Developing Custom Apps for iPad and iPhone To Reach a Wider Audience
Developing an iPhone and iPad app is a strategic move to tap into a broad and high-spending audience. Although Android might hold the crown for the global user-base size, iOS dominates in the UK and US — two of the most lucrative markets.
As a result, iPhone and iPad users have outspent their Android counterparts by a significant margin in Q3 2023 — $21 billion vs. $10 billion — despite Android’s apparent advantage.
Naturally, with such potential for revenue, companies are eager to introduce their products to the iOS audience, fueling intense competition. In fact, the App Store saw an influx of over 31,000 new apps in March 2023 alone.
In this competitive landscape, swift development and a flawless release are crucial. At Surf, we’ve been crafting iOS apps for 12+ years and have had the privilege of working with clients ranging from international enterprises to Y-Combinator startups.
E-commerce, E-learning, Foodtech, Fintech: we’ve done it all
Learn how we build turn-key apps3 reasons why companies should develop iPad and iPhone apps
A custom iPad and iPhone app development offers many benefits, but the 3 that stand out are as follows:
- High-paying audience access. Apple devices are premium premium gadgets, which naturally translates to higher spending power of their users. On average, iOS users spend $138 on apps, and this figure continues to grow year over year. For businesses, this can translate into a quicker return on investment, and an increase in metrics like Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) and user’s LifeTime Value (LTV).
- Streamlined testing and development. Over time, Android has accumulated numerous versions and reskins running on countless devices. In contrast, iOS has always maintained strict standardization, making it easier and faster for developers to build interfaces and deploy well-tested code. As a result, this leads to a quicker time to market and reduced development time.
- Powerful hardware. iPhones and iPads rank among the most powerful mobile devices. What’s more, Apple’s approach to budget gadgets (iPhone SE, 9th gen iPad), focuses on cutting costs in peripheral components and storage without sacrificing performance. This allows designers and developers to avoid worrying about hardware constraints, enabling them to craft truly unique experiences.
For instance, when SAP — a construction automation software developer — approached us to create an interactive demo for their system, we leveraged the iPad’s robust ARM processor and LiDAR scanner to deliver a unique AR application visualizing the building process of an oil production well.
Unique iOS development challenges
However, these advantages come with a catch. Apple’s premium status is upheld by enforcing strict standards. To secure a spot in the Apple App Store, apps must meet stringent requirements and pass rigorous moderation tests, such as:
- Security compliance
- Design standards compliance
- Bug testing
We guarantee that your app will pass App Store moderation from the first try
Learn about our iOS development servicesFinding the right iOS developer
An experienced developer can assist you in overcoming unique iOS development challenges.
At Surf, we employ cutting-edge practices like modularization, MVVM architecture, CI/CD, and both automated and manual tests to accelerate the testing process by up to 80%.
The code of this banking app is 100% covered by tests. Read the case study to learn how it is possible
Our iOS App development process
On average, mobile apps lose 77% of active users within the first three days — a consequence of not truly understanding your audience’s needs. So crafting a well-thought-out plan is crucial to developing a successful app.
At Surf, we start with in-depth market research and a thorough understanding of the client’s audience. This leads to the creation of a Customer Journey Map (CJM) — a document outlining users’ needs and behavioral patterns.
The CJM enables us to understand the project scope, and create an actionable development roadmap complete with stages, prioritization, and realistic timeframes.
In this project, a CJM helped us to make a well-planned app prototype. Read the case study
Following this, we initiate the prototyping and design stages, maintaining close communication with the client and aligning with the vision, which may evolve during this process.
Once all screens are approved, we move on to the development stage, where agreed-upon features are translated into code. On average, it takes us 3–6 months to deliver a polished app, following this process.
But our work doesn’t end there. Testing, launching, and support are equally important to us. We stay with the project even after it goes live, assisting the customer in smoothly bringing the code in-house with clear documentation.
Build Your Company’s Next iPad or iPhone app with Surf
At Surf, we’ve completed more than 250 projects, and we’re excited to help make your vision a reality. Let’s start by discussing your needs!
