The Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry ecosystems are rapidly expanding to help the running of more technologically advanced mobile applications. As an enterprise, are you sure that you are deploying an app that ensures business growth and lucrative connections with customers? Mobile devices have become a necessity; they are no more a luxury for enterprises. Devices like the smartphone & tablet help enterprises to remain connected with their existing customer base & prospective clients through the running of mobile applications. Research has proven that more consumers access the internet today with their mobile devices as opposed to the traditional desktops. This means that the customer base of any enterprise has gone mobile and therefore development & deployment of mobile apps is necessary for mobilization of business.

Once you have decided to build a mobile application for benefitting the enterprise & its business, there are certain steps to be followed to ensure that the app is successful in fulfilling its purposes. Listed below are simple tips and tricks to keep in mind while developing mobile apps for an enterprise:

1. Choose the Right Platform – The foremost consideration is to choose the correct OS platform for developing the mobile application. Only when an enterprise has picked the operating system, which can range from Android and iOS to BlackBerry to Windows Phone, can it round up on the app developer. While cross platform frameworks are also available, it is recommended that only legitimate platforms like Titanium, PhoneGap, RhoMobile, MoSync, and WidgetPad are used.

2. Hire an In House App Developer – Try to focus on the IT or software engineering teams of the enterprise for designing your mobile application. This not only saves costs but also ensures more successful app building as the in house team has a clear understanding of the enterprise's needs & goals. But make sure to entrust the work of mobile app development to only such members of the team who are well skilled & experienced.

3. Outsource the App Development Responsibility – Outsourcing the work of mobile app development may be necessary if the in house team is not skilled or qualified enough to take the responsibility. App development companies and freelancer developers are available for hiring, but make sure to conduct a check on the experience level & the skill set of developers you hire. Also compare prices charged by the freelancers and other companies before signing on any agreement. The track record in developing similar mobile applications is necessary before taking a decision on outsourcing app building work.

4. Make Your Own Mobile App – If you are an individual running a business unit, you may want to develop your own mobile application. While the basic skill is required, it is important to always use the cross platform frameworks to ensure that the app is simple and will be successful post release. Using cross platform frameworks also ensures building a code that you can use for development of future apps for other OS platforms.  

5. Monetizing the Mobile App – Though pricing a mobile application comes after developing it, research has to be conducted before putting a price tag to your app. This means that the type of app you have built has to be priced in the bracket used for other mobile apps in the mobile market performing similar functions.

Though the above mentioned is not an exhaustive list, it is nevertheless the basic criteria for developing a successful mobile app for your enterprise