Building everything at once
Huge first versions blow budgets and delay launch. Start focused.
iOS and Android apps planned around real users and real business goals. Fixed-scope builds, analytics from day one, and month-to-month support with no lock-in.
Month-to-month care after launch. Cancel any time.
Downloads are nice. Active users and revenue matter more.
Every key action tracked before launch.
Planned and managed by the people you actually meet.
Nobody should spend months building an app on a hunch. Every project starts with clickable prototypes you can hold, tap through and test with real users before any production code is written.
These screens show the kind of prototypes, test builds and analytics dashboards you will see during a project.
Once your app is live, the same dashboards show how many people use it, what they do and where they drop off.
Sample screens. Your app gets its own.
The app stores are full of apps that nobody uses. When we look at why, the same problems come up again and again.
Problem 01 of 05
What usually happens
The app does the same thing as the website, so people have no reason to download it.
How we do it
We start with the business case and what the app does better than anything else.
Problem 02 of 05
What usually happens
Every feature idea goes in, so the budget blows out and launch keeps slipping.
How we do it
A focused first version, then improvements based on real use.
Problem 03 of 05
What usually happens
The team builds what they think people want, then finds out too late.
How we do it
Clickable prototypes tested with real users before development starts.
Problem 04 of 05
What usually happens
The app goes live and nobody knows it exists.
How we do it
App store optimisation and launch marketing planned from the start.
Problem 05 of 05
What usually happens
Downloads get reported, but not whether people use the app or pay.
How we do it
Analytics on every key action, reported in plain English.
Our approach is built to fix every one of these problems. It starts with a clear idea of what success looks like.
By John Conigliaro, Director and Lead Consultant, Anahaw Media. Updated September 2026
A good app puts your business in your customer’s pocket. It can make ordering easier, keep customers coming back, replace paperwork or open up a new source of revenue. A bad app gets downloaded once, opened twice and deleted.
Most failed apps don’t fail because of the code. They fail because nobody checked whether people wanted them, the scope grew out of control, or there was no plan to get users after launch.
Our job is to stop that happening. We start with the business case and the people who will use the app. We test ideas with prototypes before building, keep the first version focused, build it properly for iOS and Android, and set up analytics so you can see exactly how it performs. Then we keep improving it based on real data.
Builds are scoped and quoted upfront. After launch, support runs month to month with no lock-in, and you own your code.
Built your app? Now get it downloaded
A great app still needs users. Our mobile app marketing and advertising service covers App Store Optimisation, Apple Ads, Google App campaigns and Meta app ads, so your launch has momentum from day one.
Four stages, one goal: an app people use and your business benefits from. Pick a tab to see exactly what we do.
The most important decisions happen before any code is written. This stage decides whether your app is worth building, and what version one should include.
We work out what the app needs to achieve, who it is for, and how it will pay for itself.
We talk to the people who will use the app, or study how they work, so we build around real needs.
We look at similar apps, what users praise and complain about in their reviews, and where the gaps are.
We list every idea, then agree what belongs in version one and what can wait.
We recommend native, cross-platform or a web app, based on your features, budget and users.
You get a clear written scope, timeline and fixed quote before development begins.
Great apps feel simple. That takes careful design, and testing before building.
We map how people move through the app, from first open to completing each key task.
Simple screen layouts that get structure and flow right before visual design.
Screens designed around your brand and the design standards of iOS and Android, so the app feels familiar.
A tappable version of the app you can use on your phone and show to real users.
We watch real people use the prototype, find what confuses them and fix it before development.
Readable text, good contrast, screen reader support and touch targets that are easy to hit.
First impressions decide whether people stay. We design sign-up and onboarding to get users to value quickly.
We build apps that are fast, stable and easy to maintain, and that connect properly to the systems you already use.
Apps for iPhone and Android phones and tablets, built to each platform’s guidelines.
Where it suits your app, one shared codebase for iOS and Android can reduce cost and speed up updates.
The servers, databases and connections that power user accounts, content and data.
Connections to your website, Shopify store, CRM, payment provider, booking system or internal tools.
Timely, useful messages that bring people back, without spamming them.
Secure logins, encrypted data and privacy practices that respect your users.
Testing on real devices across screen sizes and operating system versions, plus test builds you can try before launch.
Launch day is the start, not the finish. The apps that win keep improving.
We prepare and submit your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play, and handle review feedback.
