
What Is Mobile-First CSS, and Is It Really Necessary?
The world is run by mobile devices, so it makes sense that we develop for mobile first and foremost, but are we leaving the traditional computer behind?
The decision of the correct type of app for a project sometimes proves a difficult one for teams building new products. Some certainly benefit from a more hybrid approach for cross-platform compatibility. However, native apps built specifically for one operating system prove useful for a variety of cases.
What is the difference between each of these types of apps, and how do they differ in terms of cost, timelines, resources required, and overall project goals? Companies should take the time to weigh the pros and cons of a native app, and they should also go through a discovery phase to learn about native app development versus other types to make the most well-informed decision possible.
A native mobile application is one built for a specific operating system, such as iOS or Android. In many cases, native apps are the preferred option as they offer a superior experience and performance on the specific operating systems they’re designed for. However, some companies prefer cross-platform apps because it means the project requires only one codebase to develop an app for multiple platforms. Dev teams also enjoy cross-platform apps because there’s no need to learn different languages in order to use them.
As with any tech choice, there are definitely pros and cons for each type of app. Native apps are “native to” and built specifically for a single platform. Native apps are always developed as their own independent product. Native apps perform better on the operating system they’re built for than a web or hybrid app typically would due to data download speeds alone.
A cross-platform (hybrid) app runs on multiple platforms by design. They live on a mobile device and function as independent programs. They frequently even rely on the hardware of the device on which they’re installed in order to work.
Though hybrid apps are sometimes slower than their native counterparts, they offer more flexibility as they can support various types of operating systems as well as desktop browsers. Hybrid apps allow developers to reuse code across platforms, which reduces the time it takes to develop an app but also limits the feature sets included in an individual app. With the rise of mobile, there is also a greater demand for improved performance from web applications; some even believe that web applications could eventually overtake native apps.
Native apps offer both companies and consumers many benefits compared to other types of apps, including:
Every technology comes with its own drawbacks or disadvantages, which is why it’s so important for companies and dev teams to do their due diligence before deciding on a type. While native apps come with many benefits, they also have some negative aspects as well, such as:
To get past these disadvantages, there are many alternatives to developing a native mobile application. One alternative is a hybrid app, which is a combination of web and mobile code accessible on both types of devices. The major advantage of this type of application is that devs build them for multiple platforms and devices at the same time, such as Android, iOS, or Windows Mobile. They’re relatively inexpensive thanks to the fact that they require the developer to program the application to run on any type of operating system at the same time.
Another alternative to developing a native mobile application is designing and creating a responsive website. With responsive websites, teams design a site so it responds to various screen sizes on smartphones and tablets from the very beginning of the process. For example, with responsive websites, designers place navigation links at the top of the webpage instead of at the bottom as with desktop browsers.
Whether for gaming, social media, emails, project management, or any other purpose, apps are a must-have for any company looking for a way to stay competitive in today’s world. With so many types of apps available today, there is no shortage of options when it comes to choosing the right type for a specific business or project. The question, then, is how to go about creating one.
There are three main ways that companies actually develop applications: build it from scratch and code everything with an in-house team of developers, work with a freelance developer, or choose to outsource to a third-party outsourcing company to handle all development needs. Choosing the option that’s right for any business depends largely on the kind of app that they want to make, how much time and money they are willing to invest in building and maintaining it, and how long until the company requires the completion of the project.
While, again, there are definite pros and cons to each option depending on the company’s specific needs, outsourcing is a great solution for a wide variety of projects and companies. Outsourcing in general helps companies access experts in the field of development that they may not have access to otherwise. It also reduces overall development costs for companies, as the outsourced team doesn’t require the hiring company to pay for any hardware, software, recruiting, benefits, health insurance, and so on. The hiring company need only concern themselves with their monthly or hourly payment plans, and that’s all. This is a great benefit for companies not specifically involved in the tech world and looking to build a one-off native application for either themselves or a client.
Choosing a company for an application development project is a daunting task, to say the least. Before companies sit down and choose a partner for such a task, they must do their own part of the agreement first. This includes some of the most important steps of the entire process.
Company leaders must first determine the budget of the project to get an idea of what they’re willing and able to spend on said application. If the budget looks tight, it is sometimes useful to tell potential outsourcing companies up front, to weed out those that are out of the budget range and to indicate the need for a more cost-effective option. Leaders should also keep in mind that not all companies provide free consultations. Companies should call each outsourcing provider company of interest and ask about their rates. It’s important to set expectations before engaging with any developer for a project so that both parties know where they stand from the beginning.
Companies must also know the ideal length of a development timeline required for their application project. Time to market varies from project to project, development team to development team; therefore, it’s important to have an estimated launch date to present in initial meetings to get an idea of whether the outsourcing provider can meet those needs.
Leaders should also do their research on the native mobile app development company themselves by asking for resources to verify their work experiences, such as a portfolio, previous clients, and case studies on their work.
No matter the field, it’s undeniable that technology is taking over nearly every industry and vertical of the modernized world. In addition, as more people use mobile devices for everything from socializing and shopping to finding information and doing their jobs, there’s no question about whether or not a business or brand must have a mobile presence. Native apps are one of the best ways for companies to make their products available on smartphones so that they increase their customer reach and keep up with changing trends in technology.
For businesses thinking about developing a native app for their company, there are a lot of factors that require consideration before they ever even start brainstorming design concepts or mapping out features. However, there’s no doubt that outsourcing helps companies achieve their goals while staying on budget with on-time delivery in most cases.
BairesDev strives to make outsourcing a streamlined and efficient solution for any and all clients. For businesses in need of one or only a few developers to add to their in-house team, staff augmentation services help fill these roles without any of the traditional costs of hiring attached. These augmented team members simply work with the in-house team to get the job done or for however long the company requires their services, and that’s it.
BairesDev also offers clients the opportunity to outsource their entire development team for a project or as a dedicated team. This helps companies gain access to specialized talent if needed or even large teams of developers to get a specific job done in a rushed timeline. These teams also offer expertise and insight to help companies and their projects succeed in the long run thanks to their experience in the field.
The world is run by mobile devices, so it makes sense that we develop for mobile first and foremost, but are we leaving the traditional computer behind?
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Before you start to build that mobile app, ask yourself these questions to ensure success.
There’s a reason why native applications are a favorite among developers, companies, and consumers, even with their disadvantages. These applications are typically fast, reliable, and work better than any other type of application when downloaded on their specific type of operating system. These applications aren’t always the cheapest or the fastest to develop, but companies won’t regret putting their name behind a native application once it’s in the hands of their end users.
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