How to use an iPhone app builder to build your iOS app | A step-by-step guide

“Which is the best iPhone app builder” is the question in everybody's mind, Why? According to 42Matters, on average more than 1200 iOS apps were published every day. It is the right time for you to become part of this growing trend! 

The article will guide you step by step and debunk the app development myth “It is hard and expensive to develop iOS apps.” You will realize that building an iOS app is particularly easy if you use the AppMachine iOS app builder.

Let me point out some of the benefits of building your own iPhone app.

• Independence - you will have full control of the process from start to finish. 
• You will have a deep understanding of your own app, down to the smallest detail.
• Using AppMachine's no-code development platform is more economical than hiring a developer, using a freelancer, or contracting a company.
• Faster development time.

I understand you don’t feel confident yet. I will walk through each step with you and allay your fears. 
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Read this guide, and you could be the proud owner of an iOS app in just a few weeks! 

Ultimate Guide: How to Build an iPhone App From Scratch (TL;DR)#

If you don’t have the time to read the whole article now, let me give you an idea of the most important points. 

• In short, the steps involved in developing an iOS app are planning the iOS app, building it, and publishing and maintenance.

• Creating a successful iOS app requires careful research, planning, and decision-making before the development stage begins. Firstly, research is crucial to identify the target audience, understand their needs and preferences, and analyze the competition to develop a unique value proposition. 
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  ⁠After research, the planning stage should begin. Define the app's features, functionality, and user experience. This includes creating wireframes, designing user interfaces, and mapping the app's navigation. 
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  ⁠Then you have to choose the right development team, programming language, and development tools. 

• Once you complete the planning stage, it is time to begin building the iOS app using the appropriate tools and technologies.
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  ⁠A practical option for building iOS apps is the AppMachine iOS app builder, which easily creates high-quality apps. Regular testing and quality assurance should be a top priority throughout the development process to ensure that the app meets the desired functionality, user experience, and overall performance standards. 
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  ⁠By using the AppMachine iOS app builder and following a rigorous testing and quality assurance process, developers can create a successful iOS app that meets the needs of their target audience and achieves their business objectives.

• Lastly, publishing and maintenance are vital stages in the lifecycle of an iOS app. Effective publishing and marketing strategies can increase the app's visibility and attract users. Collecting feedback and implementing updates can ensure the app continues to meet user needs and remains relevant over time. 
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  ⁠By following these tasks diligently, developers can create a successful iOS app that continues to deliver value to its users.

Overview of the App-Building Process#

The process of building an iOS app is divided into three parts - here is a quick overview.

Planning the iOS App#

The planning phase includes the following:

• Justify the need for an app - clarify why you (your users) want an app.
• ⁠Research and validate the app Idea - can you succeed?
• Who is building the app - a developer, a company, or you?
• ⁠Select your app-building platform. 
• Define the features of the app.
• ⁠Plan how to monetize the app.
• ⁠Develop a marketing plan.

Building the iOS App#

The building process includes the following:

• Branding - icon design and color scheme. 
• Implement the features - different screens, navigation, and analytics.

Publishing and Maintenance #

Publishing and maintenance include the following tasks:

• Publish on the app store.
• Implement the marketing plan.
• Collect feedback and implement updates. 

When it comes to app development, app builders are an excellent tool to have in your arsenal. They offer functionalities such as IDE, code-free developments, templates, APIs, data synchronization, and analytics to help streamline the process.

Not only do these tools aid in faster application development, but they also make it easy with their visual development environments. The process of developing software becomes a breeze.

An app builder, such as AppMachine, also offers features like hardware compatibility and assistance in workflow design, making it simpler to create apps for mobile devices. So, whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, app builders are sure to make your life easier.

Before You Start Your iPhone App Development#

Before you start building your iOS app, there is a long research and planning process to complete. From validating your iOS app idea to choosing a monetization strategy, let's go through it step by step.

Justify the Need to Create iOS Apps#

The first question that you should ask yourself is why you want to create an iOS app.

