Why Should Startups Invest in Cross Platform App Development?

Are you currently in the process of making your mobile app reach new heights by expanding to multiple platforms? Look no further because a cross platform app is a perfect solution for startups and small to medium businesses. Gone are the days when we solely relied on native development for custom applications. Thanks to cross platform development, companies can now leverage technologies like React Native or Flutter for mobile app development that cater to multiple platforms with just one codebase. When you’ve got a game-changing idea, you want the world to know about it. While native app development is still an option, it’s a time-consuming and resource-draining process that requires separate efforts for each platform. On the other hand, a cross platform app allows startups and small businesses to grow, evolve, and improve over time with ease. In this article, we explain why cross platform app development is the ultimate advantage for startups and small organizations.

The Needs and Challenges of Startups: A Breakdown

Understanding the product shape

As a startup, you may not know the final shape of your product. You have a set of assumptions and hypotheses and need to validate them through a functional prototype.

Time constraints

The deadlines set by investors can be pressing, so you must create a prototype and release it as quickly as possible. You also want to make changes and quickly provide users with new product versions.

Cost-effectiveness

Your priority is not a perfect product but a functional and flexible prototype that can verify your idea and guide future development. You don’t want to spend much money on prototypes and tests, so you need to verify the viability of the app quickly and cheaply.

Flexibility

Your app needs to be flexible, allowing for changes to be made quickly and efficiently as you receive user feedback.

In light of these everyday needs and challenges faced by startups, let’s dive into the discussion on the difference between native and cross platform web development.

What is a Cross Platform App?

Simply put, a cross platform app is an application that can run on multiple platforms using a single source code. Cross platform apps can deliver a native-like experience on different platforms, eliminating the need for different source codes for each platform.

Why You Should Go For Cross Platform App Development

Here’s why cross platform app development is the perfect fit for startups looking to boost their online presence:

Speedy Development 

Building an app is no easy feat, requiring ample time, technical know-how, creativity, and tools. But for startups, time is of the essence. They want their products, websites, or online presence to be up and running ASAP. Cross platform development speeds up the app development process by allowing developers to work with a single codebase and target multiple platforms, freeing up time for other projects. As a result, developers can halve their development time while startups can launch their products sooner.

The bottom line is that cross platform development offers startups and SMEs with limited budgets and resources many benefits, such as reducing time, cutting costs, and maximizing resource utilization.

Wider Reach

Cross platform app development allows startups to expand their user base by targeting multiple platforms rather than developing separate apps for each platform. This allows the app to run on a wide range of devices, operating systems, and form factors, increasing the app’s reach to a larger audience.

Cost Savings

Using a single codebase for multiple platforms reduces the overall cost of development and maintenance for startups. Instead of having to maintain multiple codebases for different platforms, cross platform development enables developers to maintain a single codebase, reducing duplication of effort and ensuring that all changes are reflected across all platforms.

Advantageous Reusable Code

The building blocks of any app and code are crucial in determining the design and programming style. Traditionally, creating a feature-rich app requires extensive coding, making it a time-consuming and labor-intensive process for developers. Without cross platform development, you’d need separate development teams for each platform you’re targeting, increasing the workload and effort.

Cross platform app development tools have made it possible to reuse code, with an estimated 80% of code being reusable in different apps. This minimizes repetition and saves time for developers.

Your cross platform development team can also save reusable code snippets in a library, making it accessible and available for future use.

Effortless Updating & Testing 

With cross platform app development, your application has the same codebase across all platforms, enabling you to make updates and roll them out quickly and easily. No longer will you need to work on updates for different apps individually.

This also makes testing more time-efficient. By writing unit tests just once in common code, you can run them on all platforms that your application supports, saving both time and resources.

No Platform-specific Features Required 

In many cases, mobile apps do not require platform-specific features, making cross platform app development a suitable choice for many businesses. Before making a decision, it is vital to assess the requirements of your app.

Developing a cross platform app eliminates the need to implement platform-specific features separately, as cross platform functions for many applications. This means you can create just one cross platform app and use it across different platforms, such as Android and iOS.

It’s worth noting that exceptions, such as games that may require licensing agreements between game consoles and developers, make cross platform app development not ideal in these scenarios.

Quick Launch

Cross platform development allows startups to speed up the launch process by reducing the time and effort required to develop separate apps for each platform. By using a single codebase, cross platform development enables startups to launch their app quickly, which can be a key competitive advantage in a crowded market.

Cost Savings

Instead of having to maintain multiple codebases for different platforms, cross platform development enables developers to maintain a single codebase, reducing duplication of effort and ensuring that all changes are reflected across all platforms. Thus, you don’t have to spend money on separate native app development teams.

How To Overcome Cross Platform App Development Challenges

Here are some of the challenges that come with cross platform app development and what you should be aware of:

Technical Limitations

When it comes to developing a cross platform app, there are some technical limitations that you may encounter. For example, some functionalities available on one platform may not be available on another. This can compromise the app’s overall functionality, as developers need to find common ground that works for all platforms.

To mitigate these limitations, you must thoroughly research the available options and choose the development approach that best suits your needs. For example, a simpler technology stack might be suitable if you are developing a simple app. However, if you want to build a complex web app, you might require a more sophisticated technology like flutter for your web app development.

User Experience

Another challenge of cross platform app development is delivering a consistent user experience. Since different platforms have different design guidelines and user interface elements, making the app look and feel the same across all platforms can be challenging.

This is where design and user experience skills come into play. Developers must carefully balance each platform’s needs and make sure the app is user-friendly and visually appealing on all of them. 

Ensuring cross platform compatibility is an important part of overcoming the challenges of cross platform app development. This involves testing the app on various platforms and fixing any compatibility issues. You need to ensure that your app runs seamlessly on all platforms and provides the same user experience.

Integration with Backend Systems

Cross platform apps often require integration with backend systems, such as databases, APIs, or cloud services. Integrating these systems can be complex, as different platforms have different protocols and technologies.

To overcome these challenges, you need to clearly understand the backend systems that the app will need to interact with and choose the right technologies and tools to handle these integrations. This may require specialized knowledge, so working with experienced developers who understand the technical challenges involved is essential.

Examples Of Successful Cross Platform Apps 

Here are some successful cross platform apps:

Airbnb

Airbnb is a prime example of a cross platform app with widespread success. By developing a seamless, cross platform experience, Airbnb has made it easy for users to book their next vacation rental from the comfort of their smartphone or tablet.

With its intuitive design and robust features, Airbnb has become the go-to app for travelers looking for affordable and unique accommodation options.

Uber

Uber is another cross platform app that has transformed the way people travel. The app allows users to quickly and easily book a ride with just a few taps on their smartphone or tablet. With its seamless integration across multiple platforms, Uber has become one of the most popular transportation apps on the market.

Instagram

Instagram is a social media platform synonymous with cross platform app development. With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, Instagram allows users to share their photos and videos with friends and followers anywhere, anytime. Whether on your smartphone or tablet, Instagram makes it easy to connect with others and share your life’s moments.

Wrapping Up

The trend of cross platform applications is growing, making it a smart choice to create a single app that runs flawlessly on multiple mobile platforms. Thanks to the new, cutting-edge development platforms like React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin, you can expect fantastic results from your investment. From fast development to hassle-free, high-performance testing, cross platform apps are ideal for startups and small to medium businesses. Still on the fence about whether a cross platform app is a way to go for your mobile app development? Then look no further. With ultroNeous, you will get a seasoned hybrid app developers team ready to bring your vision to life. Contact us, and let’s work together to create something truly remarkable!