June 2021

Just imagine this scenario. It is nearing the deadline and the project is almost ready. Only a few touch-ups here and there and the project can be handed over to the external or internal client. Your team has put in their sweat and tears to complete this assignment, only to know that the project was not as it was intended to be. Now, you have no other option than to start the process again, from the scratch or try to join the missing links. Drawbacks like these are inevitable at times. However, there are options like wireframes and mockups that can provide a skeleton to the clients before handing out the finished product. This gives the team a chance to assess the layout with the client giving them enough leverage to rectify the lapses. ​

In this article, we will understand what a wireframe and mockup is, why has this process become mandatory, the best free wireframe and mockups tools, and a lot more. 
The theory behind wire-framing and mockups

If you are making a dish, you don’t get into cooking it right away. You take time to analyze the recipe in your mind, you get in all the ingredients, wash and chop the vegetables, start the process of the cooking, make amends in the taste and then you land on the final dish. Likewise, a project undergoes a series of modifications until it goes live, and some tools make this process smooth and breezy. Wireframes are sort of like a blueprint of a building. It is a rough layout containing certain essential aspects of the project. To design an app or website, one needs to undergo some essential steps or else the project might crumble. Wire-framing, in short, gives the developer a clear idea of how the final product looks. And most importantly, wire-framing offers them a breathing space to have a dialogue with the client and be assured that the project is on course. 

Mockups on the other hand are kind of a final design, but not exactly the finished product. It is more like a realistic version of the actual app or website which joins all the missing links that the wireframe does not have. Mockups are not clickable. It helps you experiment with the design, visual style, colour schemes, typography, actual content, branding elements, etc. Having a mockup ready allows you to have a conversation with the client and take their valuable feedback. Following these small steps makes the project successful. 

Why wireframe or mockup?

When it comes to developing apps or websites, generating a wireframe and mockup, fortifies the groundwork of the project. Here’s why you should start wire-framing and mockups. 

• Improves project’s efficiency. 
• Provides a visual and clear representation of the layout.
• Provides transparency to the team.  
• Opens communication with the client.
• Renders an opportunity to rectify the projects’ structure. 
• Connects the missing gaps.
• It makes the project cost and time effective. 

What forms a basis of a good tool?

In today’s age, wireframe and mockup have become more essential than ever. Before starting the process of picking the right tool, one needs to understand what an impeccable wireframe and mockup are made of. Survey the available tools and choose the one that works best for your organization. This research should include reading out the reviews, compare the tool with the best in the business, on the number of their clients and projects. Identify which tool adds a high level of security.

• Should be a time saver
  

Time has always been of the essence. And when we are dealing with a deadline and cut-throat competition, we ought to find a tool that saves our time. The right wireframe and mockup tool will not only save your time but will also guide you to make the project cost-effective.

• Gives the best outcome
  

We envision making our project successful. And tools that we use, should aid us in our goal. In this process, choosing the wireframe that is simple yet impactful is the right decision. The tool should make use of uncomplicated, basic, and extensive features, shapes, text, images, and button to give the best possible result. With this, the features should be interactive and powerful. In shorts, a good tool should meet all your needs. 

• Compatible with the team
  

A tool should always be a good lister. And, in turn, its actions should inspire the people who use it. It should save user’s ideas and assist the designers while using them again. 

• Holds the fort
  

These days all that matters is life-long support. A tool that allows the users free updates, assistance, and after-sales services, goes a long way.

Ten best free wireframe and mockup tools are:

   1. Mockplus

• Basic: Free – Ultimate: $12.95/month 
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

It provides rapid and interactive wire-framing and mockup tool for apps and websites. Mockplus is an all-in-one product design platform. Its UI library is a host to 3000 built-in icons, components, features and functionalities which makes wire-framing and mockup fast, easy and cooler. Mockplus’ simple drag and drop functions are impressive and bring the static layout to life.

   2. Wireframe.cc

• Basic: Free – Premium: $16 per user/month
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

It is a powerful, collaborative and yet minimalistic software to create and share wireframes. Wireframe.cc allows you to generate low-fidelity wireframe with its interactive nature. Most of its users are super happy with its built which is easy to produce and quick to share. Its UI library has most of the basic functions, features and shapes which makes it one of the finest wireframe tools. The UI of Wireframe.cc gives you a feeling that you are actually sketching the layout on paper with a pen. 
​
   3. Figma

• Basic: Free (two editors and three projects) – Premium: Free for students and $12 per editor/month 
• Type: Web-based

As per their website, Figma is a collaborative, borderless, transect and an open-sourced tool. They envision making design accessible to everyone, and courtesy of the features and functionalities they offer, Figma is increasingly becoming developer’s go to tool. It has about 2,300 components and 170 layouts, which gives a chance to explore endless opportunities. With an advanced component library, developers feel that it’s effortless and fast to use. Figma offers real-time collaboration which speeds up the workflow process and welcomes different people into the design development.

