Developing custom apps for Android devices is a smart move for businesses that want to reach the widest possible audience of smartphone users. Did you know that over 80 percent of mobile devices run on Android?
Android dominates the smartphone market because this operating system runs on devices built by some of the largest device manufacturers, including Samsung, Google, and Motorola. In contrast, iOS only runs on iPhones and devices manufactured by Apple.
Therefore, if your business is interested in investing in mobile app development, developing an Android app is a smart choice. This post will explore the business benefits of custom Android app development. However, if your business doesn’t have a mobile app, it is time to consider how an Android app can benefit your business.
The Business Benefits of Android App Development
There are several business benefits associated with mobile app development, such as strengthening customer relationships and brand image, having a direct marketing channel, expanding user access, and more. But, of course, all of the business benefits of mobile app development apply to building custom apps for Android too.
However, there are Android-specific development benefits for businesses, such as:
- Bigger ROI
- Easily customized
- Marketing is not sacrificed for security
- Google integration
- Innovative platform
- Quicker time to market
Bigger ROI
Android apps typically generate a higher ROI for businesses than other development options. Why? There are a couple of important factors that tend to keep Android development costs lower than iOS and other options. First, Android is an open-source platform, and the Android SDK is widely available for developers to use and experiment with. As a result, hiring Android developers tends to be cheaper because there are more experienced developers to hire.
Keeping development costs low means that your business can realize higher returns. However, with any software development project, it is impossible to forecast prices completely until the exact details of the project are known. Therefore, while your specific Android development project might not be cheaper than iOS development and other alternatives, it is highly unlikely that Android development will ever cost more than iOS development.
Easily Customized
Android is a far more versatile and flexible platform than iOS. As a result, Android apps are far more customizable. Android customization is made possible by the robust OS that enables developers to make simple and complex modifications to meet your business’s requirements.
In addition, the Android OS allows businesses to integrate a wider range of tools and services than alternative operating systems like iOS. Android customization can help your business meet shifting consumer demands and always offer a fresh experience to mobile users.
Marketing Is Not Sacrificed for Security
There was considerable concern from businesses when Apple rolled out iOS 14. iOS 14 gave iPhone users more control over their data and made it harder for marketers and app developers to collect data and run ads to iPhone users, even on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. But, of course, Apple justified the move by citing security concerns.
User security should always be a top priority for developers, and Android does not compromise when it comes to user security. However, Android doesn’t have to reduce an organization’s promotional advantage to produce a secure platform for users.
The Android platform makes it nearly impossible for malware to locate and exploit app data structures. In addition, Android utilizes an automated system to notify users of threats and security concerns. Don’t sacrifice promotional capabilities for security measures when Android can offer your business both.
Google Integration
Full Google integration is a critical benefit of developing Android apps. Yes, it is possible to access some of the most popular and useful Google services on iOS, but the iOS platform lacks the deep Google integration that Android enjoys. In addition, when Google releases new services, tools, apps, etc., they work seamlessly with your Android app.
Your business can utilize the tools and apps provided by Google to create a powerful application that is tailored to meet the needs of your organization while delighting users at the same time. Google is one the most powerful companies in the tech industry, so being able to fully integrate your application with everything Google has to offer is a major advantage for your business.
Innovative Platform
The Android platform is constantly evolving and innovating thanks to the major tech companies contributing to the ecosystem and competing with each other. As we have mentioned before, companies like Samsung, Motorola, and, yes, even Google are developing devices for the Android platform. This competition drives innovation and leads to better platform capabilities as the operating system keeps up with technical developments.
In addition, Android is competing with Apple. As a result, the Android platform is constantly innovating and adding new features and capabilities like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, among many others. Competition is great for innovation, and since the Android platform is open-source, there is far more competition driving innovation and evolution.
Quicker Time to Market
Being the first business to get its product to market can make all of the difference when it comes to long-term success. In many cases, Android apps can be built and deployed quicker than alternative options. This is due to broader platform access and more integrations to speed up app development.
In addition, the Google Play Store is not as stringent as the Apple App Store when it comes to approving and publishing an app on its store. Apple has a stringent process because they want to tightly control every user’s experience on iOS devices.
Android doesn’t allow any app to be published, especially if it is full of malware and is built poorly, but they are not as strict regarding what types of apps they will publish. As a result, the app approval process on Android is faster, meaning your business can get to market that much faster.
Final Thoughts
Every business should have a mobile app. However, the type of solution best suited for your business will depend on its needs and goals. Android apps are one of the best development choices businesses can make because of their reach and flexibility. If you want to learn more about developing custom apps for Android and how they can benefit your business, reach out to an experienced app development partner.
