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The Taxonomy of Business Development

What is business development? This is a frequently asked question with as many answers as there are people calling themselves business development professionals. What unifies the discipline of business development is not so much the activities that comprise it, as these are immensely diverse ranging across a myriad of subfields. It is rather the goal or the objective: In one way or another, business development is about implementing business growth opportunities.

Business development involves all tasks and processes concerning both the analytical preparation, monitoring and support of growth opportunities. Of course, growth can be achieved in many ways. There are a plethora of activities, conceptualizations, methodologies, tools, frameworks, models, subfields, and buzzwords employed across industries and geographies when implementing growth opportunities for firms. Thus, it is often difficult to make out what is what with respect to business development.

This paper will discuss and distinguish key concepts of contemporary business development for a more comprehensive and translucent picture of this important yet ambiguous field. A particular interest will be taken into how business development activities differ across company sizes and growth stages, from early-stage startups to fully-grown companies, and the various institutions that can support companies on their paths to growth. Lastly, the value of business development services is discussed from the perspective of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

1. The people of business development

“I do biz dev”, you hear people say frequently. But yes, business development is indeed something that one can do, and the actors of business development are called Business Developers. Business developers can be internal employees hired to identify and expand a company´s business, and their strength lies in their deep insight into the organization they work for. On the other hand, there are external professional service providers, such as management consultants, who leverage their experience from helping other companies develop, identify, and execute growth opportunities. Whether internal or external, individuals of this professional breed are usually generalists by nature with the skills and know-how to collaborate and integrate knowledge and feedback from a company´s functional units such as sales, marketing, R&D, operations, and finance, and in turn synthetize that information into actionable roadmaps, also called business plans. The business plan can be thought of as a formal statement of a set of organizational goals, including the motivations and criteria for why they are attainable, and a plan for reaching the goals. The tools and methods utilized by business developers are countless, yet the objective remains to answer one fundamental question: “How do we make money?”

While business developers work to address how firms can sell more of their products or services and make more money both today and tomorrow, business development activities are typically skewed towards forthcoming business opportunities and strategy. Many sales representatives claim to be business development professionals, but this does not fully capture what business development is. One of the principal activities a business developer does is identify new opportunities. To do so, the business developer must have insight into a range of business related fields, and have access to key information that can allow new parallels to be drawn. First of all, he/she must hold a fundamental understanding of the company in question, stay abreast of industry trends, and monitor the competition. Secondly, but perhaps more importantly, the business developer must be able to take a holistic perspective, use his/her intuition when analyzing results, and show proof of creativity and ingenuity when synthetizing information in order to conclude which next steps the business should take.

Working in business development is an excellent way to develop skills in strategy, negotiations, and managing partner and client relationships. Moreover, the job of a business developer is highly cross functional, as it requires collaboration with various internal and partner-company teams such as sales, engineering, and marketing to ensure that a deal is consummated. Last but not least, if done well, business development can have an incredible impact on the success of a business.

2. The institutions of business development

A common problem facing many firms, regardless of where they are in the company lifecycle, is that they get stuck in the trenches of daily operations, at the cost of conducting business development activities. When strategy and competitive advantage are no longer on top of the agenda, focus is lost and to the detriment of sustainable growth. The balance between running day-to-day operations and continuously developing the business further to hone the competitive advantage a firm holds is indeed difficult to manage. For that reason, there are a multitude of professional service providers in the field of business development. From the birth of ideas to early startups, to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who seek second stage growth, and all they way to strategy implementation for corporate giants, many institutions exist to support firms in their business development efforts.

There are both niche specialists targeting specific business needs and generalists taking a 360° view of the firm and its strategy and objectives. They come in the form of governmental institutions providing funding and support to entrepreneurs, and private institutions in the form of business angels and venture capitalists, business incubators and seed accelerators, second stage business accelerators, boutique consultancy firms, and large management consulting houses. One way or another, these institutions interact with companies on their growth journey and provide all kinds of resources to support them, including funding and physical work spaces (offices), professional support, advice and mentoring, tools and frameworks, strategy development and operations efficiency, and access to important networks in the business ecosystem.

In the table below a classification of business development institutions are plotted out, based on the various stages in the company life cycle. While there of course exist much overlap between of these fields, it gives an idea of who, how, when and for whom various actors interact with firms on their path to growth.