4. Pencil Project

• Completely free 
• Type: On-premise, Open source 

This tool is completely free and is open-sourced GUI. One of the highlights of the Pencil Project is the number of templates and other features that it offers. It allows the user to build UIs, flowcharts, etc., with comfort. Users adore this tool’s interactive elements and flexibility to develop and cross-platform app.

5. Balsamiq Wireframes
​

• Basic: Free for 30 days – Pro: $199 per month, with 200 projects. 
• Type: Web-based

Their front page is quite hard-hitting and speaks volumes of what they wish to offer. ‘Life’s too short for bad software’, they say. And they are giving their best to provide a tool that lets you sketch interfaces for websites and web, desktop, and mobile applications. They provide extensive UI elements and templates, that lets you design with no annoyance. Their frequent update service provides new functionalities, which is another plus point. And not to forget that their balance between low fidelity wireframe and sketch is quite intriguing.

6. InVision

• Basic: Free – Premium: $100 per month (unlimited projects for up to five team members) 
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

InVision claims that companies that partner with them see an estimated 475 per cent in ROI over three years. And today over seven million people use InVision to generate a clear design path and to achieve their goals. InVision is an all-in-one designer tool that is excellent software and has all the required functionalities. One of their plugins called Craft helps in brainstorming and strengthening the developer’s concept to develop their interface.

7. Fluid UI

• Basic: Free (1 project, 10 pages) – Pro: $25 per month (10 project, 1 user license) 
• Type: Browser-based
  

Fluid UI is the perfect way to transform great ideas into reality. It is an intuitive tool for mobile and web platform, with over 750k plus users. Fluid UI users find their interface symbols and icons quite collaborative and attractive. The wireframes are easily modifiable and can be shared with ease. Their UI is fast and provides excellent drag and drop options with built-in elements.

8. Wirefy

• Completely free 
• Type: Desktop, Open source

It helps designers create quick and functional wireframes. Their amenable and thorough typography, lists, UI Elements, Tables, etc, makes it a sturdy tool. Wirefy helps the designer make smart UX designs, as it focuses on content more than subjective design decisions.

   9. Jump-chart

• Basic: Free (1 project, 10 pages, two users per project) – Pro: $25 per month, (10 projects, 100 pages per project, unlimited users)
• Type: Web-based, Freemium

Jump-chart allows you to write content, organize the structure and track the feedback. Their custom fields feature lets the user complete their project as they need it to be in a .CSV export. Jumpstart has a powerful API that makes exporting the designs to the preferred CMS easy.

In essence 

So, there you go! We have listed the top ten best and free wireframe and mockup tools available in the industry. A comprehensive research will guide you towards a tool that works best for your organization. These tools enhance the project’s outcome and comes in handy for the developers to communicate with the team and clients.  

At App Scoop, we leave no stone unturned to give our customers the best possible result. We believe that it our humble duty to empower your business through digital transformation. Tools like wireframe and mockup provide us with a clean slate to experiment with the layout and functionalities. This, in turn, helps us deliver our clients what they envision, thus enhancing the customer experience. 

To talk to our experts, kindly contact: 
https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

References: 

• https://247labs.com/blog/free-tools-available-for-wireframes-and-mockups/
• https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ux-design/free-wireframing-tools/
• https://cliquestudios.com/free-wireframing-tools/
• https://www.mockplus.com/blog/post/free-quick-wireframe-tools
• https://codecondo.com/free-wireframe-tools/

A vulnerability could be found anywhere, and if an invader finds a loophole, they might easily exploit it. Likewise, when the attacker raids the premises of the computer network, the damages can be unimaginable. Just last year alone, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) logged more than 18,000 vulnerabilities – of which 57 percent of the vulnerabilities were classified as critical. In this article, we will understand what a software vulnerability is, its categories, consequences when this weakness is attacked, how to safeguard your system and more.

What is software vulnerability? 

