Mobile applications make it easier for businesses to interact with their customers. According to statistics, since the year 2016, mobile apps have witnessed a drastic increase in terms of their usage. The correct mobile app can help your business reach the right customers and strengthen your brand as well.
Most businesses get stuck when it comes to deciding the platform for their apps. They find it difficult to choose between iPhone, Android and Windows. Each platform comes with its own benefits and drawbacks, so it can get quite difficult to choose any one of them. This is why it is important to invest in apps that work across all platforms, that is cross-platform apps.
Cross-platform applications are a relatively new trend. Unlike applications that work only on a specific device, cross-platform applications run on numerous platforms and reach a wider base of customers. This helps with enhancing the experience of using the app and capturing a greater market.
So, let us learn about why businesses are making the change from native to cross-platform applications. Continue reading to find out more.
First of all, let us learn what native development is.
What is Native Development?
Native app development consists of creating an application that works on a specific platform like Android or IOS. Generally, native applications provide much more user engagement than cross-platform applications. They also look and perform better than their web-based versions, which are used across various platforms.
Platforms
- iOS apps are developed using Swift or Objective-C with Xcode.
- Android apps are developed using Kotlin or Java with Android Studio.
What is cross-platform development?
Cross-platform development is a way to develop applications that work on various mobile operating systems. These applications work regardless of the operating system of the mobile device. The complexity of building a native app was compounded by the fact that the code could not be used for another platform. This is where cross-platform apps come in. They work on all types of mobile platforms, as mentioned above, and make it easier for businesses to reach out to more customers.
Platforms
Flutter
React Native
Ionic
Xamarin
Unity
Now, let us take a look at the benefits of cross-platform apps for businesses.
Cross-platform app Advantages for Businesses Aspects
Costing
When a business makes an app for a specific platform, it also has to release all the updates for that particular platform. This increases the cost of releasing and maintaining the app because the codebase is different for each platform. However, when it comes to cross-platform apps, the developers can release all updates to the same codebase and it will get released across all platforms. This way they get to save a lot of money.
Maintenance and Updates
As mentioned above, the developers of a cross-platform app get to save money because the codebase is the same for the app. When it comes to native vs cross-platform, things get costlier because the developers have to release updates according to the platform they are in. This makes cross-platforms much more beneficial than native platforms.
Development Process
The development process for cross-platform apps is much simpler because the app developers get to use one codebase for all the platforms. This not only makes the process simpler but faster as well. It enables to developers to reuse codes and avoid duplications on each of the platforms. This too leads too lower costs and faster releasing for the app. All of these can prove to be very beneficial in a competitive market.
Development Time
As mentioned above, developers spend much less time behind developing cross-platform apps. This is because they use a single codebase and reuse it as well. This is not the case with native apps where the developers have to use different codes for different platforms. This is what makes the process faster and simpler.
App Functionality and Performance
Because of the simple development process, cross-platform apps tend to run smoother and faster than native apps. They also develop fewer bugs and require fewer updates. This is what makes cross-platform apps function much better than native apps.
Cross-platform app development advantages for Technological Aspects
Code Reusability
As mentioned above, all app developers use the same codebase for cross-platform apps. They write one codebase for different types of mobile operating systems. This means they don’t have to write different codes for each platform. This not only saves time but money as well.
Access to Advanced Frameworks
Cross-platform app frameworks are advanced and enable developers to access several features of the mobile device. This means the app can access the GPS or the camera and make it easier for the developer to work with the app. This also enhances the experience of the user and provides them with specific features.
Simplified Integration
Native apps are made differently for different platforms. That is not the case with cross-platform apps. They are made in such a way so that they can work across all major mobile operating systems. This makes it easier for the apps to integrate across all surfaces.
Scalability and Flexibility
This is a very important feature for all mobile users. A user can use two different mobile devices with different operating systems. He/she may not like to use an app which looks different on one device than the other. So, this is where cross-platform apps come in and make the job easier.
Unified User Interface
Cross-platform apps all have the same user interface and that makes it easier to synchronize all the updates. In addition to this, a consistent feel and look across various platforms leads to customer retention and upholds the brand image.
What To Consider While Shifting native app to cross-platform?
Assessment and Planning
It is very important to plan out everything before shifting a native app to cross-platform app. This is because it will help you with solving any problems or difficulties that might arise at the time of development. So, careful assessment and planning is required before shifting a native app to a cross-platform one.
Choosing Right Technology
Choosing the right technology means choosing the right developer team. This is very important because they will not just design your app but maintain it too. This is why it is important to consider a few factors while choosing the right development team. Things you want to consider include experience, reputation and turnaround time. If they take a year or so to develop an app, it won’t be worth it to you.
Testing
Testing the app before releasing it to mobile users is very crucial. This is because you want to make sure that the release happens without any glitches or mistakes. So, you and your team of developers should test the app on your own devices before releasing it across mobile operating systems.
Deployment & Monitoring
The work of developers doesn’t end with developing the app. They are responsible for monitoring, updating and maintaining the app. This makes it easy for you to enjoy a seamless experience with your customers. You don’t have to worry about small things related to the app because the developers are there to take care of the same.
Conclusion
So, this was all about why businesses are shifting from native apps to cross-platform apps. Hopefully, you are feeling a lot more knowledgeable about cross-platform mobile app for your enterprise after going through this blog. The key takeaways of this blog are the facts that cross-platform apps are easier to develop and maintain and cost much less as well. This is why businesses all over the world are switching from native apps to cross-platform apps.
We also learnt that the codebase used for cross-platform apps remain the same across all devices and make it easier for the developer to update and maintain the app from time to time.