Life used to be easier for web developers. Today, app developers have iOS, Android, and Windows. Each platform has a completely different approach to app design and development. While many people strongly argue that native apps are the only way to go, cross-platform apps also have their benefits. If you’re looking for a basic functional B2B app where core functionality and time to market are more important than elegant design and advanced visual output, cross-platform app development offers a faster and more cost-effective solution. However, cross-platform app development requires a different sensibility and mindset because there are some fundamental differences in how they look and feel, especially for those who are too used to native apps. Here are some of the most useful tips to help you build better cross-platform apps –
1. Choose your development technology
When it comes to cross-platform apps, you have two main options to choose from – native hybrid apps or responsive HTML5 websites. The first step is to choose what you want to develop. An HTML5 website is basically a website that can be local to the device and adapt to it. Therefore, it can provide a slightly better user experience than regular websites accessed through a web browser, as it adapts to different screen sizes. However, the capabilities of HTML5 websites as an application are very limited. It doesn’t have access to your phone’s camera, it can’t send push notifications or sell from the app store, so it’s very hard to monetize it. Hybrid apps are somewhere between native apps and websites. They use code common to both platforms, but can integrate platform-specific APIs into your target language, allowing apps to function almost exactly like native apps. Depending on your project needs, available budget and time, you can choose what works best for you. There is no “one size fits all”.
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These companies usually have a team of skilled programmers, designers and project managers who work together to help clients and #039; put ideas into practice. Their achievement is based on their ability to use the newest technologies, tools and excellent practices to build robust and climbable mobile applications. From perception and design to development, testing and deployment, the good mobile app development companies bid full services that ensure a effortless and efficient app experience.
In addition to technical aptitude, these companies compile user experience and ensure that the apps they create are perceptive, visually appealing and work precisely. They also stay beside of industry trends and new technologies to arrange their customers with future-proof quick fixes that keep them ahead of the competition.
2. Adopt a cross-platform mindset from the start
You use premium native apps on your personal smartphone every day, and you’re obviously used to a smooth user experience and perfect performance. You definitely want your app to work as well. However, if you choose a cross-platform application, you must be prepared for performance that is at least slightly different from native programs. You need to start with a mindset that is better prepared for cross-platform operation. Mobile app development is the art of transforming innovative ideas into functional and usable digital solutions that empower people and businesses in the palm of their hand.
3. Design differently for both platforms Android and iOS are
So different in terms of software, hardware, user expectations and design practices. Developing a single model that perfectly adapts to both platforms is a huge task. However, it is impossible, and if you know both platforms well, you can do it quite well. An experienced designer adapts the design, images, icons and fonts for different layouts and makes the necessary adjustments, but keeps the core brand the same. So instead of creating a unified design and stretching or compressing it between different devices and interfaces, the design expands across all devices. The trick is to maintain brand consistency, follow the core guidelines and conventions of the platform, but also innovate when possible, and use a balanced combination of the two.
4. Choose the right tools
Developers can choose from a variety of application tools for different platforms. Choosing the right tool based on your needs and expectations will affect the end result of your application. Here are some popular options you may want to consider –
Xamarin – One of the most used and recommended tools for developing cross-platform apps is Xamarin. Instead of writing only simple code, which is often seen as write-once-run, Xamarin implements native interfaces on every platform leaving most of the non-interface code sharable. This allows Xamarin to build cross-platform apps that look, feel, and work much like native apps. Xamarin uses C# as its core language.
Appcelerator Titanium is an open-source framework that lets you build cross-platform native mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows using a JavaScript codebase.
QT – One of the oldest players in the game, QT was originally used for desktop multitasking. It has slowly added support for iOS and newer Android. It uses C++ as its main language and is not very well suited for iOS and Android operating systems, offering a rather weak GUI or graphical user interface. However, a highly experienced C++ programmer can create useful applications using QT.
NativeScript – Like Titanium, NativeScript uses JavaScript and also supports TypeScript, Angular and CSS. Although experts see a lot of potential in NativeScript, it is somewhat new.
RubyMotion – RubyMotion is another fairly new player. It uses different GUI code for each platform, but allows the code to be reused or shared for business logic. Selecting the right tool will change your final product, so you should analysis each tool conscientiously to decide which one would be good for your project. Hiring React Native developers is a plan choice to harness the energy of this versatile framework and make cross-platform mobile apps that convey exceptional completion and user experience.
5. Use an agile development methodology
Agile development is a constant approach to software development that allows distributions of parts of a project, rather than all at already. This allows more combination to develop, where connection and collaboration between all relevant staffs increases. Flexibility in solving probable problems also increases. Because development is regularly tracked through multiple development stages, issues can be tested and superscript as they arise, rather than waiting until the very very end.
Wrapping Up
While gurus talk about the benefits of native development and dismiss the mention of cross-platform application development as inferior techniques, the truth is that sometimes cross-platform is a more cost-effective and faster solution. At Linkitsoft, If that’s what you’re looking for, the tips above will help guide you in the right direction and develop high-quality cross-platform apps.