Titles, descriptions, keywords, screenshots and preview videos that help the right people find and download your app.
Tracking on every key action, so you can see how people use the app from day one.
Plans to get your first users, from your existing customers, website and email list to paid campaigns.
Operating system updates, bug fixes and security patches, so your app keeps working.
Regular improvements based on analytics, reviews and user feedback.
| Area | What we check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Analytics | Key actions tracked | You see how people use it |
| Performance | Load times and crashes | Slow or buggy apps get deleted |
| Devices | Real phones and tablets | It works for everyone |
| Security | Logins and data handling | Your users can trust it |
| Store listing | Screenshots, copy and keywords | The right people find it |
| Onboarding | First-use experience | More new users stick around |
Every app we build is planned around measurable results, and our support after launch runs month to month. Here is what that means in plain English.
We judge an app by what it does for your business: customers won, customers kept, orders placed, hours saved or revenue earned. Downloads and ratings matter, but only because they lead to those results.
That shapes every decision, from which features go into version one to how we design sign-up and onboarding. If a feature doesn’t move a result you care about, it can wait.
Builds are scoped and quoted before we start, so you know what you are getting. You own the code, the app store listings and your data.
After launch, our support and improvement plans run month to month. If you want to take development in-house or move to another team, you can.
A quick note on honesty: an app is not a magic growth button. The apps that succeed solve a clear problem for a clear group of people, and they keep improving after launch. If we think a better website or a web app would do the job for less, we will tell you.
Daily and monthly active users, by platform and version.
Retention after one day, one week and one month.
Sign-ups, orders, bookings and other key actions.
Revenue, repeat purchases and time saved where measurable.
Every app is different, but most projects follow the same clear stages. Here is what usually happens.
We define the goal, research users, plan features and agree the platform, scope and quote.
You will see: A clear plan and a fixed quote.
We design the app and build a clickable prototype, then test it with real users.
You will see: An app you can tap through before it is built.
We develop the app in short cycles, sharing test builds so you can see progress and give feedback.
You will see: Working test versions on your own phone.
We submit to the app stores, launch, track results and keep improving.
You will see: A live app, real usage data and a plan for what comes next.
Every screen and feature adds time.
iOS, Android or both, native or shared code.
Payments, CRM and other systems add complexity.
Custom animations and complex screens take longer.
Quick decisions keep the project moving.
We give you a clear scope, timeline and fixed quote before development starts, and keep you updated at every stage.
Every app we build has analytics set up before launch. For apps on a support plan, we bring usage, retention and revenue data together in a live dashboard, with a plain-English summary each month.
We track the actions that matter, such as sign-ups, orders, bookings and repeat use. Where your app connects to a store, CRM or booking system, we link those results back, so you can see revenue and customers, not just downloads.
We also watch crash reports and app store reviews, because stability and ratings affect whether people keep your app.
For apps on a support plan, you get a short monthly summary: how many people used the app, what they did, what we fixed and improved, and what comes next.
Thinking about building an app? This guide explains the decisions, costs and traps in plain English, so you can plan with confidence.
Start with this question, because the honest answer is sometimes no. An app makes sense when people will use it often, need it on the go, or need features a website can’t easily offer, like offline access, push notifications, the camera or location.
If people will only use it once or twice, a well-built mobile website or web app may do the job for far less. We would rather tell you that upfront than build something nobody opens.
Customer apps are used by your buyers, such as shopping, booking or loyalty apps. They need polished design, strong onboarding and a plan to get downloads.
Internal apps are used by your team, such as job management, inspections or stock control. They focus on saving time, reducing errors and connecting to your systems. They often pay for themselves quickly, because you can measure the hours saved.
App costs vary enormously, from simple apps with a few screens to complex platforms with user accounts, payments and integrations. The biggest factors are the number of features and screens, whether you need iOS, Android or both, the integrations involved, and how custom the design is.
The better question is what the app needs to achieve, and what the smallest version that achieves it looks like. We give you a fixed quote for a clearly defined scope, so there are no surprises.
MVP stands for minimum viable product. It is the smallest version of your app that solves the core problem well enough for real people to use it.
Launching an MVP first lets you learn from real users before spending your whole budget. The features people actually use get improved. The ones nobody touches never get built. It is the most reliable way to avoid an expensive app that misses the mark.
