App development in Karlsruhe

Your own app sounds like a big step, and sometimes it is. Often, though, it's simpler to build than many expect, provided the key decisions are made right and early. Here I explain how app development works with me, which technology suits which purpose and what you should know before starting.

Which apps I build and for whom

I build two kinds of apps. Customer apps, where your customers order, book, collect points or get push notifications about offers. And staff apps that make field work, warehouse work or shift planning easier: pulling up jobs, documenting with photos, logging hours, scanning stock. Almost every app comes with an admin panel in the browser where you manage content, see orders and manage users.

You can try what such a customer app feels like in the “Customer app” live demo on this site. It shows ordering, a stamp card and the matching panel.

Native, cross-platform or web app?

This question decides a lot about effort and possibilities. In short:

• Native apps are built separately for iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin). They get the most out of the device, but mean two codebases and twice the maintenance.
• Cross-platform apps are built with React Native or Flutter from one shared codebase for both systems. To users they feel like normal apps, they're listed in the app stores and can use the camera, location and push notifications. For most business apps this is the best route.
• Progressive web apps (PWA) run in the browser and can be added to the home screen. No app store, no review, always up to date. In return there are limits, especially on iPhone with push notifications and background features.

I mostly work with React Native, because it lets me share code and know-how with the admin panel in the browser. For internal staff apps a PWA is often entirely sufficient and skips the store process. We discuss which option fits your project in the first call, and I'll also tell you if you don't really need an app at all, but a good mobile website.

How it works when you have an app developed

1. 01

   First call

   30 minutes, free, in Karlsruhe or on video. You describe your idea; I ask about the audience, the core feature and existing systems.

2. 02

   Concept and fixed price

   We define what the first version must do. You get a written fixed-price offer for it. Further features are planned as later stages.

3. 03

   Clickable prototype

   Before any code is written, you see the key screens as a clickable prototype. Changes are still cheap at this point.

4. 04

   Development with test builds

   You regularly receive test builds on your own phone, via TestFlight on iPhone and a test track on Android. So you test in daily use, not just in meetings.

5. 05

   Release

   I prepare the App Store and Google Play listings, submit the app for review and handle any questions from the stores.

What drives the effort

Flat prices for apps say very little, so I don't give any here. The effort mainly depends on:

• Scope of the first version and number of screens.
• Whether users sign in, have profiles and sync data across devices.
• In-app payments, push notifications, camera, location or scanner.
• Connection to your existing software, such as till, inventory management or CRM.
• Scope of the admin panel for your team.
• Offline capability, for example for staff in basements, halls or construction sites without signal.

App Store, Google Play and data protection

Apple and Google review every app before it appears in their stores, and every major update too. Review usually doesn't take long, but it can lead to questions or rejections, for example when privacy details are missing or a feature is unclearly described. I plan for this from the start so the launch doesn't get stuck on formalities. To publish, you need your own developer accounts with Apple and Google in your company's name. I help set them up.

GDPR applies to apps as well. I only use services you need, avoid tracking where possible and prefer to host the database and panel in the EU. The privacy policy and the privacy details in the stores must match; I support you on the technical side. The legal review is done by your lawyer or data protection officer.

Code, accounts and rights belong to you

The app appears in the stores under your name, not mine. You get the source code and access to the panel and database, complete and documented. If you later want to continue development in-house or with someone else, nothing stands in the way.

After launch

Apps need more care than websites. Apple and Google release new OS versions every year and require apps to be updated regularly to current guidelines, otherwise they can disappear from the stores. That's why I offer maintenance covering such adjustments, security updates and small improvements. New features we plan together as the next stage, once the first version shows in daily use what your users really need.

App development in Karlsruhe, in person or on video

I'm based in Karlsruhe and build apps for companies in the region, such as Durlach, Ettlingen or Bruchsal, and across Germany. We can discuss your idea in person at your place or on video. For staff apps in particular, an on-site visit is worth it to see the conditions the app will be used in: with gloves on, standing up, on a weak connection. From the first idea to maintenance, you have one point of contact.