Last month we sent out an EDM to our clients letting them know that we had recently rebranded with a new logo and website.

The Media Shark rebrand has been in the pipeline for a while now however with an ever growing portfolio of clients, design and development projects taking priority it was a task that always seemed to get pushed to the bottom of the pile!

Alas, in mid June, we asked one of our designers to put together a mood board of ideas and concepts showcasing who we are as a company right now.

Media Shark rebrands! – It was actually at an event which we had sponsored earlier this year when the MC announced that people should contact Media Shark “For all things Media” when we realised we were no longer delivering the right message of our services and who we were.

Media Shark has grown significantly in the last 18 months with a larger team of designers and developers and we now soley focus on app and custom software development. Therefore it was important for us to deliver the message across all of our channels as to who we are today.

The first round of concepts still very much included the Shark, which although we will always have a fondness for, we felt as was a little dated for the brand and current demographic.

The second round of concepts were a lot closer to what we were looking for and there were admittedly some strong opinions. The second round of concepts started to include a semicolon with the shark finn, gradually reducing the “sharkiness” and bringing in the semi colon as code which is exaclty what we wanted to repsresent.

We knew we were getting closer and it was hard to let the Shark go, especially as we have the old logo painted as a huge mural on our office wall!

We didnt rush the decision as we knew how important it was to get it right and finally…………………………

We are thrilled to bits with our new icon and logo and couldn’t wait to get started on the website.

The website design took longer than expected with a few rounds of revisions before we were happy. This was then developed by one of our oldest team members, someone who has been with us from the very beginning – Camilo!

Once the website was live, we spread the message across our socials and began the extensive task of updating all of our collateral including business cards, t.shirts and all digital documents.

We are happy to say the effort was worth it, we couldn’t be happier with the new look.  

At Media Shark we have extensive experience creating brand identities for clients’ software and mobile applications and back in the early days of Media Shark logo design and brand identity was one of our main services.

We are proud to have created the logos and brand identities for all types of Gold Coast and Queensland Companies including Burleigh Protein & Etchd

We understand that the brand identity is the personality of the business is and that it needs to be clear and consistent. As we always convey to our clients, branding is more than just a logo it represents the company’s culture and vision.

Our look may have changed but our purpose remains the same!

Our Vision is to provide a first class experience, making clients feel welcome and valued.
Our Mission is to provide our clients with clear direction and transparency.
We Value each client that walks through the door, always referring to our Think Like a Shark culture. 

As we draw closer to the end of the year we are looking forward to a fresh new year, a fresh new look and a fresh new chapter for Media Shark. We would love for you to join us!

The post Media Shark Rebrands! appeared first on Mediashark.

Microservices make it easier for developers to scale software applications quickly, eradicate outages for companies and allow for software updates without affecting the whole application.

In recent times we have seen tech giants such as Netflix, Google and Amazon all using microservices, so let’s take a look at what exactly microservices are and how they could benefit your software!

Microservices – what are they in layman’s terms?

Imagine a company that has a sales department, a HR department and a front of house department. All the smaller departments make up the larger company however they operate independently from each other. All the departments are needed to make the company run successfully however each department has its own team and operational procedures.

In software development and microservices, developers break the project down into a collection of smaller services – just like company departments!

These smaller modules can be deployed individually and will perform the service required without the support of the other modules in the application. Often, when a new piece of code is added to a software application it can cause another part of the application to malfunction which can be frustrating, time consuming and costly. Microservices make it easier to deploy specific software updates without affecting the rest of the application.

Netflix microservices are considered top of the class when it comes to microservice architecture, they were one of the first multinational companies to have successfully migrated to this type of architecture.

*architecture is simply the structure of the software system or application. It is the set of principles or foundations from which the software is built on. 

Netflix decided to migrate to microservices due to a corruption of data which led to the platform being down for a few days. Following this it was decided that the entire application was to be moved to cloud based microservices to assist with scaling Netflix’s services and to ensure that the platform did not go down again.

Today Netflix has over a 1000 microservices, each managing a separate part of the site including watched shows, payments, and the algorithm of analysing and suggesting new programmes.

Monolithic vs Microservices Architecture

Monolithic architecture is the traditional way to create an application and may come in the form of an e-commerce application which takes orders, checks product inventory, takes payment and ships the products. Even though the application has different components/services it is deployed as one single application.

*A monolithic application is built as a single unified application which runs as a single service

Benefits of monolithic architecture include easier and faster development and deployment, easier and more efficient testing. Although they do have some benefits, Monolithic applications are quickly becoming a thing of the past especially for the new wave of tech startups who want to scale quickly.

Microservices on the other hand are not only more efficient, once they have been created they are reusable in other applications. The purpose of microservices is to ensure that every component of the application (which in turn is your business) runs smoothly and efficiently without interfering with other areas of the application.

“Microservices allow for high scalability whilst ensuring uninterrupted performance”

Facebook’s 2021 outage cost the company nearly $100 million in revenue and according to a report by Atlassian For Fortune 1,000 companies, downtime could cost as much as $1 million per hour.

So it’s fair to say that outages could have a significant effect on startups and small to medium businesses too.

Modernising your current systems

Microservices can be used to update legacy applications by migrating them to cloud based platforms.

*Legacy applications are old and outdated software solutions that are still used and crucial to business operations however use old systems and programmes

The advantages of modernising and migrating to microservices include improved employee efficiency, improved customer experience and reduced costs. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global microservices architecture market size estimates to reach $8073 million by 2026 

Final Thoughts

New technologies are emerging all the time, however Microservices have actually already been around for a decade. It’s only in recent times and due to the success of Multinationals adopting and succeeding with these services that enterprises are beginning to take note. Similar to low code platforms, microservices offer freedom and flexibility for businesses who need to scale quickly.