Business Incubator

The idea of the business incubator is to provide support for the successful development of companies by means of an array of support resources and services, offering a nurturing environment where entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to life. Incubator services often include one or several of the following:

Shared office space
Marketing assistance
Accounting/financial management
Access to bank loans, loan funds and guarantee programs
Help with presentation skills
Business networks and links to strategic partners
Access to angel investors, venture capital and debt financing
Comprehensive business training programs
Advisory boards and mentors
Management team identification
Technology commercialization assistance
Help with regulatory compliance
Intellectual property management

The idea is to allow entrepreneurs and start-up teams to focus on their core value proposition and leverage key resources that a growing start-up needs. Incubators often employ a selective screening process assessing the feasibility and workability of the business plan of incubatee prospects before letting hem join the program. While many incubator programs are industry agnostic, 39% of incubators in the United States work only with the high-tech sector. A company spends varying amounts of time in an incubation program depending the type of business and the entrepreneur’s level of business expertise. For example, life science and other firms with R&D cycles require more time in an incubation program service companies. On average, incubator clients spend 33 months in a program.1 Oftentimes, graduation requirements are set by development benchmarks rather than time, such as revenues or number of employees. The successful graduation from a business incubation program typically increases the likelihood that a startup company will stay in business for the long term.

Seed Accelerators / Startup Accelerator Programs

The Seed Accelerator derives much of its characteristics from the business incubator; their services often include pre-seed investments (usually in exchange for equity) and the focus is on business model innovation. In contrast to an incubator, the seed accelerator views the startup period as short, and startups are often supported in cohort batches or ‘classes’ during a seed acceleration program. But accelerators are not considered “protected” nurturing environments, like the business incubator. They bring together entrepreneurs, mentors, and advisors and leave it to the entrepreneurs to figure out how to best take advantage of the opportunity that emerges. Being selected by a seed accelerator often brings notoriety to a firm, and it is a way to quickly create momentum in a startup, as long as the participants have the experience and drive necessary. Often, participants in seed accelerator programs are experienced startup professionals who are accustomed to the process.The assets provided by the seed accelerator come in the form of mentoring, funding and a strong network effect, but there are few or no internal resources, such as back office support functions, internal marketing or legal advisory experts or legal. It is a sink or swim environment.

Second Stage Business Accelerator

Second stage business accelerator services are very different from those of both incubators and seed accelerators. A second stage business accelerator can be thought of a management consulting firm targeting established SMEs looking to boost performance and ensure a continuous and sustainable growth path. Whether young or old, many companies sooner or later plateau in terms of revenue, and the growth bottlenecks vary greatly between organizations. One classic hold-up is the entrepreneur / founder who insists on having a finger in the pie across all decision and actions taken by the company – a sign that the company since long has outgrown the governance structure still in place.

A second stage business acceleration program typically lasts between 3-6 months and it is aimed to assess and improve the entire “business machinery” that a growing organization needs to have in place to succeed. Strategic focus, institutional strengthening, human resource training and financial strategy, are some of the dimensions that a second stage business accelerator may offer. The business accelerator’s emphasis is on accelerated and sustainable growth, and to eliminate organizational, operational, and strategic bottlenecks that prevent the client firm from growing. In essence, a second stage accelerator bears a strong resemblance to traditional management consulting firms, but adjusted to fulfill the needs of SME’s.

Boutique Consulting Firms

Boutique consulting firms offer organizations highly specialized advice that addresses specific problems or aspects of a business. The overall objective is to improve efficiency and increase profits, and the term “boutique” has more to do with the firm’s focus than with its actual size. One firm may consist of a single advisor, while another may have 200+ consultants employed. More specifically, “boutique” most often refers to the niches in which it offers its services. Examples of niches in which boutique consulting firms operate include human resources and staffing, IT, healthcare, business process outsourcing, and accounting. These firms tend to work with private sector companies but also with governmental institutions and nonprofits.

Overall, boutique consulting firms focus on a limited scope of industries, and resolve business issues quicker than large management consulting firms that require more time for a specific project. The solutions that boutique consultants offer also have more immediate impact.

Large Management Consulting Firms

Large management consulting firms offer a more diverse set of services compared to boutique consulting firms and are often international in scope. They target publicly held or large private companies, international conglomerates, international nonprofits, and governmental bodies. Large management consulting firms are able to draw from massive reservoirs of overlapping knowledge and expertise in contrast to the more narrowly focused boutique consulting firms, and can offer a single client support on IT, strategy, operational, human capital, and financial issues. Moreover, they create industry “best practices” by working across a wide range of industries and firms (though it is debatable to what extent such practices are transferable from one organization to another). Yet, management consulting has long been a booming market with numerous players, both large and small, offering their advice to firms.

