Cross Platform Mobile App Development: Engage with Your Digital First Customers

Today's digital app development world has completely dominated and changed how we use the app. GenZ and millennials want everything at their fingertips and easily accessible. Whether it ordering food, buying clothes, ticket booking, any service or appointment booking, we immediately use mobile apps. Statista studies have predicted that the use of smartphones will increase by 6.4 billion in the upcoming 2029 and so the mobile app use too. Hence, a digital-first strategy is important for multi-experience mobile apps.

Let's admit, that consumers' needs are changing day by day, they want high performance, speed, personalized experience, and easy accessibility. Cross-platform mobile app development has been the go-to choice for top-notch businesses to get maximum ROI and deliver consistent user experience across multiple platforms.

Suppose you are an IT manager, CEO, entrepreneur, or developer who is looking to explore cross-platform mobile app development and the importance of digital-first customers. In that case, this article is worth reading.

Why Cross-Platform Apps Matter for Business Leaders?

Cross-platforms have been a crucial part of business leaders due to several reasons. One of the biggest benefits of using cross-platform apps for business is that they help reach a broader audience and generate better revenues. In today's digital and interconnected world, businesses need to meet users' needs on their preferred devices. Cross-platform caters to the needs of the digital-first generation by offering consistent user experience on all platforms and devices.

This consistency delivers omnichannel engagement which provides a unified experience on various channels. Omnichannel engagement helps to maintain business and loyal customers which is crucial for every business. And this increases the chances of repeating customers and building long-term relationships.

Ultimately, cross-platforms are business leaders for reasons like you can launch two apps at a time at an affordable cost and reach a wider audience.

Let's Compare Native Vs Cross-Platform Mobile App Development

Native App Development	Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
Native apps are expensive and time-consuming.	Cross-platform apps are affordable and faster to launch.
Native apps offer the best performance and are highly responsive.	You may face performance issues and slower apps in the case of cross-platform apps.
Development time is more as you need to write separate code for different platforms, which ultimately takes more time to market.	Development time is less due to its single codebase and hence faster time to market.
It supports platform-specific languages like Java and Kotlin for Android Swift and Objective-C.	It mainly uses JavaScript and is compatible with multiple platforms.
You need to hire a developer with specific platform skills.	You can easily find developer for cross-platform apps as they are most of web-based.
You can only target one specific audience at a time either Android or IOS.	You can target a wider audience base and promote one app to multiple platforms.

How Cross-Platform Development Can Be A Game Changer In Delivering Multi-User Experience?

Every business strives to offer a smooth app user experience on all platforms. Cross-platform development has been truly a game changer for most businesses by providing multi-user experience. Because you don't have to write two different pieces of code it's like building an app once and running anywhere.

This way, you can ensure that users can access all the features and functionalities hassle-free regardless of the device they use. Additionally, cross-platform development is affordable and takes less time hence app can quickly deploy updates and new features to enhance user experience in the future and keep users engaged.

Benefits of Cross-Platform Development

#1. Code Reusability

Code reusability is one of the top advantages of making cross-platform apps. This saves you time and money because you don't need to hire Android and iOS developers for different apps. The same code can be used for multiple apps.

#2. Fast Development Process and Time-to-Market

As there are no extra efforts for writing code for other platform apps, the development is faster and eventually faster to launch to market. Future updates and changes are also easy to implement without any complex coding.

#3. Reduced Development Costs

Cross-platform follows Write once and deploy it everywhere concept hence you can develop Android and iOS apps using the same codebase and deploy them to multiple platforms reducing up to 50% off the cost.

#4. Increased Scalability

Cross-platform apps are highly scalable in all terms as compared to native apps. You can expand its features and functionalities and easily perform updates and maintenance to fulfill the changing business needs.

#5. UI/UX Consistency Across Platforms

As the same code is reused for both Android and iOS platforms, there is a consistent UI/UX across platforms. This keeps the brand identical on all platforms and helps in better user engagement.

#6. Easier Maintenance

You don't need any extra resources or need to invest in additional tools, hence cross-platform apps are easy to maintain. Also, it doesn't require hiring specialized skill developers to perform certain operations.

#7. Broad Market Reach

Cross-platform apps reach a broader audience i.e. you can target both the Android and iOS markets with just one launch. Hence it's a win-win situation for both businesses and developers to reach a wider audience with such an affordable development.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Cross-Platform App Development

Every framework has its pros and cons, now let's explore some of the common challenges of cross-platform mobile app development, here they are:

#1. Addressing Platform-Specific Limitations

Cross-platform may feel short at fulfilling certain functionalities because they have no native API and can't access platform-specific features. However cross-platform application developers in India can overcome this issue by using frameworks or third-party APIs that offer access to native APIs.