A code or the operating system is suspectable to flaws or bugs or weaknesses. This glitch in the system is known as software vulnerability. Intruders or hackers encash on these shortcomings to steal valuable data that the company withholds. When the attacker possesses at least one tool that connects with the system weakness, they maliciously enter the den to exploit the vulnerability. Although these days security is tightened somehow, they still fall prey to attackers. There is room for improvement and no stone shall be left unturned. An application code is a host to 82 percent of vulnerabilities. And in 2019, owing to vulnerabilities, 16 percent of the web applications easily gave up the full control of the system to the attackers. In essence, the Committee on National Security Systems of the United States of America defines vulnerability as a weakness in an information system, system security procedures, internal controls, or implementation that could be exploited by a threat source.

What makes the software vulnerable? 

Let’s face it, in today’s world, almost all businesses make use of software to help them reach their goal. Some are built in-house while others are purchased. While some companies fail to update their system, and this small mistake amounts to a great risk. Around 84 percent of companies have high-risk vulnerabilities on their external networks. Often overlooked by the companies, a vulnerable software lures attacker. And as per a report, an attacker can invade 9 out of 10 web applications. Apart from the following mentioned main sources of software malfunction, what also plays a big role is the type of programming language that is used. Most of the programming languages are susceptible to threats, we ought to use the least vulnerable language. 

• Insecure coding practices
  

Call it deadlines, pressure, or the impact of the fast-paced life, this rat race has forced the developers to produce function code at lightning speed. Now, when things are done in haste, it leaves rooms for errors. According to a survey, 30 percent of the companies never scan their code for weakness during development. Developing a secure code has become more important than ever.

• How to avoid precarious coding practices?
  

1. Make the most of the discovery phase.
2. Assess programs for vulnerabilities at every stage.
3. Put forth a great development team. Be empathic towards them. 
4. Spend ample time in research. 
5. Take it easy, don’t crumble under pressure. Remember, a person who write codes in haste, always leave rooms for casualties.

• Changing trends 
  

You might assemble the best team that creates great software, but sadly there is always a broken algorithm that catches the eye of an attacker. Trends change and intrudes find new ways to make the most of the loophole. At times, their motive or vision seems to be stronger than the developers, which is why attacks take place.

• How to overcome the ever-changing threat landscape?
  

1. Tighten your security. 
2. Generate amends to assess the software at every interval.
3. Adopt secure development lifecycles. 

• Reusing existing codes
  

To comply with the deadlines or maybe to save some ‘precious time’, some companies opt for reusing pre-built software components. These codes are already present with the organization or they can take them from a third party. While this has a few pros, the cons are quite severe. Reusing the code does not come with any guarantee. Common threats that loom when pre-existing codes are used are – data breaches, cross-site scripting, injection flaws and others. Mind you, the attackers are smart and quick as they have an idea that insecure code is accountable to vulnerability.

• How to combat the threat of reusing vulnerable codes? 
  

1. Scan the reusable code for vulnerabilities at every stage.
2. Update the existing code’s versions. 
3. Use codes from the trusted source.
4. Keep a track on the supply chain. 

Types of software vulnerability

The company starts a business with a vision their data never gets tampered with. One small mistake and your system will fall prey to the attackers. This is exactly why prioritizing security risks is crucial. Once we understand the different types of software vulnerability, it becomes a tad bit easy to handle them.   

• Injection Vulnerabilities or Injection Flaws
  

The glitch in the system gives easy access to the attackers to inject malicious code using an application. Due to lack of validation and failure to sanitize the user input, the attacker’s code can effortlessly read, modify, or delete the information from the database. This is one of the most common types of software vulnerabilities. Underlying types of injection that pose a great threat are – SQL, Command, XPath, XML, and a few others.  

• Broken Authentication
  

The attacker here impersonates to be a legal user, and by encashing on the broken authentication, they try to gain access to the whole system. Most websites have broken authentication, where the organization’s sensitive data is at risk.

• Buffer Overflow
  

The system becomes vulnerable when the program is fed with surplus data. This corrupts the available space, can alter other information as well, lead the system to crash, and contaminate the data on the stack. Another variant of buffer overflow is heap where global inputs and possibly other program’s data is violated due to the overflow.

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  

On the similar lines of SQL Injection, the XSS breach penetrates an injection code into the website. The attacker can modify the information and can take control of the victim’s information.

• Security Misconfiguration
  

Security misconfiguration occurs when a web developer applies the wrong application logic or 0component while building the code. This naïve miscalculation makes the system an attackers target.

