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How to build an innovative delivery app like Deleezy

Just picture this – you are halfway through the meeting, and you realize that you haven’t purchased a gift for your loved one. There is no going back. You need the gift by the end of the day, but work keeps piling up. With work taking priority at times, running errands like these might seem like a hassle. Now, when you can solve the problem with a click of an app, is there something else that you’d be looking for? Deleezy comes as a relief for someone who is looking for a same-day and last-minute delivery service. And to add to that it offers seamless and speedy pick and drop service for everyday items. This delivery company has its headquarters in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. 
In today’s ever-changing world, to sustain the competition, business models change too. Devising features that enable user satisfaction will surely boost the business. Deleezy is App Scoop’s one of the dear projects for many reasons. We took this as a challenge and came up with fantastic results. Firstly, it pushed us to pull our socks and come with out-of-the-box feature ideas. And the results have been commendable. In this article, we talk about the features that help Deleezy shine, how to build a delivery-based application like Deleezy and how App Scoop can help you develop the application. 

Nine features that make Deleezy stand apart

Features define the usability of the application. To devise an application that benefits all, the developer should consider the user expectations, brand demands, and industry standards. App Scoop believes in keeping the approach simply yet classy, which significantly benefits the business. Here are eight features that act as a catalyst in the growth of Deleezy.  

  1. Strong Algorithm 

One of the most important aspects of any delivery-based application is to ensure smooth operation, timely delivery, and customer satisfaction. The robust algorithm that we built for Deleezy does the same. The system picks the driver depending on the proximity, travel movement, adjusting orders and more.

    2.  Route optimization 

Our strong algorithm provides our backend team with an upper hand to choose the shortest and the most viable path for the drivers. This helps in improving operations with route optimization. Now, for instance, if the driver had three orders–which means three pickups and three drop-offs. Depending on the current traffic, customer priority and a few other factors, the driver is handed the route that favours all. In today’s world, where time is of the utmost essence, such a feature comes in handy.

     3. Contactless delivery 

Almost two years into this and the world is still facing the wrath of the coronavirus. But life does not stop there. And as we get back to normalcy, the contactless delivery feature helps contain the spread of the virus whilst employing the needy and delivering happiness.

     4.  Jack of all trades

The welcome page of the Deleezy reads–we deliver just about everything. Right from food, gifts to party supplies and almost everything under the sun. Just so, we build an application with features that take care of everything.

     5.  Interactive and easy UI

Deleezy boasts of a well-designed UI. This essentially promises customer engagement. And overall leads to bringing in more loyal customers. The UI is easy to handle, and its functions create a bridge that connects the customers and brand. The perk of having an interactive UI allows us to under the needs of customers even better, further helps us serve them seamlessly. With the users can place orders in a jiffy.

     6.  Real-time tracking 

This feature adds to the credibility of the application. Once the order is confirmed, customers can instantly monitor and track their order. Another positive of this feature is that it allows bidirectional monitoring, which helps both the customer and the driver.

     7.  Easy payment option

Payment is an option that signs the deal between the customer and the brand. A slight glitch can take away the order from the brand. We built an easy in-app payment option that makes things for the customer. Payment options are customized to perfection as per the customer’s specifications. All the possible payment gateways make this feature and the app a crowd puller.

     8.  Instant notifications

To stay in touch with the customers is to keep the brand alive in their hearts. This feature sends notifications to the customers regarding their orders, deals, upcoming offers, promotions, and others. This keeps the customers engaged and the brand up and alive.

     9.  Review and rating 

This simple feature can take the application to new heights of success. Users can share their experiences, provide the brand with tips to improve the service and their words of appreciation will surely boost the morale of the brand. 

This is how you can build an app like Deleezy 

To create an avant-garde application such as Deleezy, we kept our approach pretty simple. Adhering to the Agile methodology, as usual, gave us the expected outcome–an application that is hit amongst the crowd. Here are some steps that will help you develop an app like Deleezy.