By creating your software applications with microservices or migrating old applications to microservices there will certainly be challenges and they may not be right for every business however by connecting with the right development team. They will be able to take you through the pros and cons for your business needs.

The post What Are Microservices And Their Benefits? appeared first on Mediashark.

Finding the right software development company may seem overwhelming, especially if you are not particularly tech savvy, however we have prepared a few key points which will help you confidently choose the right software development company for you.

Software Development Companies – Prepare A Brief

Having a clear idea of what you want and what you need will help both you and software development companies know immediately if you are the right fit for each other. Preparing a brief with some notes about what you are looking for is a great idea. 

All good software development companies will begin with a Discovery Call; this is where both you and the consultant will have an opportunity to have an initial conversation about your project. In some cases the company may not work in the technologies you need or they may not be able to fit your required time frame due to their current workload. Knowing what you want from the beginning will assist you with making an informed decision at the end!

Note – If the value lies in the idea make sure you protect yourself with an NDA (Non Disclosure agreement)

Software Development Companies – What’s Their Communication Style?

The first few interactions you have with a software development company are key. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And these first impressions will set the tone of what you can expect in the future. 

• Did they respond to your enquiry in a timely manner? 
• Do they speak in a language you understand? 
• Did they answer your questions clearly?

It’s important you as the client feel comfortable as the development process can be lengthy and requires open communication and collaboration from both sides. The right technology partner will make the whole process a positive experience that you both enjoy. Don’t forget though, it is just as important that you are a good communicator too. During the process you may be asked to provide additional information, logins for accounts and various credentials, constant, prompt communication from both sides will ensure the project runs smoothly.

Software Development Companies – What’s Their Process?

Feel free to ask what you can expect in terms of the company’s procedures and processes. If you are someone that likes to be involved every step of the way, ask about how much collaboration opportunity there will be, especially in the initial scoping and design phases.

• Does the company insist on having UI/UX prototypes in place prior to moving to development?
• What will the process be for milestones, sprint releases, and demo’s?
• Do they practise an agile development process?

It’s important to have a point of contact with someone who you can build a relationship with and someone who will make themselves available to guide you. We all know how frustrating it can be dealing with various different team members or even worse, being handed over to a complete stranger once you have been onboarded. Find out if you will have a dedicated project manager throughout your project.

Business acumen 

Now you don’t necessarily need your software developer to be your business confidant however it is reassuring if they have previous experience in your industry. An experienced software developer will be able to look at your business model from a different perspective, challenge your thought process and make recommendations based on what they believe is best for your custom software application and in turn the success of your business.  

• Ask yourself if you have found yourself engaged in these initial discussions and were they beneficial?
• How successful are their previous projects?

Do your due diligence on the company’s previous projects, reviews and most importantly if they have completed a similar project in terms of technologies and features.

Technical expertise

Find out about the company’s technical expertise. The team must have the knowledge, skills and resources to deliver your project successfully. Different companies use different programming languages (also known as technology stacks), ensuring that these technologies align with your specific requirements early on will pay dividends. The best development teams are balanced and diverse with individuals having the various skills sets and experience necessary to deliver your application to schedule. Ask about the development team.

• What is the team structure?
• What is the development process? 
• Which programming languages do you work with?

Trust

The success of your project depends on finding a software developer that is reliable and trustworthy. All good business relationships are built on trust. Remember, this team may potentially be your technology partners for years to come. Choose a team that has a great reputation, a good company culture and most importantly a team that is passionate and cares about your goals. You will need to be honest and open in return about your limitations and budgets so you can work together effectively. 

• Do they treat you with respect?
• Are they ethical?
• Do your values align? 

Final Thoughts

Choosing a software development company is a decision which is going to affect your whole business. Take your time and ask as many questions as you want. The right team will be more than happy to accommodate you and make you feel comfortable. A software developer is tasked with bringing digital innovation to you and your business, if it doesn’t feel like the right fit then that’s ok. Building an application for the first time is an exciting experience, digitally enhancing your business is also a huge milestone. Find a team that is just as excited as you are because you are the client and you deserve “the tiffany experience” of app development! 

The post Software Development Companies – How To Choose A Software Developer appeared first on Mediashark.

Custom application development is hugely popular in startups as the mobile app industry continues to thrive and is rapidly growing within organisations as they seek out various forms of automation and digital transformation, whilst embracing the hybrid and remote working models that have become the new normal.

The global custom application development service market is expected to grow by $38.15 billion during 2022-2026

Some examples of custom application development:

A CRM (Customer Relationship Management Application) is generally developed as a web application and can be used to store and manage information regarding a company’s clients. This type of platform can be developed in custom code to suit the businesses operating procedures and workflows and can include automated invoicing and reminders. This type of custom application development is used to assist a business with automation and streamlining processes.

Ridesharing applications such as Uber, Ola and Didi have been developed as web applications and also for iOS and Android. Both users and drivers can see real time ride requests, driver tracking and secure payments, This type of custom application is the lifeline of the business.    

Food delivery applications like the Domino’s Pizza App have been developed for iOS and Android. These apps are on demand delivery apps. Domino’s Pizza was created in the 1960’s, long before apps were invented, so this type of custom application has been developed to complement the existing business. 

