Pew Research recently found that 85% of Americans own a smartphone. The majority of these users do not use their phones to “surf” their phone’s internet’s browser- they use mobile apps. Back in 2015, Pew Research found 77% of smartphone owners downloaded apps. Given the jump in the number of apps and app users since 2015, we know this number has skyrocketed.

It is imperative for companies to develop mobile apps quickly and effectively to keep up with this demand- one of the best tech stacks to develop mobile apps on is React Native. Below is a quick breakdown of how to begin your React Native mobile development:

First, companies need to explain their ideal user flows:

User flows demonstrate the core purpose of the mobile app. They allow developers to define the scope and potential challenges. I recommend companies ask themselves the following questions during this process:

• Is the flow simple and easy to use?
• Does it help users achieve their goals?
• What are the most important features?
• What advantages does it offer users?
• How does it encourage users to purchase additional services?
• Who will use the app and what abilities will they have?
• Can users communicate with other users?
• Should it integrate with other apps?
• What information should I track?
• Am I accepting payment?
• Do I need notifications?

Next, companies need to create graphic layouts

The purpose of these graphic layouts is threefold:

• Reflect the animations and business rationale
• Discover the challenges and risks
• Create a timeline and return on investment projection

Companies also must determine the tool they would like to use for graphic design. Examples include Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD. 

In addition, because apps can range from 20-200+ screens depending on the app, companies must decide whether they want to create the screens themselves or outsource the work to a UI/UX designer.

Finally, they must outline their technical requirements:

React Native developers' responsibility is to develop the mobile UI- essentially they help companies with all of the “wiring” at the back-end of the app. To prepare for this work, developers need to have the API documentation. Typically this includes:

• Methods/Endpoints
• Request Samples
• Description of Resources
• Examples of Resources
• Parameters

If your company does not specialize in API, ask for help. Companies can connect with consultants in a variety of ways: Upwork, Clutch, or even Quora. 

After completing these initial steps, founders are ready to complete their job overview and begin developing. 

If you would like to talk more about React Native and starting your mobile application journey, let’s chat: https://solwey.com/book/.