#2. Ensuring Consistent User Experience Across Platforms

Developers might feel a lack of UX designs and components for any specific design requirements because cross-platform apps can’t have native-like designs due to their limited UX accessibility.

#3. Updates and Maintenance

You can't take benefit of new features and updates until and unless it's available to OS update hence this might prevent you from adding new features when in need. While in the case of native, when the OS updates, the features, and new updates are readily available for use.

#4. Integrating Emerging Technologies (AI, AR, IoT, etc.)

Integration with cross-platform development can sometimes lead to issues like when you integrate your app with cloud services or third-party libraries, app security might get breached.

Pro tip: you can hire experienced digital platform developers who are skilled in cloud computing and other micro-services if you are dealing with large-scale experiences.

Strategic Considerations for Cross-Platform App Development

Having a clear goal is the key to successful app development. Below are some strategic considerations for cross-platform app development that are important and you must follow this approach.

#1. Identifying Business Goals And Target Audience

Your efforts in building an app are of no use if it does not fulfill your business goals and serve the purpose of to target audience. Do deep research on your business goals and future evolution. Check the similar apps that have been published like your business. Read feedback from users and reviews on the app store, Google Play store and other online forums to get an idea of what you can add to make your app unique and make users happy.

#2. Selecting The Right Development Approach

Once you are clear about your business goals and know what your user wants, decide on the right development approach by choosing the suitable platform. To make your stuff a little simpler:

• Use react native if your app requirement is a native-like look and feel and you have a proficient javascript team.
• Use Xamarin if your app requires platform-specific features and needs integration with Microsoft products and services. Your team must be experienced in .net and c#.
• Use Flutter if you need a high-performance app with animations and custom UIs. your team must be skilled in the DART language.

#3. Ensuring Seamless Integration With Existing Systems

Know what type of backend integration your app will need. Integration is a crucial factor in maintaining data consistency and user experience. Smooth integration with the existing system will help in the easy extension of features without disrupting the current performance.

#4. Prioritizing Security, Data Privacy, And Compliance

In terms of cross-platform apps, you will be using the same code base for multiple platforms hence prioritizing security, data privacy and compliance is important. Make sure you are using security measures and safe coding practices to prevent data breaches. Adhere to security rules and regulations such as GDPR or CCPA and follow platform guidelines to enhance app credibility.

When You Should Choose Native Mobile App Development?

You should go for native mobile app development when:

• You want to make a highly responsive and fast app for your business.
• If you focus on targeting a specific audience like for Android or iOS.
• If you are adding rich-native features and complex UI like AR/VR games.
• If your app requirement requires using all mobile and OS features.
• If budget is not an issue for you and you are ready to make regular improvements and add new functionalities.

When You Should Choose Cross-Platform Mobile App Development?

• If you want to target a wider audience and multiple markets in a short time.
• If you want a simple app without animation and complex UX.
• If you want affordable and quick app development.
• If you want consistent UI/UX on multiple platforms.
• If you are a startup with a limited budget.

Real-World Use Cases of Successful Cross-Platform Apps

There are many real-world examples of successful cross-platform apps that we all might have been using. Below are some, let's read it.

• Google Pay: do you know, that your all-time payment app “Google Pay” is also a cross-platform app as it offers a consistent experience of payment on multiple devices? It is developed in Flutter and leverages robust security features.
• Skype: skype is our daily mode of communication for chat or professional calls in today’s world. It uses Xamrin for a unified experience across iOS and Android both. This helped Skype in many ways, due to its code reusability feature and helped in feature addition and releasing new versions from time to time.
• Instagram: the famous social media app “Instagram” is also a cross-platform app built in react native. It helped to target the broader audience with just the same code. This helped Instagram offer a unified user experience for iOS and Android users.

Similarly, most of the social media apps we use today like Facebook and more are built on react-native platforms only due to their similar features.

Moreover, many cross-platform apps are successfully running nowadays. Some to name are Airbnb, Shopify, Pubg Battlegrounds game, eBay, and more.

This is How Expert App Devs Has Helped Various Start-Up CTOs In the Following Scenario

The software product is the pride of every IT company, and no one knows the product better than the core development team. However, there are instances when it is necessary to design a new solution outside of the product’s core technology and features.

