Cloud-based App Development: Build faster and better software

Quick overview:

The cloud has become central to every type of digital transformation program. Numerous studies and reports suggest a rapid growth in the cloud market driven by a strong demand for cloud-based products and services. Of course, there are countless other factors behind the rise of cloud computing in the business world, such as elevated data security and cost efficiency. This blog is about learning the fundamentals of cloud application development and why it’s become a rage among the winners across industries. Let’s begin.

Cloud-based app development has gained significant traction among companies from around the world.

Leveraging cloud infrastructure to build and run software applications is like upending traditional software development. For example, cloud-based application development significantly reduces the need to invest in on-prem IT infrastructure and services. 

There’s less need to deploy additional IT staff to monitor the tools, technologies, and hardware installed on-prem. Shifting the development and deployment to the cloud frees up the in-house IT teams, who can better focus on strategic and high-value projects.

Even Gartner predicts a dramatic surge in the cloud landscape:  As per the forecast, more than 85% of companies worldwide will likely embrace a cloud-first mindset by 2025 and will not be able to fully execute their digital strategies without the use of cloud-native architectures and technologies. Cloud-based applications and solutions have already permeated every sphere of business. And those who fail to keep up with the cloud innovation will suffer consequences in the short and long run.

This blog aims to highlight the basics of cloud-based app development. It will help you understand the core benefits of embracing cloud development and how to do it correctly.

What is Cloud-based Application Development?

At its core, it is very much a traditional app development process. What has changed in this approach is the use of Cloud infrastructure and the hundreds of services that cloud providers offer.

Cloud-based app development is a modern and cost-effective process for developing, deploying, and maintaining software applications in a cloud environment.

In this development setup, the software development, operations, and quality assurance teams collaborate in the Cloud to build, test, deploy, and iterate on their applications. Teams practice and leverage new-age tools, technologies, and methodologies such as DevOps, CI/CD, microservices, containerization, serverless architecture, etc.

Furthermore, a cloud-based app development calls for a more collaborative approach, thus building mindsets and cultures that together dismantle silos that have been in existence for decades between development and operations teams.

Another critical component of the cloud app development process is the need for a cloud service provider. Fortunately, there are enough players operating in the cloud computing market. However, Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure are the industry-leading forces and have consistently raised the bar of excellence through their innovative products and services.

Key characteristics of the cloud-based apps

• Nearly every component of a cloud app - such as its data - resides in the cloud 
• Users can access the app from anywhere, on any device, via the Internet 
• Cloud apps are highly elastic and cost-effective (Since there is no need to make significant investments in software and hardware components and additional IT staff)
• They also tend to perform better on devices and operating systems as they are built using next-generation tools and technologies 
• Cloud-based apps hit the market significantly faster than traditional IT apps 

We’ve defined cloud software development. Now, let’s explore the core advantages that drive companies to build cloud-based software applications.

Why are businesses increasingly investing in Cloud-based App Development?

Cloud-based software development processes lead to unparalleled elasticity and operational efficiency. To develop secure and scalable applications, cloud teams benefit from advanced architectural styles and technologies, such as microservices and containerization. 

• Scalability: Cloud applications can rapidly scale up or down according to business requirements. The near-infinite computing and processing capacity of the cloud infrastructure enables these applications to respond swiftly to changes in user traffic. 
• Cost efficiency: Cloud services eliminate the need for expensive hardware and software and reduce IT maintenance and upgrades. 
• Security: Even though security becomes a ‘shared responsibility’ in the cloud area, the cloud service providers ensure the best-in-class security mechanisms, such as encryption and secure coding, to protect apps, data, and systems from bad actors. 
• Disaster recovery: The cloud provides offsite backup for critical data and applications so that businesses can recover their data and applications quickly and easily in the event of a disaster without the need for costly downtime
• Improved productivity: Cloud computing can help employees access applications from anywhere with an internet connection, even if they're not in the office.