A clickable prototype looks and feels like a real app, but it is made in a design tool, not code. You can tap through it on your phone and show it to customers.
Changing a prototype takes hours. Changing a finished app can take weeks. Testing with a prototype first catches confusing screens, missing steps and bad ideas while they are still cheap to fix.
Native apps are built separately for iOS and Android. Cross-platform apps share one codebase across both. Progressive web apps run in the browser and can be added to the home screen.
For most business apps, cross-platform development offers a good balance of cost, speed and quality. Native makes sense for apps that push the limits of the device. A web app makes sense when app store presence isn’t essential. We recommend based on your features, not on a favourite tool.
Apple and Google both review apps before they go live, and Apple’s review is usually stricter. They check that your app works, follows their design and content rules, handles privacy properly and doesn’t mislead users.
Rejections are common and usually easy to fix. We build with the guidelines in mind from the start, prepare the listing and privacy details properly, and handle any feedback from reviewers.
App store optimisation, or ASO, is SEO for the app stores. It helps the right people find your app when they search in the App Store or Google Play.
Your app name, subtitle, keywords, description, screenshots, preview video, ratings and reviews all play a part. Good ASO can bring in steady downloads without paying for every one.
Launching an app without a plan to get users is like opening a shop down a back alley. Your existing customers, website, email list and social channels are usually the best place to start.
From there, app install campaigns on Google and Meta, partnerships and good app store optimisation can bring in new users. We plan this before launch, not after.
Many apps lose a large share of new users within days of download. A big download number means nothing if nobody comes back.
Retention, the share of people who keep using your app over time, is the number that matters. Good onboarding, real ongoing value, useful notifications and a fast, reliable app all improve it. We track it from launch and work on it every month.
Push notifications can bring people back to your app, or drive them to delete it. The difference is relevance.
Useful notifications, like an order update, a booking reminder or an offer on something they actually want, are welcome. Constant generic messages are not. We plan notifications around real user value and give people control over what they receive.
Most business apps need to talk to other systems: your website, Shopify store, CRM, booking platform, payment provider or internal database. These connections are often where projects get complicated.
We map every integration during discovery, check what each system allows, and build connections that are secure and reliable. That way your app shows accurate information and your team isn’t copying data between systems.
If your app handles personal information, payments or logins, security is not optional. Users expect their data to be safe, and Apple and Google require clear privacy information.
We build secure logins, encrypt sensitive data, collect only the data you need, and help you prepare the privacy details required by the app stores. For specific legal questions, we recommend checking with a legal professional.
An app is never really finished. Apple and Google release new operating system versions every year, devices change, and users expect improvements.
Plan for ongoing costs such as hosting, app store developer accounts, third-party services, updates for new operating systems, bug fixes and improvements. We explain these clearly upfront, so there are no surprises after launch.
You should. Your app’s source code, app store accounts, backend services and data should all belong to your business.
Be careful of arrangements where a developer keeps the code or the app store listing. If you ever want to change teams or bring development in-house, you should be able to. With us, you always can.
If a few of these are still unclear, that is fine. Our discovery stage is designed to work them out with you before you commit to a build.
We can review an existing app, fix what is broken and build a plan to improve it.
No-code tools now make it possible to build simple apps without developers, and they can be a great way to test an idea.
Where a specialist helps is with apps that need to scale, handle payments or personal data securely, connect to other systems, or feel polished enough to compete in the app stores. We can also help you decide whether a no-code start makes sense.
We follow the same clear stages on every project, so you always know where things stand.
For eCommerce brands, an app can turn occasional buyers into regulars. Saved details, fast reordering, wish lists, loyalty rewards and timely notifications all make it easier to buy again.
An app works best for stores with loyal customers who buy often. If most of your customers buy once a year, your website and email may do more for less. We will look at your repeat purchase data before recommending an app.
Loyalty apps reward customers for coming back, with points, stamps, member pricing or exclusive offers. Done well, they give people a reason to choose you over a competitor.
The key is keeping it simple. Rewards should be easy to understand, easy to earn and genuinely worth having. We connect loyalty features to your store or point-of-sale system where possible, so everything stays in sync.
How your app takes payment depends on what you sell. Physical goods and real-world services can usually use standard payment providers. Digital content and subscriptions used inside the app often have to go through Apple and Google’s own payment systems, which take a commission.
These rules affect your pricing and profit, so we check them during discovery and design your payments to fit.