  1. Understand the need of the hour

For every problem, there is a solution. Understanding the problem areas gives a commendable push to the project. Every application is like a solution that addresses the issue. In today’s busy world, the user looks for an instant, easy and hassle-free delivery option. With this, their priority is to buy top quality products, too. Now, this gives the brand a heads up to devise a solution for the same. Get into the shoes of the users to understand their needs.
   
     2.  Gather the best team

The success of the application depends on the team. Look for a team member that adds value to the business. Once you have a rough idea of who the team members will be, brief them about the project and make sure that they understand the essence of the assignment.

     3.  Get moving!

One of the initial steps involves brainstorming sessions. These sessions usually give the team an overview of what the output of the product is. Now, get moving and begin your research. Study the target audience thoroughly. Set some industry standards and aim to achieve better than them.

      4.  Interface, flow, and design 

By now, the project will take shape. Now comes the critical step of designing the skeleton of the app. We aim to keep the interface easy but with some out-of-the-box features. Gather all the business cases, analyze them, and transform your work into a wireframe. Business Intelligence will bring in the much-needed relief and give you clarity in decision making. In the end, the sealed wireframes should be converted into interactive UI. With that, the process of development and coding starts. The right project management will sign the deal here.

     5. The essential rendezvous 

Open communication amongst the team members and the client is the key here. After every interval, conduct a meeting with the client-side to inform them about the progress. This process helps you keep in tandem with their requirements. Scrum meetings help everyone (stakeholders, team, and management) to stay in alignment with the project at every step.

​     6. Incorporate feedback 

The application will see its fruition once the client approves it. Guarantee them perfection. The application comes to life once it goes live on the store. Monitor the user movements and translate them into something worthwhile. And as per the changing trends, keep incorporating new features. 

We are here for you! 

App Scoop believes in commitment and will move heaven to earth and fulfil it. We communicate openly, which helps us understand our client’s requirements. We leave no stone unturned to improve and innovate. App Scoops understands that the future of mobile lies in applications. Mobile apps connect the users with the brands. Creating an application is a fruitful journey, and it depends on your hard work and resilience. App Scoop’s team is diligent and our work exudes our vision of crafting applications with passion and pride. At App Scoop, we will not only understand your requirements to the tee but also deliver an app that will make your business grow by leaps and bounds. Now that you have a great business idea, we request you to sit and sip on your hot coffee as we put forth an immaculate application for your brand.
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To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

By App-Scoop, ago

Stay Agile, stay ahead!

Uncertainties don’t come knocking on your door. And what better than the outbreak of COVID to understand this better. The world came to a standstill, lives were lost, and businesses were disrupted. Such things are inevitable. But we can surely stay agile and stay ahead of time. These days, Agile has become the in thing! Well, why shouldn’t it be? To explain Agile methodology in layman’s terms – trends change and so do business needs. To stay in line with the changing needs and trends, organizations need to incorporate those changes in their software development. As opposed to a single pass development, Agile software development builds software in short iterations whilst taking feedback from the clients at every scrum. Many have realized the worth of this practice, and a whopping 71 per cent of the organization use the Agile approach. Agile, which replaced the Waterfall approach, has a 1.5 times higher success rate than the latter. Agile has a swift flow that begins with a concept, inception, construction, release, production, and retirement.
App Scoop is not new to this methodology. In fact, since the time we were born, we made it a point to use this approach and it has given us tangible results. One of our recent projects that speak volumes of our foresight is Deleezy, a delivery service that offers seamless and speedy pickup and drop service of everyday items. Without any doubt, our approach was client-centric. And To stay ahead of the times and offer the best to our client we incorporated the Agile mythology. Meetings at every interval with the client, a diligent team, scrum meetings with the highest outcome, taking the client’s feedback to heart, adapting to the change and with ample research gave birth to Deleezy, one of the best pick and drop services for everyday items in Canada.

In this article we talk about the reasons to stay agile, how can one stay agile and most importantly how can App Scoop help you with this. 

Five reasons to stay agile

App Scoop always intends to change as per the changing trends. This can happen only if the organization is flexible in the moves – in terms of handling the clients and in its functionality. However, there are some of the agile methods we have always followed since our inception. Staying agile has its perks. And if the company follows these Agile methods to the tee, then their business will surely reach the sky.