• Do you want to be an iOS app developer? The salary scale is $17 to $61 per hour. A freelance developer can charge over $135 per hour. The top spending countries on iOS apps are Japan, Australia, and the USA.
• Earn by selling iOS apps. As you can see, the potential is there if you focus on marketing. Read more about publishing, monetizing, and marketing.    
• Do you have a unique idea for a new app? Do in-depth research and brainstorm the idea. Use your critical thinking to scrutinize the idea from every possible angle.
• You want to increase sales. How will the iOS app help? By encouraging repeat buyers or converting buyers into loyal customers? Offering specific features helps show that you care about meeting the needs of your customers and are always looking for ways to improve their experience.
• Increase your brand's visibility - this is essential for success. Customers need to be able to find you easily and recognize you as a reputable product or service provider. Mobile devices are everywhere; offering a mobile-friendly experience is crucial for success.

Will Your App Idea be Successful on the iOS Store#

Do you have an idea for the next TikTok app? Good on you! If you don’t, use some of the following tips to find an idea or validate the one you have. 

Competitive Market Research

Create a spreadsheet to keep a record of your research. You can get information about iOS apps from sites like SensorTower. If you need more tools, check the list of “Tools to get information about apps.”

 Record all relevant information regarding an idea or an app like:  

• App/Idea Name
• Main features
• Price
• Monetization scheme
• App publisher
• Published Date
• Last updated
• Ratings and Reviews
• Downloads

And more, as supplied by the application (see the example below). 

Most new ideas are variations of existing apps. Analyze the iOS apps that inspired you and that you recorded in the spreadsheet above.  

Brainstorm your ideas with everybody - family, friends, users, and your target audience. 

Force yourself to come up with several ideas daily, and remember to add these to your list.

Try to find solutions to problems people around you have, especially solutions that save time. Time is very precious to most people these days.   

Read reviews about each iOS app, and avoid articles motivated by affiliation. Investigate reviews in Reddit and Quora. Try to resolve the problems mentioned in these reviews. 

Find the gaps - do users mention any missing features?    

Tools to Get Information About Apps

To collect information about apps competing with your idea, you can try the following tools: Apptopia

and appfigures.

White-label iOS Apps for the Local Market#

You may find competing with a successful iOS app in the Apple app store difficult. 

How about concentrating on your local market and creating white-label apps? 

Let me show you a few industries that could benefit from iOS mobile app design development services.

• Retail/E-commerce 
• Traveling
• Catering/Restaurants
• Real estate
• Health clinics
• Education
• Gyms and Fitness 
• Religious organizations  
• Human Resources/Remote Work 

White-label mobile app reseller services can be a lucrative opportunity to earn money. With the current high demand for mobile apps, developing and selling iOS apps to clients has significant profit potential. If you create an app for one industry, you can easily replicate it for new clients within the same field.

You Might Have a Great App Idea, but is it Viable? #

Before spending time or money developing and marketing your app, validate your idea with a feasibility study. This will answer questions such as: 

• Are there other iOS apps that do what mine will do? 
• Is there a need for my app? 
• What is my app's unique value proposition? 

When trying to figure out if your app idea has a chance of succeeding, asking and answering these questions will give you a better understanding of the market potential for your app. But how can you get the answers?

Reach Out to Your Targeted App Users

Before you introduce your app to potential users, first create user personas and define your target audience's preferences and needs. 

Once you have identified your user group, you can reach out to them through surveys, social media ads, community-based websites, and blog comments. 

By doing so, you can:

• Measure their interest in your app idea and gather information on the significance of the problem you aim to solve.
• Understand how often they face this problem. 
• Measure their satisfaction with current solutions.
• Find out if they would be willing to pay for your app's solution in the present or future.
  

 This stage is crucial in determining whether your mobile app idea will be successful.

Study Competing iOS Apps in the Stores

Search for your preferred category name in the iOS app store to identify competing apps. Next, enter the keywords your users will likely search for and make a list of the apps. Then, create a comprehensive list of the feature sets of your competitors' apps. Identify common and unique features. 

Try your competitors' apps to have a personal experience with them.

Finally, study their reviews and ratings to understand how users interact with these apps and what they like and dislike about them. Target the customers' wants.

By following this process, you can gain valuable insights into your competition and determine if your app idea already exists.

Now you have the information on your competitors' app features and user reviews, you can use this information to:

• Improve your app idea. 

• Identify typical user pain points that you can address with your app. 

• Identify missing features from your competitors' iOS apps and add them to your own. 

Do Keyword Research

To understand if people are interested in your app, you need to identify the keywords or phrases they might search for to find similar apps. 

