On the Go: Why and How to Make a Mobile Version of Your App

Brian Zhao

September 17

In today's age, mobile applications have become an essential tool for businesses and consumers alike. With the increase in smartphone usage, there has been a growing demand for mobile apps that offer the same functionalities as their web counterparts. For businesses with existing web apps, implementing a mobile app can seem like a difficult task. However, with the right approach and tools, it can be a relatively straightforward process that brings many benefits.

image of On the Go: Why and How to Make a Mobile Version of Your App

Mobile implementations can take your web application to the next level

Why Should You Make a Mobile Version?

Enhanced User Experience: Mobile apps can provide a better user experience compared to web apps. They are faster, more responsive, and include offline usage if implemented. Mobile apps can also access device features such as GPS, camera, and notifications, which can enhance the user experience.
Increased Engagement: Mobile apps offer a more personalized experience, which can lead to increased user engagement. Users can customize their settings, receive personalized notifications, and save their preferences.
Increased Convenience: Almost everybody has a mobile device that they can use at any time; at home, on the bus, anywhere. A mobile application is much easier to use in these settings than a corresponding web version.

Steps for Implementation

Assess the Current Web App: The first step is to assess the current web app to determine its functionalities and features. This will help in deciding which features are essential for the mobile app and which can be left out.
Define the Scope: Decide on the features and functionalities that are essential for the mobile app. It is important to start with the core features and then gradually add more features in future updates if necessary.
Choose the Right Technology: Decide on what type of app you want to create (Native or Hybrid) based on what you want to accomplish. Native apps offer the best performance but are more expensive to develop as they require separate codebases for each platform (iOS, Android). Hybrid apps are developed using web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and can run on multiple platforms. You may also find existing frameworks for your app helpful, such as React Native, which allows you to use the same codebase for each platform while also containing useful native features.
Design the User Interface: Design the user interface of the mobile app. It is important to create a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Consider the usability guidelines of each platform (iOS, Android) when designing the interface.
Develop the Mobile App: Start the development process of the mobile app. It is important to follow the best practices for mobile app development and to test the app thoroughly on different devices and platforms.
Test the Mobile App: Testing is a pivotal step in the mobile app development process. Test the app on different devices and platforms to ensure that it works properly and is free of bugs.
Launch the Mobile App: Once the app is tested and ready, it can be launched on the app stores (Google Play Store, Apple App Store).

mobile engineering webapp