Saas applications such as Netflix offer the software as a service, they are cloud based softwares which can be accessed through the internet. Some other examples include Salesforce, and Asana. This type of application is custom developed by the provider and it is the service which is resold as an out of the box application to the user or subscriber. This type of custom application development is the business.

Some examples of out of the box applications:

There are thousands of out of the box applications which suit some businesses perfectly however they may not fit your business needs entirely. This is where you could create your own custom application which you can sell on to users or subscribers like the developers of the below awesome applications.

Fitness application Mind body is an all in one fitness software with 1.9m users that allows gyms and studios to schedule clients. Manage staff and payroll and run reports. Users can also download the app, create their own profile and make bookings for classes and store payment methods.

Adobe creative cloud is a set of applications used for graphic design, video and picture editing and photography. Adobe is thought to have approximately 12 million cloud subscribers

Ivvy is a cloud based event management software for venues. This is an out of the box SaaS application that is an effective tool for managing events space, organising catering, equipment and accomodation. Ivvy is a Gold Coast based software company with approx 13,000 users.

Custom application development – what are the benefits?

Developing a bespoke software unique to your business has many advantages. Whether it is a mobile app that you plan to launch in the app stores or an enterprise application for your organisation. 

Custom application development is more expensive than off the shelf software however can be a better investment for the following reasons:

• Custom application development is tailor made to meet the requirements of your business
• It can increase productivity within the team as the workflows have been developed around your and your requirements
• It can improve the interaction and communication with your clients and customers thus improving the sales and onboarding process
• Custom application development allows you to scale quickly should the business grow rapidly
• It offers the security that out of the box software doesn’t
• It offers full control, you are the owner of the code rather than being locked into a vendor and needing to rely on for software updates and security 
• As the software is designed to fit your business it only includes the necessary functionality and is therefore more efficient
• There is a business opportunity to sell the software to users/subscribers in the industry needing this type of software to assist them and their business

Final thoughts 

By creating a custom application, You as a business owner have the opportunity to deliver consistently to their clients, regardless of where they are. Manage employees and scale quickly as and when you need to.

In 2022 it is important to encourage innovation and new ideas in technology to stay ahead of the competition in business!

Reach out to us to discuss your custom application development needs.

The post Custom Application Development: How Can It Benefit Your Business? appeared first on Mediashark.

Social media apps in particular, have come under huge criticism in recent times, with The Wall Street Journal investigating in 2021, Facebook’s own admission and in depth research that Instagram is Toxic For Teen Girls

The digital expectations of Gen Z are higher than ever before with some of the cohort only ever knowing the world shaped by technology. 

There are 68 million Generation Z members in the US, and their buying power is estimated at $144 billion. In addition to this it is reported that 31% of Gen Z feel uncomfortable if they are without their phones for 30 minutes or less, so it’s no wonder large corporations are trying their best to cash in on “The attention economy”

With the amount of apps available the competition for our attention is fierce with businesses and developers constantly updating features to keep us engaged for as long as possible. 

There are now however a huge amount of ethical issues when it comes to the tech we are using in our day to day lives which has proven to have a detrimental effect on our safety, security and mental health.

Digital Ethics – Addictive design

Casinos are a great example of addictive design; the dark mood lighting and windowless establishments with no clocks to differentiate between night and day. These places have all been designed with one purpose in mind – to keep the player focussed on spending money at the table.

In app development, there is a fine line between a good UI/UX and one that becomes so addictive it becomes detrimental to someone’s health. Symptoms of depression are twice as likely to appear in teens who spend more than 5 hours a day on their smartphones

Some addictive design techniques that keep users coming back for more are;

The wavy dots in messenger apps – this keeps the user in a state of anticipation waiting and wondering what the other user is going to write and therefore inside the app longer.

Push notifications – the ultimate digital distraction. Who is guilty of picking up their phone immediately after that little red dot appears?

According to business of apps Mobile push notifications are the most important channel for engagement for 61% of businesses

The refresh button – the instant gratification that comes from hitting the refresh button and being rewarded with a juicy new feed of stories and pictures is likened to the addictive nature of slot machines.  

Likes – the craving for social validation comes in the form of likes. How many likes did I get for my selfie at the gym, who’s interested in what I ate for breakfast? How popular am I?

A University of Cambridge study showed that after 300 likes, Facebook will know you better than your spouse!

Digital Ethics – Deceptive Design (also known as Dark Patterns)

A dark pattern is a term which was originally coined by Harry Brignull, a London based UI/UX designer. “A dark pattern is a user interface that has been carefully crafted to trick users into doing things that are not in their interest and is usually at their expense”

The roach motel is a dark pattern that makes it hard for a user to leave once inside the app or a website. Another example is designing an app deliberately making it difficult to opt out of something. 

Despite there not being a lot of regulation around app design and development, in March 2021 California actually passed a bill called the Consumer Privacy Act, prohibiting the use of dark patterns in the UI. 

Digital Ethics – Unethical practices 

Unethical practices can come in the form of automatically starting a subscription without reminding users that their free trial is about to expire. 

But more serious practices include spreading misinformation and fake news about competitors in order to gain business or even win an election. A recent study by 3 MIT scholars has found that false news spreads quicker on twitter than real news does! 

One of the biggest culprits of spreading fake news and disinformation was Donald Trump (who is now banned from Twitter) During his time in office Donald Trump Tweeted 36 election related falsehoods. These then received 22.6 million likes and 3.9 million retweets!

