How to create an app from scratch: A step-by-step guide for beginners

1Brainstorm app ideas

Take this opportunity to get creative. Think about the challenges in your life that could be streamlined with an app. Consider what you and your friends are passionate about, and how you can design a solution that meets those interests. Or, most notably, if you’re already running or starting a business, brainstorm apps that could complement your offerings and improve user experiences. A brick-and-mortar retailer, for instance, might launch an app to help in-person shoppers navigate their store and access discounts.

A well-thought-out app idea not only addresses a specific need or problem but also engages your target audience effectively. Maybe you want to create a game that entertains users, for example. On the other hand, you might build an e-commerce store that simplifies online shopping or create a quiz app that educates and entertains simultaneously. These are all valid app ideas with potential target audiences.

Once you have your creative concept, you can figure out how to turn it into a functional and user-friendly application. Ultimately, your idea should resonate with your intended users, offering a unique value proposition that distinguishes it from competitors.

2Consider your market and do some research

Conduct comprehensive market research to identify gaps or unmet needs in your industry. If your app can meet a specific demand or pain point, for example, it might gain traction in your market and stand out in a crowded space. That’s why it’s important to analyze industry trends and run a competitor analysis to understand the landscape.

You can conduct this research by consulting reports, studies, and articles. Beyond these secondary sources, you can gather feedback directly from potential customers through surveys and polls.

This is also a great time to define your target audience. By understanding user demographics, preferences, and behaviors, you can tailor your app to meet their specific needs.

3Select a mobile operating system

When it comes to app development as you learn how to create an app, you'll need to consider the two main mobile operating systems: iOS vs. Android. You can choose to develop your app for one or both platforms depending on your budget and demographics.

When deciding between these two options, consider factors like:

• Audience reach: In terms of popularity, Android is currently the leading mobile operating system worldwide, with a market share of 72% as of Q1 2025, and Apple's iOS is ranked second, with a 28% market share.²

• App compatibility: iOS is exclusive to Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Android is an open-source platform used by a variety of manufacturers. You can opt for iOS if your target audience predominantly uses Apple devices. On the other hand, choose Android if you want to reach a broad user base across various device manufacturers.

• Revenue: iOS apps typically generate more revenue than Android apps. In 2024, for example, iOS was responsible for 73% of subscription app revenue.³

4Create a business plan

Before the app development process begins, it’s important to create a business plan. This plan can help you build long-term strategies for sustainable success and engagement. So as your app evolves or your company grows, you’ll have a detailed roadmap to guide you and keep you on track towards your business goals.

Consider these factors to help refine and solidify your app business plan:

5Clearly identify the problem your app intends to solve

What purpose does your app serve? What demands does it mean? Make sure you understand your target audience's pain points. This will help you refine your app concept to meet their needs effectively. What does “pain points” mean, exactly? These are the current obstacles or challenges facing your main customers. For example, your target audience might have trouble focusing and completing tasks. You might develop a productivity app to address this pain point and offer a solution to this specific problem.

6Define what makes your app unique

What makes your app stand out from the competition? If there are similar offerings in your industry, why should customers download or pay for yours? Whether it's a new feature, improved user experience, or a different approach to solving a problem, a clear USP will help set your app apart from competitors. “USP” means unique selling proposition or unique selling point — it’s that feature or characteristic that distinguishes your app from others on the market.

7Determine how your app will generate revenue

There are many ways to generate revenue from your app, even if you let users download it for free. The model you choose will depend on your audience behaviors, app layout, and revenue goals.

For example, common app revenue generation strategies include:

• In-app purchases: Offer additional features, content, or goods and services for purchase within the app.

• Ads: Integrate advertisements into the user experience, either through display ads, video ads, or native ads.

• Subscriptions: Offer premium content or services through a subscription-based model. You can also offer subscription tiers to give users different options.

• Freemium offerings: Provide a free version with basic features and charge for premium features or a full version.

8In-house development vs outsourcing

Now it’s time to make your app a reality. To actually build something once you learn how to create an app and bring your creation to life, you’ll need to decide who will handle the design and development process.

That means you’ll have to choose between two core options: in-house development vs. outsourcing. If you choose in-house development, your organization will utilizes internal resources to develop the app. If you choose outsourcing, external agencies or development teams will handle the work.

Here’s a closer look at the differences between these two routes:

• In-house development: You’ll have more control, potentially making it easier to manage timelines, priorities, and app quality. Communication can be more straightforward when the development team is in the same location, too. However, in-house development can be expensive, since you’ll have to cover salaries, benefits, and infrastructure costs. Limited team resources may also restrict your ability to quickly scale, if needed.

• Outsourcing: This option may be more cost-effective and allow you to tap into a diverse pool of talent and expertise that may not be readily available in your local market. Outsourcing also allows you to more easily scale up or down based on project requirements. Still, differences in time zones, language, or culture may pose communication challenges. Unexpected delays or issues with external associates can also lead to roadblocks in the development process.