It has been quite an exciting decade. We witnessed a digital revolution of sorts, which started with the sudden rise of smartphones. And with the increasing demand for smartphones, another thing that came into light was apps.

According to Statista, over 178 billion apps were downloaded in 2017. This figure is expected to reach a staggering value of 258.2 billion in the next two years.

However, despite the heavy usage of apps, it is quite hard to get people to download new applications on their phones. Ask anyone, and they will tell you that they have been using the same set of apps for years.

Another study by Statista revealed that over 50 percent of US smartphone users don’t download new apps per month.

Top Checklist for a Flawless App Release

If you are thinking of creating your app, ensure that it is flawless. Right from the inception of your idea to its eventual launch, you need to be thorough throughout the process.

Here are 17 steps you must tick on your checklist for a flawless app release.

Pinpoint what you want to create

There can be no flawless app release unless the foundation of the app is stable. For this, you need to have a solid app idea. What is it that you want to create?

The perfect way to come up with ideas that work is by focusing on the user. Think about the problems users might need solutions too. And then be the provider of that solution!

2. Identify its differentiating features

What makes your app different from all other apps within the genre?

For instance, there are many gaming apps out there. So is the case with messaging apps. If you are offering such mainstream apps, you need to find differentiating features that will allow your app to stand out. You need to identify them first before you can about developing them!

3. List down necessary functions

Certain app functions will enable you to stand out. Others will enable you to be considered for download in the first place. You need to have both in your app. Analyze your competitors and list down all the necessary functions required to guarantee consideration.

4. Assemble the team

Now that you know what you wish to develop and what key features your app will have, it is time to assemble a team that can do it for you.

This step can make or break an app. After all, regardless of how fantastic the idea is, if it is not developed perfectly, it will boil down to nothing!

Take your time to assemble the right team members. Hire them based on their passion, hard work, and expertise.

5. Brief the team

After you are done with the process of hiring the unit, you need to invest time in briefing them about your app idea.

This way, they will get a clear direction. Having a session where you inform them about the overall design, features, and timelines.

6. Develop an app philosophy and stick to it

Map out the characteristics of an ideal user of your app. Develop a core purpose accordingly. Reiterate this app philosophy through internal and external communications. This will help guarantee clarity among both the team and users.

Down the road, if you wish to further perfect your app, knowing your app philosophy will ensure that the essence of your proposition stays the same.

7. Initiate the discovery session

Now that you have the right team and idea with you, you can now begin working on your app.

First, conduct user research to gain an understanding of the major pain points people have related to the apps they use. This will further solidify your research.

8. Perform development estimates

Use the available prototype tools like Marvel. This will help you in creating development estimates that you can use to create a realistic timeline.

Include all tasks, regardless of how minuscule or complex they are. This will help you in making sure none of it is missed during the eventual app development and release process.

9. Begin development by dealing with baseline tasks

You are finally ready to tick off an essential step for your app release – the initiation of app development!

Now, you need to break this into several pointers as well. After all, merely clubbing it all as app development would make it seem much harder to achieve. First, begin by tackling all the baseline tasks of app development.

Use all available tools to do so. Get every basic yet essential development stage out of the way before you begin dealing with the challenging aspects.

10. Take a head start on the difficult features

After you are done with the basics, get ready to develop the most challenging features next.

Usually, developers make the mistake of leaving the hard tasks to the end. You need to tick this box early on to make sure you have room for error and improvement.

11. Deliver builds weekly

Many make the mistake of releasing just one final app into the world. To have a flawless app release, you must develop and prematurely distribute builds after every two weeks at most.

Commit to delivering one every week. This will help you in gathering feedback that matters.

12. Capture feedback and alter

Gather and analyze the feedback you get after each build. Incorporate it all into the development process.

This will help you in perfecting your idea and removing any unforeseen bugs that your app may have. This step is crucial to making sure that the eventual app release has no errors.

13. Pass all the tests and perform a clean full build

Get your coders to write end-to-end unit as well as integration tests. Then, run these tests and make sure you pass all of them. In case your output doesn’t check out for any one of the tests, revisit your app.

Then, move forward with a clean full build of your app. Use continuous integration to perform the full build on your local machine.

14. Understand the developer program policies

Whether you are developing an app for Android users or Apple customers, you need to abide by the policies of the two play stores. After all, you need to remain a trusted resource in the eyes of Android and/or Apple.

To make sure you don’t make any blunder and surpass any policy, read and understand the developer program policies.

15. Aim for simultaneous release on various platforms

Unless you are planning to keep your app exclusive to a given device or platform, it is highly advised that you go full-throttle with your app release.

Launch your app, at the same time, on a variety of platforms. This will help you in creating the buzz needed for a successful app release.

16. Promote

Merely releasing your app on platforms is no longer enough. There are dozens of apps available online. To break the clutter, you must promote your app extensively before, during, and after the app release.

Build hype through a teaser campaign. Create awareness and interest through a full-fledged marketing campaign upon launch.

17. Regularly check all your vitals

The moment your app hits the market, you need to make extra efforts on your end. Periodically check data gathered through app usage.

This will help you in fixing bugs and performance issues in real-time. Don’t be afraid to take a step back and revamp your app if the release doesn’t go to plan.

Develop away

Keep tabs on this checklist throughout the app development journey. If you do so, you will automatically achieve a flawless app release.