3. The value of business development services for SMEs

It might be hard to decide if and when to use various business development services. What is the actual value that these services provide? Is it worth the investment in time and money? Given the growth stage in which your company finds itself it can indeed be worthwhile considering employing business development services in one way or another.

Early Stage

If your company is an early startup, the decision for joining an incubator or seed accelerator comes down to your personal confidence in your business model, the strength of your team, your capacity to execute, and not the least your fundraising skills. If you have a credible story, a business that is nicely progressing on its own and access to both finance and the right talent, you are probably just as well off on your own. In fact, entering any of these programs might just become a distraction. These environments can act to divert your attention by lots of related meetings and events with mentors and investors, getting in the way of focusing on your projects. Moreover they can be confusing, having ten mentors provide their own piece of advice; filtering advice can be a daunting task. But if you need help refining your business model or if you are a first-time CEO seeking guidance from proven peers and entrepreneurs, these types of services can be perfect. The likelihood of raising capital is vastly improved through the tight screening process many of these programs employ and the access to a strong investor network that these programs provide access to.

Second Stage

Similarly, if you run a small or medium sized company the determining factor for seeking external help lies more in the assessment of particular needs and issues facing the business and the overall growth ambition of decision makers / the owner. As is often the case, companies reach a certain size and then plateau for months or years, not sure how boost growth and reach the next level. Other companies achieve growth, but then face challenges to manage it as they run into the hurdles of balancing daily operations with business development. Be it a young company recently graduated from an incubator, or an established firm who seek to renew itself, the transformation of an organization into a solid business organization that can make way for sustained growth, involves many challenges:

1. Ensure relevance in the market place

2. Implement a sound governance structure

3. Identify, operate and deliver according to a core competitive advantage,

4. Build the right institutional capabilities and business processes

5. Continuous innovation

These are some of the most common challenges facing small and medium sized companies who seek to the reach to the next level. At this stage in the company life cycle business risk is beginning to decrease and the opportunity for true value creation presents its self, yet the path to that second level can be a long and tricky walk. Using the help from a second stage business accelerator can be one way to overcome these challenges; to (re)establish the entire “business machinery” required to allow growth to take place.

Later Stage

Firms of all sizes will sometimes find that they lack a particular skill or area of expertise, and seek the advice of a specialist. In such instances boutique consultancy firms come in handy to for example support a particular project or give advice on matters related to a specific topic such as law, finance or HR. Larger corporations often make use of larger management consultancy firms to identify existing organizational problems and development of plans for improvement. Management consultants often bring proprietary methodologies or frameworks to guide the identification of problems, and to serve as the basis for recommendations for more effective or efficient ways of performing work tasks. While most large organizations have their own business development staff in-house, external advice is thought to bring a more objective perspective to the table. Moreover, no company can house all expertise internally, thus the advice from external business professionals may at times come in handy.

Concluding Remarks

Just as when buying any service, when contracting for professional business development services it is important to have clear deliverables. A common mistake made by many business developers is to guarantee X% increase in sales or revenue. But we all know that growing a business involves a lot of risk, for which one cannot control. The deliverables should instead be based on activity: actions, engagement, meetings, introductions, opportunities, networks, events etc. Make sure to always discuss details of the engagement process and the scope of the services to be delivered. It is equally important that the paying party commits to the engagement and set out deliverables it needs to comply with. One should bear in mind that outsourced business developers put their relationships on the line to help grow your business and their future is dependent on the success of every client interaction. For that reason it is important for you as a contractor to do your part: come prepared, deliver on your end and be service-minded towards any business developer. Moreover, make sure to match your expectations with the price you pay. If not, the results of the service you are buying will most likely be disappointing.

As we can see, business development comes in many forms and is practiced by a broad set of actors. From the birth of firms through incubators and seed accelerators, to boosting growth for small and medium firms by means of second stage business accelerators, to advising corporate giants through management consulting firms, business development constitute an important element any phase of the company life cycle. Undeniably, business development is a crucial component of a firm’s success – the opportunities forged today will define what the company is doing on tomorrow.

[1, 2] 2006 State of the Business Incubation Industry – National Business Incubation Association (NBIA)

Understanding Business Development Ideas For Event Management Industry

What is Event Management?

Event management refers to methods of outsourcing business occasions, social occasions, or a combination of both. There is no limit to the business development ideas for an event management business. It is possible to organize every kind of event ranging from wedding to a political rally. An event management team can be retained for any type of business meeting.

