Do-It-Yourself Apps: Where to Start
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Transcript of Do-It-Yourself Apps: Where to Start
Drew Ramsey Product Manager, MobileSmith
April 18, 2013
Do-It-Yourself Mobile Apps: Where to Start?
Who is MobileSmith:
• DIY mobile app development platform
• Cloud-based app management • Full app lifecycle – from cradle to
cradle
Who is Drew:
• Head of Product Team at MobileSmith • 7 years of experience creating custom
mobile apps for iOS and Android • Recognized industry expert on best
practice standards in mobile application development and mobile strategy
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Today We Will Explore:
• The step-by-step process from Idea to App
• Best practices of app storyboarding and wireframing
• Your app looks great; what next?
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Key Steps of App Creation
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Idea
Requirements Dump
Wireframe Mockup Development
Testing
Good planning great app And vice versa!
Step 1: Idea!
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• Check in the app stores: are there any apps
already doing it?
NO I may have a great app idea!
Yes Can I improve the way they’re doing it?
• Could my idea be accomplished via a
mobile website? • Your app could be denied by Apple
• Not a good use of resources
• Will the app connect to any data sources? • May require involvement of IT dept.
Yes!
Yes
Step 2: Requirements Dump
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• Put down everything you want
in your app, in bullet points
• Group similar bullet points; whittle
them down to make sense
• Pick out 1-2 key features to be
the centerpiece of your app
• Pick 2-3 secondary features
• Dump the rest!
Something to consider during Steps 1-2:
One or Several Apps?
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• What audience am I trying to
reach with my app?
• Could it be too broad?
• Any there too many
features in my app?
• Diluted apps are not user-friendly
• Do I have any secondary features
too good to dump?
Step 3: Storyboarding
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• Sketch your requirements as pages (views):
• Start with the root view (Home page)
• List all the generic views
• NO workflow; NO interfaces at this point!
• Get a clear view of all the pages: 10 or 100 pages? - Too many or too few?
HOME Article Input
List of Articles
Blog Article
Gallery Share on FB
Etc.
Step 4: Wireframing
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Tools we use: • Pen & paper
• Visio, Pencil,
Balsamiq, etc.
Draw the screens
of your app:
• Page layouts
• Navigation elements
• App flow
• Detailed notes
Wireframing: Best Practices
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• Lay out each page from your
storyboard: buttons, nav bar, tabs,
maps, images, media…
• Write in notes and arrows for page
transitions
• Describe everything in detail!
• Use graphic designer and developer
to ensure feasibility
• Review wireframes with people on
your team least familiar with mobile
Avoid these common UX pitfalls:
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• Lengthy tutorials (90% will be
forgotten immediately)
• Forcing user signup too early,
before showing value
• Ignoring iOS and Android
UI conventions
• Flashy visual elements
without context or purpose
• Lengthy forms
Ensuring the Best User Experience
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• Keep in mind the user goals of your app (see your 1-2 key features)
• Tap through your wireframe:
Can the user achieve each goal in 4-5 clicks?
Do I have all the necessary screens and buttons?
Do all screens/elements have a purpose?
Can the user navigate home easily?
Easy ways to view & input data
USER EXPERIENCE: FUNCTIONALITY:
50% 50%
Step 5: Mockup
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• Your designer creates page #1
in Photoshop using defined
color scheme
• You approve design: colors,
shapes, images, font etc.
• Secondary pages are created
and approved
• MobileSmith has in-built
design best practices for iOS
and Android
SAVES 50% OF TIME!
Step 6: Prototype & Review
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• Option 1: review screenshots
• Option 2: review prototype
on your device:
• “Build for testing” on MobileSmith
• Send the prototype OTA to your
colleagues or clients
• Review; change design/layout;
rebuild; test again!
• Refine the UI/UX at minimum cost
• Forge your App!
: Where We Fit
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Pure Custom App Development • The most expensive option
• Requires development team
• High long-term costs
• Slow development
• Limited creative input from
stakeholders
Template Based App • Low level creativity
• Limited functionality
• Lowest common denominator
• No branding, no security
MobileSmith • You own the entire process
through completion
• Rapid prototyping & development
• Custom product at much lower cost
• Multiple apps instead of just one
• Minimal long-term cost
6 ‘Musts’ of a Truly Useful App
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• Custom-developed for your
target audience
• Works on major platforms
• Secure and reliable
• Easy to manage
• Easy to update or redesign
• Fun to use!
. .
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Request a Live Demo Today And Start Building!
919.237.4218
Questions?