Fake news and misinformation can have a significant and harmful impact on individuals and the community. There have been some reports and studies that suggest that people with lower cognitive abilities are more susceptible to accepting “fake news”

Digital Ethics – Data Misuse

Now here’s one we all know, big tech companies want our data! Tech giants such as Facebook and Google are well known for making unethical decisions. Selling our data is one of them. 

The big tech companies all have their own third party sharing policies however The best company for your privacy is Apple

Companies want our names, phone numbers, emails, location and ip addresses. All these things enable a company to build a profile to better understand what we are interested in and our buying habits. These tech companies are then building algorithms to market to us better. 

But what happens when our data is breached and falls into the wrong hands? Remember the Cambridge Analytica scandal?

Twitter, Amazon, Google and even Uber have all been involved in data misuse investigations and more recently it has been reported that Tik Tok shares your data more than any other social media app! 

Digital Ethics – The Metaverse and AI

In December 2021, Bloomberg reported that the Metaverse revenue opportunity could reach $800 billion. However a recent Channel 4 Dispatches documentary has uncovered some disturbing behaviour inside the 3D community which has raised already heightened safety concerns within the virtual world. 

The Metaverse is completely unregulated and reports to no government or jurisdiction and unquestionably Artificial intelligence will have a major part to play in the metaverse. But who’s in charge, That straight shooter Mark Zuckerberg?

It is well documented that there are dark AI patterns including ethnicity and gender bias. AI ultimately is based on algorithms built by people and studies have shown that the pre existing biases in society affect the way we speak and write. The written word is currently used to train and program these machines and therefore bias in AI is an ethical problem.  

Sophia the robot, famous for becoming the first robot to be granted citizenship who has also once said she would destroy humans has recently sold an NFT of her artwork for $700,000

So is this cool or is it all getting a bit dystopian?

But what about the good stuff?

All of the above makes for some depressing reading right? Well let there be said there are also some awesome tech companies out there doing the right thing and using their influence in tech to make the world a better place!

Apple has just been listed in the Ethisphere 2022 edition of most ethical tech companies. This is decided using a number of factors including company culture, environmental and social impact and reputation.

Apple is leading the way on the ethics front with the release of iOS15 which will also now ask users if they would like to receive targeted ads. Prior to this release all users were immediately opted in. This new feature is an effort to offer users the ability to take control over their apps and the way they are marketed to.

In regards to the environment and sustainability. Cisco and Microsoft are also doing great things!

Cisco’s Takeback and Reuse program allows Cisco equipment owners to return hardware that has reached end-of-use, at no cost. This equipment is then recycled and reused.

Microsoft’s 2030 zero waste goal is another initiative and commitment to the environment. They are building Microsoft Circular Centres to extend the life cycle of servers by 90% by 2025.

How can tech companies become ethical?

By making ethics a priority and part of organisational culture, tech companies can make a change. Organisations should focus on having a deeper commitment to their corporate social responsibilities.

Companies must ensure they are practising responsible AI which is designed and developed with honest and transparent intentions and without bias, with an understanding that digital wellbeing can have a tremendous impact on mental health, for employees, customers and society.   

Companies must commit to running more sustainably and reducing their carbon footprints. And offer education and training opportunities for the underprivileged within their communities.

Final Thoughts

Technology is a part of our lives whether we like it or not so it’s important to look after our own digital wellbeing, whether this be taking a break from social media or setting boundaries by limiting our time on our devices. 

We can take control by aligning ourselves with companies whose own ethics and values match our own. 

As technology advances and ethical issues in tech grow, tech giants have a responsibility to step up and keep focussed on the relationship between technology and human morality as they have the reach, power and influence that smaller businesses don’t.

The tides are turning however with people turning their back on big tech. Facebook lost around 500,000 daily users in the last three months of 2021.  Users want more genuine interactions, more privacy and less lies and scandal.

A new wave of tech startups are being founded each day, who are trailblazing a new era of tech. By embracing an ethical mindset from the beginning these smaller companies have the power to make a change and a difference

The post Digital Ethics & Ethical Issues in Technology appeared first on Mediashark.

Custom application development can benefit all types of business models including well established companies and startups by creating bespoke software to meet the needs of their customers and clients.

As an app and custom software and development agency two of the questions we always get asked are “how much does it cost to develop an app?” or “can you provide me with ballpark estimates?”

How much does it cost to make an app? – A good range of what it costs to develop in Australia is around $60,000 – $300,000 depending on feature requirements, platforms and a multitude of other factors.

With this being said, multinational organisations have much larger budgets and fewer time constraints than the average start up. There are lots of moving parts to app development, therefore it’s key to understand the process and factors which will affect the cost.

App development is a journey which can sometimes take months on end so it’s important to be fully prepared, educated and informed.

So, how much does it cost to make an app?

How much does it cost to make an app? – Branding & Design

If you are an established business you’ll likely already have your branding in place however for a new business/startup the first port of call will be the visual identity and branding. This will include colours, fonts, iconography and style guides for your brand.

You can enlist a digital designer to work on the branding or your app development team will have inhouse designers that can bring your idea to life. They can create the all important logo/icon, the logo is a symbol and the visual representation of your business. It is the foundation of your brand identity. They will then work on the brand guide which is a document that denotes the best practises for the logo, the brand colours, typography and icongraphy.

A good brand guide can cost anywhere between $3000 – $5000. Of course larger organisations will have larger budgets however for any growing business regardless of size, a solid, scalable brand is pivotal to its success.

Once your branding is in place, you can move onto the design phase in the form of UI/UX prototypes. At Media Shark we don’t move to the development phase without these. They are the foundation of the application. 