• Using components with known vulnerabilities
  

The thing is a developer can write an immaculate code, but it can still be exposed to the attackers. By using vulnerable components and using code from an untrusted source, the system is exposed to threats.

• Exposure of sensitive data
  

When the code has some unnoticed loose ends, the company’s sensitive data jeopardized. Intruders make use of these missing link to take control of the network.

What is vulnerability management?

Precautions are always better than cure. Instead of reaching a panic situation when the system gets violated, it is always better to take proactive measures to avoid such a situation. The 2019 SANS Vulnerability Management Survey conveys that 84 percent of the businesses have taken preventive actions and have created a vulnerability management program. Incorporating this program allows them to efficiently manage the violations posted by the attackers or curb the situation before it goes out of hand. Vulnerability management is a continuous process that detects the risks and creates a plan to overcome or prevent the risk. Making use of the best available technology and hiring a skilled team can help mitigate the threats or weakness in the software at an early stage. 

• Vulnerability management lifecycle:
  

1. Discover: Organize all the company’s data in a structured fashion. Define its importance and who all can access this data.
2. Assess: This stage involves accurately and efficiently, scanning and testing the organized data for risk. Once the data is examined, prioritize the assets, and determine the baseline risk profile.
3. Report: After the data is studied, a report is documented which talks about the vulnerabilities and the plan of action.
4. Remediate: The next step is to work on the plan of action. In this, the old and new threats are monitored and removed. 
5. Verify: The goal is to minimize or eliminate the risk. This step sees that the goal is achieved.  

How to mitigate threats?

Being vigilant, anticipating threats, and following all security protocol might protect your system. Avoiding threats is the best measure to overcome software vulnerability. Follow these steps for the best results. 
​

• Hire the best developers and train them to be impeccable. 
• Use the best available tools to scan the code for vulnerabilities at every stage. 
• Use a safe API and the best security. 
• Procure codes from only trusted sources. 
• Invest in obtaining a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate.
• Use data that is less complex and get rid of unnecessary data.
• Audit the servers and system regularly. 
• Follow the vulnerability management program. 
• Use reliable frameworks. 
• Regulating patching reduces the threats. 
• Traffic scanning and filtering to prevent the violation.

Act now!

The number of new vulnerabilities is growing leaps and bounds. If these threats enter your system, the business will surely crumble. In this case, avoiding and protecting your system from such vulnerabilities is half the battle won. We value our clients and focus on delivering polished solutions. Dealing with software threats might seem like an uphill task, however, our skilled team will provide resolutions that will help detect the threats at an early stage or eliminate the risk.
To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

References: 

• https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/vulnerability-management/
• https://sucuri.net/guides/owasp-top-10-security-vulnerabilities-2021/
• https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/vulnerability-management/six-system-and-software-vulnerabilities/
• https://www.veracode.com/sites/default/files/Resources/Whitepapers/how-vulnerabilities-get-into-software-veracode.pdf
• https://www.ptsecurity.com/ww-en/analytics/web-vulnerabilities-2020/
• https://buildfire.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-software-vulnerabilities/

Costing of the app

The elementary formula used by most app developers to calculate the cost of an app is:

Cost = time spent on the specific feature * hourly rate.

The cost of building an app depends on pre-build, development, post-development, licensing, features you decide to add, marketing, and the number of hours spent in making the app. If the coding and development are done in-house, then the organization will take care of the rest. However, if you are looking to hire someone to develop the app, the location of the hired developer will largely determine their hourly rates. Depending on the developer’s experience and seniority, the hourly rate may warry from a mere $5 to a whopping $300+. So, as we said good things are a tad bit costly, then spending money on a diligent software developer, makes sense. The average time taken by a developer to create an app is 4.5 months. A basic app can be developed from the range of $3000 to $120,000. And developing a high-end app ranges from $14,500 to $300,100. As per a survey done by a leading web development and digital marketing company, here are the country-wise hourly cost for building an app. 

