| As the market for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, | | | | Blackberry, or Windows Mobile platforms. That is why |
| and Windows Mobile applications heats up, more and | | | | it is important that before beginning application |
| more companies are diverting most of their focus | | | | development, you select an appropriate mobile |
| and investments towards that "next big mobile app | | | | platform for your application. If your plan includes |
| idea". Here are the five most important points of | | | | developing application for multiple mobile platforms, |
| mobile application development. | | | | make sure that you architect your application |
| 1. Business Case: If you have an idea that could make | | | | properly to reduce initial and ongoing development |
| in to a good mobile application, you should first | | | | efforts and costs. Most importantly, determine if you |
| research if another application on same / similar idea | | | | really need to develop a mobile client applications |
| already exist. Determine how you can differentiate | | | | which are platform specific or a mobile website / |
| and improvise your idea. Understand if there is a | | | | web application which are more universal and could |
| need for the application that you plan to develop. | | | | run on all smart phones. |
| Besides validating your concept, assess if developing | | | | 4. Timing: When there are thousands of businesses |
| that application is a good fit for your business | | | | trying to tap in to the booming mobile applications |
| strategies, direction, and if you will be able to recoup | | | | market, it is critical that you move forward with your |
| investment in to developing this application. | | | | mobile development project in a timely manner. |
| 2. Target Audience: Whether you are developing | | | | Otherwise, there are chances that someone else |
| application for your internal business use, use by | | | | may beat you in launching an application with similar |
| other businesses, or use by individual consumers, you | | | | concept and could quickly tap in to your potential |
| should have a good understanding of who your | | | | client base. When it comes to launching a mobile |
| target audience is. That will help making design and | | | | application, right timing is essential for maximizing |
| technology decisions for your application. If you are | | | | return on investment. |
| targeting global audience, you may also have to | | | | 5. Pricing: Just like any other product, you need to |
| consider making your mobile application multi-lingual. | | | | make sure that price for your mobile application is |
| 3. Technology Selection: With mobile client | | | | right. Research on the price of other similar apps, |
| applications, you cannot develop a single application | | | | determine how valuable is your application going to |
| that can run on all of the mobile platforms. Each of | | | | be for consumers, and figure out your total cost of |
| the mobile platforms is different and run only | | | | ownership for building, launching, and maintaining your |
| applications that are developed on the specific | | | | application. Consider offering your mobile applications |
| technologies. So if you develop an iPhone application, | | | | for free or at a discounted price for a short period |
| you cannot run the same application on Android, | | | | of time to attract more buyers. |