Some apps need to work without a signal, such as field inspection tools used on remote sites or apps used in basements, warehouses and regional areas.
Offline apps store data on the device and sync it when the connection comes back. That takes careful planning to avoid lost or duplicated data, so we design it in from the start rather than bolting it on later.
Your app store rating affects how many people download your app. Most people won’t download an app with poor reviews, no matter how good the listing looks.
We ask for reviews at the right moment, such as after a successful order or a completed task, and not on first open. We also monitor reviews, respond to problems and use feedback to decide what to improve next.
Once your app is live, real data shows what people use, where they get stuck and what they ask for. That is the best possible guide for what to build next.
We review analytics, reviews and feedback with you, then plan improvements in small, regular releases rather than big, risky rebuilds.
A good app report answers simple questions. How many people used the app this month? How many came back? What did they do? What broke, and has it been fixed? What are we improving next? If your report can’t answer those, ask for it. Ours always does.
An accessible app can be used by people with a wide range of abilities, including people who rely on screen readers, larger text or voice control. Both iOS and Android have strong accessibility features built in, and a well-built app works with them rather than against them.
We design with readable text sizes, strong contrast, clear labels for screen readers and touch targets that are easy to hit. It is the right thing to do, and it makes the app easier for everyone to use.
App budgets usually blow out for the same reasons: features added halfway through, unclear requirements, and decisions that take weeks. A fixed scope protects you, but only if everyone sticks to it.
We keep a clear list of what is in scope and a separate list of good ideas for later. When a new idea comes up, we show you what it would cost and when it could fit, so you stay in control of the budget.
The best apps come from close collaboration. You know your customers and your business. We know how to design, build and launch apps.
You will have regular check-ins, access to test builds on your own phone, and a clear point of contact. Decisions are made together, in plain English, without technical jargon.
Older apps sometimes reach a point where each update costs more than it should, because the code is outdated or poorly structured. Other times, a few focused fixes are all that is needed.
We review the code, the architecture and how the app performs, then give you an honest recommendation. Rebuilding is a big decision, and we only suggest it when it will clearly save you money or open up something you need.
Minimum viable product. The smallest version of an app that solves the core problem.
An app built specifically for iOS or Android using each platform’s own tools.
An app built from one shared codebase that runs on both iOS and Android.
Progressive web app. A website that behaves like an app and can be added to the home screen.
A connection that lets your app exchange data with other systems.
The servers and databases behind the scenes that power your app.
App store optimisation. Improving your listing so the right people find and download your app.
The share of users who keep using your app over time.
A message your app sends to a user’s phone, even when the app is closed.
Apple’s tool for sharing test versions of an iPhone app before launch.
Apps make the most sense when people need to use something regularly, on the go, or with features a website can’t offer. These are the businesses we most often help.
Shopping apps that make repeat purchases easier, with saved details, loyalty rewards and push notifications. Our team has built its own global eCommerce brand, so we understand repeat customers.
Booking, quoting and customer portal apps that save time for your team and your customers.
Ordering, bookings, loyalty and event apps that keep customers coming back.
Internal apps for inspections, job management, checklists and reporting that replace paper and spreadsheets.
Founders turning an idea into a first version, who need a focused build and honest advice on what to leave out.
We review a lot of app ideas and existing apps. These are the problems we see most often. Flip a card to see how we fix it, and tick any that sound like you.
Huge first versions blow budgets and delay launch. Start focused.
Confusing screens are cheap to fix in a prototype and expensive to fix in code.
If new users don’t see value quickly, they leave and rarely return.
Without tracking, nobody knows what people do or where they drop off.
No marketing plan means an app nobody finds.
Apps that aren’t updated break with new phone software.
Some businesses discover too late that their developer owns their app.
These questions will help you find an app development partner who will build something people actually use.
We are happy to answer every one of these on a call. That is part of our free audit.
Straight answers to the questions business owners and marketing managers ask us most.
It depends on features, platforms, integrations and design. We give you a fixed quote for a clearly defined scope after discovery, so there are no surprises.
It depends on the size of the app and how quickly decisions are made. We agree a clear timeline before development starts and share progress throughout.
Yes. We build for iOS, Android or both, using native or cross-platform development depending on what suits your app.
For most business apps, cross-platform offers a good balance of cost and quality. Native suits apps that need maximum performance or deep device features. We recommend based on your needs.
