"Mobile is becoming not only the new digital hub but also the bridge to the physical world. That's why mobile will affect more than just your digital operations — it will transform your entire business." – Thomas Husson, Vice President and Principal Analyst, Forrester Research

In today's world, almost everyone has a mobile phone. Well, maybe not absolutely everyone, but most people do own one. And out of those people, most have smartphones.

Smartphones are cool because they have lots of apps. You can pretty much have your whole life stored on your phone, which is why people freak out when they drop, break, or lose their phones.

These apps make things easier for us and save us a lot of time & effort. Since you can use them even without an internet connection, it's like having the technology available everywhere, which is super convenient.

So, if you want to make your own app, what do you need to know? Who can help you create an app for your company?

Well, it's actually simple. You need to find mobile app development experts. These are the people who know how to create apps. They have to be familiar with different programming languages used for building apps.

But there's another thing that can come in handy: understanding backend development. But what does that mean exactly, and why is it useful?

Let's talk about Backend Developers and what they do!

Source: https://ddi-dev.com/uploads/developer-responsebilities.png

Websites have two important parts: the Frontend and the Backend. The Frontend is what you see on the website, like buttons and pictures. The Backend is the part you don't see, but the website needs to work correctly.

Backend app Developers are the ones who work on the Backend of websites and mobile apps. They do things like creating and maintaining databases, servers, and application logic. Their job is to make sure that all these things work together smoothly.

They write special code and set up the necessary stuff behind the scenes to make sure that the website or app runs properly. They handle things like storing and retrieving data and making sure the website responds correctly when you click on things.

So, while the Frontend is about how the website looks, the Backend Developer takes care of the technical stuff that makes the website function well. They make sure everything works behind the scenes so that users can have a good experience on the website or app. 
 

Tasks performed by a Backend Developer include:

• Maintaining the database: Retrieving, storing, and securing data. 
• Fixing backend bugs: Resolving errors in the backend code. 
• Creating reusable library codes: Developing code snippets for future use. 
• Cybersecurity: Protecting against cyber attacks and addressing vulnerabilities. 
• Managing APIs: Integrating and handling internal and external APIs. 
• Performance optimization: Enhancing app performance and user experience. 
• Developing processes: Designing efficient backend processes. 
• Collaboration: Working with front-end developers and other team members.

Backend Developers play a vital role in creating functional and smooth websites and mobile apps.

So, here's how you can create an app that people will actually download: 
 

Image Source: https://cdn.mindbowser.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/27131729/Key-Stages-Of-The-App-Development-Process-1-1024x745.png 
 

The steps of creating a mobile app and see how backend knowledge can be useful at each stage:

1. Defining the goals

The first step to beginning any challenge is to define the goals. You need to recognize what you need from the phone app you created. Otherwise, as Joey in FRIENDS says, "It's a moot point!" which means it simply would not count number.

A team invests its time, effort, and money in developing something, but without the right definition of desires, the results acquired will no longer be perfect. An artist loves his artwork, that's why they make certain that they invent it with an intention in thought.

Whether your aim is lead technology, conversion, sales, or engagement - make sure to explicit your vision concerning this in your team in order that they recognize what they're operating for and whether or not they're going in the correct course.

When the developer is aware of what you anticipate from this app and how it can gain customers, they may realize what capabilities to feature to make it extra convenient.

2. Conduct the market research 
 

Before creating an app, you need to see if the app you make will be in demand. Or else it will be a flop show wasting too much money and time of people who could have dedicated themselves to doing more important tasks.

For example, if you want to create a travel app, click travel app ideas. Here are a few ways you can conduct market research:

• Take the surveys 
• Check out the competition 
• Conduct interviews

These are a few methods to conduct market research. The developer with the backend can help with his part of the research and see what the competitors are doing. They can check out the backend of popular mobile apps and see what they have done that has made the apps functional, faster, and famous. 

3. Deciding the app features 

Once the blueprint of the map is drawn, it is necessary to decide on the features of the apps, like how many pages the app will have, what kind of scrolling it will have, whether it is heavy or light when it comes to storage, etc.

Below mentioned are a few examples of app features:

• Push notifications 
• Calendar integrations 
• Booking options 
• Community page 
• GPS capabilities 
• Surveys and questionnaires 
• Video, image, and audio hubs 
• User page 
• Checkout page 

The usability of the app needs to be discussed with the developer, and he will make suggestions as to what should be included in the app. It is the features of the app which enable people to stick to it rather than uninstall it as soon as they have installed it. 

One of the most famous examples of it is Amazon. Even people who do not shop frequently will have this app on their phones because of its features. 
 

4. Wireframe creation

Fundamentally, a wireframe is a tough design of the utility. It thoroughly may be made on paper, napkins, or you can utilize the wireframe tool. Yet, it would not need to be the closing draft, simplest something to move with the aid of at an underlying level.

It can likewise be applied to delineate the customer undertaking, for instance, what is going to appear whilst the customer clicks a specific button. It has to be the incomplete reproduction of wherein he can be taken and which window will open, and so forth.

Making the wireframe will help the organization with entering into the total settlement as each other individual. Furthermore, the engineer with backend statistics will actually want to sort out what code he must type in to make an easy navigational excursion for the consumer. 

5. The Development Method

The advancement stage is when you decide whether to do everything by yourself or get help. There are many things to think about when making an application.

Choosing the right approach depends on things like how many people want the app, how much money you have, how skilled you are with technology, what kind of app it is, what features it has, and how quickly you want to release it. You can make the app by yourself, but you won't be able to make it as good as an expert.

Whether you hire a mobile app developer or decide to do it alone, having knowledge of backend development will be helpful in creating the app because that's where the most amazing and creative things happen.

6. Take a look at the apps that already exist: 
 

Market research is an activity done to see whether people would prefer the kind of app you are creating or not. But it is also to see if such type of app already exists in the market and you are unaware of it. 
 

Sometimes an app is available in bits and pieces, and one just has to merge it.  
For example, if a person wishes to create an app that delivers meals as well as other eCommerce items, then he just needs to take the Amazon app and Uber Eats and combine the two.

Similarly, see that the app you wish to create might be available in bits and pieces in the market, and you just have to assort it and bring it to the table. Move a few features and buttons here and there, and you are ready to launch. 
 

7. The technical part  
 

When the technical specifications are involved, you have to bring in the mobile app developer. And it would be beneficial to you if they have the knowledge of the backend because these are the inner workings behind the scenes of your app that nobody sees.

You need to explain to them your goal and see what they suggest. They will help you achieve your goal in a more competent and faster way. Also, when they will add their two cents, your app will become better.

It is better to bring in the expert than behave like a stupid boyfriend who regrets 6 months down the lane saying, "I wish I could turn the wheels of time and go back to repair the immense amount of damage I have done." 
 

8. Quality Assurance 
 

Just creating an app is not the work done. It needs to be tested repeatedly, and all the bugs need to be fixed. Here are a few elements of a well created high functional app:

• Well-designed user interface (UI) 
• Fast loading time 
• Strong data protection 
• Excellent user support 
• Built-in integrations

Again, without the help of mobile app developers, you, as a non-technical person, will only go so far. But with a developer who has backend knowledge, you will succeed as a company because of the amount of skills and experience they will bring. 

Thus, invest correctly rather than being a miser.                               

Conclusion

Since you have made it here, I am sure you'd be able to acquire backend knowledge. If such might not be the case, then you always have experts who can assist you with mobile app development tasks.

But make sure to find a developer with complete frontend and backend development knowledge. Who knows what works out when and those skills are required at the earliest...right!