Country                                       Chargers (per hour)

• US and Canada                                $50 to $250
• India                                                  $10 to $80
• Australia                                            $50 to $150
• Eastern Europe                                $20 To $150
• Western Europe And The UK         $35 To $170

Eight reasons why developing mobile apps cost more than websites 

• The demand and supply hypothesis

Since the inception of the mobile app, their growth has been exponential. And currently, or rather, since a few years, the demand for mobile apps have reached the sky. The theory is simple, as the demand increases, the price is bound to increase. In today’s world, everyone who owns a business wishes to have an app. Most of the entrepreneurs have an idea about how this technology revamps their growth. This, in fact, is adding to the demand. The supply, in this case, is limited to the quality of the programmers – how well they cope with the changing trends to provide a top-notch app. The world is hungry for apps and people have become addicted to them. Last year, the app stores saw an annual download of 218 billion, and in the coming years, this rate is surely going to climb sharply.
  

• Developed for various platforms

There are three basic types of the app – Native that is created for one specific platform, Web apps that work on any mobile devices, and Hybrid, which is a combination of both Native and Web. Apart from depending on the app functionality, purpose and the technology used, the breakdown of the app development price also relies on which platform the app is developed for. These are three separate resources which use different language. 

• The world is the oyster

To a large extent, the functioning of the website is restricted. Not a lot can be done unless the websites are customized to perfection. On the other hand, there is a lot to explore when it comes to mobile apps. Right from the way it looks, functions and features – mobile apps give life to your product. And the fact that these apps are created from scratch, fetches them more money. 

• Leverage Device Functions 

There are some specific reasons why mobile apps are costly and one of the major factors that have taken the front seat is the ability to access the user’s device capabilities. Apps can interface with the device’s functions such as camera, GPS location, contacts, and a few others. This significantly increases the customer experience. Options such as push notifications, alerts, camera, tap to call, tap to buy, instant update, gives the user’s a clear idea of the brand and the features in the offing. Even when the users are offline, just the icon of the app acts as an advertisement. Unlike, websites where there are some coercions to access these functions.

• It’s more than just an app

People often underestimate the time and effort required to develop and an app. Developing an app is also about understanding the brand and what the users need, designing the functions, creating a need, integrating serval systems, and more. This all requires tremendous strategy and skills, which is not easy and does cost a lot.

• A mobile application developing team has to overcome challenges like:

1. Understand the user’s requirement and market demand.
2. Stay true to the client’s requirements.
3. Find the perfect team.
4. Design flawless software. 
5. Integrate different systems and technology. 
6. Continuously manage the performance.
7. Come up with plans to keep the app alive in people’s heart. 

• Customizable functions

Developing a mobile app is all about addressing the custom screens on the app side, backend app screen, reports in terms of user behaviour, engagement and the revenue of the, and third-party engagement, just to name a few. In essence, mobile apps offer countless functions and options. Such functions are not usually available on websites. A developer can create these functions after carefully analyzing the brand and the product in the offing. After which, developing these functions takes time and ample hard work. This all adds up to the total application development cost.  

• At your service

Most websites are made for one and all. However, mobile apps are custom-made for the user’s interest. Apps are built to suit the needs of the user. Moreover, apps enable the user to set their preferences while downloading. This fetches the app some useful data. In short, personalization comes at a cost. 

• Work of an art

If an app is an art, then the app developers are artisans. To be frank, mobile app development requires immense skills. Those skills are maybe easy to learn but they are surely hard to master. With that, an app developer needs to up to date with the languages, framework and technology, and then change their skills as per the market trend. To create any work of art requires a great and skilled team. Not to mention the risk of hiring an inexperienced developer. And when one is looking for quality, not shelling enough money is never an option.

In conclusion 

It is rightly said, a good software like wine, it takes time and does come at a cost. The benefits of having a mobile app for your business has myriad benefits. It adds value to your brand, helps you connect with the consumers, aids promotion, ensures high engagement – in short, it’s worth investing in a mobile app. Regardless of the domain of your business, having an app for the same has become a must. The mobile app industry is lucrative, but it requires immense knowledge and experience to build a high-selling app. Although it is expensive, be assured that apps will increase your reach and help you attain your company’s goals within no time. At App Scoop, we will not only understand your requirements to the tee but also deliver an app that will make your business grow leaps and bounds. 
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To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html 

References:

• https://www.intelivita.com/blog/benefit-having-mobile-app-business/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3gkYbTspZI
• https://247labs.com/app-budget/7-reasons-why-mobile-apps-are-more-expensive-than-websites/

It is a fact that videos are attractive, shareable, versatile, prompt, personal and a lot many things. 