Here are five reasons why your organization needs to stay agile… 

  1. Free-flowing communication 

An organization functions seamlessly if its foundation is built on free-flowing communication. It not only bridges the gap between the organization’s employees but also acts as a factor that binds the company with the client.
      
     2.  Quality work

Adhering to Agile practices help us focus on quality rather than quantity.  The value of the company’s work increases manifold precisely because it takes into consideration the smallest aspect of the product. Testing is an integral part of this method. Even the slightest bug is fixed by the developer in no time. And the outcome is a flawless product. A recent study shows that 80 per cent of the CMOs believe that adopting Agile methods have increased the team’s productivity.

     3.  Happy clients

When you put in your sweat and tears to make the assignment successful, the clients are ought to be impressed by your work. Working closely with the clients helps the organization understand their expectations and deliver their dream project on time.

     4.  Higher ROI

Talented team, harmony in the organization, testing at every interval and delivering an impeccable project is what makes the clients happy. And when the team stays true to their work, the business will surely flourish. As per research, by adopting an Agile approach 60 per cent of the companies have seen an exponential growth in their business. 

     5.  Provides a competitive edge

To stay ahead in the game and to survive the competition, sticking to the Agile method does wonders to the company’s vision. To have an upper hand in this industry, the organization needs to give their 100 per cent to win the trust of their clients and then live up to their expectations.  

How to stay Agile?

Agile methodology is a technique that pushes us to work without boundaries. The lockdown and the outbreak of the virus have restricted us to the work from home situation. And undertaking Agile practices will not bring coherence to the system but will also empower the team and help them adapt to the change with ease.

Ten ways to integrate Agile practices are… 

  1. Unlearn and learn 

Technology has sure brought the world to our feat. But staying in tandem with it takes strength. Letting the things go that we have learnt is how can begin. As per a late American writer, Alvin Toffer – the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. Learn new techniques, questions the unanswered, reflect on all the learnings, evaluate the methods and that’s how you can pause to unlearn and then learn.

     2.  Research, research and some more research

Exploring and staying up to date never goes out of fashion. And owing to the current scenario, the company’s customer-centric approach has become more important than ever. Continuous research helps the organization to only stay au fait with the industry standards and trends but also gives them a chance to win the hearts of the clients. It makes their work faster and project-focused.

     3.  Adapting is inevitable 

Inspecting your work and adapting to changing trends is a must. A team that minutely monitors the output of the work goes a long way. Constant feedback from the team members and the clients at large is beneficial for the project.

     4.  Keep calm, stay simple

Simplicity is the key. Incorporating high-end changes just to look fancy is a rookie mistake. Studies show that Agile adoption has benefited 98.6 per cent of the organization and believe us all of them swear by this rule. Simplicity maximizes the amount of work done. In essence, keeping the approach simple is one of the most crucial principles of the Agile methodology.

    5.  Value client feedback… 

It is rightly said – unless you have 100 per cent client satisfaction, you must improve. And guess what, Agile methodology gives a chance to the organization to improve at every interval. For this, gather all the information, document the feedback, and then prioritize it.

     6. … and make amends 

Once you analyze all the client feedback, remember that the Agile approach surely has a soft corner for client satisfaction. Mends the errors and taking their criticism in a healthy will be a boon. Teams should strive to give an immaculate output and for this, it is necessary to give what the clients are asking for.
     
     7.  Be empathetic 

The recent scenario of COVID has made us realize the importance of being human towards one another. Especially, in these testing times being patient towards the team shows that you are in this for the long run. Scrum meetings allow the organization and the product owner to understand the team’s energy and intentions. If these meetings don’t reflect the value of compassion, then the morale of the employees will crumble down.

     8. Hire the right team 

With the Agile approach, recruiting the right team is like a cakewalk. It makes hiring in compliance and economical by breaking prioritizing the data. Hiring the right team is vital because they will take your organization forward. And to stay agile in a growing organization, it is important to give the team creative freedom. Create a culture of trust and growth.

