How to create a mobile application if you are an SME

Did you know that there are almost 3 billion apps available in the Google Play Store? And in the iOS App Store there are more than 1.7 million. These are dizzying figures, especially if we take into account that these platforms, despite being the best known, are only two of all those that exist worldwide.

For this reason, one of the questions you should ask yourself as an SME or freelancer is the need to have your own mobile application. And no, they are not exclusive to large companies. With the advance and improvement of technologies, more and more SMEs and freelancers are choosing to develop their own app to improve their visibility and connect with their customers in a more direct and personalised way.

Why have a mobile application?

If you're reading this you probably know what a mobile app is and have at least 3 installed on your device, so we can skip the definitions.

However, we have to analyse the facilities that these apps bring to you as a customer, whether it's connecting with your family, ordering food delivery, keeping up to date with world news or buying something you need urgently without leaving your home.

Now think as an owner, director or employee of an SME, having an app will bring you many other benefits, among which we find:

• Improves positioning and brand image: having a functional and well-designed app can help you to raise awareness of your SME, as well as show an up-to-date and innovative image.
• It allows data collection: you will be able to know how users interact with your content, which sections interest them most, which products are the least visited. This way you can make better decisions.
• Total accessibility: an application is easier to access than a website, so your customers will be able to connect anytime, anywhere. This will increase the possibility of sales and improve the experience.
• Improved communication: apps give the possibility to send notifications to users. In this way, and without incurring in spam, you can get in touch with them, offering them promotions and/or news and boosting loyalty.

But while all these benefits are very appealing, creating and maintaining a mobile app can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Therefore, the first thing you need to think about is whether an app is really necessary.

To answer this question, you need to be clear about the purpose of your app. It can serve as a shopping portal if you are an e-commerce, or as an appointment management app if your SME is a service provider. And it doesn't just have to be focused on your audience, it could also be an app for the internal management of your business. This way, you could keep track of things like employee training or stock on hand.

You will also need to assess the needs of your customers as well as your business. For example, you can analyse whether your users prefer to interact with your business from mobile devices or whether they are willing to install an application. In turn, you can benchmark the market, analysing whether your closest competitors have mobile apps and how to stand out from them.

This study may be favourable, but there is one last question that will be crucial: Do you have the necessary resources?

If the answer is yes, then you can proceed with the development of your app. Here's how!

How can you create your own app?

1. Set goals

Of course, the first step is to set your goals. To do so, you will have to take into account aspects such as:

• What will be the main function of your application.
• On which platform it will be launched.
• What resources and timeframe you will allocate to it.
• Which team will be in charge of its production.
• What the post-launch promotion will be.

2. Create a prototype

The second thing to do is to get out a pencil and paper and start drawing (you can also use digital tools such as Figma or Prototype). Having an idea of what your website is going to look like is essential to know where to start programming it. And, if you're in a creative rut, you can always look to platforms like Pinterest for inspiration.

3. Start developing

Creating an application from scratch can be a complex task, and having a developer on your team can simplify it.

However, nowadays, there are numerous programs that allow you to create applications without needing to know how to code. Here are some of them:

• AppyPie: This platform allows you to create applications for both Android and iOS, and you can select your type of business to get the most suitable options. You'll have access to numerous templates that you can customise to your liking with pre-made elements.

Their subscription offers different plans ranging from €14 to €60 per month per application, along with a free version. Differences between plans include customer support channels, the ability to create for Android only or also for iOS, and the number of downloads allowed per month.

• ScoreApps: With its simple interface and tutorials, you can create all kinds of applications for Android, iOS, or PWAs. It also offers numerous templates for businesses, online courses, booking management, and many other types that you can customise. Its element library makes creating an app as easy as dragging and dropping the features you’re interested in.

Depending on your needs, you can choose a plan of €79 per month for app development, or opt for €149-€199 per month if you also want to create a website and sales funnels. To ensure this platform works for you, there is a free trial available.

• WIX: The well-known web development platform also has a version for applications. Its panel allows you to intuitively create applications for Android and iOS. Additionally, once you publish the app, it will sync with your panel so you can apply changes automatically.

Their plans range from €11 to €149 per month. The choice between them depends on your goals, such as interacting with your audience or expanding your brand, and the needs of your business.

4. Conduct testing

Once you have created the application, start testing it. By using a small group of users, you can identify any bugs and even implement suggestions you hadn’t previously noticed.

5. Launch

The moment of truth has arrived. Make sure everything is in order and choose the right words for your application’s description. When you’re ready, you can publish it on the platforms you’ve selected.

Remember that the creator subscriptions for each app download platform are different:

• Google Play Store: A one-time payment of €25.
• App Store: An annual payment of €99.

6. Analysis

Measuring the key KPIs of your application, as well as continuously evaluating its performance, will be crucial to ensuring it functions correctly. Although there are numerous analytics platforms, Google Analytics stands out for being free and available for both websites and iOS and Android applications.

Remember that creating an app is a challenge, but with good planning and the right tools, it can become a great opportunity for your SME.

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