Cloud-based App Development: A step-by-step process

Developing a cloud app requires a clear strategy and clean execution.

To succeed in building a cloud app that enthralls its audience and helps the business achieve its goals, you must begin with a solid understanding of the customer's pain points. This requires extensive market research, customer interviews, competitive research, and other similar activities. Finally, prepare a detailed document containing all the required information on how the app should look, feel, and behave.  

So, a lot goes into turning an app idea into a real-world app. Though the process or the steps involved could vary from one company to another or one project to another project, the most essential stages in cloud development include: 

Step 1: Define objectives and requirements

This is the planning phase. You think about how the new app will help you or your customers. We are talking about the main goal or primary purpose of the application. The ‘Why’ behind the app has to be very compelling. Otherwise, you better not proceed with app development, as any scale of app development demands significant investments. 

Step 2: Choose your cloud partner 

Fortunately, there are hundreds of companies helping businesses move into the cloud. However, they are different in terms of their offerings, support services, and costs. You must select a cloud service provider that understands your unique business challenges and requirements and can offer custom solutions. AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are the top voices in the cloud market. Your technology partner can help you choose the best fit for your needs and budget. 

Step 3: Determine your execution model 

You can build a cloud app with the help of a few or more freelancers. You can also hire a reliable software development company. Or, you can create an in-house team. 

Specify the technical requirements, such as programming languages, frameworks, and tools, as well as the infrastructure requirements, such as servers, databases, and network configurations.

Step 4: Choose a development team 

For cloud-based software development or any other form of development, you have three options: Hire freelancers, build an in-house development team, or outsource the app development project to a reputable software development company like Kellton. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Weigh the pros and cons and choose your development partner. 

Step 5: Plan the architecture

Your development partner can help determine the core architecture of your cloud application. Although it is a good practice to conduct thorough research on the tech stack and architecture that will power your future app, a mobile app development company can help build on that plan.  

Also read:  How to create an app in 2024?

Step 6: Development

This is the ‘action phase.’ Here, your in-house development team or development partner will write your application's code and business logic. 

Depending on the project scope, complexity, and timelines, the development team will build the app using cloud-based tools and technologies such as frontend and backend frameworks, programming languages, APIs, and more. 

Step 7: Testing the app for performance 

A key step in the cloud-based application development process is to weave in robust testing efforts. Testing the app rigorously over a period of time ensures that the software adapts to the changing user requirements and remains a strategic asset for the company in the long term. Cloud teams can automate the entire testing process and ensure any discrepancies are monitored well on time and that the required steps can be taken to keep the app performing as desired.

How much does it cost to develop a cloud app?

The cost of a cloud-based app can vary depending on the type of project, its complexity, and the amount of time and effort required to develop it. App development costs also differ from one vendor to another, depending on the location and expertise of the development team. 

Entry-level development projects can cost between $30,000 and $60,000. Large-scale cloud migrations, operational programs, and complex cloud governance can cost between $50,000 and $150,000. Custom line-of-business applications, data platforms, and custom AI projects can cost around $150,000 or more.

Recommended reading: How much does mobile app development cost in 2024? 

Conclusion: Cloud App Development with Kellton 

Gartner says that public cloud spending will exceed 45% of all enterprise IT spending by 2026, up from less than 17% in 2021. 

Cloud computing and cloud-based app development will help businesses build a significant competitive advantage over their competitors. By utilizing the cloud, companies across various sectors can safely and efficiently amass all the data they need to generate actionable insights. Those critical insights and actions based on those insights will be the key differentiators for companies that will win and lose. 

If you plan to build one or more software applications to achieve specific business objectives while harnessing the power of cloud technology, we can help. 

Whether it’s your first move toward the cloud or you have a robust portfolio of cloud-based software applications, we can help you build future-ready cloud-based applications. Take a glimpse into our next-generation Cloud Engineering services! 

Contact our Cloud Team for more information on our Cloud services!