App Development for the Non-Technical Founder: A Beginner’s Guide

It might seem scary to start making an app if you're not a tech expert, but lots of people who started out like that have shown that it's totally doable. This guide will talk about important ways for non-tech founders to make an app, focusing on turning a website into a mobile app and how tools like WebToNative can help with that.

Understanding App Development

The Landscape of App Development

Making apps means making programs for phones or websites. It's important for people who aren't tech experts to know about the different kinds of apps—native, hybrid, and web apps.

Native Apps: Made specifically for either iOS or Android, these apps provide great performance and user satisfaction. However, they need different code for each platform, which makes development take longer and cost more.
Hybrid Apps: These apps mix together features from both native and web apps, so they can work on lots of different platforms using just one set of code. This makes it easier to take care of them and saves money too.
Web Apps: You can use these apps on your browser without having to install them, which can save money for new businesses.

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Converting a Website to an App

A really good way for people who aren't tech experts to get into the app market is by changing their website into a mobile app. With tools like WebToNative, founders can turn their websites into mobile apps without needing to know a lot about coding. This way is quick and uses the content and strategies that are already working on the website.

Steps for Non-Technical Founders

1. Define Your Vision

First, make sure to explain what your app is for and what issue it's trying to fix. It's really important to know who you're making the app for and what they need. People like Brian Chesky from Airbnb and Evan Sharp from Pinterest didn't know a lot about tech, but they still did a great job because they knew what they wanted and who they were making it for.

2. Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Making an MVP lets you try out your idea without using too many resources. Just concentrate on the main features that fix the main issue for your users. This step-by-step method is useful for getting feedback and improving your app before releasing it on a large scale.

3. Assemble a Technical Team

You might not have to learn how to code, but it's super important to have a good tech team. Try to find partners or hire people who can turn your ideas into a real app. Going to industry events or using LinkedIn can help you find the right people.

4. Leverage Technology

Get to know the basic technical stuff and tools. Knowing about the technology stack and development methods (like Agile) can help you talk to developers better and make projects better.

5. Utilize App Development Platforms

Websites can be turned into apps more easily with tools like WebToNative. These tools have templates and features that help speed up the development process, making it simpler for people without technical skills to create their own apps.

Conclusion

Creating an app even if you're not a tech expert is totally doable and can be super exciting. By using what you already have, staying focused on your goals, and using tools like WebToNative, you can make your way through the app development process. Lots of tech pros started out without knowing much about coding, showing that having a strong vision and working hard can help you succeed in the tech industry.