How to Build a Custom Application

How to Build a Custom Application

Business Applications Challenges 06/06/2024

<p>Businesses often use custom apps specifically designed to automate workflows or enhance customer experience. In the past, app development was a long, technical, and expensive process that only larger businesses could benefit from.&nbsp;</p><p>However, with the introduction of low-code platforms, citizen developers with little technical experience could develop their own apps quickly and affordably. Now, even emerging businesses can benefit from automating their systems with their own custom-built apps.&nbsp;</p><p>That being said, if you want to build your own app, you'll need to follow eight critical steps in the app development you'll that you'll need to follow.</p><img src="/sites/default/files/howtobuildacustomapp.png" data-entity-uuid="b046322d-45e7-40d5-b843-ddd8ed7829d0" data-entity-type="file" alt="" width="1236" height="828"><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>8 Steps to Make a Custom Application&nbsp;</h2><h3>Step 1—Ideation</h3><p>The first step is clearly defining your objectives and requirements for the app clearly. To do this, it is best to first start with the pain points you want to address first. For example, if you're going to develop an app to automate a filling system, first:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>List the problems with the current ways your filing system works.&nbsp;</li><li>Work out how the app can solve each one of these problems.&nbsp;</li><li>Then, lay out your objectives and requirements for the app.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Once you have a clear understanding of the app's intended problems and what it needs to be capable of solving them, it is time to conduct some market research.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Step 2—Conduct Market Research</h3><img src="/sites/default/files/conductmarketresearch.png" data-entity-uuid="86ad1982-b751-4b53-8572-d8b845866778" data-entity-type="file" alt="" width="1234" height="822"><p>Whether you are building an app that will compete with other apps in the market or simply one to be used in-house for behind-the-scenes work, you'll want to conduct thorough market research.</p><p>No matter how unique your idea is for a custom app is, there is likely something similar out there. So, it is essential to research and learn from all similar apps. Ask yourself:</p><ul><li>What does their app have that mine doesn't?</li><li>How is their app performing?&nbsp;</li><li>Are there any pain points that my app should solve that theirs doesn't?</li></ul><p>Ultimately, the purpose of this market research is to inform you about how you go about developing your own app.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Step 3—Choose a Low-Code Development Platform</h3><p>Low-code platforms allow companies and citizen developers to create apps as quickly and efficiently as possible. They provide the tools needed to create an app. Depending on which platform you choose, how you design and create your app will vary depending on which platform you choose.&nbsp;</p><p>As such, it is essential to find one that works for your needs before deciding on your app's design and development process for your app.&nbsp;</p><p>Some popular platforms out there to choose from include Salesforce, Microsoft Power Platform, and UiPath. These platforms offer features such as drag-and-drop functions, AI integrations, and team management tools.&nbsp;</p><p>For those wanting a simple all-in-one solution. Qodly combines low-code and hybrid options to allow more flexibility in the app development process. It is also made for those who want to develop, deploy, and run their apps all on one platform.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Step 4—Build an MVP&nbsp;</h3><p>Once you are ready to start the app development process, start by prototyping and testing the features you want. Once you are satisfied with your desired features, it is time to build an MVP or Minimum Viable Product. An MVP is the skeleton of the final product.&nbsp;</p><p>Start by designing the layout of your app and adding basic functionality to it along with the core features.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Step 5—Test It!</h3><img src="/sites/default/files/testtheapp.png" data-entity-uuid="5a975505-406d-41f3-9e8e-e86849535704" data-entity-type="file" alt="" width="1236" height="826"><p>Once you have your MVP, test it. Get feedback on the user experience and find all the shortfalls. Ensure all the core features function as expected, and list all the improvements and additions that the final product should have.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Step 6—Build the App&nbsp;</h3><p>Next, it's time to build the app. During this process, it is important to conduct regular code reviews and testing to ensure the app development process is heading in the right direction and to catch any bugs early on in the process.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Step 7—Quality Assurance&nbsp;</h3><p>Once your app is built, the next step is to develop a testing strategy for testing different app features to ensure that they meet predefined standards and objectives.</p><p>Performing functional and non-functional testing is also helpful. Functional testing ensures that everything is working correctly, and non-functional testing checks the app's overall performance, security, and UI of the app.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Step 8—Launch It and Collect User Feedback&nbsp;</h3><p>Lastly, it is time to launch your app and collect user feedback to improve its performance. Some of the best ways to collect user feedback are through interviews and surveys.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Summary&nbsp;</h3><p>All in all, custom applications can significantly automate your business process or improve customer satisfaction. With low-code solutions, citizen developers and those with low technical expertise can develop custom apps quickly and affordably—allowing even small companies to take advantage of the benefits that custom business applications can bring.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr><p>Tired of the complexities of traditional web development? <a href="https://qodly.com/" target="_blank">Qodly</a> offers a streamlined approach that empowers citizen developers, freelancers, and small businesses to create powerful web applications with ease. Backed by 4D's decades of experience in cross-platform app development, Qodly provides a hybrid low-code platform that combines the efficiency of drag-and-drop tools with the flexibility of custom coding.</p>

