AI and App Development Trends | Custom App Development

The Complete App Development Journey with EB Pearls: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Akash Shakya | 18 Apr 2025

 

You’ve said yes. The proposal is signed.
But now what?

If you’re like most ambitious founders or innovation leads, your mind is buzzing with a thousand thoughts:


“How soon can we go live?”
“Who’s going to be managing the project?”
“What happens if I get stuck on something?”

You’re not alone—and you’re asking the right questions.

This article walks you through exactly what happens after you say yes to working with EB Pearls. From the very first kickoff workshop to post-launch support, we’re lifting the curtain on our proven app development process.

Whether you’re a non-technical founder or part of a corporate innovation team, this guide will give you the clarity, confidence, and next steps you need.

Why More Businesses Are Investing in Mobile App Development

The Growing Need for Mobile Apps in Business

Why should your business develop apps? If you’re asking this, you’re already thinking ahead. In today’s world, mobile apps aren’t just an option—they’re essential. Your customers are already mobile, and if you’re not offering them the experience they crave, someone else will.

In fact, mobile apps are where users spend most of their time. So, if you’re considering whether developing an app is right for your business, the question isn’t “Should we build an app?” but “Can we afford not to?”

Key Benefits of Mobile App Development

Here’s why apps are becoming a critical business asset:

  • Instant access to your brand: Your app lives right on the home screen. It’s always just a tap away.

  • Faster performance: Native apps outperform mobile websites in load times and functionality.

  • Push notifications: Engage users instantly and drive higher retention with real-time updates.

  • Offline functionality: For industries like logistics or travel, offline access makes all the difference.

  • Real-time insights: Gather valuable user data and continuously improve your app to meet their needs.

Can an App Help My Business Scale?

Absolutely! Whether you’re an established business or a startup, apps can unlock new revenue streams, enhance operational efficiency, and create deeper connections with your customers. In today’s competitive environment, a mobile app isn’t just an investment in technology—it’s an investment in your long-term success.

The 7-Step App Development Journey at EB Pearls

You’ve signed the proposal—congrats! That’s a huge first step.

Now, we shift from “scoping the vision” to actually bringing it to life. But don’t worry—this isn’t a leap into the unknown. At EB Pearls, we follow a structured 7-step journey to transform your idea into a scalable, user-loved product.

Let’s take a look under the hood.

Step 1: Kickoff Workshop - Aligning Vision, Goals, and Execution

This isn’t your typical project handover. It’s a strategic deep-dive designed to align your vision with our execution game plan.

In our 2–3 hour interactive session (virtual or in-person), we:

  • Bring together key stakeholders from your side (founders, marketers, domain experts) and ours (project manager, lead designer, tech lead).

  • Walk through user personas to understand your audience and what problems we’re solving for them.

  • Clarify business goals—whether it’s acquiring users, reducing operational overhead, or generating revenue from day one.

  • Break down core use cases and prioritize features using the MoSCoW method (Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, Won’t-have yet).

This session ensures we start with clarity and consensus, not assumptions. You walk away with a clear idea of what’s next, who’s involved, and what success looks like.

“We thought we knew what we needed until EB Pearls guided us through the kickoff. They uncovered gaps we hadn’t even considered.”
Client, HealthTech Startup

Step 2: UX/UI Design - Experience-Led Thinking From Day One

We believe design is not about colours and buttons—it’s about guiding human behaviour. A well-designed app isn’t just usable; it’s invisible in the best way. Your users know what to do, without needing instructions.

Here’s how we make that happen:

  • Wireframes: Low-fidelity screens that map the entire app’s structure. This helps you visualise the flow before we worry about design details.

  • User Journeys: We analyse critical paths (signup, booking, ordering, etc.) to ensure the app is intuitive and efficient.

  • Clickable Prototypes: These simulate the real app, letting you and stakeholders test the flow early. Investors love these for pitching, too.

  • Visual Design: This is where we incorporate brand elements, emotional cues, and accessibility. Typography, spacing, iconography—all carefully considered to meet WCAG accessibility standards.

If you’ve chosen to develop an MVP, we’ll help you focus on the must-have experiences—the ones that make your product usable and valuable at launch.

Step 3: Deep Analysis & Project Planning - From Wish List to Workable Plan

Once your prototype is approved, we move into technical due diligence. This is where your project transitions from creative to engineering.