     9. Dream big

Think out of the box and dream big. Now that you have your dream team, push each other until your vision is accomplished. Explore all the avenues and give your fullest. Remember, aim for the moon and even if you miss your target, you will reach the stars.

     10. Planning is indefensible 

The widespread coronavirus has taught us that adversities don’t come announced. In such cases, preparing for the future, anticipating risks and managing them is valuable for the organization. Agile’s processes are concreate as they involve proper planning at every interval. It gives you the leverage to discover yourself and plan for the future. That said and done, organizations must have a solid plan to withhold any such uncertainties.

In conclusion

As said, Agile is gaining importance beyond imagination. In fact, Agile adoption is going to hit more and more sectors precisely because its failure rate is barely 8 per cent. It is not news, that App Scoop uses Agile mobile and web development approaches. The output is fast, and with reduced risks, the app sees fruition with the best quality. Our seamless project management guarantees nothing but the best. For us, client satisfaction is of utmost importance. To stay ahead of time and to stay agile, partner with App Scoop for your app and web development needs.  

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

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By App-Scoop, ago

How to make the most of Amazon Alexa to engage your customer?

‘Hey, Alexa’ – has become a household saying these days. Its elegant, handy, and helps you get the job done. And for the brands, Alexa provides them with easy promotion, improves customer experience, and acts as a catalyst in their growth. In 2018, Amazon Echo had over 40 million users. And to add to it, since 2020, Alexa has now become compatible with over 100,000 smart home devices. The Alexa Voice Service API provides the brands with an array of opportunities to grow exponentially in this market. Regarding smart speakers, the Amazon Echo family has stamped their authority with over 71% of the market share in their kitty. In today’s day and age, AI-driven assistance, Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa have made us realize the impact of voice. So, let’s look at this further and understand why your brand needs to sign their skill on Alexa. With that, we also provide a few tips on how your skill can gain traction on this platform.
Why should you build your brand on Alexa?

It’s quite clear that smart devices have taken the world by storm. The opportunities they provide are immense, and companies should not shy away from leveraging the benefits of Alexa for their brand. Having your skill on Alexa gives your business a glamorous look and a genuine feel. Here are the reasons one should build their brand on Alexa.

     1. Vast market

Amazon Echo boasts of an enormous market. Last year, almost 70% of the smart speakers in the US used Amazon Echo. This is indeed a huge number of consumers, and the brand should encash on it. The appliances that this gadget connects are innumerable, further giving the brand a chance to reach its customers.

     2.  Voice interface is impactful

Voice-driven engagements bring value to the business and send a genuine message to its users. As much as 18% of the millennials use voice assistance for shopping. And this percentage is expected to increase to 11.5% by the end of 2021. So, the ball is in your court to use this opportunity.

     3.  Easy branding 

Making your name in the market is one of the most arduous tasks. Having effective skills on voice interface gadgets like Alexa will spread the essence of your business with ease.

     4. Creates engagement on the go

Place an Alexa in your room and searching for the things that you wish for becomes a piece of cake. All you need to do is just voice your queries, and your wish is Alexa’s command. This is a scenario that brands can easily capitalize on.

     5. Update to sustain   

Times change and so do trends. There was a time when TV ads created a great impact. Now, owing to technology, there are a series of launches that can take the brand to the next level. Hence, changing as per time is inevitable to sustain the competition.

Here’s how brands can make the most of Alexa

Since its launch, Alexa has hosted over 100,000 skills. The fact is, many people prefer using Alexa over other devices. To reach their customers, brands must think out-of-the-box. By using Alexa skills, companies can create an everlasting impact. It is crucial to connect with the users and provide them with a seamless experience. If you hit the right chord with them, getting loyal customers will be a straightforward task. Here are a few tips on how you can achieve it.

  1. Simple yet elegant

All that glitters is gold. Skills allow a user to make their everyday life fun. And Alexa is here to make the customers’ life easy. Hence, the look and feel of the skill should be jazzy, however, the UI should as smooth as possible. Don’t clutter the icon. Keep the content fresh, catchy, and simple. Make sure that the users relate to the material that you share.