500 Billion Dollar Industry:

Last 15 years have witnessed a tremendous growth in the field of event management. If we add the amount of money spent on event management all over the world in one year it comes to a whopping 500 billion dollars. Gone are the days when we could do with hiring only a small catering team that supplies the food for a business event. If you wish to make an impression on your potential clients today, hiring a meeting management company is a necessity.

Events of Any Range Can Be Managed:

If you wish to start an event management business and you are looking for business development ideas for it then you will be happy to know that you can start this business for any range. It is possible to manage an event for only a small group of people. On the other hand, you can manage mega events for five thousand people and more.

People prefer to choose an event management team that is known for its expertise in this field. When you plan an event, it not only consumes your valuable time but also produces much stress. Event management business owners have contacts in this field and they can offer you the best possible services at the most competitive prices.

Manage Accommodation and Entertainment:

As an event management business, when you organize an event involving five thousand people for a whole day, you should not assume that catering is the most difficult thing to manage. Accommodation and entertainment are also very important for managing such large events. You also require sufficient and efficient staff for the event. Moreover, you also have to plan about the size of the room, seating arrangements, and the total budget of the event. If you do not have enough expertise to deal with all of these factors, you may face difficulties in running event management business successfully.

External Factors Affecting Event Management Business:

Several external factors also affect the growth of the event management industry. Some of these factors are the rate of the growth of economy, lifestyle, and changing characteristics of the people living in the area. Tourism and branding activities like festivals and corporate activities such as conferences, product launches, award ceremonies, and gala dinners are under the scope of event management business. Key factors for the success of an event management business are reputation, network, service promotion, links with the suppliers, and high quality managerial skills.

Writing Your Business Plan? Don’t Forget Your Own Professional Development

This may seem obvious to more serious or experienced individuals who are climbing the ladder of success, but one must endeavor to stay current and invest in professional development. Many of the business plans that I review fall short in this area, and a lack of vision at the outset of the planning process can eventually be fatal to the enterprise.

When a prospective entrepreneur shows me a plan that cuts corners in important ways, I become concerned. Going “bare on health care”; family members working for free; no plans for time off; delayed or unpaid salaries; a statement that marketing will all be done by “word-of-mouth”; and no budget for professional development: one or more of these is a sure-fire tip-off that there’s trouble ahead on the entrepreneurial railway. You see, if a product or service which is to be offered is really viable, it stands to reason that the business would be profitable enough to support necessary business expenses, which include creating an environment that is suitable for human beings, as compared to machines.

In addressing the subject of “professional development,” we might divide it into two sub-topics: How does one “do it?” and “What are the benefits that cost-justify the investment?”

How exactly does one “do” professional development?

For the past couple of years, I have purchased an average of two or three books per month, which are related to a subject area that is of interest to me, either at a book store, or when a book club circular associated with this area of interest is delivered to my mail box. The reason I have not specified my area of interest is that it doesn’t really matter, relative to the overarching point, which is: You should buy books that address a topic of interest of your own, and read them. This practice (virtually made into a “habit” because of the book club) costs me about $50 dollars per month.

I also subscribe to about two dozen periodicals (journals and magazines). Some are industry specific, some are business magazines, and some are consumer magazines. Some are paid subscriptions, and some are complimentary subscriptions based on my ties with certain industries or subject areas (and some are included in membership fees). My paid subscriptions cost about $300 per year.

It is also very important to attend conferences and workshops. If one goes as a speaker, he or she can use the visibility of the conference platform as a means to network, create a reputation for having a certain type of expertise, learn from others who have different viewpoints or specialties, and justify travel expenses. If one goes as an attendee, he or she can accomplish many of the same objectives, sans the visibility of being on the official program. Conferences vary widely in price, but several hundred dollars for conference fees, and $1500 for food, lodging, and travel might be typical for a four-day national conference. Regional conferences are typically less expensive across the board, as they are held at less expensive facilities, have smaller conference fees, and may be within driving distance. I plan to attend a one-day workshop in Atlanta within the next month or so. That will cost $149 for the workshop fee, and mileage expenses (about a three-hour drive). Annually, one should probably budget at least a few thousand dollars for these activities (e.g., four or five), and of course, the “sky is the limit.”

Networking soirées are all over the place. These happen in any given community as social, cultural, and business events. Organizations such as a local chamber of commerce will often sponsor gatherings that allow people to mingle and meet over drinks and light fare. Many cities have bona fide networking clubs, which are operated to provide a free exchange ideas, resources, and contacts. The entry fee for most of these events is low: $30 may be typical. How often should one attend? Oh, I’d say about a hundred dollars-worth per month would prevent anyone from accusing you of being reclusive.

