As someone who makes a living creating apps, I can tell you that it depends. The correct answer is to hire someone and below is how you do it effectively.
However, if you are trying to build the app as a throwaway proof of concept, then you can totally do it your self. I will suggest starting with a native app - Android. Because am biased as an Android developer and most importantly the availability of extensive training material and code samples from Google and the community.
If this is a business app, here is what you do.
Now you may ask why not start the app development first? Because over 60% of development cost is spent on rework mostly caused by misunderstanding/miscommunication. You are expecting someone who has a hundred other things to think about to get in your head and develop an app for you. The clearer you can make the description, the cheaper and quicker the app development would be.
Define the business model, remove the ambiguities, get clarity before coding begins. If you don't have money to do the above then wait until you have money, developing an app is expensive. My slow lane job pays us, developers, $5000 for each of our friends or former co-workers that we refer to come work for us and yet over 10 positions are unfulfilled at any time.
I repeat app development is expensive, if you get a shortcut, it likely will become water under the bridge. Good luck! I have old tutorials, books and courses on Android development, I don't recommend them, they are outdated but if you Google my name they will pop up.
However, if you are trying to build the app as a throwaway proof of concept, then you can totally do it your self. I will suggest starting with a native app - Android. Because am biased as an Android developer and most importantly the availability of extensive training material and code samples from Google and the community.
If this is a business app, here is what you do.
- Create an app description by yourself to the best of your ability.
- Find two to three similar apps on the App Store/Play Store.
- Then find someone on Fiverr for $5 or $10 to create a Play Store/App Store ready App description with your starter description and the example apps you saw.
- With a production-ready app description, post design for the app on DesignCrowd search for their coupons.
- Communicate with the designers, respond to every design that you will get, you will uncover areas/issues that you never thought of.
- Select the winning design and download design files.
- With the design and the App Store ready description, create a Landing page or Coming Soon page.
- Then post a task for the development of the app on Upwork providing the landing page to the post.
- Hire a developers and once they start, you also start coding the app yourself.
Now you may ask why not start the app development first? Because over 60% of development cost is spent on rework mostly caused by misunderstanding/miscommunication. You are expecting someone who has a hundred other things to think about to get in your head and develop an app for you. The clearer you can make the description, the cheaper and quicker the app development would be.
Define the business model, remove the ambiguities, get clarity before coding begins. If you don't have money to do the above then wait until you have money, developing an app is expensive. My slow lane job pays us, developers, $5000 for each of our friends or former co-workers that we refer to come work for us and yet over 10 positions are unfulfilled at any time.
I repeat app development is expensive, if you get a shortcut, it likely will become water under the bridge. Good luck! I have old tutorials, books and courses on Android development, I don't recommend them, they are outdated but if you Google my name they will pop up.