You can create a list of about 20 relevant words or phrases and use tools like Semrush to see the search volume for each one. 

This information will help you determine the market demand for your app idea.

Create a Landing Page 

Creating a landing page is a way to explain and promote your app idea to potential users. It is a single-page website designed to attract interest and gather information about your app's target audience. 

The landing page aims to determine if people are interacting with your mobile app idea and gauge their level of interest. This can help you validate your mobile app concept and make necessary changes before investing further resources into the development process.

Find an iOS Developer#

Consider this option if you want to focus on your company's business side or you don’t have time to sit and learn how to code. Hire a developer or look for a freelancer to build your app. 

You can find them on sites like Freelancer.com or Upwork.com. Remember, you will need the appropriate budget.

Use an iOS Development Agency#

iOS app development agencies usually have teams of designers, developers, quality assurance engineers, and product managers who have collaborated on various projects in the past. 

Reliable iOS app agencies will take the time to learn about your target market, your brand, and your objectives and goals for the mobile app market. This way, they can create a product that meets all your expectations.

Outsourcing could be cost-effective, but it is not a risk-free approach. 

There are pros and cons to working with an agency. 

Pros

• Agencies have big teams and the expertise to get the job done;

• An agency may be available round-the-clock;

• You will have more time to attend to your business.

Cons

• Communication gaps;

• You don't have real control;

• Privacy concerns;

• Revisions, or changes may hit your budget.

Build Your Own iPhone App#

If you have the time to learn and your idea can wait till you are able to do the development, coding your app yourself is a viable option. But learning iOS app development is a long process.

Learn iOS Development

As you can see below, there is a 14-day course that can be used as a starting point. Here are a few courses to consider.

• Your first option should be Apple. Apple's app development curriculum makes it easy for anyone to code in Swift, just like the professionals. Whether you're taking a semester-long class, getting certified, or simply trying to improve your skills, Apple's curriculum can help you reach your goals.

• Coursera offers 39 iOS Apps Development courses from top universities and comes highly recommended.  

• Learn iOS App Development in 14 Days. If you want to get into iOS app development, this 14-day beginner challenge is the perfect place to start. With a step-by-step learning plan, you'll gain the core skills needed to build your own apps.

You will have to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

iOS Tools and iOS App Builders

Let’s take a look at the available tools to build an iOS app. Xcode provides interface design, coding, testing, and debugging through low-code platforms such as Visual LANSA to no-code systems like AppMachine.

What are IDE Apps for iPhone?

Integrated Development Environment software is created to simplify the programmer's life. By having all the stages of software development in one place, a programmer can save time and increase their productivity.

Top IDE Apps for iPhone

Here are two of the top IDEs for iPhone.

Visual LANSA

C++Builder 11.3

The above IDEs may leave some footsteps in your code. Those footsteps may be problematic when you present your app to Apple for publishing. 

Using Xcode

If you want to know the ins and outs of iOS and avoid problems with Apple, the answer is Xcode, but be ready for a long steep learning curve. Unless you want to develop something like the Uber app, I do not suggest using Xcode.

Apple's official development environment for iPhone is Xcode, available to download for free from Apple. Xcode requires OS X 10.8 or later, and there is no official version for Windows (but you can find workarounds). 

Xcode includes all the needed tools to develop and distribute iOS apps across all Apple platforms. Xcode uses Swift, a powerful programming language for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. And SwiftUI for user interface development.

Use an iPhone App Builder#

Creating iOS apps is simple if you use a no-code builder like AppMachine. 

The AppMachine builder is designed for people like you, business owners or agencies who want to create an iPhone application within a reasonable budget and time.

With this iOS builder, you can create an app without any programming language, knowledge or technical experience. Here are the benefits:

• No coding experience is needed - AppMachine software makes it easy to build iOS apps for all iOS devices without coding skills or technical knowledge. Just drag and drop the desired features into your iPhone app.

• Flexibility - The platform is flexible and easy to extend, so you can quickly add new features or integrate with existing third-party tools. In addition, with no-code development, you can get started without having to write a single line of code.

• Theme - Your app's look can be easily changed with a few simple tweaks. Quickly style your complete iOS app by setting your color theme. There are also many navigation templates to choose from, like a sliding menu, tab bar, icon menu, and more. Give your app its own unique character.