     2. Keep creating fresh content

Optimize your skill by keeping up with the latest trends. Creating new content regularly catches the user’s attention. Fresh content is critical for the brand’s growth as it helps in retaining the audience. This will increase the traffic on your skills, further improving your rank on the search engine.

     3. Being human

It might seem odd, but sounding slightly humane can motivate the users to connect with the brand. In today’s fast-paced life, people look for genuine connections. If the connection that you provide aligns with their mentality, then the sky is the limit. A little personal touch in your voice delivery will make the user feel special.

    4. Wear the customer’s hat 

Agreed, your company has some vision, but one should reach beyond that by wearing the customer’s hat. When you offer services, giving the customers what they are looking for will, in turn, benefit the organization. Do your research, understand the market and the audience thoroughly.

     5. The welcome kit

The brand should create an experience in such a way that first-time customers should consider joining your brand’s clan forever. When your skill hits the Skill Store, it should instantly grab the customer’s attention. It is important that when the user opens your skill, it should guide them with comfort. Instead of them asking the questions, your user guide should be self-sufficient. Provide all the information about your brand.

     6. Strong and reliable backend 

To get traction on this platform, your skill must be available whenever the customers ask. Secondly, the skill should be able to handle the customer traffic and it must be load tested. For things to fall in place, the backend team plays a significant role.

     7. Self-promotion 

Your skill can gain leverage only if it reaches more people. Use all the resources to let people know about your skill. You can reach them on social media and even word-of-mouth works. Once your skill is live, you can gain momentum by informing them about the upcoming events and promotions.

Conclusion 

The sales rate of Amazon Alexa is reaching the sky. So much so that by 2025, over 130 million Amazon Echo speakers will make their way into the global market. When the future looks bright, it only makes sense to be a part of it. App Scoop provides customizable solutions that will help your skill create a stir on Alexa. These skills will improve the user experience, further nudging your business.

Curious to know more about how Alexa skill can be beneficial for your business? Contact App Scoop’s experts on: https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

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By App-Scoop, ago

Top 10 reasons why your hospital needs a mobile application

The recent eruption of COVID-19 has made us realize that health is wealth. Well, we can stay healthy in many ways – by staying fit, regular doctor check-ups, eating healthy – just to name a few. Be the patient’s regular health check-up visits or COVID-recovering patients, the burden on the hospitals is increasing day by day. Did you know that around 45 percent of the patients prefer scheduling an appointment to the hospital online? Therefore, having a medium that connects the hospital, its staff, and the patients, is the need of the hour. And in today’s world, there isn’t a single organization that functions without a mobile application for its product.
Hospitals having a healthcare app might seem like an untapped arena or a niche market, but mind you, this is something that will take the world by storm. In fact, this sector is growing tremendously. And reports suggest that the healthcare application market is expected to reach $ 236 billion by 2026. Sure, you can have a website for your hospital but when 75 percent of the mobiles are smart and 6.5 billion people use smartphones, creating a mobile application seems a viable option. These days, everyone uses a smartphone. And such apps act as a mediator and connects the patients to the doctors. A recent survey says that 95 percent of the doctors think that such apps are a boon. Things are changing, and to adapt to it almost 74 percent of hospitals have joined the bandwagon and secured an application for themselves. Still wondering why your hospital should own a mobile application. Let us tell you in detail.

   1. Contactless communication

A relationship between a patient and doctor is set at the first meeting. But there onwards, unless the situation is critical, a mobile application can handle all the communication. The COVID outbreak has left everyone’s normal life in the doldrums. Even though there are vaccines now, visiting crowded places still is a question. In such cases, if a patient is connected with the hospital via a mobile app, communication will be hassle-free and to add to that it will help them contact the doctor at the comfort of their home.

   2. Daily monitoring

Tracking the patient’s health regularly is one of the most crucial ways to get them back on a healthy track. If the patient adds their daily symptoms or updates on the app, it will be helpful for the doctors to keep a close eye on their happenings. This reduces the chances of fatality. Doctors and the hospital staff can keenly observe the changes in the patient’s health, further improving the efficiency for both of the parties. 

   3. For a better future 

Change is the only constant thing and adapting to it is inevitable. The world is inching closer to living a paperless life. It’s needless to say that hospitals should avoid using paper to save patients data and digitizing their information will only make sense. A mobile application will cater to all the below needs.
 

  • Going paperless 

Reducing the use of paper or rather going paperless heals the environment in many ways. Its ecological and economical benefits are immense. Going paperless will help reduce the carbon dioxide content, cut down on deforestation and pollution as well. And to counter that, a mobile application will be inexpensive and harmless to the environment.  

  • Smooth workflow

Digitization has revolutionized our lives. Saving the hospital’s and patient’s records in a safe environment on an application will not only enhance the security but will also create a smooth workflow for the staff.

   4. Scheduling follow-ups

Regular follow-ups become a hassle when the patient needs to schedule an appointment over the telephone or wait in the queue. If the patient’s issue can be solved over a chat on the app, then scheduling an appointment is out of the scene. However, if the patient must visit the hospital a lot of things have to be taken into consideration–the doctor availability, the rush at the hospital, the size of the hospital and a lot more things. With the advent of technology, all these details can be fed to the app and considering these factors, the patient can schedule an appointment at their convenience. This is a win-win situation for both parties.

   5. Quick response during an emergency

Emergency does not come announced. Times when a patient’s health goes South, their family can easily check the hospital’s application for the next step. The application can guide the family and provide the information on how to revive the patient until the ambulance reaches their place, calm both the patient and their family–and once they reach the hospital, the emergency team is ready to attend to the patient. Simply put, feeding the application with the essential input can be helpful during a dire situation.

   6. Easy access for patients and doctors 

An application has almost all the information the patient is looking for. Right from scheduling an appointment, having a word with the doctor, referring to the prescriptions and reports, service chatbots, and much more – an application is a one-stop hub. All this not only puts the patients at ease but also gives them easy access to utilize everything that the hospital wishes to offer. These amenities will surely fetch the hospital some loyal clients. Not just the patients, this mobile application will come in handy for the doctors as well. The doctors can closely monitor the patient’s health, track their growth, counsel them, etc.

   7. Self-promotion tool

Now, mobile applications are one of the best promotion tools for any product. These days there is a cut-throat competition and to survive that, one must put their best foot forward. With the mobile application, they can easily brand themselves can convert the one-time patients into loyal ones. Besides all this, a mobile application can help the hospital have an edge over the others. 

   8. Encashing on the feedback 

The best part about providing the feedback online is the fact that it saves paper and to add to that it is easy to document. The valuable response that the patients provide will help the hospital live up to their customer’s expectations. This is work both ways. The hospital staff can also raise their concerns, if any.  

   9. In-house communication

For any organization, their clients are no doubt their biggest assets, but at the same time, they should realize that their staff is of the utmost importance too. The hospital must attend to the staff’s issues and needs for an effective management system. The staff can make use of the app for various purposes – to stay updated, to check their shifts, attend to the patient’s needs, to stay connected, etc. With this, they can also offer their advice to improve the hospital’s competence.

   10. Fruitful investment 

Think of the application as a priceless investment. Within a few months of it going live, you will start seeing the growth in your organization. Providing an application that satisfies all the needs of the patients and will take the hospital to new heights of success. Remember, customer satisfaction will lead to an increase in sales.

In conclusion 

The above points are enough to prove that having a healthcare application will not only improve the lives of the doctors, staff, patients but also unquestionably will benefit the hospital. Accepting the fact that your hospital needs a mobile application is half the work done. Now, let us do the rest. Right from analyzing your target audience to catering to all your application needs, App Scoop’s diligent team will surely make your application journey from idea to fruition a smooth ride. 
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To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html

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By App-Scoop, ago

How to hire an application developer for your business?

