How to develop a mobile app in 5 steps?

You want to develop an app but you don't know where to start?

1. Make a concept with an initial prototype. You can do so with free tools as https://proto.io/ It will allow you to do a fake app with clickable screens. Non-developers can start using this. It will allow you to start discussions with partners, investors and future customer. Show you proto to potential customers. Try to use the Lean startup methodology.

2. Make a plan. Start doing a business model canvas. Check your weak points and work on it

3. Build a team. You need someone for the art, another for the UX/UI, another for the development (front-end and back-end), a productor, a business person. Try to find a mentor.

Some people are able to take different roles. You can try to associate yourself with those persons or contact a company that will build a complementary team around your own team.

Here are some companies making apps for third persons:

DMI (US, EU, Asia)

Tapptic (EU)

Hello Pomelo (Spain)

Magnet apps (Spain)

Messapps (NY, worldwide)

Try to negotiate a fix fee and a success fee to have them motivated and engaged on the long term with you. If the app is at the center of your business model is better to develop it yourself (associating yourself to developers). It's something difficult as for most of the project the tasks from the developers are heavier than the one of the person with the idea and the marketing.

4. Go for a minimum viable product.

5. Test and iterate. Set up your KPI's (number of downloads, revenue per user, retention,...) and decide to go or not to go further with your project. You can eventually use the results of your test to raise money and bring your app to the next level.

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