The Complete Guide on How to Create a Mobile App in 2025 Mighty Pro
If you're curious about the process of developing a mobile app, then you're in the right place.
at Mighty Pro, we've helped hundreds of companies, designers as well as organizations to create their own white-labeled iOS as well as Android applications.
In addition, we've collaborated with numerous companies and speak to between 50 and 100 entrepreneurs every week, guiding them through the build-versus-buy question of developing mobile apps. Through the years, we've gained a detailed understanding of the challenges, unexpected costs, and longer view of building your own application.
In general, when a Host (that's the name we use to refer to our customers) shows up at a conference, they've considered some kind of custom app development. This sometimes includes building an individualized learning management system that houses their classes and communities, building a custom membership app, or integrating social features into an existing application they've developed for their business.
Over the years we've collected a wealth of data into the typical costs of developing mobile applications as well as the causes of failure, and the ways that no-code mobile development could speed up timelines and assist you get an early version of your custom application out earlier.
Although in the past custom app development was the only game available, nowadays there are a variety of possibilities to develop a mobile app from no-code tools and fully white-labled mobile apps platforms.
In this article it will teach you:
- The benefits and cons of being completely custom with the mobile application you use.
- What are the reasons no-code apps are changing the app game but they have a lot of limitations.
- If you're interested in the process of developing a mobile application, you've landed in the right location.
- Mistakes to avoid based on our experiences with mobile custom applications.
In the coming weeks, we'll be covering all of these possibilities along with your mindset before you begin the procedure.
Let's take a dive.
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Do you require a mobile app?
Before we get into how to develop a mobile app, we're going to ask you a simple question: why are you looking to create a mobile application?
Our experience has shown that the Hosts that had the greatest success launched their apps with Mighty Pro had two things in common.
- First, they were already making profits and had the fundamentals of their business model worked out.
- In addition, they were using numerous devices to run their web-based business which they were hoping to combine into one.
The Hosts were highly-converting lead magnets, multiple online classes, and a myriad of Facebook Groups for their customers to interact with, and were stuck in an endless loop of promotion via the social networks.
The customers bought their items as well as services. However, these hosts had to devote a huge amount of their time every week maintaining all of the platforms which hosted the services.
That's why you should develop an app for mobile devices in the event that you already have an established model of business that's running. The launch of an app isn't the ideal way to find out if your idea succeeds.
If this sounds similar to the experiences you have in your business today, then implementing the mobile application could be the right move for you. However, let's take a look at how that method looks like on the ground.
Budget and planning
The most important element in the creation of an application for mobile devices is the money needed for the actual project to become a reality.
We're certain that during your initial search for how to develop a mobile app you've probably encountered a range of figures regarding how much it costs.
It's true that the cost for developing a mobile app really depends on how complicated your app will be and what kind of app development that you choose to take on (custom non-code, white-label).
In other words an entirely custom-built app that is completely from scratch might exceed $1 million If you're in search of many features, including livestreaming, online classes as well as community-building features and many more.
Each feature you want will need months to create in addition to months for testing. It's possible for large brands like Nike, but is probably beyond the reach of most users.
If you're looking to create a basic application like an inventory software for your small-scale company, or for something else that doesn't require code, then a non-code program may be able to help offer that possibility at a fairly affordable price.
White-label platforms offer the same speed, innovation and security of no-code. However, it's actually a perfect, polished UX, and developing engine (for speed, performance, security). It's the compromise between spending $1M for an app that is custom-designed, versus time building your own unwieldy no-code app that has two functions.
Understanding the full scope of what you're hoping to achieve when you develop the mobile application is crucial when contacting the suppliers.
Everything from the kinds of features that you may want as well as the type of services, experiences and products you're planning to provide will allow vendors give you a clear idea of costs, potential risks, and benefits you should consider prior to greenlighting your project.
What is the time it will take to build a mobile app?
A different aspect to take into consideration in determining how you can create a mobile app is your timeframe for when you will release it.
In general, if you're developing your own mobile app completely from scratch it's possible to expect a lengthy time frame to launch it, ranging from 6-12 months of time (this helps explain why custom-built development can be the most expensive option).
While a white-label platform for mobile applications could easily have a high-quality, premium feeling app ready for you within just a month.
Considering the time frame you have for developing a mobile app will also help you determine which mode of development would work best for your needs.
Option #1 - Custom app development
Custom app development is obviously the best route for building out a super specific application. It is possible to build custom technologies and design experiences specific to your company. If you're trying to create an innovation that's never been done previously, such as the workouts that are interactive that you can find on the app of Peloton or the nifty apps you'll find from Nike--you're better to go customized.
Custom application development is most well-suited for projects that have highly complex concepts, features, or hinge upon completely innovative concepts, intricate databases, and unique business models.
As stated earlier it is the fact that custom development can be the longest and costliest way to create a mobile app.
The cost for creating an app for mobile will be $1M. And this is for a simple mobile application that has a couple of functional features, not the technological magic you'll find on the apps of major brands like Nike. Those apps cost much more and come with entire product management teams in place.
Most of the brands that we speak to have abandoned their process halfway, and spend about $500,000 for a prototyping. You also need to account for maintenance, the cost for maintaining both Android as well as iOS applications in addition to the need to keep on developing innovations to keep up in your industry.
The most frequent things we hear when we are in the early prototype stage is the difficulty to create a feature that isn't unresponsive and unreliable. The specifics of mobile development such as constant Q&A sessions, the design that supports a feature, as well as having to keep up with functions often catch developers out of their element.
If you create a custom mobile app for your company, you're providing an entirely new service that can, consequently increase in complexity while you try to keep it in line with the evolving demands that customers place on the mobile experience.