Professional memberships are also important. For any given discipline or area of specialization, there are probably three or four associations or similar organizations that one should join. (Hint: discounts on conference fees, publications, and other perks are usually available to members as an incentive to join). Being an active member is also important. Try to contribute in some way, besides paying membership dues. You can participate in the conferences and support the organization’s sponsors (which keeps the organization viable), serve on committees or in leadership positions, be responsive to other members, provide pro bono services, or the like. While fees and the availability of memberships varies widely, $1000 per year would be a good place to start.

Some training is covered above in the context of workshops and conferences, but you may want to also consider taking a formalized course from time-to-time, or even enrolling in a degree or certificate program. On a smaller scale, you could buy software, take courses, and stay current on the Internet (e-learning is predicted to be a major trend). If you are now convinced about implementing the suggestions that I have mentioned above, but still looking to cut costs, you can certainly spend time in the library, and online, conducting research and staying current. I would recommend that you do not attempt to cut all of the costs, because that would mean that I am back to square one, with regard to the purpose of this article. The issue is discipline, and creating positive habits. (Remember, I said that the book club circular ensures my own habitual behavior? Meeting announcements, membership and subscription renewals, and other regular reminders will help you make sure that you follow-through with action – if you are determined to do so in the first place, of course).

What are the benefits that cost-justify the investment?

Now, some people will say they can’t afford to invest in books, conferences, workshops, and the other tools that would aid their efforts to either stay current, or advance in their careers. I would reply that it’s a matter of attitude and planning, at least to a great extent.

Can you afford to pay for your own professional development?

Well, that’s up to you, and your own attitude, and the choices that you make about your career and your business pursuits.

One’s own professional development (and the development of employees, assuming that you are still working on your business plan) is a far better investment than just about anything else you can buy. Paying attention to your own professional development, and addressing the means by which you will grow the people in your organization within the pages of your business plan will assist you in proving that you are long-sighted, adaptable, and worthwhile investment, yourself (if you are seeking outside capital).

As for me, I figure the several thousand dollars per year that I keep investing will eventually be worth far more than what I have spent. I know what I won’t have if I don’t invest: No current knowledge; no contacts; no contracts; no industry knowledge; and no ability to demonstrate that I even have a clue about what’s going on, as a so-called professional, among my cohorts in academia or the business community.

That would be a very high price to pay, indeed.

Business Development Strategy For Innovative Business Growth

The evidence is very visible and many have already spoken that innovation is the core element in creating new versions of growth. Long-term business growth requires an authentic innovation. However, it is not easy to detect what kind of innovation shall click and that will lead to platforms of development. And there are a lot of ideas to invest on and the time it takes for an invention to be innovated into a product requires patience. These big challenges mean managers usually send away truly innovative prospects as it is too risky, and the growth imperative stays unfulfilled. Nowadays, professionals concerned have developed proven ideas to improve the probability of success in innovation business growth and this is through business development strategy.

The innovators’ solution offers tips in making and sustaining growth in the globally competitive market. Disturbance is inevitable, but companies who can grasp the process can harness it and they can actually take advantage of disturbing growth. To take advantage of disruption and create new growth business, managers need to make counter-intuitive decisions. There are different identified areas in addressing business development strategy and some of them are:

According to research balancing not aligning is the key to create future platforms for growth. Strategic planning is also another helpful way as it combines elements of scenario based planning to real options and the result is a portfolio of flexible strategies provisioned to execute arrangement of contingent strategies.

Good and innovative ideas do not usually occur by chance and most successful companies have well designed processes, structures and tools to motivate and manage idea production. From ideas appear innovative strategies to be used in executing the plans. Ideas are effective plans and if they are already implemented, they can make a great difference. Ideas can be best achieved through group collaboration and team work.

Creating a new way for the business to grow is a way to unzip the process of innovation and it is through creating innovation-driven growth business all over again. Managers should be challenged in a way that they should best manage the capabilities of the company to deliver innovation. A best business development strategy will help identify the processes capable and incapable of accomplishing. That’s why a good plan is needed beforehand so all involved can look at and visualize all possibilities on how the business will go. In order to survive, learn how to apply these strategies at work.

What is Web Development on the Web?