The UI/UX prototypes will enable you to visualise what the fully developed application will become. They will visually demonstrate the user stories and how the user will interact with the application once it’s fully developed, confirming lots of intricate details such as how many screens will be included and which features will be built.    

If the application is going to be rolled out in phases with new features added in the future, it’s important to build the foundations correctly.

“The UI/UX prototypes are the blueprints to your house. You wouldn’t let your builder construct your house without first agreeing on the layout. Imagine if you changed your mind about where you want your bathroom or kitchen to go once built – it’s a lot easier to change your mind during the design phase than having to demolish and rebuild once it’s done!” – Tom Blake Media Shark Director

The average cost of UI/UX Prototyping is $12,000 – $25,000, depending on the amount of screens, complexity and the amount of platforms you are wanting to develop on.

For example, a business that wants to be able to licence their software to customers may need a mobile app, a backend and an admin backend – that’s 3 apps/platforms in total.

Whereas another business may only require 1 mobile app and 1 backend.

How much does it cost to make an app in Australia? – Native or Hybrid?

Native app development refers to building an app for a single platform, using programming languages also known as code which are specific to that platform. 

The official language for Android is Java, and for iOS it’s Swift. 

Whilst native apps may run faster and smoother than non native apps the cost of native app development is significantly higher as you will need developers that can programme in 2 different languages. This means your development hours and costs will be considerably increased. 

Native app development would generally be chosen for high level app development which includes making full use of the devices specific software including the GPS, camera and microphone.

Hybrid app development refers to the build of an app that can run on multiple operating systems. When developers build hybrid software/apps they only need to include once code for all platforms, allowing them to run anywhere. Hybrid app development can be less expensive but may not offer the same functionality and performance level.

Typically Native App Developmet is around 40% more expensive than Hybrid App Development

How much does it cost to make an app in Australia?

A good question to ask yourself is – Why am I developing an app?

Are you looking to create a basic MVP with the view of securing investment?

Do you want the app to compliment your existing business?

Are you completely self funded and ready to launch the application immediately once developed?

Once again, there are a number of variables including the amount of features and third party integrations, but here come the numbers:

The average cost of a basic app or MVP is $30,000 – $80,000 

The average cost of a mid range app is $80,000 – $110,000

The average cost of a high end app is $150,00 +

*average based on Media Sharks most recent app development projects 2021 – 2022

Trademarks and licences

If you are going to develop an app for iOS and android, licences for both app store and play store will be required. For the app store, you will need to register as an iOS developer. This will cost you a yearly fee of $99.

For the Google play store you will need a Google developer account, which is a one off cost of $25 

Server fees include things like domain access and AWS hosting, these can cost as little as $500 per year

Third party integrations refer to anywhere the app uses an API to borrow data and functionality from other apps. Examples include Stripe payment gateways for payments within your app, Firebase for instant messaging and Google maps for GPS.

Most third party integrations are free until you reach a certain number of users therefore once you start paying – the more succesful your app has become! 

Developers

There are a number of ways to develop your app, you may feel confident managing the project and conducting all the testing yourself. If this is the case then a freelancer may be the right fit for you. With that being said, some degree of technical knowledge would be beneficial. 

The average cost of freelance MEAN stack app developer in Australia is $130 per hour depending on level of experience

Fixed price app development is when the cost of the project is agreed and paid for prior to developers starting any work. This can be a great way to know where you stand in terms of timelines and costs however does not offer the flexibility to make changes once the project scope has been agreed and signed off on.  

The average fixed price developments costs in Australia are $60,000 – $300,000

Dedicated resource models are a great option if your software is going to have many phases and features rolled out gradually. Dedicated resources can perform many ad hoc tasks and offer a lot of flexibility in development.

The average cost of dedicated resource development in Australia is $16,000 per month per resource.  

(based on a developer charging $100 x 160 hours per month) 

Maintenance

At Media Shark we always advise our clients that the ongoing maintenance cost will be approximately 15% of the overall development cost. With constant updates and advancements in technology and smartphones it is important to keep your app up to date and functioning correctly. 

Example:

App Development cost – $95,000

Ongoing Maintenance – $14,250

Marketing and launch

App development is the tech that compliments your business and as with any business, a strong launch is crucial as this is where you will gain your users (customers base) and where you will build your brand awareness. The marketing and launch plans should be in place long before the app is complete. It’s important to build the hype and get people excited and anticipating the release of your app.

Some agencies may offer assistance with your marketing or you may benefit from a separate marketing agency/PR firm. 

At Media Shark we recommend an average budget of $30,000 – $100,000 for pre and post launch marketing. 

This can include your advertising campaigns, app store optimisation, creation of a website or landing page and a pitch deck for your investor and stakeholder meetings.

Final Thoughts

When starting off on your software development journey, it’s important to find a team that is going to be the right fit for you as this is the team you will be working alongside for a substantial period of time. 

Spend some time doing the research and talking to various people, companies and agencies as you should choose a team that has a clear understanding of your business concept and who can provide you with honest and realistic expectations of timelines and costs. 

The experts will also be able to guide you on the important things to consider before you begin and provide you with advice on your best route forward.

Remember to enjoy the process, this is your app and your business! 

Reach out to Media Shark to discuss your custom application needs further!

The post How much does it cost to make an app? appeared first on Mediashark.

Some examples of femtech include apps for fertility, pregnancy, period tracking, sexual and gynecological health as well as lifestyle & wellness. The term “femetech” was coined by Ida Tin who is the co-founder and CEO of the female health app Clue which assists users with all aspects of female reproductive health.

