DIY app development tools help level playing field

Building an application is no small feat, and with the amount of devices emerging, the process is becoming more challenging than ever. There are a lot of choices that developers have to make when creating a piece of software including decisions associated with the programming language and what hardware will be supported. For small businesses on tighter budgets, the do-it-yourself mentality remains strong, but developers must acquire the right tools to produce a successful program.

It wasn't long ago that most companies had to recruit specialists for virtually every digital process, but as the tools for these operations become more user-friendly, organizations are able to conserve their resources. Just as anyone can now build their own website, DIY app building tools are growing exponentially to level the playing field and increase chances of profitability for businesses of all sizes, according to Wired contributor Scott Hirsch. These components often include simple interfaces and the ability to work with app designs at a more cost-efficient price. This practice will help generate more niche programs that are directly relevant to the company itself and its supporters, enabling the user to have a unique experience. With these benefits, organizations can establish a growth model and directly compete with larger firms.

"Small businesses now have the opportunity to create, edit, and publish apps directly from a smartphone or tablet," Hirsch wrote. "With these advances, the implications of the development of DIY app building tools will soon out-pace the impact site-building tools have had in the digital marketplace."

Building apps from the ground up
Whether an organization chooses to go with native or HTML5 development, programmers must establish that they are using the right system to support user devices. This will be integral to ensure that employees can leverage their hardware for jobs. InformationWeek contributor Gregg Ostrowski noted that by incorporating management capabilities, sync processes and optimal connectivity, the users will be more likely to benefit from and utilize the program. If an app is too hard to navigate or unreliable, workers may search for their own solution and avoid the company software altogether. Decision makers must do extensive testing on the applications to guarantee quality and identify any potential issues that may arise. By doing this, organizations can head off any problems and work toward providing a positive user experience.

"For the variety of devices and operating systems your employees use, you'll want a comprehensive way to manage the various apps as you migrate, approve, or deploy them," Ostrowski wrote. "Also, providing an enterprise application store is a great way to provide optional value-add applications for employees to download on their own."