Get an Insight on Writing an Outstanding Mobile App Specification
- Mobile
- September 27, 2017
Do you have any idea about what it requires to have your mobile application project on the flourishing side of the bank?
Well, possessing a business acumen, a well proficient team to work with, having a keen expertise in handing various projects, persistence etc.
But considering the fact that the mobile app market is offering a stiff resistance from various competitors, writing app specifications becomes an important aspect of your business planning.
In fact, one of the prime reasons why most of the startups or any other business fail is because they are do not know how to write app specifications for a project.
Of course, you do not want to stand in that queue and thus preparing a clear, proper and comprehensive project formulation is very important.
Benefits of Writing Mobile App Development Specifications
- It will just enhance the value of your project and you can get the best price from the app developers.
- It also brings your ideas and concepts into life.
- If your specifications are clearer, it will involve less risk during the development process.
- It will help in saving your bucks as you won’t charge you more.
Actually an app specification write-up is a kind of a document where you describe in some details your idea about how you want your app development procedure to be like.
As such you don’t have to elaborate it widely like a long essay but you just need to follow a certain structure or pattern. So, just go on reading further and you will get an idea about formulating a plan appropriately.
1. First Prepare a Background
Well, it’s the first base where you establish a communication with the developers.
You need to inform them a few vital things as whether it is your first project or you have already had an experience before? Are you willing to develop your mobile app for reaching out more audiences? Do you have any knowledge on mobile app development?
Answering these key questions will help in providing a background to the developer and they will understand your project requirement much better. The developer can analyze your business module and try to give a flying start.
2. A Short Intro to the App
It is actually an extension of the first part where you give a brief description about what type of app do you want.
Is it going to be a location based app like Uber and food delivery or is it a health or news based app. Just tell them your requirements.
3. Identifying the Potential Customers
It is always good strategy to first identify your potential customers in the beginning. Who are your potential customers?
Well, it will be viable to go for a research in the beginning to get hold of the market.
Of course, the developer will throw this question at you before commencing your project. What is their age group?
Based on the information received, app developers will get to anticipate the preference of the users. Creating a personal customer persona will definitely help in this regard.
4. Defining your Goals
What is your main purpose behind launching the app or why do you want to release your app? The answer will define your goal.
Is it that you want to increase the mobile traffic into your app or you are creating it for just supporting your online website? You obviously want to enhance your business productivity; it’s that simple. You want to create a huge buzz on the social media.
Doing a SWOT analysis will be extremely helpful in writing the app specification.
On the other hand, identifying the Smart Objectives will prove quite handy. How will you make your app successful after its launch? How many downloads are you targeting within a week or month after its release.
You want the users to visit your app once every day. This will help in analyzing the performance of your app after a specific period of time.
5. Choosing the Particular Operating System
Now this is important. You need to decide the type of operating system on which your app will operate. Are you developing the app for the Android users or is it directed towards the iPhone owners.
Alternately, there are several apps that are available on both the major platforms. The decision will mainly depend on what your budget estimate is.
6. Features or Functional Requirements
You already are well familiar that the success of a mobile app depends largely on what features is it providing to its users and how functional is it.
You need to describe in some details what type of features you want to implement in your app. How is the user interface and user experience going to be? What will be the design and layout of the app?
Once you set the list of the features to be included, the mobile app development company will send an estimate quote that will have to be paid for hiring the services. The major functions can include:
- The login or the registration interface page
- The app menu, screen and fonts as well as UI
- Incorporating the social media platforms including the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the YouTube Channel
- Addition of the push notification. Do you want to send your users updates or reminders
- Collaborating with the app server and setting up the mechanism that involves protocols
- Data caching for the offline mode
- Geo-location for indicating specific directions
- Setting up the payment gateway
- Implementing the app reviews and ratings are vital
- Linking it with the website
- The content of the app and images
- App synchronization
7. The Choice amid Native and Hybrid
The selection is not only between Android and iOS OS but it is also between the two most probable rival platforms – native and hybrid.
Native apps are programs that is developed for one platform only. On the other hand, hybrid apps is a combination of native apps HTML5 built with HTML5 and JavaScript.
However, if you are not sure about which platform to opt for, the experienced app developers are there to help you out. You can take their advice.
8. The Choice over the Language
After taking the final decision on which platform will best suit your mobile app, another important choice you need to make is regarding the coding language.
As such there are two major coding languages as far as the app development is concerned. They are Swift and Objective C.
And again if you get stuck in the same dilemma over the choice and don’t have much idea about it then you can take the help of developers or make a comparison.
9. Budget Estimate
You know that app building can be a costly affair. So, it is advisable to prepare a budget estimate beforehand to get a quote from the developer.
Your developer will be asking your estimation while discussing the project. Based on your approximation, he will tell whether you can go ahead with the project or not.
Read also: Most Common Mistakes in Making Mobile App Budgeting
10. Data Storage Information
There are some apps where information is stored in some other database. The developer will ask if the database is there or it needs to be created.
They need to know what needs to be stored in the database and if there is web server or the API is documented.
11. App Maintenance
App maintenance is an important part of the app development that helps it keep operational for long period of time. This you have to discuss with your developer who will give you better estimation on this aspect. Here’s the detail guide on how much does it cost to maintain an app.
12. App Designing
Mobile app designing being an integral aspect helping to enhance its appearance; the app development firms employ expert graphic designers. You can hire in their services and contribute your ideas in the form of app specifications.
This will ease out their job and help in the project. The major decisions taken are on the font size, color and the icon design.
13. Project Deadlines
Are you time bound and want the project to be completed within a specific time frame.
14. Any other Additional Information
What other details would you like to provide regarding the project. It may include the people involved in the project including their information and contact details.
If you think that you have left out any other essential point, then it is the place you can include them.
The Final Conclusion
While writing the app specification for your project, you need to be very clear and straightforward. It should be precise and written an easily comprehensible language.
Do not focus on unnecessary points. It will give you the self believe that you are on the right path and the developer can extend his full support and cooperation in completing your project.
The more accurate you are, the more apt price estimation you would get from the developer. You also need to flexible and listen to what the developer has to say while discussing the project.
Remember they are experienced professionals who can give the best in creating your app.