After decades of silence and taboo, women are now finding platforms and apps where they can understand, educate and empower themselves about their bodies and take full control over their health, and according to Frost and Sullivan: femtech could become a $50 billion market by 2025.

Menstrual products weren’t allowed to be advertised on American television until 1972 so it’s a welcome change to see so many startups assisting women, now making vital services more accessible, particularly in a post pandemic world where the cost of some of these services in person is not viable for some.

In 2021 the tides began to turn with ovulation calendar, period tracker and pregnancy app Flo securing $50 million in Series B Funding, bringing the companies valuation to $800 million.

Femtech is still however a relatively untapped market with only a few hundred startups worldwide. 

Digital Health Apps – Femtech Apps

Flo
Flo is an app that assists women with tracking menstruation, predicting their cycle and preparing for conception.  

Clue
Founded by Ida Tin who actually coined the phrase “femtech” Clue is a period tracking app which assists with PMS and fertility.

Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles is the first FDA cleared birth control app and advocates for more non hormonal, non invasive birth control options. 

Caria
Caria is an app which assists women with navigating menopause smoothly and has been developed with leading experts in womens health.

Gazella
Gazella is an app that allows a user to find different workouts depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle. 

Digital Health Apps – Education & Poverty

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products and education surrounding menstrual health. Femtech is educating women in the developing world by improving knowledge to women who have limited access to healthcare.

Unicef have created an app to assist in educating young girls in developing contries, Oky is a period tracking app which has been created for girls by girls to help them learn about menstruation. Oky has been developed for girls in low and middle income countries where there is a lack of education and understanding. Currently adolescent girls in Mongolia and Indonesia are using this app annd Unicef plans to launch in Kenya next.

According to the World Health Organization more than 800 women die of pregnancy-related complications every day, particularly in rural areas of India and Africa, where healthcare facilities are in short supply. Femtech is also being used in developing contries to tackle cervial cancer. 

Digital Health Apps – What about inclusivity?

Femtech is a growing and evolving industry and the term femtech itself can be considered exclusive so there is an increased demand to accommodate the LGBTQI+ community who need access to information and advice regardless as to how they identify as a gender.

There is now a stronger expectation for brands to be accessible to all. Queerly health is a rising startup which is dedicated to educating the LGBTQI + and trans community by allowing them to connect with practicioners via the online marketplace.

In addition to this Plume is a trans led platform which allows the user to download an app and be connected with a practicioner who can provide gender affirming care in the form of hormone therapy. 

Femtech Apps – The future?

The conversations surrounding women’s health and reproductive topics have always carried a social stigma. But the world is transforming and we are thrilled to have femtech startups that are trailblazing the way to not only normalizing the subject of womens health but providing scientific results to support and educate women worldwide.    

Femtech represents a shift in thinking and women are being represented in a way they have never been before by raising awareness, removing stigmas and using technology to educate and empower. As a result of this transition, more women are entering industries and roles that were predominantly led by men. 

Digital healthcare has advanced enormously in the last few years and has transfromed the way in which we look after our health. Satista estimates that the mobile medial app market will grow to over 11 billion dollars by 2025.

We at Media Shark are looking forward to seeing further innovation to educate and assist users all around the globe!

The post Digital Health Apps – The Rise of Femtech appeared first on Mediashark.

With the worldwide number of smartphone users on the rise, App development is and an all-time high and it’s hard to imagine a life before them. It is estimated that there are more connected devices in the world than there are people. 

With Android and IOS taking the forefront of this industry. We are continuing to see the ongoing trend in apps that make our lives easier, more interactive, and even allow the government to monitor us.

Mobile apps have changed the way we live, and the way we connect with our families, friends, and peers. So in a world where everything is literally at our fingertips, you would think that everything we can possibly think of has already been created right? – Wrong!

The list is ongoing however below are 3 apps that don’t exist yet that we here at Media Shark believe could be on the cusp of creation:

1) Apps that don’t exist yet – Scan & Shop

An app that allows the user to scan an outfit, whether it be the Gold Coast girl on the street or Carrie Bickmore on the Project. This app would allow the user to find out which retail store the outfit is from and order it online straight away – this idea has been done before but for music, wine, and food. Yet we still have not seen one for clothing. The potential for the retail industry here is tremendous particularly given this industry, in particular, has taken a hit in recent years and now needs to find a new way to evolve and adapt.

*Virtual clothes try on – In addition to the above, there could be an option to try on clothes from a brand virtually. Similar to the way Ikea allows users to sample products in realtime via their augmented reality app. This could be a feature of the scan and shop or even as its own individual app.

2) Apps that don’t exist yet – Battery Share 

An app that allows you to connect to someone else’s phone and use their charge if you’re running low. We have seen portable chargers and all kinds of cumbersome gizmos to carry around in addition to our humble telephone however we are yet to discover an application that lets the user “borrow” a little bit of charge from a friend or colleague. Of course, the app would need to be protected to prevent other users from zapping other people’s battery life however wouldn’t it be nice to be safe in the knowledge that you would never be caught out again. A good safety tool for the younger generation when mum and dad are worrying if their teenage daughter managed to get on the last bus.

3) Apps that don’t exist yet – Restaurant Seating

A real-time app that lets the user know what seats are available in a restaurant and allows the user to book a table to ensure they get the best view of the river or the sunset. It would also let the user know if a seat is about to become free. As a tourist, a family with young children or even for an impulse business meeting this would be a great app to help the user find somewhere amazing and suitable minus the queuing at the door or the inconvenient wait at the bar only to be put at a tiny table next to the toilet. There are apps available that benefit the restaurateur – Waitlist Me and Hostme provide texts and notifications when your table is ready to save you queuing but there is nothing out there yet that can give you a tailored, unique experience like the above.

