high user numbers and long-term scaling, doing it yourself quickly reaches its limits. Here, specialized professionals not only offer technical expertise, but also strategic and design know-how that can save you many detours and expensive improvements.

Develop an app with Axisbits

As a full-service agency with many years of experience in app development, Axisbits covers all areas that are crucial for a successful project — from initial idea to launch and beyond:

• Consulting & concept: We help you define your goals and develop a strategy that is market-oriented and profitable in the long term.
• UI/UX design: Our creative team ensures that your app is not only visually appealing, but is also intuitive to use.
• Software development: Whether native apps for iOS and Android or cross-platform (*) — together with you, we choose the technology that best suits your project.
• Quality Assurance: Through testing methods and code reviews, we ensure that your app is robust, performant and secure.
• Maintenance & Support: After launch is before update. We will support you over the long term and assist you with technical and strategic questions.

Especially for companies that value professionalism, reliability and sustainable growth, it is worthwhile to rely on an experienced agency. This allows you to concentrate fully on your core business and not have to worry about technical pitfalls.

Regardless of whether you're just getting started or already have a specific concept on the table — a non-binding consultation will help you get on the right track.