So much so that, as per Diode Digital, online videos are a 600 percent more effective marketing tool than print or any other medium. Around 80 million people in the US watches online videos daily. And videos that are more than two minutes long get the most engagement. There are a staggering 31 million YouTube channels and around 2.3 billion users, making this online video platform the second most visited site in the world after Google. With that 79 percent of Internet users have their own YouTube account. According to HubSpot, 70 percent of businesses feel that their sales figures have increased by incorporating video content. And when 87 percent of people are relying more on videos to make buying decisions, businesses need to strive hard to meet their demands, which means this medium has a lot in the offing. 

Sure, all these stats are overwhelming, and if we put that data in simple words, it means – videos are important! And if you are thinking of incorporating videos to grow your business or make use of a video recording app to reach a wider audience or waiting to avail editing apps to create viral videos – if so, then the time is now! In this article we will understand the importance of video recording and editing apps, how does your business with that, key aspects to consider while building such apps, and more. 

Why video recording and editing apps are dominating the business arena 

Videos play a great role in taking your business to the next level. It elevates the importance of your product and makes it reach your target audience more efficiently.

Importance of video recording or screen recording tools:

• Makes a video to reach a broader range of audiences.
• Helps you capture and make memories.
• Stores the data forever. 
• Amplifies your business. 
• Through video calls, you can connect with your customers.
• Helps you create interactive products.
• Increases traffic to your website. 

 
Importance of video editing helps you:

• Ensures that your ideas are interactively presented to your viewers.
• Blends motion pictures with sounds and music. 
• Helps you emotionally connect with the audience. 
• Glamorizes the video content by making it appealing.
• Add text and subtitles.

 
Key aspects to consider while creating a video recording or editing app

• App idea

It’s rightly said, an idea can change your life. At the ideation stage, be very careful as that will lay the foundation of the app. Do thorough research, analyze the market and understand the different apps on the store. And as per competitive analysis establish the goals of your app. 

•  Target audience 

Figuring out who your target audience is one of the first steps. Understand what they are looking for. For instance, owing to the current pandemic situation, a lot of people prefer taking online consultations for non-emergency medical conditions. Providing them with a video calling or recording app to connect with the concerned doctor will benefit one and all. Just so you know, the online video feature in the health and wellness sector is doing wonders. 

• ​App features and tools

The ground rules for both the video recording and editing are mostly the same. The features and tools should be user-friendly. Initially, you can provide the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) version, and when the user gets accustomed to your app, you can update your app with more features and tools. Work on the customer feedback to enhance your app’s tools and features. When it comes to editing apps, keep an eye on the latest trends that have gripped the leading social media portals. Accordingly, instill features that will enhance the quality of the videos. 

• Create a pathway

Around 73 percent of your consumer will edit the video on your app to share it on other platforms. To cater to such an audience, creating a pathway that enables them to share the videos directly on the favoured portals will be beneficial for all. Hence, social media integration is a must. The top three apps where the video is shared are YouTube, Instagram, and Tik-Tok. 

• The ‘how to’ video 

Video editing and recording apps are fairly easy to use. Nonetheless, providing them with a guided video on how to use the app will not make things easy for the consumer but it will also exude that you care about them. 

• Think out of the box

There are thousands of video editing and recording apps in the stores. There must be a USP that will make your app stand out from the crowd. Make sure to add all the basic features and tools but adding a few elements that will enhance the consumers’ experience will make your app an instant hit.

•  ​Generating revenue 

Despite the popularity of video editing and recording, most apps are free to download. Let’s face it, we are in this to make money. So, how can we generate revenue when apps are free to download. Basic features should be accessible, but these days people believe in accentuating the quality of theirs video to the next level. That is when in-app purchases come into the picture. Video ads are the most popular mobile app monetization model. 
 

• Customer service 

We are in this for the long run. Consumers respond well when their feedbacks are taken to heart. Provide the best customer service in case of any malfunction or other issues. The relationship between the app and the customer is of utmost importance. 
 

• And much more

Consumers love it when the app provides them with something extra. Additional features like real-time reports and analytics, integrate payment gateway, use of AI technology and others will put your app at the forefront.
 
Implementation of video recording and editing apps 

As per the survey, the number of businesses using videos as a marketing tool has increased to 41 percent since 2016. And as videos have gained a lot of importance recently, the demand has increased as well. Around 54 percent of consumers want more video content. Here are the two sectors in which using video recording and editing apps have become customary. 
 
Education 

The onset of COVID-19 has changed the face of all the sectors, particularly the education industry. Online education and courses are the only ways through which students and other individuals can quench their thirst for knowledge. Professors can use video recording apps to record the lectures and personalized tutorials. The number of videos may vary depending on the subjects. 
 
