There are more than a million apps in the Android community and there is a virtual Android app development community that is earning through downloads and also helping users with a variety of tasks. Nevertheless, Android app development is not something that everybody can do. It requires good knowledge of Java, installation of some Android specific software, software development kit, an integrated development environment such as Android Studio, and a virtual device to test your app on. You also need an ample time and perseverance. And these are just prerequisites. After installation of all these software you need API levels, screen size etc. It is a long way process to go from conception to delivery of your app.
Android apps are changing our lifestyles
We are using Android apps in nearly all activities that we engage in our day to day life. Learning, reading, shopping, commuting, playing, recollecting things, collecting information, writing and the list goes on. In fact, there are very few facets of life that are not facilitated by apps in some way or the other. The community of Android app developers is changing the way we live. You name a field and there are a number of apps involved in it, be it health, education, services, sports or anything else.
Myths about Android App Development
1) A great app does not need selling:
Every newbie developer thinks that if he or she can come up with a great app it will sell by itself; it does not need marketing. However, this is far from the truth. If the app is for a targeted segment or community there is a chance that it will get downloads organically, i.e. without putting up ads, once you put it up in app store, share it in social media and some professional or other niche platforms. However, if the targeted audience is fairly large then you need ads to promote the app.
2) Download starts and money starts to flow:
If you are under the impression that your product is initially going to make you a millionaire just with downloads, then think again. It is not that simple. Thousands of people may download an app, but it starts paying the developer only when the user starts paying money for using the app. It is any body’s guess that the road from development to customers paying to use an app is long.
3) B2C market has a better yield for Android apps compared to B2B:
B2B market is nothing but a strategy that targets other businesses with an advantage of being scalable and structured. It is a common perception driven by the idea that B2C is a vast market. However, it is because of this vast market that the competition is also extreme. B2C apps are comparatively less expensive compared to B2B apps, but the ROI of B2B apps is much higher in comparison to B2C apps.
It is also seen that B2B apps have a large loyal customer retention compared to the B2C market. So if you are already on your way to develop a B2C app, the chances are it’s already on the play store.
4) App development is expensive:
Yes, its true, but only when you are employing a developer or outsourcing the job to an app development company. This is because the major expenditure is in paying the developer for his expertise and knowledge. So if you do it yourself it is not at all expensive.
Secondly, unless the project is complex and involves complex requirements, the project can expect you to spend a little extra due to several developers asking for a partial payments per month until the development completes. Therefore, major of the cost is expedited towards employing the expertise of an agency
5) Android apps don’t help developers earn money:
This myth has come about mainly because of the maze of apps in the android community. Sometimes there are four or five or more apps for the same job. In fact android is better suited for developers for earning money compared to other mobile OS. This is because of the sheer number of android users worldwide. In fact, more than 50% of smart phones throughout the world are android phones. However, this is also true that it is the android users who have the most reservations about paying for an app. In that perspective the developers are right. However, it is also true that a virtual community is sustained by this mobile operating system.
6) Google is all that we need:
Neither Google nor any social media can get you app at top for no reason. There’s always a competition between the Android app developers to personalize the app experience to the users and the app development approaches. People considering Google as their medium to the competition should stop their expectations right now. But that doesn’t mean you cannot get your app to the top. It’s never a big deal to achieve your desired ROI.
7) Native is the need of the hour:
Every app on the Play Store list, be it hybrid, native or web, possess their own pros and cons. Though native apps are known for giving us the best UI experience, it doesn’t always. It’s all about the user’s requirements. Nowadays, many cross-platform tools like Sencha and Codename give the same experience as a native app would.
Final thoughts
Android app development has revolutionized the way technology developers create an application. There might be many more Android app development myths that have crossed the app development industry, but it is recommended to research well to know behind-the-scenes story and plan accordingly. For any industry built on technology and science, myths do prevail making its way to new ideas.