By Samir Salibi

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Businesses often use custom apps specifically designed to automate workflows or enhance customer experience. In the past, app development was a long, technical, and expensive process that only larger businesses could benefit from. 

However, with the introduction of low-code platforms, citizen developers with little technical experience could develop their own apps quickly and affordably. Now, even emerging businesses can benefit from automating their systems with their own custom-built apps. 

That being said, if you want to build your own app, you'll need to follow eight critical steps in the app development you'll that you'll need to follow.

 

8 Steps to Make a Custom Application 

Step 1—Ideation

The first step is clearly defining your objectives and requirements for the app clearly. To do this, it is best to first start with the pain points you want to address first. For example, if you're going to develop an app to automate a filling system, first: 

  • List the problems with the current ways your filing system works. 
  • Work out how the app can solve each one of these problems. 
  • Then, lay out your objectives and requirements for the app. 

Once you have a clear understanding of the app's intended problems and what it needs to be capable of solving them, it is time to conduct some market research.

 

Step 2—Conduct Market Research

Whether you are building an app that will compete with other apps in the market or simply one to be used in-house for behind-the-scenes work, you'll want to conduct thorough market research.

No matter how unique your idea is for a custom app is, there is likely something similar out there. So, it is essential to research and learn from all similar apps. Ask yourself:

  • What does their app have that mine doesn't?
  • How is their app performing? 
  • Are there any pain points that my app should solve that theirs doesn't?

Ultimately, the purpose of this market research is to inform you about how you go about developing your own app.

 

Step 3—Choose a Low-Code Development Platform

Low-code platforms allow companies and citizen developers to create apps as quickly and efficiently as possible. They provide the tools needed to create an app. Depending on which platform you choose, how you design and create your app will vary depending on which platform you choose. 

As such, it is essential to find one that works for your needs before deciding on your app's design and development process for your app. 

Some popular platforms out there to choose from include Salesforce, Microsoft Power Platform, and UiPath. These platforms offer features such as drag-and-drop functions, AI integrations, and team management tools. 

For those wanting a simple all-in-one solution. Qodly combines low-code and hybrid options to allow more flexibility in the app development process. It is also made for those who want to develop, deploy, and run their apps all on one platform.

 

Step 4—Build an MVP 

Once you are ready to start the app development process, start by prototyping and testing the features you want. Once you are satisfied with your desired features, it is time to build an MVP or Minimum Viable Product. An MVP is the skeleton of the final product. 

Start by designing the layout of your app and adding basic functionality to it along with the core features.

 

Step 5—Test It!

Once you have your MVP, test it. Get feedback on the user experience and find all the shortfalls. Ensure all the core features function as expected, and list all the improvements and additions that the final product should have. 

 

Step 6—Build the App 

Next, it's time to build the app. During this process, it is important to conduct regular code reviews and testing to ensure the app development process is heading in the right direction and to catch any bugs early on in the process. 

 

Step 7—Quality Assurance 

Once your app is built, the next step is to develop a testing strategy for testing different app features to ensure that they meet predefined standards and objectives.

Performing functional and non-functional testing is also helpful. Functional testing ensures that everything is working correctly, and non-functional testing checks the app's overall performance, security, and UI of the app. 

 

Step 8—Launch It and Collect User Feedback 

Lastly, it is time to launch your app and collect user feedback to improve its performance. Some of the best ways to collect user feedback are through interviews and surveys.

 

Summary 

All in all, custom applications can significantly automate your business process or improve customer satisfaction. With low-code solutions, citizen developers and those with low technical expertise can develop custom apps quickly and affordably—allowing even small companies to take advantage of the benefits that custom business applications can bring.

 


Tired of the complexities of traditional web development? Qodly offers a streamlined approach that empowers citizen developers, freelancers, and small businesses to create powerful web applications with ease. Backed by 4D's decades of experience in cross-platform app development, Qodly provides a hybrid low-code platform that combines the efficiency of drag-and-drop tools with the flexibility of custom coding.

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