Investing in mobile app development has become more important than ever for startups. It was an option a decade ago but today, it has become a necessity to stay ahead of the competition and meet evolving needs of consumers. Don’t believe us? Well, according to Shortcut, users are spending around $380 billion worldwide on in-app purchases. Not to mention, most of us are accessing the internet from smart devices and they are majorly driven by apps.

However, many entrepreneurs still don’t know why they should be investing in mobile app development for their startups. In this blog, Techosquare will tell startups everything about mobile app development. From benefits to trends and development costs to dev recommendations, we will cover all crucial aspects. Let’s go!

As the name itself suggests, mobile app development is the process of creating software applications that run on handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets. The overall process involves writing code to create structure and designing the application.

Although they look similar to web apps, they use unique features of mobile devices such as cameras, GPS, accelerometers, and touch to produce innovative and engaging experiences for users.

Some common types of mobile apps include:

Here are reasons why you should consider investing in mobile app development for your startup:

#1 Strengthens Customer Relationships

Building strong customer relationships isn’t just good business sense but is also crucial for long-term success. According to Forbes, 76% of consumers prefer to save time by shopping on their phones and prefer using mobile apps over websites. Creating a mobile app provides the information and services immediately. No wonder, it helps build and strengthen customer relationships.

#2 Reach a Wider Audience

A report by Statista pointed out that the number of mobile users worldwide stood at 7.1 billion back in 2021. This number was forecasted to rise to 7.26 billion by the end of 2022. With such a vast potential audience, developing a mobile app can be an efficacious way for startups to extend their reach and tap into new markets.

#3 Provides Valuable Insights

Steve Jobs once said, “Get closer than ever to your customer. So close, in fact, that you tell them what they need before they realize themselves.” Guess what? Mobile apps are all about this! They allow you to track customer behavior and gather data on their preferences and usage patterns. This will not only help startups optimize their marketing strategies but also improve their products and services.

#4 24/7 Access

Entrepreneurs who have run offline businesses before must know how they can limit the ability to reach customers beyond regular business hours. Guess what? That’s not the problem with mobile apps. By investing in mobile app development, startups can provide their customers with 24/7 access to their goods and services. Consumers can browse and purchase at their convenience.

Useful tips and hacks to create a perfect mobile app development strategy.

#5 Stay Ahead of Competition

Another solid reason why you should be investing in mobile app development for your startup! Since mobile apps provide consumers with a seamless and user-friendly way to access desired products and services, startups can use them for building customer loyalty and gain a competitive edge in their industry.

Useful tips and hacks to create a perfect mobile app development strategy.

We bet that by now, you are convinced mobile app development is the way to go for your startup. But hey, this is just the beginning! You also need to keep up with the latest trends to stay ahead of the curve and make your mobile application launch a huge success.

Here are some mobile app development trends to follow in 2023:

#1 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are not new concepts and have been around for quite some time. But with the rise of the increasing availability of data, advancements in algorithms, and the need to deliver customized and adequate experiences to users, they are seeing a resurgence of interest and popularity in the mobile app world.

Entrepreneurs are using AI and ML to design numerous versions of a single web page. In fact, they are also using it for analyzing user data and behavior, automating certain tasks within the app, understanding and responding to user outputs, and identifying images and speech.

#2 Internet of Things

Cellular Internet of Things (IoT) connects physical things (say gyroscope and fingerprint sensor) to the internet by having them piggyback on the same mobile network and technology as smartphones. Integrating your mobile app with this technology can provide your users with a smooth experience and allow them to use features like remote monitoring, real-time data analysis, and smart automation.

You will be able to improve UX, streamline processes, and create new opportunities using IoT during mobile app development for your startup.

#3 Motion Design

One of the biggest mobile app development trends of 2023. Nowadays, users don’t like complex and steady designs that facilitate no engagement. They seek more interactive and engaging experiences while using a mobile app.

*Enters motion design*

Motion design can help you improve user satisfaction and retention by making the app more enjoyable to use. By adding features like animation and transitions, you can create UIs that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and engaging.

This trend can literally make your developed mobile app for the startup stand out in a crowded marketplace and provide a competitive advantage.

#4 Touchless UI

Many of us were fascinated by the touchless technology used by Tony Stark in Iron Man movies. Well, guess what? It is possible to use such technology in mobile app development for your startup as well! This latest trend is called touchless UI.

Using it, you can allow your users to control apps by simply moving the head or screen. You can also use it to sign in or identify users via biometrics in the app. In fact, some tech enthusiasts and developers believe that mobile apps will also be able to track eye movements for scrolling in the upcoming years.

Isn't that fascinating?

#5 Customized Apps for Foldable Devices

In 2023, foldable smartphones are the new sexy! Many brands like Samsung, Motorola, Oppo, and now Google are coming up with their foldable OLED display phones. And because of this trend, developers have started customizing apps for foldable devices.

Many popular mobile apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Spotify, and Microsoft Office have already been optimized for flip phones. As the current generation foldable devices have larger screens, you can also develop an app for a detailed and engaging experience.

8 mobile app design and development trends to follow in 2023

We know most of you are thinking, “Okay, I’m all set to invest in mobile app development for my startup but how much money am I supposed to spend?” Techosquare wants to tell you that developing a native android or iOS application in a country like the US can cost you anywhere between $50,000 to $150,000.

The overall development cost also depends on the country you have hired your app developers. If you are hiring developers from the North American continent (the United States or Canada), they will come at an hourly cost of $50-$160 per hour. The hourly charges taken by app developers from Australia and the United Kingdom are somewhere around $45-$110.

Application developers from India, however, will charge you around $25-$80 an hour for developing a quality mobile app for your startup. The average cost of mobile app development in India is 50,000 USD only. However, this isn’t the only factor that affects the overall development cost of a mobile application.

It also depends on factors like: