Mobile devices are commonplace in today's digital environment. As a result, companies are aggressively investing in mobile app development. As Phil Nickinson said, “Your mobile device has quickly become the easiest portal into your digital self.”
Mobile applications can help you interact with your consumers and establish brand loyalty. However, several sorts of devices are available today, and your apps must work on all of these devices, or at the very least, the most popular and widely used devices.
It is where cross-platform software development comes into play. Cross-platform development is a cost-effective and time-efficient method of developing programs for several platforms. This MarsDevs article will discuss the best practices that make cross-platform app development a game-changer!
So, let’s get rolling.
The Cross-Platform Revolution
Mobile app development has never been more popular, and cross-platform development is at the forefront of this transformation. It enables developers to construct apps that work flawlessly across several devices and operating systems, allowing for a bigger audience and more efficient development.
According to a recent Statista 2021 poll, 33% of mobile app developers prefer to build mobile apps utilizing cross-platform technologies. Why? Because cross-platform app development allows you to design programs that work across different operating systems and devices.
Consider it a Swiss Army knife for developing mobile apps. You may design apps that run on iOS and Android using cross-platform app development services, eliminating the need to construct distinct versions for each platform. It not only saves you time and money but also expands the reach of your software, allowing you to reach a larger audience.
So, whether you're a company trying to grow your mobile app footprint or optimize your app development process, embracing the best practices of cross-platform mobile app development is critical. Let’s take a look at them then.
Cross-Platform Mobile App Development- Best Practices To Know
Now, look at the most recommended cross-platform mobile app development practices. By following these practices, businesses can improve their app development process and build high-quality, efficient, and successful cross-platform apps that meet consumers' demands.
1. Always create an attractive and consistent UI:
Your apps should constantly be visually nice and enticing to consumers, and the UI should be consistent across platforms. A further essential factor when developing cross-platform apps is brand consistency.
It is essential for keeping a consistent brand image across platforms. Popular applications like Twitter and Instagram deliver a uniform user experience across platforms and devices and replicate the brand image.
2. Keep your design minimal:
Leonardo Da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” And in today's app design, 'less is more.' Minimal designs are popular due to their simplicity and ease of use.
They also make it simple to offer consumers with the most relevant information. This type of minimalistic design style is common for mobile devices. Until recently, this was not the case with Windows programs.
Apple paved the road to some extent by bringing macOS and iOS closer together, allowing the "no save button" and "no needless screen 'furniture' ideas to become more widespread on that platform.
3. Your app should solve the following problems:
You may encounter several obstacles while developing software for many platforms, but patience is the key to resolving those issues. Assume you are transitioning from a monolithic design to a microservices architecture and must move your apps to new tools and systems. It will take some time to adjust to and fully embrace the new infrastructure.
4. Don’t forget to test them:
No matter what app you create, app testing is a must. Cross-platform app creation and testing can be more difficult and time-consuming than single-platform app testing. It entails different interfaces, resolution requirements, and so forth.
As a result, it's critical to use automated testing techniques to assess how the app will perform in real-world user scenarios.
5. Make your code readable:
Other developers may maintain your code at times, and you may need to edit it in the future for app upgrades. As a result, it is critical to develop clean code that is both manageable and readable.
The following are some of the advised methods for developing clean code:
Maintain consistency for all variables, classes, fields, and methods.
Use comments sparingly throughout the code.
Indent your code and use a consistent style.
Sort your code.
Avoid testing at too many levels.
According to a Forrester analysis, cross-platform development can save firms up to 33% on development expenditures. Keeping code reuse in mind may enhance the app development process.
6. Create compatible and consistent updates:
App upgrades are essential for your applications to perform properly. They also aid with the introduction of new features and the resolution of security concerns. When developing for numerous platforms, you must guarantee that your updates are compatible and consistent across devices.
Occasionally, an app update for Android users is issued before the App Store for iOS devices. It can be annoying. Cross-platform development frameworks can be used to sync software changes and ensure consistent releases.
7. Use the right framework:
Using the correct cross-platform app builder speeds up the development process and allows you to create highly functioning apps for numerous platforms. An excellent framework provides a set of simple visual controls operating with various devices. You should use a development framework with all the functionality required to build cross-platform apps.
Wrapping Up
Cross-platform app development is an effective way to access a larger audience and streamline development resources. Developers can efficiently negotiate the crossroads of app development by selecting the correct framework, maximizing user experience, addressing performance issues, and simplifying maintenance.
Are you ready to plunge into the realm of cross-platform app development? These best practices will be your road map to effective and lucrative growth. Begin your adventure today to broaden your app's reach to new heights. Need help in starting? Get a free 15-minute call with us and check out how we can help you in your cross-platform journey!