Definition: Web development incorporates all areas of creating a Web site for the World Wide Web. This includes Web design (graphic design, XHTML, CSS, Flash…)

Web development is a broad term for any activities related to developing a web site for the World Wide Web or an intranet Web Development includes E-commerce business development, Client-side/server-side Scripting, web design, web content development and Web server configuration. However, among web professionals, “web development” usually refers only to the non-design aspects of building web sites, e.g. writing hyper text markup and coding. Web development can range from developing the simplest static website of plain text to the most complex web-based internet applications, E-business and social network services like my-space, ibibo, stumble etc.

Importance Of Web Development

A good website show the potential information of a company or an Individual engaged in online marketing. A well designed website, easy to navigate by any search engine like Google, yahoo and MSN search engines etc. As we know search engine friendly website will obviously rank high in search engine result page resulting more traffic to the website as the perspective of business generation. In this Computer era of advanced technology, E-commerce has highly dominated the marketing practice, and due to easy availability and affordability of the Internet, people are running after it and making huge profit at the comfort of their home.

As a good online business person, what is important for your business is, to prepare a website that is well designed, attractive, full of relevant information, easy to navigate, highly usable, good content, enough functions and are capable of retaining visitors for long and make them come back again for business purpose.

Features of Web Development

In this competitive Computer age, we can’t bound the website only for the organization information provider but it limits extends, now a day we are seeing the website as a online web application tool via which we deliver the information from one place to other with a help of internet. To developing the web application there are required some specific features like HTML, Flash, JavaScript, CGI, DHTML, and Cascading Style Sheets Internet and some important languages for front end design like Asp, ASP .NET, JAVA, PHP and back-end perspective languages required like Oracle, SQL Server and My SQL. To establish the connection between front-end and back-end languages some servers are required like tomcat series, web logic and web spheres.

Web development takes into account many things, such as data entry error checking through forms, as well as of the data that is entered in given fields of web applications. Malicious practices such as SQL Injection can be executed through users with ill intent yet only primitive knowledge of web development as a whole. Not only this, but scripts can be exploited to grant unauthorized access to the hacker to gain information such as email addresses, passwords and protected content like credit card numbers. So above considering facts it is required to must include the features of Account access in to the application, we can make it more powerful if we apply the concept of cryptography in our applications.

Where to Start Learning Android App Development?

When it comes to mobile development, there are a lot of options out there. React Native? Sencha? SDKs? APKs? Xamarin? It can all seem a bit much. Hopefully this guide gives you a good idea of what you are facing when you develop your first Android Application, and it basic steps it takes to get from an idea, to a Playstore listing.

The Idea

The first step to any mobile application is the idea. Think of something that you, or someone you know, would find useful to have on their phone. This could be something simple, like a new way to browse your favourite website, or something more complex, that might even involve a bluetooth device. You don’t always have to innovate, you just have to do something better than what is out there.

The User Experience

Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the value of your user’s experience within your application. If a user gets frustrated with your app, they are likely to stop using it. Have a look at your favourite applications. What makes them pleasant to use? Ask your friends to try the app out, look for feedback and utilise it.

It may help you to visualise the interface and use of your mobile application using “frameworking” and “timeline” software, but you can also just do it by hand on paper.

The Design

The design of your application is also very important. This includes the development of a “Brand”, a consistent design throughout your application and store listing using Logos, colours and fonts.

The Money

No one likes adverts. It’s the painful truth. Ideally, you should avoid trying to monetise your application too early as you may scare away potential long term users. It’s what Amazon did, they took (and are still taking) hits with their business in order to secure long term customers.

The Language

Despite what some people may try and tell you, the ability to write your own software is critical to a well designed application. It may seem scary to start with, but there are a large number of guides out there, such as Codecademy, or scotch.io, that will help you. Don’t try to run before you can walk.

As for which language you should learn, it comes down to what you want from your application, how much you are willing to spend, and what you are most comfortable with, which will be discussed below.

Your application will have to be well developed in order to succeed. After you feel comfortable developing in your chosen language, it is time to move to mobile development.

You have a number of options here, some easier than others.

One option is React Native, which is written using Web technologies, such as JavaScript, JSX and HTML. This is a version of Facebook’s React framework that can run “Natively” (in the operating systems own language) which generally increases performance. It can be very difficult for beginners.

Another option is Xamarin, a framework recently purchased by Microsoft, which uses C# and Visual Studio.

Yet another option is ExtJS developed by Sencha, which is again, JavaScript.

The most popular IDE for Android App Development, and the one I recommend for this guide, is Android Studio, which is multiplatform (Windows, OSX and Linux), and is developed by Google.