• Support - The support team is available round-the-clock to help you troubleshoot any issues you might have while using the AppMachine app builder. 

• Easy data manipulation - table templates allow for fast integration and manipulation of your data.

• Web Services - use REST API to integrate data from external web services.

• Templates - Take advantage of the pre-built app templates to help you create iPhone apps quickly, easily, and efficiently. Choose the best-suited template and personalize it with your brand's content. With the simple click interface, you'll be up and running in no time!

Important Features to Look for When Selecting Your iOS App Builder

• Ease of use

• Drag-and-drop capabilities

• Intuitive user interface

• Customization options to be able to adapt the software to your particular requirements

• Affordable price

• Strong customer support consisting of a good knowledge base, active forum, FB group, and live chat assistance.

• Good support during publishing and launch.

Most iOS app builders will offer a test period; make use of it to get an initial impression. 

Use AppMachine with a verified submission process to the Apple store to be safe. 

Define the App Features#

By now, you should have a good idea of what features you need to best serve your customers. Refer to the research spreadsheet you created earlier. 

You should always develop an MVP - minimum viable product. Think about your app’s most essential features and what the client wants.

An MVP is the bare bones of your app. Figure out how to make an app for iOS with just its essential components. It should have enough core features to complete the most uncomplicated functionalities.

Start with the minimum. After publishing and getting some feedback, you can adjust accordingly.

Create a Wireframe and Mockup of Your App
#

Wireframes are an essential step in developing an iOS app as they provide a blueprint for its essential features and screens, including how they interact with each other. 

Wireframes allow you to focus on performance and user experience (UX) without getting into minor details like color or style. They can be as detailed or simple as desired but should include all critical elements of the app. 

Making changes to a wireframe is much faster than making changes to a final mockup, making it an efficient tool for app development. It's essential to start by evaluating how the app will accomplish its intended task and creating a wireframe to outline its functionality and flow.

Creating a successful wireframe for an app involves several steps. 

• First, identify and prioritize the goals for the app, and determine which essential features should be included in the initial version.

• Integrating an analytics engine into your app is essential during this phase. 

• Creating events for user interactions provides insight into how users navigate the app, enabling improvements before launch. Using this data helps to create the best possible product for users.

• Then, define the activity flow through the app using simple software tools like Balsamiq Mockups or Mockingbot. 

• Understanding the potential users and developing personas to prototype the entire user experience and flow is important. 

• Finding inspiration from other iOS apps and conducting research is also crucial.

Once you've completed your initial sketches on paper, turn them into digital wireframes, and share them with key stakeholders for feedback. The early and frequent sharing of wireframes allows for feedback that can help shape the product before it's too late in the development process.

Wireframe Tools

Here are a few popular tools for creating wireframes.

Sketch

Sketch has remained one of the most popular vector design tools for Mac users because of its power and lightness. By itself, Sketch can be used for various purposes, from wireframes to modern UI and icon vector design (on a pixel-based canvas, no less) to some user interaction design.

Figma

Figma is a robust cloud-based alternative to tools like Sketch. It offers features that work well for both standalone designers and teams. The best part? Figma doesn't hold back for free users.

Justinmind

With Justinmind, clickable prototypes are the first step, but simulations take your project all the way to the finish line without a single line of code. This is made possible by a full range of tools, which allows you to focus on creating delightful user experiences. 

Designing Your App Interface and UX
#

In order to bring your app to life, it's important to create a visually appealing graphic design that accurately represents the final product. This design can be used to sell the app to potential investors or partners, as well as assist developers in integrating the graphic assets into the project. The quality of the app's user interface (UI - all main screens) and user experience (UX - main navigation) will heavily rely on the design work done during this step. 

Design Options 

There are a few options to choose from before you to design the above interfaces.

Professional designers - You can use sites like Upwork and Fivver to find a freelancer. 

Do it yourself - If you're interested in graphic design, you can try your hand at it. However, creating something you're proud of might take some time.

Use AppMachine Templates

AppMachine gives you a head start with a vast number of templates. There is no need to waste time or money. Just select one of the following sample apps:

• Business app template

• Tourism app template

• Religious communities app template

• School app template

• Events app template

• Dance event app template

• And many more ...
  