To address this problem, the strategy of hiring niche cross-platform mobile app developers has been turning out to be result-oriented. As a leading pioneer in mobile app development, our industry experts have listed down the common challenges below that CTOs have faced to get their start-ups to deliver new ways to engage their digital-first customers.

#1. Discover When Does a Startup Turn into A Scale-Up?

There is no agreement in our circles about when the transfer for a start-up will make them pave the way towards a scaling-up business. However, because the founding board members may go through hundreds of fruitless negotiations, we believe the team’s transition might occur rapidly.

At this point the management expects the product to earn meaningful money. When this happens, the management suddenly starts to demand the product to be super-scalable, super-safe, and super-fast, even though it hasn’t been necessary for the previous years for your business.

On the other hand, the CTO, will not have the room to hold engineers in check since someone needs to find out what the company's growth investors care about. This is where a CTO’s role becomes more critical. Because your business will start to identify the transition from a start-up to scaling up, the CTO's duties start shifting from development to technological strategies.

#2. Difficulties That Scale-Up CTOs Encounter

A business-level change affects the whole IT department’s activities. When our team worked with one of our clients at an early development stage, with flexible timings, shifting priorities to experiment with new technologies. In between this led to a Seed B investor showing up in the picture, deadlines were as firm as a brick, and management began peering over our shoulder.

#3. Security Policy

Lawyers joined the stage as the company was ready to be sold to assess the technology for compliance. If the CEO prepares to quote for the firm, there must be a complete security examination. The CTO saw a 180-degree change from cross-platform mobile app development to security work that none of the executives had previously investigated. Our team spent months racing against the clock to fully categorize security protocols. It's advisable to fully categorize security protocols.

#4. Keeping Code Ownership

In a start-up to scale-up transition, copyright law becomes a contentious subject. In Westernized nations, whoever writes the codes is the only owner of the code. Without a documented transfer of ownership, cross-platform mobile app development companies may not sell or release software using the code.

Assume that there are no such documents for your system and that some of the primary developers have already departed the organization. If you as a chief technology officer is in a situation, you’ll be learning a lot during the process.

When programmers are pressed for time, they are unconcerned with copyright. As the CTO, you may find yourself in a situation where major refactoring is required to validate what you possess.

When mobile app developers are pressed for time, they are unconcerned with copyright. As the CTO, you may find yourself in a situation where major refactoring is required to validate what you possess.

Do you remember the movie “The Social Network” Facebook lost $20 million in a year-long legal dispute over the usage of source code, which Zuckerberg got and altered without permission?

#5. What Are the Top Three Pitfalls for CTOs To Avoid in A Start-Up Business?

Stop performing technical tasks on your own. CTOs are critical, direct contributors who frequently perform a lot of code themselves. If you are caught performing too much technical work, you will find yourself with insufficient time to hire qualified mobile app developers and leadership. Set aside one-third of your time for hiring and the balance for leadership and management.

It is best to avoid building all software in-house. Too frequently, CTOs want to employ staff that is knowledgeable about every component of their tech stack. Recruit Indian cross-platform mobile app development companies that have other defined technologies and frameworks for back-end and front-end.

Finally, don’t assume you’ve found a perfect market match. Engineering is all about the details, and you might be lacking comprehensive proof that your solution meets the most important use cases. Participate in marketing calls, review the criteria list, and validate your fit.

#6. Organizing The IT Department's Priorities

A scale-tech-up's leaders must deal with a rapid influx of demands, which might distort their sense of priority. Many tasks will have to be declined at some time. You may be familiar with the Moscow prioritizing approach.

90 percent of the clients we know see all of their desires as a must-have, and it is physically impossible to fulfill all of them. Expect to have to justify your choice in the following stage in front of management. They may not realize the team is short on space.

As your start-up reaches the scaling-up stage for revenue your CTOs must deal with a rapid influx of demands, which might distort their sense of priority. Many tasks will have to be declined at some times.

You may be familiar with the Moscow leadership approach. Given below we defined this approach in 4 pointers.

• Must-Have: Non-negotiable product requirements required for teams.
• Should Have: important initiative needs that are not vital but add significant value.
• Could Have: Nice to have an initiative that will have a small impact if left out.
• Will Not Have: Initiatives that are not a priority for the particular time and frame.

#7. Product Development Under Corporate Objectives

Following the initial seed, the creator and their workers experience a honeymoon period in which the product reigns supreme. The mindset is that anything they're doing must become a best-seller before the business can take root.