Yes. You own the source code, app store listings, backend and data.
No. Builds are scoped and quoted upfront, and support after launch runs month to month with no lock-in.
Yes. We can connect apps to Shopify, so products, customers and orders stay in sync.
Usually, yes. We check what your systems allow during discovery and plan integrations properly.
Yes. We prepare your listings, submit the app and handle feedback from the review teams.
Rejections are common and usually straightforward. We fix the issue and resubmit, and we build with the guidelines in mind from the start to reduce the risk.
Yes. We handle user experience, visual design and clickable prototypes before development starts.
Yes. We help with app store optimisation, launch plans and app install campaigns on Google and Meta.
A tappable version of your app made in a design tool. You can try it on your phone and test it with users before any code is written.
Updates for new iOS and Android versions, bug fixes, security patches, monitoring and improvements, depending on your plan.
Often, yes. We review the code and setup first, then tell you honestly whether to improve it or rebuild it.
Yes. Internal apps for job management, inspections, checklists and reporting are often among the most valuable apps a business can build.
Where they genuinely help users, yes. We test AI features for accuracy, privacy and running costs before they go live.
Almost always. Your website helps people find you and download the app, and many customers will never install an app at all.
Often, yes. If you don’t need app store presence or deep device features, a web app can do the job for less. We will tell you if it is the better option.
Secure logins, encrypted data, careful access controls and collecting only what you need. We also help you prepare the privacy information the app stores require.
Yes. We can build an admin area so your team can update content, products or offers without a developer.
Yes. We help founders define a focused first version, build it properly and learn from real users before scaling up.
Yes. We are based in Perth and work with businesses right across Australia.
A conversation about your idea or existing app, your goals, your users and your budget. If you have sketches, documents or apps you like, bring them along.
Yes, if your app needs it. We design offline features so data is saved on the device and synced safely when the connection returns.
Yes. We set up payments to suit what you sell, and check Apple and Google’s payment rules during discovery so there are no surprises.
Yes. We can design layouts that work well on iPads and Android tablets as well as phones.
Apple and Google charge developer account fees, and take a commission on some in-app purchases. We explain which ones apply to your app before you commit.
Yes. We can add smart links and banners so website visitors can find and download your app easily, and so links open the right screen in the app.
Most involved during discovery and design, when we need your knowledge of your business and customers. During development, regular check-ins and feedback on test builds are usually enough.
Yes. We share test builds regularly, so you can try the app on your own phone and give feedback as it takes shape.
That is normal. We show you what the change would cost and how it affects the timeline, so you can decide whether to add it now or save it for a later version.
We agree which operating system versions to support during discovery, balancing reach with cost. Supporting very old devices can add time, so we look at who your users actually are before deciding.
About the author
Director and Lead Consultant, Anahaw Media
John Conigliaro is the Director and Lead Consultant at Anahaw Media, a Perth digital marketing agency focused on performance. A Filipino-Australian digital marketer now based in Perth, WA, with more than 15 years’ experience across Singapore and Australia, he has led agencies in Australia on technical execution and growth strategy, founded a globally recognised eCommerce brand, and managed almost 300 campaigns, from small businesses to multinational brands, including Canon, Uniqlo, Benefit Cosmetics, Asiana Airlines, Changi Recommends, APM and Golfbox. He completed an MBA and a dissertation on Digital Transformation, holds a specialisation in Computer Applications from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSU-CSB), and is also a consumer tech critic and publisher. His mission is to use his talent and passion for digital marketing to change businesses for the better, in how they win customers and how they build their brand.
Get a free app strategy review. We will look at your idea or existing app and tell you honestly what we would build first, and what we would leave out.
Free guides
Plain-English, step-by-step guides from our team. Use them to do it yourself, or to know what good looks like before you hire anyone. See all guides
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App in Australia? (And How to Budget for It)How to work out the cost to build an app in Australia, from cost drivers and phases to store fees, running costs…Read the guide 
How to Market a Mobile App (Get It Found, Downloaded and Used)A step-by-step plan to get your app found, downloaded and used, from pre-launch and ASO to Apple Ads, Google, Meta, tracking and…Read the guide 
Custom Software vs Off-the-Shelf: How to Decide What Your Business NeedsHow to decide between off-the-shelf software, integrations and a custom build, with a five-year cost example, ownership checks and Australian rules.Read the guide