Online courses have been there for ages. But due to COVID, this sector is booming as well. The global e-learning market is expected to reach $ 336.98 billion by 2026. The format of an online course is mainly made of theory in form of text, but most of the courses prefer recording the tutorials or lectures as the impact amplifies. Educational videos are powerful and easy to access. It has become an inseparable part of our lives. 
 
DemoCreator, which is available on the Play Store, has over 100 million downloads and is one of the famous apps to record educational videos. It also comes with a video editor function with education-related templates.
 
Social Media 

More than one billion people use Instagram every month. And Instagram videos get over two times more engagement than Instagram photos. To add to that, around 300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. Most creators use mobile to record their videos. And an equal number of creators use mobile apps to edit their videos. Giving you more and enough reasons to tap on this segment. 
 
Staying up-to-date and keeping a track of the updates made by these social media apps will give you a chance to up your game. For instance, Instagram recently added the Reels (a fun way to create videos) feature. This means video content is booming. Owing to the pandemic and lockdown situation, as most of the people are home, they get enough time to scroll to their phones. People binge-watch content, chiefly videos. And to address the needs of such a large audience, approximately 71 percent of marketers are looking to up their investment in video. The Patriots, an American football team, have openly claimed they have the highest engagement with their Reels. Per Reel, they saw an average of 121,800 engagements, compared to 21,600 engagements per video. Android apps like Viva Video and KineMaster are widely used to edit Reels. While iPhone users prefer using iMovie to record and edit their videos. 
 
The future is here!
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A recent survey says that by 2022, the market for online videos will reach up to 82 percent. And the traffic will be 15 percent higher than in 2017. In the future of videos, real-time editing is also a key part. And the advent of AI and ML will surely revolutionize this space. Stay at par with this trend. Have an idea for a video recording and editing app? Let us design it for you. Our smart and diligent team will do the rest! 
 
You can contact the App Scoop mobile app development team on: 
https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

What is Clubhouse? 

Developed by Paul Davison and Rohan Seth of Alpha Exploration Co., Clubhouse is a space for casual, drop-in audio conversations – with friends and other interesting people around the world. An invitation-only social media app, this app hosts live discussions where members can take part as well. Participants are mostly on mute and can unmute whenever they want. These digital rooms are a host to an array of topics – right from how to use Clubhouse, various aspects of technology, self-help groups, interviews, wellness, places, panel discussions, group experience, etc.
Let’s say, Clubhouse is a mix of the podcast and live conferences. Hosts can create an event and participants can join them to explore what they can offer. These are real-time events only. As per the Clubhouse guidelines, conversations are prohibited from being recorded, transcribed, reproduced, or shared without explicit permission. 

What makes Clubhouse unique? 

Currently, valued at $1 billion, Clubhouse which had around 600,000 users in December, now has 10 million weekly actives users. Let us figure out why this app has become the 16th most popular app in the social media network category of the App Store. 

• User-friendly and attractive features.
• Intimate and live conversation. 
• Invitation-only app making it more secure and authentic.
• Has star-studded user base.
• Impeccable search and explore options. 
• Newsfeed catered to the needs of the user. 
• Is a host to conversations and debates over varied and informative topics.
• Created rooms offer various levels of privacy. 
• Offers Clubhouse Creator First, which is an accelerator program, that aims to help the creators with content creation. This program provides resources wherein the creator can thrive and build their audience. 
• Has rolled out monetization schemes. 
• Consumers can take up different roles such as listener, moderate, and speaker.
• It does not yet have an official logo. The app has a black and white portrait of a person as an icon. Figures on the icon are usually the ones who have made an impact on humankind. Currently, Drue Kataoka, an artist-activist, appears on the latest icon.
• A calendar option that sends the user a personalized list of their upcoming task.

Well, this is what got Clubhouse millions of downloads over time. However, to create an app like Clubhouse upping the game and giving out-of-the-box options, apart from these, will attract the users. 

How to develop an app like Clubhouse? 

Clubhouse is doing something right which is why over 180 organizations and venture capitalists have invested in this app. Having a great idea for an app is a good start but the true journey begins after that. And what possibly got people hooked up to Clubhouse is because of what it offers its audience. It must have taken then them a great deal of planning and developing before the app went live. Understanding the market and audience and encashing on the opportunity is what made Clubhouse what it is today. Here’s are a few development processes and a guide to design an app like Clubhouse.
 