AppMachine is ideal for perfecting your UI design. The pre-built apps are organized and concise.

By using one of the existing designs and then customizing it to your requirements, you can avoid the usual complications involved with app development.

All you have to do is…

1. Choose your template.
2. Select your features.
3. Edit your layout.

You’ll be able to change colors, fonts, and styles easily. Add your content and images, and you've taken an enormous step toward a perfectly appealing iOS app. 

Monetizing and Marketing Your iOS App#

You should start planning your monetization and marketing strategies before you start the actual building of your iOS app. 

How to Monetize Your App

There are several monetization strategies for iOS apps. Here are a few:

• In-App Advertising - The rise of digital advertising through mobile iOS apps has changed the way that advertisers and consumers communicate with one another. This is due, in part, to the large amount of time people spend glued to their phones.

• In-App Purchases - In-app purchases are a great way to monetize your free app and allow customers to interact directly with your product.

• Freemium - Creating a free or cheaper version of your iOS app allows users to test out the waters and see if it suits them before buying the complete version. This way, they can understand what your app can do for them and if it's worth their money.

• Interstitial Ads - These go between content, so they work best when placed at natural app transition points. Publishers should be careful when implementing interstitial ads to ensure they create good user experiences and don't accidentally get clicks.

I suggest you read our article “How to make money with apps” which deals in depth with the subject.  

Marketing Your iOS App to a Broader Audience

Remember, your iOS app is a product that needs promotion. Use all the available channels for marketing your app. Marketing your app divides into two parts: pre-launch and post-publishing. 

• Social media - A robust digital presence on various marketing channels is essential for promoting your app to a broader audience. The more media your app is present on, the more visibility it can gain. However, it's crucial to prioritize the channels where your target audience spends the most time.                                                               
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  ⁠Research which channels your users use the most and focus your efforts there. Social media platforms are popular channels for promoting mobile apps. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer effective advertising options that allow you to target specific demographics and interests.                                 
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  ⁠Social media lets you engage with potential users, generate buzz around your iOS app and build a loyal following.

• Prelaunch cold email -  There's no surefire way to get featured by Apple in the Apple App Store, but you can take steps to increase your chances. Developing a high-quality iOS app and marketing it well can put you in an excellent position to be noticed by Apple. A cold email is one of them.

• Landing page - It's crucial to have a landing page that highlights the features and benefits of your app. Include a call to action for visitors to sign up for a pre-launch email list to receive notifications about the app's release. You can use a free email service provider like Mailchimp to collect email addresses.
  
  ⁠To create a landing page, you don't need coding skills; there are plenty of drag-and-drop landing page builders such as Leadpages, Unbounce, and even Mailchimp's own landing page builder.

• Media kit - A media kit is a collection of essential information about your app, including logos, making it easier for journalists to write about it. Having a media kit can increase your chances of getting press coverage. Create a media kit and add a link from your app landing page to make it accessible to journalists.

• Document the process of “How to build an ios app” - Share your app development journey publicly to build an audience and generate interest. You don't need to be a developer to do this; people are interested in hearing about the app-making process. Share your stories, lessons learned, and progress to build an audience for free. When your app launches, you'll have a group of supporters interested and invested in your app.

• App Store Optimization (ASO) - App Store Optimization (ASO) means optimizing your app's title, description, and keywords to improve its visibility and ranking in the app store. It's essential to familiarize yourself with ASO to ensure your app is easy to find and stands out among other iOS apps.

Building Your iOS App with AppMachine#

To build a top iOS app, you need a leading iOS app builder like AppMachine. The AppMachine platform empowers you to make an iPhone app with ease, speed, and cost-effectiveness. Regardless of your previous experience or coding skills, you can use AppMachine's technology to create top-quality iOS apps quickly.

Using AppMachine, you can develop professional-grade iOS apps with minimal effort and expense, making it a valuable tool for enhancing your online presence.