Application developers are the doers who bind the project together. Their genius mind not only understands the elements of the business proposal, but their creativity integrates modern technology with the other traditional aspects to put forth the best product. This is why it rightly said – you can mass-produce hardware; you cannot mass-produce software; you cannot mass-produce the human mind. And let’s not forget finding and hiring these experts to build your web and mobile applications is not less than an art. 
Today, every business available is trying to make its mark through mobile and web applications for obvious reasons. With a lot on their plate, at times, screening to find the right app developer to lead your business in the right direction becomes a task. And with the future edging more and more towards the application arena, adaption to the mobile and web application ways will only do good to your brand. Currently, there are around 2.9 million apps available on the Google Play Store and nearly 4.5 million apps on Apple Store, and when the competition is so fierce, you ought to hire the best developer in the business. There are millions of application developers, however, our points will help you with this process. Further, we let you know why you should partner with App Scoop for your mobile and web application development, more importantly, to amplify your business. 

  • Start with you
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Change is the only constant thing and adapting to it is inevitable. And in today’s world not having a mobile or web application for your business is a matter of concern. A recent survey depicts that, in 2021, the average mobile streamer in the US, South Korea and the UK will download 85%, 80% and 60% more video streaming apps. In the first quarter of last year, 67 percent of users made use of mobile shopping apps and more than 53 percent purchased products through apps. These stats prove how having an app for your product will do wonders. 

Before you head on to hire an expert for your application needs, you ought to first understand why do you need to hire an application developer? The reasons could be many – to create brand awareness, to reach the niche audience, to provide the best user experience, to stay connected with your customers, and to say least – adapting to the change or latest trends. Begin by understanding your business needs, risks involved, budget, creativity needed, features, and the expected outcome. This will lay a great foundation for the hiring process. By the end of this, you should have an idea of how the ends product looks. 

  • Decide your approach 

Once you narrow down on what you are looking, now is the time to start with the process of screening. There are several fishes in the sea, deep dive into it and get acknowledged with what they can offer. Do your research thoroughly! Do not hesitate while questions. Here are some key points that you should touch upon: 

     1. Check their profile online and mind all their ratings and reviews: 

Today every developer’s profile is available online. Take enough time to go through their work. Their profile also shows their popularity, and their reviews will surely give you an idea of how they can fit into your project. 

     2. Compare their work with other developers to get the best of the possible situation:

Check the set industry standards and then assess the app developers work. There is no harm in comparing their work, as you wish to work with nothing but the best. Prepare a pros and cons list and stick to it. 

     3. To tighten the grip have a word with their past clients:

The developer’s profile should host the client’s reviews. Don’t just blindly trust them. It is recommended to have a word with their clients to get a better understanding of the developer’s work profile, professionalism, and product delivery. 

     4. Talk to the developer

Now, if you are happy with your online research and if the app developer that you have an eye on seems to be a perfect match, move forward and set an appointment with them. When you approach them, acutely observe how they respond to your query and tap their response time as well. It will give you an idea of their work ethics. This is your chance to understand how the developer functions. In the meeting, make sure that the developer or the team is in the line with your company’s vision. Communication is the key and this meeting will set the tone for the rest of the conversations. 

     5. Keep a check on their attitude towards work

In a meeting or two, you will have an idea of their enthusiasm and attitude towards work. Thing is, if their work does not excite them, then that will directly affect the product.  Tap on a long-term relationship, this will surely be beneficial for the business. Makes that you get value for your money. And ensure that the app developer provides the best security. 

     6. Keep a check on the contract

Now that you are knee-deep in the hiring process, things might look a lot clearer. You can either hire an in-house developer, freelance developer or outsource a team. Before you sign any contract, keenly notice the terms, conditions, and hidden clauses. See to it that everyone is on the same page. 

  • Analyze their process

Having a design process or a strategy is essential. This is about identifying and solving the user’s problems and how they communicate with the app’s features. Some developers have their design process, while others even outsource it. Now, if this design process is not full proof, then the project will automatically fail. Please understand that the app’s UI and UX is what will become the face of your product. Move on with the hiring only and only if you trust the app developer’s design process. Be frank with your opinion and request for changes till are you are satisfied with the result. 

