Home › Website Design & Development › Mobile App Development
Mobile App Development for iOS and Android
From idea to app store: scoping, design, development and launch of apps that people actually keep on their phones.
What Rocket provides
Rocket plans and builds mobile apps for businesses and founders. We help you decide whether you need an app at all, which features belong in version one and which platform approach suits your users and budget.
Many needs are better served by a responsive website or a progressive web app, and we will say so if that is the case.
Our approach is to launch a focused first version, watch how people use it and then improve. Large apps built on assumptions often include features nobody opens.
Who it's for
- Businesses with repeat customers who would benefit from loyalty, ordering or booking in an app
- Field teams that need to capture data on site
- Founders testing a product idea
- Organisations that want to give staff or members a dedicated mobile tool
It also suits training providers, clubs and event organisers who want to keep a community engaged through notifications and content.
Problems it solves
- Unclear whether an app is worth the investment
- Ideas with long feature lists and no priorities
- Staff forced to use paper forms or messaging apps for records
- Customers who struggle with a website on small screens
- Not knowing the rules of Apple and Google stores
Performance on real phones matters. Poor network coverage, older handsets and limited storage are everyday realities for many users, so we design for them and test accordingly.
What's included
- Scoping workshop and feature priority list
- User journey maps and screen designs
- Clickable prototype for early feedback
- App development, often as a single codebase for iOS and Android
- Back-end, database and admin panel
- Push notifications, logins and payments where required
- Testing on real devices
- Store listing support and submission
You also receive the source code arrangements, store listing assets and a release checklist for updates, as set out in the quote.
Options
- Cross-platform app: one codebase for both stores, usually the cost-effective route
- Native app: separate builds when performance or device features require
- Progressive web app: installable from the browser without a store
- Prototype only: to test the idea or support funding discussions
Backend and portals can be built under web application development.
If a quick launch matters more than store presence, a progressive web app may reach users sooner and cost less to maintain.
What you'll need to supply
- A clear description of users and the main task the app should help with
- Examples of apps you like and dislike
- Brand assets
- Developer account details for Apple and Google, or help to open them
- Content, legal pages and a privacy policy for the stores
Think about the data the app will collect. The stores require a privacy policy and clear disclosure, and we will help you prepare them.
How the process works
- Scope: define users, goals and the first release.
- Design: screens and prototype.
- Build: develop in short sprints with demos.
- Test: real devices, different screen sizes and poor connections.
- Submit: prepare listings and pass store review.
- Maintain: update for new operating system versions and fix issues.
Updates continue after launch. New phone operating systems regularly change how apps behave, so a modest maintenance budget protects your investment.
What affects cost and timing
Price depends on the number of screens and features, the need for logins, payments, maps or offline use, and whether a back-end is required. Store developer accounts and review fees are paid to Apple and Google. Store review times are outside our control.
Apps need ongoing updates as phones change, so budget for maintenance after launch. Starting small helps control cost and lets user feedback guide later releases.
Next step
Tell us the idea and who it is for. We will reply with an honest view on whether to build an app and a quote if so.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need an app?
Sometimes a mobile-friendly website does the job. We assess this before quoting a build.
Can one app work on both iPhone and Android?
Yes, using cross-platform development in most cases.
Who pays the store fees?
Developer account fees are paid by the app owner to Apple and Google.
How long does app approval take?
It varies and is decided by the stores. We prepare submissions carefully to avoid avoidable rejections.
Can you update an existing app?
Often yes, after a review of its code and documentation.
Rocket AdvertisingWe usually reply within minutes in office hours ·