iPhone App Development: A DIY Approach

Yes, there is an app for that. iPhone apps are at an all-time high in terms of popularity and people are constantly on their phones and fiddling with their latest app download. And, there seems to literally be an app for almost everything imaginable.

However, if you are creative and savvy enough to identify a niche in the market and are actually able and willing to act on the opportunity there are a number of ways you can go about building your own app. They are:

1. Hiring a custom app developer
2. Taking a do it yourself approach

App development is a huge market. And, if you can successful develop an app that is useful for the general public, there is money to be made. It is also a great way to gain exposure for any business seeking to broaden their customer base and reach a larger group of people.

Option 1: Hiring a custom app developer

While this is obviously the most expensive option of the two, a custom app developer can provide professional services that are backed by a team of app developers. Therefore, no matter how complex your idea may be, they will have the tools to create the app you want.

There are six main steps that need to be completed to create a fully functional app:

1. The idea: Having an idea is one thing. However, it is the ability to harness the idea and make it feasible for an iPhone app development project that will determine its success or failure. This is the main difference between a DIY approach and using an app developer. App developers will consult you on your project and help you refine your idea in order to give it the best chance of succeeding.
2. Developing an app strategy: One the idea is mapped out, then a strategy has to be developed based on the current market and the style of app you want to develop. This step includes outlining features that will give your app a unique appeal.
3. App architecture: Developers outline all the functional aspects of the app. They outline usability characteristics from the point that user’s login and all the ways they can interact with the app.
4. Interface development: At this point app developers focus on the aesthetic design of the app and work on coming up with an effective combination of the right functionality and aesthetic appeal.
5. App development: The app is built and tested
6. App launch: The app is distributed to app stores online. App developers can also assist with the marketing and launch campaign for the app.

Option 2: Developing the app yourself

While app development will not be free if you do it yourself, it will definitely be a more cost effective option then having an app developer do it for you. Depending on your technical expertise and programming abilities the degree of difficulty of the development process will vary.

Here are the steps involves with do it yourself iPhone app development:

1. Develop an app idea
2. Refine your idea and conduct market research to ensure your idea is both feasible and realistic
3. Register as an apple developer. Registering is free. Remember that you will need a MAC to develop your app.
4. Download SDK (software development kit) for the iPhone
5. Develop the template for your app in SDK
6. Use Objective-C programming language to write the code for your app.
7. Test the app using the iPhone simulator
8. Perform user testing
9. Make any required adjustments to your app
10. Submit your app