The Backend

Depending on which type of application you are looking to build, you may need a “backend”, basically a computer which deals with all the data your application requires, and generates. Applications that require a backend include a social network application, or a chat application, whereas applications such as a calculator or similar generally do not require any backend code.

Generally, this is written using PHP, NodeJS or some other code that sits on a server somewhere, usually with some sort of database such as MySQL or MongoDB. If you aren’t willing to purchase and run such a machine yourself, there are options out there such as Amazon Web Services or DigitalOcean, which only charge you for the resources you use!

The Testing

Ideally, it helps to have a test device, which could be your own device. To enable development on an Android device, simply click the “Build Version” within the phone’s settings, in “About this phone”.

If you don’t have a device at hand to use, that’s okay as well. Most Integrated Development Environments (IDE), including Android Studio and Visual Studio, include a device simulator for their respective operating systems. This can be useful to try different phones with slower hardware and different screen sizes, to make sure your application is widely accessible.

The Packaging

For the Google store, you have to create a “Signed APK”. The APK is created by the IDE, and then “signed” using a keyfile that is generated using your information. This key is unique to you, and makes sure that no one else can upload a copy of your application with embedded malicious code.

Google Playstore has it’s own guidelines and procedures that you must follow for it to be accepted, and it is not uncommon for applications to be rejected, so be careful.

If everything goes well, you will be able to see your application in the store of your choice. Good luck!

The Procedure of Mobile Application Development by a Mobile Application Development Company

Before when a team submits a proposal, they understand the need of the app, what are the features that can be incorporated and what are the client’s requirements. There are many key steps involved in creating a successful application.

If you want to reduce the risks and time associated with the application development then hire a mobile phone application development company for the best results which provides the below mentioned process for the standard development. They will have the competence to understand your business requirements and deliver you with cutting-edge mobile applications. There are different activities or steps in the process and they are mentioned below.

1. Research and discovery: The team of a mobile web application developer firm understands your vision and requirements. They provide all the possible solutions for any technological hurdles. Before committing to your project, they conduct research proof of concept and discover the type of business and its main technologies which have to be incorporated.

2. Planning and understanding the project: The team determines the immediate and long term requirements for your app development which even includes the third-party services also. It ensures that the objectives of your business, creative design and mobile technologies are properly communicated to the team members. They understand your needs and provide documentation for the process to be done.

3. Prototyping of the user flows: The custom mobile application developer platform provides an interactive visualization of the app and develop a proof of concept. They even create wireframes that demonstrate major situations and how a user can interact with your app. In the effort of wireframe development, they reduce the chances of risks for the estimate and modify the project if any changes required.

4. Designing: If it is possible, the team sends design samples to the client to get an idea about the design for the particular app from a visual point of view. They proper look and feel of your app to look overwhelming on the mobile screens for many different resolutions. They concentrate on taking the wireframes and create a single concept with several revisions of the core screens. They create a complete new design with typography, color scheme, logos, images and layouts.

5. Coding and development: The mobile developers start working on development and coding for the client’s project. They consider the suggestions and feedback from the customers and create two or three restatements of development. They make ready the app for the testing and reviewing and if any additional changes to be made, they will even work on them for best results.

6. Deployment and testing: Once the mobile product is ready, they consider the feedback from the client and then release then in Apples app stores and Google play market places. They test the entire app, individual functions and screens and make sure that all the individual parts all work together. They even test the design, coding as it is being done and test every phase of the development process.

7. Support and optimization: The team goes on giving the support to the client in improving of the app, platform updates, functionality and new features. They handle all the aspects of the submission of the app to be ready for the sale.

Hence, these are the procedures done by the mobile application development firm with the developers working with it.

Mobile App Development – Trends to Watch Out for

Mobile devices have become more main-stream and more and more businesses are adopting the mobile first mindset. Mobile applications are no longer considered as an optional investment, but a necessity. Many businesses depend on this channel to boost revenue and meet customer demands. Ever since the business practices have shifted to a more mobile approach, mobile apps are in great demand and user expectations from mobile apps are higher than ever.

Going beyond mobiles

As smartphone users continue to surge, the numbers of mobile apps present in the market are increasing at an exponential rate. In today’s world, mobile apps are developed not only for the smartphones, but also for a myriad of other smart devices that are interconnected – such as smart TV and other IoT enabled devices.

Progressive Web Apps gaining in popularity

A progressive web app is an application that runs on a web browser. This means that as soon as users access the mobile app, they can instantly start using it, as opposed to native apps that users need to download and install before they actually get to use it.