During this stage, coding methods are important, the team readily adjusts to new ideas, and design work shows through. Developers are so engrossed in the experience of working with technology that it is unusual for them to debate how the product will gain market share.

It's unusual to hear of a company with a business plan. But when that huge investor comes knocking... The CTO intercepts a loaded document titled "We need to earn paper today."

#8. When Should A Scale-Up Leader Outsource Development?

The primary goal has been to increase development efficiency, particularly by tapping into cheaper labour markets. Cost savings have been achieved, but only for standardized services such as internal IT.

Building teams to utilize certain AI technologies, for instance, may be difficult and costly. Using specialist organizations to outsource the development of a certain service works effectively most of the time.

Work speed and quick access to talent are likely the two key motivators for scale-up outsourcing.

What To Consider Native Vs Cross-Platform Mobile App Development?

It can be confusing to choose the perfect mobile app development and find the perfect one that ticks all your boxes. Below are some of the necessary points you must consider to choose native vs cross-platform mobile app development.

#1. The Type and Purpose of Your Future App

You must understand what type of app you want and the purpose behind making that app. Because it will impact your future business and customer experience in all ways. Think of the features you need, the programming language you need, the use of specific third-party tools or hardware, UI/UX requirements and all important aspects of the app.

#2. Your Team's Experience in Programming Languages and Tools

See native app development requires specific expertise of platform and tools so analyze your team’s experience. For the iOS app, you will need to hire an iOS developer who is skilled in Swift and Objective-C and for Android app development, you will need to hire an Android developer who is well-versed in Java and Kotilin.

Hence begin with analyzing in-depth experience and skills.

#3. Development Cost and Your Budget

Based on the type of app development you choose, it can come with different expenses. As discussed above, we recommend cross-platform if you are not bound to any platform-specific app needs and need a fully functional app at an affordable cost.

#4. Adoption in the Industry

We must accept the change and today’s industry is constantly evolving and so the app requirements might change. Learn about the app trends and new changes from Reddit, StackOverflow, and more that are likely to occur in the future. This way you will get an idea of which type of app development is best suited for your business and you can save yourself from future development expenses.

#5. Learning Resources and Support

Not everyone can solve every technical error and developers may need learning resources and support too. You must consider the learning curve and learning resources available for different multi-platform frameworks.

Explore their official documentation, courses, community groups and other things to make a long-term future-proof plan for the app.

Conclusion

In order to stay competitive and connect effectively with potential users, you must provide consistent user experience on all platforms. Hence cross-platform app development is the key to reach wider audience in today’s digital first world.

Hope this article helped you understand about how you can engage your digital-first customers through cross-platform development services. Consider the above strategic considerations, benefits, and drawbacks to pick the suitable framework before you go for building an app for your business.

FAQs

#1. What Is The Difference Between Cross-Platform And Native App Development?

The main difference between cross-platform and native app development is that: cross-platform development involves a single code base to create apps for multiple platforms(iOS and Android) while native apps need individual coding and need of platform-specific languages and tools to create separate apps for iOS and Android.

Cross-platform development is the best choice if you want to develop an app for both iOS and Android in a short time and at an affordable price. If performance and native features are the priority, go for native app development.

#2. How Do I Ensure A Consistent User Experience Across Platforms?

Consistent user experience across all platforms is important to retain users and earn trust. You must follow the design guidelines specific to the platform, and use adaptive and responsive design for easy navigation of the app. Make sure to perform robust testing on all devices.

Choose cross-platform development frameworks such as Flutter and react-native to achieve consistent UI/UX across all platforms.

#3. Can Cross-Platform Apps Integrate With Existing Infrastructure?

Yes, you can easily integrate cross-platform apps like native apps to your existing infrastructure using APIs and SDKs. nowadays there are modern cross-platform frameworks that include libraries and plugins for easy integration.

#4. What Are The Common Pitfalls In Cross-Platform App Development?

Every development platform has some pitfalls, similarly, some of the common pitfalls in cross-platform app development include performance issues. You might face performance issues due to its platform-specific nature and abstraction layers. Its dependency on third-party frameworks causes inconsistent user experience.

#5. How Do I Measure The Roi of Cross-Platform App Development?

ROI refers to the return on investment, you can measure your ROI of a cross-platform development app by comparing its maintenance cost, time-to-market, and performance across multiple platforms. Analyze user engagement, retention rates, and revenue generation too.