Why iOS Is an Excellent Platform for Building Your App

iOS is a dominant platform for mobile app development, particularly in the Western world, where it captures a significant portion of the market. Globally, iOS generates the highest revenue among mobile platforms, making it a preferred choice for businesses and developers aiming to create impactful and profitable applications.

iOS Dominates the Western World/

As of December 2024, iOS holds a 26.01% share of the global mobile operating system market. However, in affluent markets like the United States and Canada, iOS is far more dominant, capturing 58.1% and 60% of the market share, respectively.

In terms of revenue, the Apple App Store remains the leading platform for consumer spending. In the second quarter of 2024 alone, the App Store generated approximately $24.6 billion in consumer spending on in-app purchases, subscriptions, and premium apps, marking an 11.3% increase year-over-year. Globally, consumer spending on mobile apps reached $127 billion in 2024, a 15.7% increase from the prior year.

Why Build Your App on iOS?/

Developing an app for iOS offers several advantages:

1. Large User Base: iOS maintains a substantial and highly engaged user base, particularly in affluent regions. With over 1.65 billion active devices globally, the potential audience for your app is massive.
2. High User Engagement: iOS users are known to have higher engagement levels and are more likely to spend on apps. The App Store consistently outperforms Google Play in revenue, driven by in-app purchases and subscriptions.
3. Consistent User Experience: Apple’s controlled ecosystem ensures a uniform experience across devices, making it easier to design and maintain high-quality apps.
4. Strong Security: iOS is renowned for its advanced security measures, which is crucial for apps that handle sensitive user data.
5. Robust Development Tools: Apple offers a comprehensive set of development tools, including Xcode and Swift. Swift, in particular, is a modern and efficient programming language that enables developers to build high-quality apps quickly and effectively.
6. Market Affluence: iOS users generally fall into higher income brackets, making them more likely to spend on premium apps, in-app purchases, and subscriptions.

While iOS development comes with its challenges, such as Apple’s strict app review process and the 15-30% commission on app revenue, the revenue potential and user engagement often outweigh these drawbacks.

Hiring iOS Engineers/

Hiring skilled iOS engineers is crucial to building a successful app. Here’s what to look for when hiring:

• Proficiency in Swift and Objective-C: While Swift is the primary language for iOS development, knowledge of Objective-C can be helpful for working on older codebases.
• Experience with iOS Frameworks: Look for experience with key frameworks such as UIKit, SwiftUI, Core Data, Core Animation, and Core Graphics.
• Understanding of Apple’s Design Principles: Engineers should be well-versed in Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) to ensure the app meets iOS standards for design and usability.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Debugging and performance optimization are essential skills for any iOS engineer.
• Strong Portfolio: Review the candidate’s past projects to evaluate their ability to deliver high-quality and well-architected apps.

Where to Find iOS Engineers

• Freelance Platforms: Platforms like Upwork and Toptal have many experienced iOS engineers available for hire.
• Recruiting Agencies: Agencies specializing in tech recruitment can help you find top talent.
• Communities and Forums: Platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and iOS-focused Slack groups can be great places to connect with iOS developers.
• Universities and Bootcamps: New graduates with training in iOS development can bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to your team.

Best Practices for Building iOS A/

To build a successful iOS app, keep these best practices in mind:

1. Focus on User Experience (UX)

iOS users expect intuitive and seamless app experiences. Invest in UI/UX design to ensure the app is easy to navigate and visually appealing.

2. Stay Updated with iOS Trends

Apple frequently introduces new features and APIs with each iOS update. Incorporate these advancements to keep your app competitive and appealing.

3. Optimize Performance

Ensure your app is optimized for performance, including fast loading times, smooth animations, and efficient use of device resources.

4. Implement App Store Optimization (ASO)

ASO is essential for increasing your app’s visibility. Focus on optimizing your app’s title, description, and keywords to attract more downloads.

5. Gather and Act on User Feedback

Encourage users to leave reviews and feedback. Use this information to improve your app, fix bugs, and enhance the user experience.

6. Test Thoroughly

Rigorous testing is essential to ensure your app works flawlessly across all supported devices and operating system versions.

Conclusion/

Developing for iOS offers access to a lucrative and engaged user base, particularly in key Western markets. The combination of strong user engagement, high revenue potential, and robust development tools makes iOS an excellent choice for building your app. Whether you’re starting a new project or scaling an existing one, iOS development can help you tap into a thriving market with significant potential.

By hiring the right engineers and following best practices for iOS app development, you can create an app that not only meets the expectations of your users but also drives substantial revenue and growth for your business.