Let me list some of the benefits of using AppMachine:

• Ease of use, flexibility, extensible, and scalable

• No-code builder, you don’t need any programming experience

• With AppMachine, you build iOS app by using pre-coded Lego blocks

• Easily import the content of your website

• Use AppMachine’s CMS to store your data

• AppMachine has a previewer for iPhone

• Keep your app's content engaging and up-to-date by using integrated analytics to devise an update strategy

• Use the AppMachine promotion page to advertise your app

• Fast time-to-market

• Low cost;

• Round-the-clock support

• Easy updates

• Integration with third-party web services

How to Build an iOS App - Step by Step#

• Select your iOS app name - When naming your app, it's essential to consider the brand image, target audience, and value proposition. The name should be easy to remember and pronounce and have a global appeal. Avoid technical jargon and choose a name that aligns with the app's value and purpose.

• Select your Color scheme and Create your iOS Icon - here is a guide to create the best Icon.

• Images - AppMachine gives you access to free images and even teh AI image creator DALLE-2. 

• Login and start working on your new app.

• Create a new App

• Template - Select one of AppMachine templates or start building from scratch. You can see your app being created, and you can start adding or editing content.

• Content - You have more than 30 different blocks ready to use. With those blocks, you can add content, sell products, show data, or inform clients.

To add data, you can build a local database in the app.

Or you can seamlessly link your app with an existing Google Sheet to import data. This integration ensures the data remains synchronized between your Google Sheets and your app.

Or import data from external web services using REST API.

App Previewer - With the AppMachine Previewer, you can preview your app during development. To access it, scan the QR code or open the provided link on your Android smartphone and download the App Previewer.

• App Settings - To manage your app's language, information screen, and support settings, navigate to the Settings tab in the left vertical menu. You can find this tab by expanding the Manage tab.

Here you can upload your Logo, set your app information screen, your support email address, and much more.

Testing Your iOS App#

Once you have completed the various stages of iPhone app creation, including concept development, design, and technology implementation, you will have a nearly finished product ready for release. However, before launching your app to the public, conducting a series of tests is crucial to ensure that everything is functioning as intended.

TestFlight

Apple offers TestFlight as a no-cost solution for testing iOS apps before their release on the App Store. With TestFlight, developers can conveniently invite users to test their apps while gathering valuable feedback to improve the app before its official release. The platform allows for easy invitations of up to 10,000 testers using their email address or a public link. This facilitates streamlined testing and feedback collection, ultimately ensuring a smoother App Store launch for the app.

TestFlight is an essential tool for product managers when developing iOS apps. Allowing beta testing before release provides critical user feedback to be integrated into the final product. This saves time and money by avoiding potential App Store rejections and results in a better user experience.

Please read “Beta Testing Made Simple with TestFlight.”

Publishing Your iOS App to Apple App Store#

Submitting an app to the App Store requires more than just clicking a launch button, but it is not overly complex either. If you launch an app for the first time, there are steps to follow, but the process is manageable. 

Review the App Store Submission Process for iOS Apps#

Please read the article “How to Get Your App on the App Store,” which will take you through the process step-by-step. 

Overview of the App Store Publishing Requirements#

The App Store guidelines can be confusing, but it's essential to understand them so your app can get through the review process. “Apple App Store flow” will help you navigate the guidelines and get your app approved quickly.

Tips and Best Practices for Getting Your iOS App Approved#

When submitting your app for approval, you can do a few things to ensure that it gets approved the first time around. 

• Being organized is vital when it comes to developing an app. Ensure you have all the necessary information, including a valid Apple developer’s account and a computer running OS X. In addition, ensure that you have Xcode and Keychain Access installed on your computer. Finally, double-check that your app meets all the Apple App Store Guidelines.

• This is the most crucial point! Apple App Store directives and guidelines are like the Bible - follow them strictly and don't deviate.

• Create a basic version of your product first, and then incorporate changes based on the feedback you receive for your application.

• To avoid rejection from the App Store, create a unique app that can accomplish something that no other existing application can achieve. 

• Don’t  mention any other platforms.

• If you want your app to have a higher chance of succeeding in the review process, ensure your description is complete, precise, and detailed.

• Running repeat tests is a great way to ensure that everything is running smoothly. You can conduct the tests yourself or use Apple's TestFlight service to have your app tested before launch. Make sure it runs on any iPhone model.

• Don’t submit incomplete apps or beta versions.

• When it comes to creating a new app, it's essential to be innovative in the features and services you offer. However, you must also be aware of your niche's general practices and trends. This will ensure that your app is successful and appeals to your target audience.

AppMachine Opens Doors to App Stores#

AppMachine makes it easy to have your app approved for the App Store:

• AppMachine pre-built templates are expertly coded to suit the App Store requirements.