Here’s what we unpack:

  • Technical Architecture: Monolithic or microservices? Serverless or container-based? We choose the structure that best supports your future goals.

  • Data Flow & APIs: We create flowcharts showing how information moves between screens, systems, and services—especially important for apps involving third-party tools or complex user permissions.

  • Integration Mapping: From payment gateways (e.g. Stripe, PayPal) to CRM systems (e.g. HubSpot, Salesforce), we detail every touchpoint.

  • Security & Compliance: Whether it’s GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, or custom business rules, we define exactly how we’ll protect your users and data.

  • Resourcing & Timeline: We finalize your Agile delivery schedule, build sprints in Jira, assign teams, and define dependencies.

We then present everything to you in a detailed delivery roadmap—you’ll see when each milestone hits, who’s responsible, and how risks are mitigated.

Step 4: Development - Turning Designs into a Working App

This is where code meets creativity. Our developers start building out your product based on the approved scope and architecture.

We split development into two parallel streams:

  • Frontend (Client-Side): The screens, buttons, and interactions your users see.

  • Backend (Server-Side): The engine that drives the app—APIs, databases, logic, analytics, and integrations.

We use tech stacks like:

  • Frontend: React Native, Flutter, Swift, Kotlin

  • Backend: Node.js, Laravel, .NET Core, Django

  • Infrastructure: AWS, Azure, Firebase

Each sprint includes:

  • Planning: Prioritising stories and tickets

  • Daily Standups: Short sync-ups with the team

  • Code Reviews: Two sets of eyes minimum on every major pull request

  • Demo Days: You see completed features live at the end of every sprint

Your dedicated Project Manager is your single source of truth, updating you weekly with demos, timelines, and blockers—no chasing needed.

Step 5: Testing & QA - No Bugs. No Surprise. No Reputational Risk

Testing is the insurance policy for your app.

Our QA engineers rigorously test your product using a mix of:

  • Manual Functional Testing: Across real devices and OS versions

  • Automated Regression Testing: For core workflows to avoid future breakage

  • Usability Testing: For key user flows

  • Performance Testing: Load testing and stress scenarios

  • Security Testing: OWASP Top 10, token validation, session management

  • User Acceptance Testing (UAT): With your team doing real-world validation

Testing is not just about “does it work?” It’s about:

  • Is it fast?

  • Is it intuitive?

  • Is it secure?

  • Is it stable under load?

Only after we check all these boxes does the app move to staging and prepare for production.

Step 6: Deployment - Launching With Confidence

This is it—the big moment. And we’ve got it down to a science.

Our team handles:

  • Final production build and App Store/Play Store configurations

  • Creating screenshots, listing descriptions, metadata, and app previews

  • Store submission, review handling, and resubmissions (if needed)

  • Configuring CI/CD pipelines for smooth future deployments

  • Setting up monitoring dashboards (e.g. Firebase Crashlytics, App Store Console)

We also run a pre-launch checklist covering:

  • Payment flows

  • 3rd-party service configurations

  • Analytics + event tracking setup

  • Legal requirements (e.g. terms, privacy policies, consent flags)

We’ll do a soft launch (staged rollout) or a full public release—whatever suits your go-to-market plan.

Step 7: Post Launch - Keep Growing, Keep Improving

Once your app is live, the real journey begins.

We provide ongoing post-launch support that includes:

  • Bug fixes and hot patches

  • Performance monitoring via real-time tools

  • OS updates (e.g. iOS 18, Android 15 readiness)

  • User feedback loops through analytics + survey data

  • Feature enhancement planning for your next releases

  • Scalability reviews: Ensuring your infra can handle growth

Many of our clients also opt for our Maintenance & Growth Packages, which include:

  • Priority support hours

  • Monthly analytics reviews

  • Dedicated growth strategist sessions

  • Quarterly roadmap updates

Understanding the Cost of App Development

How Much Should App Development Cost?

The first question we hear is usually: "What’s the cost of building an app?"
It’s essential to understand that the cost of developing apps depends on various factors. But don’t worry; we break it down to help you get the full picture.

Key Factors That Affect the App Development Process

  • Type of App: Are you building a simple MVP, a complex e-commerce platform, or a full-fledged enterprise app?

  • Feature Complexity: Features like payments, real-time updates, and user-generated content increase development time.

  • Platform Choice: Native apps (iOS and Android) are more expensive than hybrid apps, which can run on both platforms. But hybrid apps provide faster development at a lower cost.

