MOBILE APPS: ECONOMIC IMPACT AND WHY DEVELOP THEM
In this article, we review the economic impact of the app market, its advantages, and how some companies leverage outsourcing strategies by engaging specialist programmers in frameworks such as React Native and Flutter.
THE HUGE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF APPS
A study conducted by Datareportal indicated that 70% of the global population—approximately 5.78 billion people—use mobile phones nowadays. These devices support a wide variety of everyday activities, from waking up, communicating, and entertaining to working and shopping online. All these activities rely on mobile applications.
Otherwise, according to Sensor Tower’s “State of Mobile” report, mobile generated $150 billion in revenue during 2024, which is expected to continue increasing in the coming years.
The sector’s rapid growth has spurred more companies to develop their own apps. Also, an increasing number of programmers are entering and competing in the sector by incorporating new technologies, tools, and trends into their development processes.
Photo by Arina Krasnikova
DEVELOPING AN APP: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
For companies across various sectors—such as industry, technology, healthcare, or retail—creating an app can offer a range of direct and indirect benefits, including:
- Enhanced Customer Service and 24/7 assistance for customers.
- Real-Time Interaction: Increased and instantaneous engagement with customers.
- Detailed Data Management: Comprehensive tracking of data, sales, and inventory.
- Hyper-Personalized Sales and Content: Tailored services and content that meet individual customer needs.
- Easy Access to Information: Seamless delivery of promotions, discounts, and updates.
- Stronger Customer Relationships: Building deeper connections that foster loyalty.
- Incorporation of Loyalty Programs: Rewarding customers through integrated loyalty initiatives.
- Better User Experience: Providing smooth and intuitive navigation.
- International Expansion: Enabling businesses to enter new markets more efficiently.
In this context, developing an app represents an investment that can yield greater returns depending on its purpose, target audience, and chosen format. For example, the study by Bresnahan et al. (2014) demonstrates that an app can be monetized through various channels, including in-app purchases, external services, or direct and indirect advertising.
While the benefits of app development are numerous, challenges exist as well. The competitive environment of mobile app platforms demands strategies that include cross-platform development or significant advertising investments to effectively reach target audiences and achieve an Effective Digital Product Design
Photo by Mikhail Nilov
HOW TO DEVELOP THROUGH OUTSOURCING
Outsourcing is a development strategy for subcontracting the development service to another company.
Before engaging such a service, one key consideration is determining whether the business truly needs a website, a mobile app, or an intermediary platform that combines the features of both, such as a web app.
| Aspect | Website | Mobile App | Web App |
| Requirements | – Hosting and domain- Responsive design- SEO optimization | – Native or cross-platform development (e.g., React Native, Flutter)- Testing on multiple devices- Compliance with App Store policies (Apple App Store, Google Play) | – Similar infrastructure as a website (hosting, domain)- Modern frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Flutter Web)- Emphasis on interactivity and performance |
| Advantages | – Accessible from any browser without installation- Low development and maintenance costs- Ideal for static content and digital marketing | – Full integration with native features (camera, GPS, push notifications)- Optimized mobile user experience- Superior performance in specific interactions and enhanced customer retention | – Combines website accessibility with advanced interactive functionalities- Instant updates without requiring downloads- Cross-platform solution that minimizes fragmentation |
| When to Develop | — When the goal is to establish a basic digital presence to inform, promote, or sell products/services- Projects with static or informational content | When leveraging device hardware features is essential- Projects focused on intensive user interaction or requiring high personalization | — For interactive, dynamic applications (e.g., SaaS, collaborative tools, advanced e-commerce)- When balancing accessibility with rich functionality is critical without forcing users to install an app |
Once the product type is determined, selecting the right developer for the project is essential. Considering the developer’s skills, experience, and common development structures is crucial for the project’s success.
The “Developer Survey” report by Stack Overflow highlights React’s predominance in web development and the rapid rise of Flutter for mobile apps. This insight is critical when deciding whether to hire a Flutter expert or a React expert, as both frameworks streamline the development process and promote innovation through Interactive Web Design.
Hiring Flutter Developers
Hire Flutter Developers to take full advantage of Google’s cross-platform framework, which uses the Dart programming language to build responsive, high-performance apps adaptable to multiple platforms. This approach is particularly advantageous if:
- Rapid Multi-Platform Development is Needed. If your project requires launching an attractive app quickly while optimizing resource use, Flutter’s single codebase for multiple platforms is highly beneficial.
- Complex Visuals and Animations are Essential. Flutter’s robust UI toolkit is ideal for projects that demand sophisticated visuals, seamless animations, and advanced graphics without sacrificing user experience or performance.
- An Iterative Development Approach is Preferred. Projects that prioritize continuous testing and rapid iteration to maximize feedback will benefit significantly from Flutter’s hot reload feature, which accelerates the development cycle.
Photoby Yan Krukau
Hiring React Native Developers
React Native is a powerful JavaScript framework for building high-performance, cross-platform mobile applications. Its component-based architecture allows for seamless scalability, making it ideal for startups and enterprises alike. Hire React Native Developers to leverage these advantages and streamline your app development process, especially in scenarios such as:
- Cross-Platform Development – React Native enables you to build applications for both iOS and Android with a single codebase, reducing development time and costs.
- Enhanced Performance – With native-like functionality and optimized rendering, React Native ensures smooth, responsive mobile experiences.
- Third-Party Integrations – If your project requires integration with native modules or third-party APIs, an experienced React Native developer can bridge these seamlessly.
- Scalability & Maintenance – As your app grows, a React Native expert can efficiently manage updates, new features, and performance optimizations.
- SEO & Performance Considerations – If your React Native app includes web-based components, hiring a developer with expertise in server-side rendering (SSR) or static site generation (SSG) can improve search engine visibility and overall efficiency.
IS IT WORTH DEVELOPING A MOBILE APP?
Amid a period of technological transition, mobile apps represent a multibillion-dollar industry. Many businesses are investing in app development to monetize their offerings, adopt innovative presentation methods, and engage more effectively with their customers.
Companies might choose websites, mobile apps, or web apps, depending on their specific needs, each with unique advantages and challenges.
Many companies adopt an outsourcing strategy to achieve these digital transformations by hiring senior developers specializing in Flutter and React. This approach provides access to the necessary expertise, accelerates development, and maximizes resource efficiency.