• With AppMachine, you can quickly build native iOS apps perfect for App Store publishing. AppMachine will ensure poor performance, unusable navigation, or duplication errors won’t be part of your app!

• Flutter Publishing - use the new publishing flow Flutter that uses the Apple App Store Connect API. Flutter makes your app more stylish and easier to use. With Flutter, you can create buttons, menus, and advanced controls that are simpler and more scalable. Flutter makes publishing your app on the Apple App Store easy.
  

  

Ongoing Maintenance and Marketing#

Now that your app is published, it is time to focus on ongoing maintenance, improvements, and marketing. Continual improvement is the key to a successful app!

Follow up on Feedback and Improve#

Once your app is in the hands of real users, you'll receive feedback. Take the criticism constructively and appreciate the fact that users are willing to provide suggestions for improvement. If someone is speaking up, it's likely that other users feel the same way but haven't voiced their opinions.

Demonstrate to your users that you're not abandoning your app after its launch. Show them that you're consistently enhancing the app and releasing bug fixes, new features, and updates. With time, you'll surpass other mobile apps in your niche that aren't taking the same approach.

Use SKStoreReviewController, this is a tool from Apple that helps you gather user feedback. It prompts the user to submit an App Store rating and feedback for your app.

Marketing After Publishing#

• Issue a press release - Compose a press release to publicize your app. It's a cost-effective method that could grab the attention of news and magazine outlets online.

• Paid marketing - Consider paid marketing: with a marketing budget, invest in paid marketing for your app's promotion.

• Email your pre-launch subscribers: remember to update your email list about your app's launch. Keep your audience informed!

• Promote your app through relevant channels: Identify appropriate forums, Facebook groups/pages, subreddits, etc., and participate in discussions to promote your app. Avoid spamming and mention your app where it's appropriate and valuable. Share your app development journey in these groups to develop an enthusiastic audience.

How to Increase User Engagement and Retention#

Here are some ideas to achieve this:

1. Consistent Posting: Consistency is key when it comes to social media. Make sure you are posting regularly so that users stay engaged and feel connected to your brand. You can also use social media scheduling tools to plan your posts in advance.

2. Interact with your audience: Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages. This will show them that you care about their opinions and appreciate their support.

3. Offer exclusive content: Share exclusive content on social media platforms, such as sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes footage. This will give your followers a reason to follow you and feel more connected to your brand.

4. Run Contests: Running a social media contest is a great way to increase engagement and encourage users to interact with your brand. You can give away prizes, such as discounts or free products, in exchange for user-generated content.

5. Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers in your industry to promote your brand. Influencers have a large following and can help you reach a wider audience, which can lead to increased engagement and retention.

6. Use Visuals: Visuals are more engaging than text-based content. Use high-quality images, videos, and infographics to capture your audience's attention and keep them engaged.

7. Utilize Stories: Instagram and Facebook stories are excellent for increasing engagement and retention. They are a great way to share behind-the-scenes content, showcase products, and give users a glimpse into your brand's personality.

8. Use Hashtags: Hashtags are a great way to increase visibility and engagement. Use relevant hashtags to make it easier for users to find your content.

9. Analyze Your Metrics: Use social media analytics to track your engagement and retention rates. This will help you understand what works and what doesn't and make adjustments accordingly.

By implementing these strategies, businesses can increase user engagement and retention and ultimately build a loyal following.

Conclusion: How to Build an iPhone App #

The process of building apps can be challenging. It has three main components:

• Research and planning

• Development

• Publishing and ongoing maintenance

It is essential to follow all the tips and best practices in this article to: 

• Secure a smooth publishing process

• Build a successful iOS app 

In particular, if it is your first app, it will be essential for you to invest time in research and study. 

New technology and tools have made it possible to create apps without coding skills, and platforms like AppMachine and its support team will help along the way. 

AppMachine offers a comprehensive guide on app development, covering almost every category, including resources on how to build apps for iOS with specific business use cases in mind, such as e-commerce sites or internal employee communication. 

They also have tutorials for developing apps for schools, universities, religious organizations, events, and podcasts. AppMachine's team of experts can answer any questions and guide small businesses' app development.

Start now developing your iOS app with AppMachine builder.