Why choose App Scoop?

Trust – to be frank, this is one of the main elements that our industry functions on. Once you partner with us, you can completely rely on App Scoop for all your web and mobile application needs. And our loyal patrons will certainly vouch for this. Their thoughts about us, speak volumes of our work ethics and product delivery. Our diligent team takes pride in building robust, smooth, and user-friendly web interface and applications. As you know having a great idea is just the beginning of the battle. And our technical and executing skills will help you win the battle. For us, your cost, time, and the product itself mean the world. And we move heaven to earth to offer you technical solutions that will meet all your business requirements. 

The process of hiring an application developer can make or break your business. We know it is a task to hire a perfect developer. But our belief in excellence, collaboration, innovation, and integrity – the core values that the business depends on, will assure you that we deliver nothing but the best. So, now that you have an excellent web or mobile application idea, why don’t you sit back, relax, and let us do the rest? 

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

References:

By App-Scoop, ago

Wireframing and mockup basics, and ten best free tools

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: 

By App-Scoop, ago

Why mobile application development is so expensive?

Everything that is of superior quality is expensive for a reason. And these days, mobile application development is one of the costliest things of all. In the summer of 1983, Steve Jobs spoke highly about software that would be downloaded on the mobile, at a conference in Aspen. After that the rest is history. There are more than 3.5 billion smartphone users in the world, and around 89 percent of them spend their time on applications. Over years, the use of the mobile application from leisure to currently being used to brand a company’s product has increased exceptionally. And in all this, software developers have risen to be known as artists who make impeccable apps. In this article, we will understand the costing of the app, the reasons why mobile apps are costlier than a website, and how will App Scoop satisfy your software needs.
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. 
​
To talk to our experts, kindly contact: https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html 

References:

By App-Scoop, ago

The A-Z about software vulnerabilities

Let’s imagine that you’ve recently purchased a sprawling apartment with all the fancy gadgets and equipment. But then one night, an intruder breaks into the front door system, loots all your earnings and leaves. While you are happy that you are safe, you wonder, what went wrong? All though you had all the high-tech system safeguarding your home, the attacker was able to make the most of the weakness in your security system. Such attacks are not just confined to the home’s safety system. 
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: 

By App-Scoop, ago

A guide for creating video recording and editing apps

A picture speaks volumes, right? But a video showcases real emotions which are worth thousands of pictures or maybe even more. Not that we are taking away the hard work put in by the artists. But guess what, in today’s world, where people have the urge to get things done instantly, they need something that grabs their attention quickly or rather easily. Well, why wouldn’t some moving images on your mobile screen heighten your curiosity? We say mobile and not desktop because according to a study, a user spends about 71 percent of screen time on their mobile and more than 90 percent of that mobile time is spent on using the apps. 
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

By App-Scoop, ago

How to build a feature-rich app like Clubhouse?

To every cloud, there is a silver lining. Although the outbreak of COVID-19 devasted the whole world, it also brought in new opportunities for all. And there are some, who never let any opportunity go to waste. There has been a significant change in user behaviour, especially in 2020, and the app developers wish to encash on whatever comes their way. Just last year alone, mobile app downloads saw 7 percent rise, with over 218 billion downloads. With this, the nature of apps is getting highly intriguing. Take for instance Clubhouse, an audio-based social networking app, which was launched last year, is garnering tremendous lauds. Call it the market demand or the audience’s expectations, apps like Clubhouse are on a quest to be creative and give the consumers what exactly they are looking for. Or on the other hand, such apps are here to create a need. This article talks about how to build an app like Clubhouse, what makes it stand apart, features to use to create such an app, and more.  
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.
​

  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. ​

  • Programming language
Swift
PHP 
Koltin 
Node js 
Python ​​
  • Cloud Storage ​
AWS
  • Framework
Nest
Spark ​
  • IDE​​
Android Studio
Xcode​
  • Database
Mango DB
MySQL
DynamoDB
PostgreSQL
  • Payment gateway
Paypal
Stripe
Braintree
  • Email
Gmail
AWS
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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By App-Scoop, ago