Android instant apps becoming more common

Google recently announced Android Instant Apps which enables Android apps to run instantly. The good part is that these apps do not need to be downloaded and installed on the mobile device. They run instantly. For example, if you receive a link from a friend, you can instantly view the app without having to install an app for it. This means that these apps are run-only-as-you-need and are a new revolution in the app industry as a whole.

Beacons and location based technology will continue to rise

Location based beacon technology has been on the rise in the past few years and has been a boon to many businesses. Beacons especially enable retailers to bridge the gap between the in-store and the online experience for their shoppers. They collect valuable data, send location based push notifications and can also be used to send customized notifications to potential customers and attract a whole new set of return customers too.

The rise of augmented reality and virtual reality

This is the very obvious new trend – AR development will definitely be the future of mobile development. It can be used to influence the customers in engaging and meaningful ways. AR will not be limited to promotions and marketing, but also will be integrated into a number of utility apps and functions.

IoT apps will surge with smart home technology

Smart homes include smart devices all interconnected to function well. IoT apps will definitely see a surge as more and more smart devices are connected.

App security is a top priority

With all the interconnected devices working seamlessly, data can be accessed from anywhere and at anytime. This makes security of your application a top priority while development.

Well, mobile apps development is an ever evolving field and you must ensure that you are up to date with the latest trends in this field.

5 Most Common App Development Mistakes You Need To Avoid

Having a mobile application has become imperative for every business today right from startups to SMEs and enterprises. Mobile apps have made life easier and faster than ever before. And today almost every smartphone user prefers using an app for almost everything they need right from buying their daily grocery items to other essentials, garments, booking tickets for movies, planning trips, reading news, playing games, and more. And it’s because an app can be opened and used with just a tap on the device. This increasing use of mobile applications has also made millions of businesses have an app on one or more platforms. As per Statista,

More than 5 million applications are already there on the App stores serving the users in different ways.
The Google Play Store has over 3 million apps today, and
The Apple App Store has more than 2 million applications.

This huge number of applications already existing on the App stores has already increased the level of competition. Having a flawless and user-driven app is important today to stay ahead with the maximum number of users. And for this, it is essential to create completely bug-free and high-performing apps overcoming all the challenges and complexities and avoiding all common mistakes during the app development process.

Here are the most common mistakes app developers need to avoid to end up with an ROI-driven and user-friendly mobile application.

Avoiding these following mistakes can help developers create a device compatible, user-friendly, secure, and competitive application keeping the business requirements, target users and the current market demands in mind.

Not doing proper market research:

Doing proper market research is important before getting started with app development. The App Stores are over-flooded with different types of applications. And staying above the competitors is not that easy. Doing thorough market research can help you to get an idea of what are the strong and weak points of the similar competitive applications already existing on the App Stores. And knowing what the competitors lack and what they have can help you to include better features and functionalities in your app keeping the current market demands in mind. And this can ensure more user retention and user acquisition of your application.

Overloading the application with too many features:

Many of you may think that adding too many features can make your application more detailed and powerful. But this is not the fact actually. Adding too many unnecessary features can simply make your application heavy, slow down the loading speed and can deteriorate its performance at the same time. Keeping minimal features can make the app look cleaner, clearer, lightweight, and can enhance its performance and loading speed as well. Also, the fewer the features, the less confusing it will be and the less the chances will be to install it.

Building the app without considering the target audience:

One of the most vital factors you need to consider before getting started with the process is to know for whom you are building the application or who are the target audiences, what are their tastes and preferences. One of the primary objectives to build and launch an application is to gain the maximum user engagement and this makes it essential to consider the target users and their needs and expectations first.

Not considering the OS and device compatibility:

No matter you are creating the application for iOS, Android, Windows, or for all, you need to ensure that the application offers the same look and feel on all devices. This means you have to build a device compatible application considering the OS on which the application will be launched. You need to be aware of the market fragmentation of the Operating System and then create the application for all the devices supported by that OS. This will increase the user base and will ensure a great user experience irrespective of the device one is using.

Not paying attention to the current updates:

The process of application development does not come to an end once the application is launched. Regularly updating the application is also important. New technologies keep on emerging in the app market and staying updated with these is crucial to stay ahead on the App Stores and to ensure your application is always up to date.

Developers need to consider several factors in mind to give a competitive edge to their applications like application performance, the mobile application design, app optimisation, troubleshooting, proper testing of the application, the app icon, bug fixes, user engagement, user experience, security of the application, etc. Building a successful mobile application is not that easy today and this makes it important to consider these factors and identify and avoid all these above-mentioned mistakes during app development.

Tag: Development