Consumers may be spending more and more of their digital time inside apps (by many accounts the majority of their online time), but creating and then eventually maintaining and marketing apps is a tough road to embark on.
There are of course the high costs associated with building an app that deter some businesses from creating one; there's also the limited space available on a person's phone for new apps as well as a shortage of time considering how popular the top-10 apps are and how many hours their users freely give to them.
Even with those challenges, however, many companies and individuals are pushing forward with plans of launching apps. Among other motivators, brands are creating apps to stay top-of-mind with end-users as well as access them in new ways (e.g., in-app customer service, push notifications).
Ready to move forward with building your app? There are do-it-yourself options, of course, like those from Appery.io, Como, Zoho Creator and others. For those needing an app outside the functionalities of DIY options or their own skill set or imagination, check out these do-it-for-me options for building an app.
Crowdsource It
By using communities like Crew (invite only), AppXpress, 99designs and others, companies can share brief information about their project idea and get mockups, prototypes or matches of people who might be the right fit - allowing companies to draw wisdom from the crowd to get their app running.
Cons: There could be little involvement from the developer after the initial project is complete, depending on which company chosen to crowdsource on.
Crowdfund It
The Web is full of people who are willing to invest in an app idea and platforms that will host the funding. While these platforms will get the owner the funds they need to get started, there's typically no development in this process and in some cases a .
Cons: Certain categories (like ecommerce) may be banned on some platforms.
Find a Talented Developer
By doing the homework and finding someone with plenty of experience designing, developing and maintaining an app, could be very much worth the investment whether it's on a contractor basis or a part-time or full-time employee.
Cons: The management of the individual can be difficult if expectations are not set, also having only one person knowing the ins and outs of the app can be a challenge if ties are cut.
Get an Agency
With perhaps dozens of developers on staff and leadership to manage them, an agency is a solid choice for developing an app. While one may get the feeling of being a little fish in a big (and often expensive) pond, it's an easy choice for many enterprises.
Cons: Depending on the agency, it's possibly there could be poor communication and mismanaged hand over of the app.
Look for a Dedicated Mobile App Development Company
When apps are all a company does, there's a good chance they've reduced some of the app building and customer-company relationship friction over the years. They'll often have a clear understanding of what needs to be done in each stage of the app development, marketing and management process. They'll also likely work with a company when it comes to submitting the apps to the different stores.
Cons: In addition to costs, a mobile app development company may have strong opinions about what an app should or shouldn't do, which can deter some future app owners.