  • Design Requirements: Custom UI/UX or simple designs? Complex animations and high-quality visuals will require more development resources.

  • Backend Infrastructure: Do you need a custom CMS, database integrations, or real-time chat features? Backend development can increase costs.

  • Ongoing Maintenance: After launch, your app will need regular updates, bug fixes, and new features.

Estimated Cost Ranges (AUD)

Type of App Estimated Cost
Prototype $20,000 – $50,000
MVP $60,000 – $120,000
Full-Scale App $120,000 – $250,000
Enterprise Solutions $250,000 – $500,000+

So, What’s the Smart Approach?

Start lean. Focus on building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Test your ideas, validate your assumptions, and gather real user feedback before scaling. It’s not only a cost-effective approach, but it’s also a smart way to ensure you’re solving the right problem for your users.

App Development Best Practices at EB Pearls

How Do You Create an App That Stands Out?

It’s simple: User-centric design, quality code, and a strategic approach. Great apps don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them. But how do you achieve this?

At EB Pearls, we follow a meticulous process designed to ensure that your app doesn’t just work—it delivers value from the first tap.

Begin with Strategy and User Research

Understanding the user is critical. We define clear user personas and pain points before doing anything else. What problem are we solving? How can we create a user-first app that solves this in the best way possible?

Mobile-First Design

We design with mobile in mind first. Unlike traditional web design, mobile-first ensures that every interaction is smooth, intuitive, and seamless. We focus on the experience before the code.

Prototype and Validate

Prototyping helps us validate assumptions and align teams. We test early, get feedback, and iterate on designs, making sure you’re moving forward with the right vision.

Agile Development Process

Using the Agile model, we break the development process into manageable sprints, delivering working features every 1–2 weeks. This ensures flexibility and allows for continuous feedback, which helps keep the project on track.

Quality Assurance and Testing

We integrate quality assurance from day one. Manual testing ensures every feature is functioning, while automated testing verifies your app remains stable through updates and scaling.

Security Built In

Security isn’t an afterthought. From data encryption to user authentication, we build security into your app from the start.

Scalable Infrastructure

As your app grows, it will need to scale. Our architecture decisions ensure that your app can handle higher traffic, integrate new features, and meet user demands without breaking down.

In-House vs. Development Agency: Which Option is Right for You?

Should You Build Internally or Outsource?

The decision to hire an in-house team or partner with an agency like EB Pearls depends on your goals and resources.

Benefits of Building In-House

  • Full control over the team, product, and timeline.

  • Long-term ownership of the development process.

  • Potential for higher costs due to salaries, benefits, and equipment.

Why Choose an App Development Agency?

  • Faster delivery: Agencies are experienced and ready to go.

  • Access to specialists: An agency brings designers, developers, and project managers under one roof.

  • Scalability: You can scale resources up or down as needed.

  • No management overhead: The agency handles all aspects of the project—from development to deployment.

At EB Pearls, we specialize in rapid, high-quality app development. Our process allows you to focus on your business while we build the product that will drive your success.

Pro Tips to Choose the Right Development Partner

What Makes a Good Development Partner?

Choosing the right team is critical. Here’s what you should look for when selecting an app development partner:

Key Questions to Ask:

  • “What’s your process?”
    A great agency will clearly explain their process, from strategy to delivery and post-launch.

  • “Can I see examples of similar apps you’ve developed?”
    Ensure they have experience with projects similar to yours.

  • “How do you handle scope changes or unexpected challenges?”
    The right partner will be flexible and work with you to find solutions when things change.

  • “How do you ensure security and compliance?”
    Make sure the partner is focused on building secure, compliant apps from day one.

What Makes EB Pearls the Right Choice?

  • Proven expertise in building apps that deliver value, not just features.

  • Agile processes that provide flexibility and adaptability.

  • Transparent communication and timely updates—we keep you in the loop every step of the way.

  • Post-launch support, ensuring your app continues to grow and improve.

Ready to Build Your App?

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering, “What’s next?”
Building an app is a significant decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right team, the right strategy, and the right tools, you can bring your idea to life, reach more customers, and scale your business.

Let’s Make It Happen

If you’re ready to take the next step, book a free consultation with us today. We’ll walk you through the development process, answer any questions you have, and help you map out the perfect path for your app.

We’re here to help you bring your vision to life, and we’d love to be part of your app development journey.

Frequently Asked Questions