Locating a developer, or a development team that is compatible with your values goals, aspirations, and expectations is crucial for developing custom software. This will be an incredibly long partnership filled with many levels of highs and lows (as happens with any complex development process) that you'll need to be prepared for.
Option #2: No-code app development
One option for creating a mobile application is to use a platform that does not require code. Simply put the software that is no-code gives users the possibility of creating apps without the technical expertise required to code.
Although no-code may be a good idea, obviously if you can't code and don't understand the backend architecture of mobile apps, then you are limited. It is typically designed for developing a simple application. For example, maybe you had an idea for developing an application that had an easy database. Or a time-tracking tool to help writers. or turning an Excel formula that you created into a tool that others could use.
On a non-code platform usually, you receive the building blocks that you can drag and drop. This is visual programming, which lets you create an idea within your mind.
The apps that do not require code are useful. However, they typically have poor aesthetics and a limited user experience. It's also challenging to design applications that offer users the same high-end experience you'd expect from the apps you're using in your day-to-day routine.
Low-code apps can be vulnerable to security issues and information. Unexperienced developers can expose the user's data, or develop applications that can be exploited easily. vulnerabilities.
The short version is that no-code apps are great for developing mobile apps that are more minimalist and basic. These apps are ideal for developing internal tools for your staff, as well as testing ideas for implementation in a future project. However, if you're making something complex it will cause you to be overwhelmed. The tools that are no-code are extremely limited in functionality, security, and aesthetics.
In the upcoming years, the development of apps without code is expected to improve. However, if you're seeking elaborate and unique ideas that require programming. In many ways, no-code can be a way to go and removes the hurdles to those with an concept to put a prototype out to the world.
Option 3: White-label app platforms
Making everything custom is slow, expensive, and totally dangerous for entrepreneurs who have an unsustainable budget. No-code development is appealing but you'll end up with a basic app and maybe nothing you'd be proud to send to customers. The third option sits between these two, giving you customization without the need to hammer things together in a no-code environment or open up your account with a team of developers.
When you choose to build a mobile application with a white-label system, you will get the benefit of top-quality software and features that are already built and proven to work in mobile apps, which greatly reduces the cost and time to begin.
White-label development for apps really shines when you already have an idea for your business that fits into the technology already.
As an example, in Mighty Pro, our Hosts have clear requirements for developing their own mobile apps. They typically run some type of community online (via Facebook Groups, Discord, Slack). They also sell classes (via Kajabi or Thinkific) or offer digital products via Shopify. They also host virtual occasions. They utilize livestreaming. Then they decide to sell or wish to sell some type of monthly subscription.
You can also modify our technology. It includes online courses, our community-based features, member management payment gateways, native video and livestreaming, virtual meetings, group chats and Direct Messaging features, SSO integration into email or CRM systems, and analytics.
It is not necessary to reinvent these features, and this allows them to create an entirely branded experience that is also a world-class users experience.
White-label apps are often better developed and supported as compared to anything you employ a developer since they are created by trusted brands who do this all the time. In fact, a white-label platform is backed by a huge development team working behind the in the background. These engineers are building new features, maintaining the current platform, directing the complex backend systems with security and performance tools as well as pushing out live updates (such as new updates required by Apple) that allow your applications to run.
There are many different white-label mobile app platforms out there, each of which has their own take of the procedure.
One thing is true of each of them: their role is to continue iterating on their software and product with new features and experiences that you can use within your company (something that you'd need to shell out an enormous amount of money to develop a custom mobile app). ).
Your job will be determining what elements and services are important for your company, as each white-label platform will prioritize different things.
Using a white-label platform for building your mobile application allows you to focus less on all the details, time and cost involved in creating the app from scratch, and instead on finding a platform that will help create your idea into reality.
A further benefit of using a white-label app platform is the ability to change to a customized version later. These platforms can give you the knowledge needed to map out a clear product design vision, an in-depth knowledge of the features you'll need, and so on built upon the foundation you've built with your white-label application.
An example of a mobile app built with white-label technology
Once I've given you depth about how you can create mobile apps I'll briefly go through some examples of mobile apps that are possible on Mighty Pro. These apps showcase what's possible with a white label platform.
Journey of Intrinsic Health
Zach Bush, M.D., specializes in endocrinology, internal medicine, and hospice health care. He has created a community online as well as a mobile application branded with his name, Journey of Intrinsic Health on Mighty Pro, which provides high-ticket online coaching programs for his clients that are sold out in a matter of days.
Prior to developing an app for mobile using Mighty Pro, his team was working for years on their own custom developed LMS for online learning coupled with an online Facebook Group community. Although it was successful in launching and bring in the first group of students to their first mobile app initiative however, it was not up to the mark of their expectations.
After years of creating their own mobile application by hand, they decided to abandon it and start fresh. It was an arduous option, but it was the right choice.
The app Zach offers 1:1 and group coaching sessions with his colleagues as well as a huge library of resource materials filled with hours of pre-recorded videos, tutorials and tools.
Access to an online space for members of his community to interact and meet other people on the same path plus more.
Similar post: Zach Bush's path to creating a mobile application via Mighty Pro
Are you ready to begin building?
If this article has helped you learn how to create a mobile app and you're seeking to build one for your business We'd like to get in touch with you. At Mighty We build amazing applications that operate our culture software and bring together community and content, classes, and commerce. With our flexible Spaces, you are able to incorporate live streaming and live events, discussions forums, profile profiles for members as well as chat and messaging and much more!
Community memberships can be sold or courses, classes, coaching, private groups or bundle any of them. Sell your products in 135 currencies and monetize it by token-gating.
Schedule a call with us, and we'll explain to how you can benefit from HTML0!