*Whilst there still hasn’t bee an app created which does the above – Apps within the restaurant industry continue to be huge, partucliarly post pandemic when people are looking to reconnect in person and venues are wanting to bring customers back into their establishments. 

Eat Club 

Eat Club is a recently created “food tech startup” founded by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White to help restaurants in fillling their empty seats during quiet times thoughout the day with the aim of bringing customers back to restaurants.

“EatClub connects customers with restaurants who have spare tables on any given day/night. The mobile app helps restaurants fill these spare tables while the customers receive great deals in return.”

Only time will tell if these ideas ever make it to market however with Apps now becoming a way of life and the way we work and communicate. I, for one, can’t wait to see what they think of next!

At Media Shark, our niche is building web and app software development. We specialise in native and hybrid app design If you have an idea you want to be brought to life, please reach out to us, our passion is turning your ideas into reality.

The post App Development – The 3 Most Wanted Apps That Don’t Exist Yet (Updated 2022) appeared first on Mediashark.

It’s no secret that the last few years have been like no other, with the pandemic taking over our lives and the stress of not knowing if our jobs are safe, life in lockdown and worrying about the safety of our family and friends. Our mental health has really been put to the test! So what do we do when we simply can’t afford to go and see a psychologist, counsellor or therapist but need a little help with our mental health?

We can download a mental health app! Mental health apps are tools which can be accessed via our smartphones devices and most focus on aspects such as reducing stress, anxiety and improving sleep. A lot of mental health apps offer different types of techniques and strategies and have been endorsed by licensed healthcare professionals.

In the last few years, there’s been a multitude of mental health apps that have become available for smartphone users. Most of the time they are free and the mental health apps on offer have an abundance of resources that make therapeutic approaches more accessible for the everyday user.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is an Australian made app which has been developed by psychologists and focusses on mindfulness. There are a number of daily meditation exercises which the user can work through & there is even the choice between a man or a womans voice which we think is awesome!

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Mentemia

Mentemia is an app that coaches mental wellbeing. Free to all Australians. Endorsed by our very own Mick Fanning. Mentemia helps users learn to control their anxiety. The app distinguishes itself from what is already available as it takes medically proven techniques and transforms them into interactive and engaging tasks. It works to help recognise stress and puts forth methods to support and improve anxiety.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Headspace

“Headpsace has one mission: to improve the health and happiness of the world.” Headspace was launched in 2010 and was originally an event company. The British founder Andy Rich and his team realised that the people attending the events were wanting to take home with them the tools that they had learned in the workshops and so the headspace mental health app was created. 

Headspace focuses on meditation and mindfulness to improve sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. Headspace offers guided exercises and videos and even claims that 10 days of headspace can increase happiness by 16%

Headspace have also just partnered with Netflix – Headspace Guide to sleep!

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Happify

Happify was founded in 2012 by 3 entrepreneurs who were certain that technology could make people’s lives better. With their actual expertise being in gaming and technology, the founders wanted to bring science and technology together to create something fun and engaging which could help people. 

Happify provides people with the tools to take control of their thoughts and feelings and offers techniques for mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. As you can imagine by the name, Happify really does focus on happiness and the science behind it and provides games and activities to help retraining peoples negative thoughts.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Breathe, Think, Do with sesame street (Mental Health App for Kids)

This has to be one of our favourites, this app for kids is designed to teach skills such as problem solving, self control and planning. There is an activity called “Breathe with the Monster” which is an activity to help kids do breathing exercises to calm down.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Calm

Calm has been regarded as one of the best mental health apps available and aims to help with health and happiness, it comes with relaxing soundtracks, exercise and meditation and was awarded apple app of the year in 2017. Calm is used for anybody who needs to get better sleep and feel a little bit spiritual at the same time.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Talkspace

Talkspace is convenient and affordable and allows you to be matched with a licensed therapist. You are then able to message, have video calls at your convenience. This app is subscription based and for users 13 and over. Talkspace allows a user to contact their allocated therapist at any time and comes with a guarantee that the therapist will respond once per day – 5 days per week. In one recent study, 81% of participants felt Talkspace is as effective or better than in-person therapy. Talkspace has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and CNN.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia –Mindshift

Mindshift was developed by Anxiety Canada and really focuses on anxiety and provides the tools to help deal with worry, panic, social anxiety and phobias. Mindshift uses techniques and strategies based on behavioral cognitive therapy. Mind Shift claims to be the go to app for anxiety management.

Final Thoughts

For people who are feeling a bit low or struggling mentally, there are some awesome benefits to using a mental health app. 

1. You can use the app in the privacy of your own home and remain anonymous
2. They are easily accessible and a more cost effective option 
3. They are convenient which means you can use them anytime   

In addition to this some counsellors have claimed that the apps have assisted with tracking their clients’ progress:

As a clinician, I can now have my clients share their Thought Journals and Belief Experiment CBT homework by ‘sharing their progress” with me from this app. This helps me better track their progress and support treatment goals. 

– Rita Schnarr, MA, RCC

Clinical Counsellor

Mental Health apps are an great way to keep a track of our mental health and wellness. There are a number of free-to-download options available for a variety of wants and needs.

Not every app is suitable for everyone. However, the free apps allow you to try multiple options to find the best fit for you

The post The Best Mental Health Apps Australia 2023 appeared first on Mediashark.

