How long does it take to develop an App?

In the development field, it is well known that there are several levels of complexity when developing an app. In addition, this process is usually divided into stages, such as the development of beta versions, which are the first product ready for use and testing and which require less time. From there, the following stages should follow, with updates and implementation of improvements for the launch of new versions, which may go on for months or years for more complex software.

To get an idea of the points that influence this variation, check out the examples below.

It all starts with the idea

The number of app segments and models is growing. Daily, thousands of new apps are uploaded to Google Play and the Apple Store. Among the categories, we find productivity software, professional tools, social networks, games, among others. Increasingly varied, the app market has become a great cradle of new ideas in the field of technology.

But how to have an app that stands out among so many available options? The first step to achieving your goal with the project is to have a good idea. From there, the segment in which the new app will fit must be studied and analyzed.

In this way, through market research, it is possible to get to know your competitors and your market. This stage is fundamental to understand what the strengths and weaknesses of your product are compared to competing services. Another fundamental point is to study and understand the consumption habits of your target audience, structuring how your product will relate to your customer's daily life.

With these ideas on paper, a brainstorm can be carried out to generate insights. Use the information collected to structure your ideas. In this way, possible errors can be minimized, bringing more quality to your service, through the connection between the idea and the practical execution of the project. Now, check out the stages of an app development project and how long each of the stages takes on average.

1. Wireframe

The wireframe is the stage responsible for creating the visual identity of your app. To reach the result, it takes a creative effort, with the assembly of drafts. Although it may seem like a stage of little importance, the wireframe will be one of the main pillars of your project.

The drawings created will illustrate the entire path traveled by the customer within the app, from their entry, to all the possible paths they may travel during navigation. With this, the necessary screens will be created, in addition to the features and functionality present. This flow will be the starting point for the app's programming work, identifying all the technical and structural stages and needs for creating the app and the necessary investment.

This process can require between a few days and 2 months, depending on the complexity of the project.

2. Design

With your wireframe in hand, it is time to start the production of your app's layout and thus establish its visual identity. At this moment, a design team will be needed to create the concepts and graphic creatives of the app.

This moment requires, in addition to advanced knowledge of graphic programs, creativity. It is necessary that the visual of the software created stands out and is pleasing to the eyes of users, contributing to a good experience during its use.

Like the previous steps, this stage can vary according to the size of the project, normally taking around a few weeks to complete.

3. Development

This is the stage in which developers will come into action. In this phase, it is necessary to configure storage issues, APIs, servers, and databases, through the backend coding of the entire structure of the app. For this, it is necessary to define which platform will be used.

Because it is a fundamental and quite technical and complex stage, it is also the one that will require the most time to complete. Considering that app projects are normally carried out in stages, programming the beta version of an app, where all the functions defined in the wireframe can be performed, may take between a few weeks and years in highly complex projects.

4. Testing

After the production of the beta version of the app, it is necessary to carry out a battery of tests before its launch. They are fundamental for the identification of bugs in the execution of functions and also potential improvements that can be implemented.

At this moment, it is up to the companies to define the quantity and period of the tests. It is important to remember that, to increase the chances of success during the launch, it is essential that the app is working perfectly. In this way, in addition to increasing the chances of user loyalty, the acquisition of new customers increases from positive feedback that may be shared.

Normally, this stage takes between a few days and a few months.

Conclusion

As we have seen throughout the post, the time invested in development projects can vary, averaging between 2 and 6 months from the conception of the idea to the launch of the product in the app markets.

Finding a promotion strategy can help your apps reach as many users as possible. At this point, it is important to remember that user response can have a negative impact on your project. Therefore, pay attention to all possible defects before publishing on the online store.