• Understand the ‘why’?

Before jumping into developing the app understand why the app is being created. Have a crystal clear idea of the motive behind making the app public. When the intentions are clear overcoming uncertainties becomes a tad bit easy.  

• Overall analysis 

Developing an app without market search is like driving with your eyes closed. Without having an idea of the market or the audience launching the app will lead to its downfall. Understand the market, industry, competitors, and audience. Research and collect all the valuable data which will help you move forward. This will help you determine your goal. With that, take some time out to see what your competitors’ work looks like. 

Coming with the same app with exactly similar features will do no good to your app. Your app should provide the audience with something that they have never seen but something that they always wanted. Always have an edge over others. How well do you know your audience? Now is the time to wear your creative hat and get into the shoes of the target audience. Have one-on-one interviews, target focus groups, and usability tests. Surveys play an important role in understanding the user. Creating a user journey map provides tangible results. 

• Android or iOS?

The app can be either released on iOS or Android. However, Android and iOS generate more than 70 percent of the online traffic. And together they account for 98 percent of the total mobile OS market share. With such sharp figures going with cross-platform or hybrid applications makes sense.  

• A team that matters

Great things in business are never done single-handedly. They are done by a team of people. Taking into consideration their talent and likes, put forth a great team that can lead your app to success. Having a team with the same mindset will take the project a long way. 

• Designing and much more

This phase gives the knowledge of user flow, site maps, mockups, and other things. Generating a wireframe helps in laying out the skeleton of the app. It gives an idea of how the user will interact with the app. This process might take a lot of time. It is difficult to land on the final look with just one wireframe. In the end, the final wireframe gives an overall idea of the user interface.  

• Monetization Model 

There are several models to increase the profitability of the app. Having a sense of what the audience is looking for will give you an idea of which monetization model. Some of the models are:

1. Premium or paid apps.
2. Free with in-app advertising.
3. Selling data. 
4. Free with in-app purchases. 

 

• MVP

For initial testing having a minimum viable product (MVP) is a must. It is the basic version that has most of the essential features and components. MVP lends a helping hand to software engineers. This determines the app’s potential.

• Get, set, go! 

After all the hard work behind the scene, it’s now go time. Now is when you hand over all the information to the development team. They are the ones who create a high-fidelity version of the UI. Then begins the testing phase. After the user, beta, and internal testing, taking the feedback from the development becomes a must.

• Maintain and analyze

Once your app goes live, with your fingers crossed hope that it becomes a hit. The work isn’t yet done. Now begins the process of analyzing and keeping the app live in the hearts of your audience. You ought to get answers for.
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1. Did the app meet the purpose?
2. What are the pain points and how to address them? 
3. Views of the users about the app?
4. How to maintain the app?
5. How can the app functionality improve?

Tech stack 

To build a high-end and audio-chat app like Clubhouse, stacking the best possible technology infrastructure, or the best data ecosystem guarantees easy and flawless communication. Two major programming languages used for iOS platforms are Objective-C and Swift. And for Android, Java and Koltin works like a charm. React Native, Xamarin, and Flutter can be used for cross-platform apps.
Apart from using these stacks of technologies, these days what works in the favour of the app are the influencers and promoting it on various social media platforms. ​

Cost and time required to develop an app like Clubhouse
The basic formula used by most app developers to calculate the cost of an app is:
Cost = time spent on the specific feature * hourly rate.

Further, the cost may also vary as per the platform, complexity, UI, back end services, animations, icon creation, integration, app design, location of the agency, features, and more. Typically to build a high-end app such as Clubhouse may cost around $14,500 to $300,100. And the time required to see the completion of the app depends on the level of the complexity. To build a feature-rich app like Clubhouse, may take around 5-7 months.

Takeaways

The only thing constant is change. As times change, we ought to adhere to it. In all this, the user should always be the top priority. There is a lot that can be done in the audio-chat app segment. What users adore are quirky apps that not only satisfy their basic app needs but offer them something more as well. At App Scoop, we consider all these attributes. To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

References:
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• https://www.spaceo.ca/create-app-like-clubhouse-audio-based-social-app/
• https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/how-to-develop-voice-chat-app-like-clubhouse/
• https://www.invisionapp.com/inside-design/6-stages-ux-process/​
• https://light-it.net/blog/how-to-make-a-voice-chat-app-like-clubhouse/