Three key updates were announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in June of 2021:

1. In-app Events
2. Product Page Optimisation
3. Custom Product Pages

(In app Events is now live however Product Page Optimisation and Custom Product Pages do not yet have a set date)

So – what are these new features?

Custom Product Pages will allow A/B testing through paid channels outside of the iOS App Store

Product Page Optimization will provide conversion testing for organic channels

In-app Events will allow developers to find out which features are doing the most to improve user retention, engagement, and acquisition through new metrics available in App Analytics.

These new features may potentially replace the need for third-party testing platforms and will be available directly in App Store Connect.

The new testing tools (Product Page Optimisation and Custom Product Pages) will allow A/B testing to take place live on the App Store.

Product Page Optimisation

Product Page Optimisation will offer developers and mobile marketers a powerful and long-awaited A/B testing tool. Developers will now be able to create 3 additional Product Pages to be displayed alongside an app’s default product page.

Creative elements such as the app icon, screenshots, and preview videos can be tested by applying various treatments to determine what can potentially drive the most conversion.

Being able to test so many elements is exciting, but developers should be careful of trying to test too much at the same time – In order to isolate which changes have the most impact, it is recommended to limit each test to change only one factor.

This is the best practice for any iterative test as it can reduce uncertainty when designing further experiments.

Product Page Optimisation tests can be run for up to 90 days, but depending on traffic volume they might not need this much time. Generally a test can be wrapped up once actionable conclusions can be drawn from the results.

This is where an App Store Optimisation consultation can come in handy to determine when enough data has been collected. During the test cycle and at the end of the test, the results can be monitored and compared to an app’s baseline performance in App Analytics.

Custom Product Pages

There will also be an option to optimse app product pages for paid traffic.

When directed to the App Store from an external link, the difference between an install and a bounce could come down to how users feel the product page reflects the ad that brought them there.

If a user feels like they were misled then they are much less likely to install.

Taking a one-size fits-all approach to product page design could create missed opportunities to reach additional audiences. The new Custom Product Pages are a great way to reach users with the design elements that most appeal to them.

Custom Product Pages will allow developers to redirect external channels to one of 35 Custom Product Pages via placing the page’s unique URL into relevant advertisements or third-party referrals. This will allow users to see a product page that reflects the design elements of the environment that prompted them to click the referral link.

Each unique page can feature variations on screenshots, app previews, and promotional texts to allow developers to position their app for the intended audience. Designing an App Store Optimisation strategy positioned to optimize all 35 different custom pages available can greatly expand an app’s potential audience.

Developers can view actionable performance data tied to Custom Product Pages in App Analytics. These metrics provide insight into which product pages are driving conversion for specific demographics broken down by region, device, source type, and more. This allows developers to refine their App Store assets to increase conversion across paid channels and hone their ASO strategy to perfectly compliment paid efforts.

With the right strategy, Custom Product Pages can be set up, marketers can distribute the unique URLs to the associated campaigns, and developers can easily measure performance metrics via App Analytics.

In-app Events

Users can now see In-app Event cards in a few locations across the App Stores. In-app Event cards appear in the editorial section on the Today, Games, and Apps Tabs, which may prove to be a useful tool for new user acquisition.

Event cards also appear in search results and product pages, presenting differently depending on whether the user viewing the app has downloaded it. Existing users will see the event card in place of the app’s current screenshots in search results, while new users see the event card below current screenshots.

Product pages allow developers to publish up to five events that are visible to all users.

New metadata fields and creative elements are required for In-app Events.

Metadata includes the event name, the short description and the long description

Creative elements include an event card image and an event page image or video

There are also two brand new fields required for In-app Events called the Event Badge and the Event Purpose. The Event Badge is a front-facing element that indicates to users the type of event being offered, while the event’s purpose is a back-end field used by Apple for personalised recommendations.

There will now be a way to help build user anticipation for events by allowing promotions of events up to two weeks in advance.

Users can ask to be notified when an event starts by clicking the “Notify Me” button on the event card. Upon clicking the notification, existing users will be launched directly into the event and new users will be brought to the event’s details page where they can proceed to install the app. 

Apple will provide personalised recommendations on the editorial tabs that suggest events for apps that are currently or previously installed, alongside new apps based on what Apple’s algorithm determines a user will be interested in. Users also have the ability to directly search for events on the App Store, where all users both active and new are shown the event card along with the app in search results. 

Final Thoughts

A/B testing has always been an issue with the App Store, with problems such as inaccurate metrics and risky testing methods. With these exciting new features developers will finally have the right tools needed to get the real conversion data they need from App Store Connect.

In-app Events have started rolling out recently for developers who have opted in to upgrade their Apple developer accounts. These events provide a means for developers to connect with users through timely events on the App Store, with the potential to engage and retain active or lapsed users as well as attract new users.

New metrics will be visible in App Analytics to measure the results of these new tools, and the findings have the potential to provide deeper insight into what is most driving conversion and how developers can best optimize their apps moving forward.

About the Author

Gummicube Co-Founder & CEO, Dave Bell

Gummicube is a global leader in App Store Optimization with more than 11 years of experience optimizing and marketing apps. We offer the leading enterprise ASO technology and agency services, providing support to clients around the world. Our company is trusted by thousands of enterprise brands and leading startups including Microsoft, LinkedIn, Bethesda, SWEAT, GrubHub, McAfee and many others.

The post App Store Optimisation & The Impact Of iOS 15 appeared first on Mediashark.