Building a mobile app is a longer commitment than building a website. We're not just writing code — we're dealing with two separate stores, a fleet of device variations, and every detail from notifications to offline mode. Here's how Biber Dijital runs that process — and why it takes two months, not six weeks.
First question: do you actually need an app?
The first conversation tries to answer this: "Does this really want to be an app, or is a good website enough?" Apps are expensive. Not just development — annual store accounts, review for every update, Apple's 30% cut, device fragmentation.
If you need push notifications, offline mode, camera/sensor access, biometric login, or a native-feeling gesture layer — yes, an app makes sense. Otherwise a PWA (progressive web app) is a lot faster and cheaper. Once that's settled, we move to the recipe.
Scenarios that justify an app
- A product opened multiple times a day (booking, ordering, games)
- Sensor or hardware access (camera, GPS, NFC, health data)
- Offline-first requirements
- A brand that needs to live as an icon on the home screen
- A communication strategy powered by push notifications
Tech choice: native or cross-platform?
For most projects we reach for React Native. One codebase, both stores — that's 40–60% in cost and time saved. When heavy animation, intensive graphics or deep platform-specific integration is required, we go native with Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android).
In short: React Native for 90% of clients; two separate kitchens for the other 10%. Flutter is on the table too — the choice depends on team expertise and project needs. What matters isn't "which is more popular" but "which fits this job".
Design: two operating systems, one brand
iOS and Android users have different habits. Back button, menu pattern, scrolling — each has its own tradition. At Biber Dijital we use an Adaptive Design approach: the brand identity stays the same, but navigation and interaction patterns follow each platform's conventions.
Design files live in Figma, with an interactive prototype on top. The client can tap through it on their own phone, getting a real feel for the app before code starts. No code until design is signed off.
Development: weekly builds, transparent process
Every Friday we share the week's build via TestFlight (iOS) and Firebase App Distribution (Android). The client installs on their phone, lives with it, and feedback flows into next week's plan. Not a "it's done, go take a look" process — a "we're walking together" process.
What's happening during development?
- API + backend — data flow, user accounts, push infrastructure
- UI + interactions — screens, animations, error states
- Offline sync — what happens when there's no connection?
- Analytics + Crashlytics — where do users get stuck, where does the app crash?
- Performance — RAM footprint, battery life, cold-start time
App Store and Google Play: the store dance
Apple's review can take 24 hours or a week — and first-pass rejections are the norm. The top three rejection reasons: insufficient metadata descriptions, missing test accounts, and privacy policy errors. Biber Dijital runs Apple's 200-item checklist against every submission, which dramatically boosts first-pass acceptance.
Google Play is more flexible, but Data Safety, targetSdkVersion and permission justifications still get inspected. On both stores we apply ASO (App Store Optimization): keyword research, screenshot art, description copy, category selection.
Post-launch: a live product means live responsibility
The work doesn't end at launch — it begins. iOS ships a new version every year, Android policies shift, user phones age. Every app we ship comes with 6 months of free maintenance, after which monthly care plans kick in.
In production, Crashlytics and analytics show us exactly where users drop off, which screens they abandon, and which devices crash. Every two weeks we share a short report and base every big decision on data.
Last word
Building a mobile app is a longer marathon than building a website. Done right, it pays back on brand strength, operations and customer loyalty. Over 20 apps in six years have taught us this recipe holds up.
If you've got an app idea — loyalty, reservations, ordering, content — drop us a line first. We'll map the need together, then start cooking. Or check the packages; it's all laid out.