Mobile applications are no longer a luxury reserved for large corporations — they have become an accessible and cost-effective tool for businesses of all sizes that want to improve communication with users, automate internal processes or open a new sales channel. The number of users who access content and services exclusively via mobile devices continues to grow, and companies that are slow to enter the mobile space are directly losing market share to competitors who have already made that move.
What a mobile application is and what it does
A mobile application is a software programme that runs on a smartphone or tablet and provides users with specific functionality — from browsing information and ordering services to managing business processes and communicating in real time. Unlike a website that a user visits through a browser, an application is installed on the device, enabling faster access, better adaptation of the interface for touch interaction, use of the device's hardware capabilities such as the camera, GPS and sensors, and operation without an active internet connection where required.
Android and iOS — two platforms, one market
The mobile device market is divided between two dominant platforms. Android, developed by Google, covers approximately 72 percent of the global smartphone market and is dominant in most European, Asian and Latin American countries. iOS, Apple's platform, covers the remaining approximately 27 percent, but with above-average representation in higher-income segments and in markets such as the United States, Japan and Australia. In Croatia and the region, Android is the dominant platform, though for business applications in corporate environments the share of iOS devices can be significantly higher than the average.
Each platform has its own development environment, its own set of tools and its own store through which applications are distributed to users. Android applications are distributed through Google Play, and iOS applications through the Apple App Store. Development targeting both platforms simultaneously can be carried out using a hybrid approach that shares a single codebase, which for most business projects represents an optimal balance of investment and market coverage.
How users find and install applications
The primary distribution channel for mobile applications is the app store — Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS. A user searches the store by keyword, reads reviews and ratings, browses screenshots and the application description, and decides whether to install. This process directly affects the importance of optimising an application's store metadata — name, description, keywords, screenshots and icon — a discipline known as ASO (App Store Optimisation).
Beyond organic discovery through in-store search, applications are also promoted through websites, social media, email communication and paid advertising that directs users straight to the application's store page. QR codes on printed materials, product packaging and physical locations are an additional acquisition channel that is particularly effective for applications tied to a physical experience.
The process of publishing an application on Google Play and the App Store
Publishing an application is not a one-off act but a structured process that includes registering a developer account, preparing all required materials and passing through a review procedure that each platform conducts before the application becomes visible to users.
Publishing on Google Play requires registration of a Google Play Developer account, which is subject to a one-time fee. Google conducts an automated and manual review of the application that checks compliance with platform rules, security requirements and technical correctness. The review process typically takes from a few hours to a few days for the first publication, with updates usually processed more quickly.
Publishing on the App Store requires an annual subscription to the Apple Developer Programme. Apple conducts a stricter review process that is entirely manual and which, beyond technical requirements, includes an assessment of user experience, content guidelines and data privacy requirements. The first-publication review can take between one and seven days, and rejection due to non-compliance requires corrections and a new review. For this reason, preparing an application for the App Store requires careful attention from the development phase itself, not only at the point of submission.
Both processes require the preparation of metadata — the application name, short and long description, screenshots for various screen sizes, application icon, category, age rating and privacy policy. The quality of these materials directly affects the conversion of store page visitors into installs.
How mobile applications work
Mobile applications can operate in three fundamental modes depending on architecture and project requirements. Online applications require an active internet connection for every interaction — data is retrieved from a remote server in real time, ensuring information is current, but rendering the application unusable without a connection. This model is suitable for applications whose value is directly tied to live data, such as vehicle tracking applications, booking systems or financial platforms.
Offline-first applications store relevant data locally on the device and function fully or partially without an internet connection. When a connection is established, the application synchronises local changes with the server and downloads new updates. This model is demanding to implement because it requires resolving synchronisation conflicts and defining application behaviour in every possible connectivity state, but it is essential for applications used by people in locations with unreliable coverage — field workers, tourists and staff in industrial facilities.
The hybrid model combines the online and offline approaches — certain functions are available without a connection while others require active connectivity. This is in practice the most common model, as it corresponds to the actual way applications are used where a user is neither always online nor always offline.
Why companies develop mobile applications
The reasons for developing a mobile application vary depending on the industry and business model, but the most common drivers are improving user experience, increasing loyalty through a direct communication channel, automating processes that were previously carried out manually or through suboptimal solutions, and expanding sales channels. Push notifications enable communication with users at the moment relevant to their activity — a channel that a website structurally cannot offer in the same way.
For companies with field staff or distributed teams, a mobile application becomes the central coordination tool — task tracking, reporting, access to documentation and real-time communication, regardless of location. For companies serving end consumers, an application is a channel that builds habit and directly influences the frequency of return visits and value per user.
Phases of mobile application development
Every serious mobile application development project passes through a defined set of phases that ensure the final solution meets business objectives, technical requirements and the needs of end users.
| Phase | Content |
|---|---|
| Analysis and requirements definition | Business objectives, target audience, functional and technical requirements |
| Architecture and technology selection | Platform, framework, integration approach and security model |
| UX/UI design | Wireframes, prototypes, visual interface design |
| Development | Frontend and backend implementation, integrations with external systems |
| Testing | Functional, integration and user testing on real devices |
| Publication | Deployment to App Store and Google Play, production environment configuration |
| Support and development | Performance monitoring, fixes, upgrades and feature expansion |
Prolink conducts every mobile application development project through a transparent process in which the client has full visibility into the current state at every stage. Technical documentation of the process is available on the mobile application development page.
The technological foundation of development at Prolink
Prolink uses the Ionic framework in mobile application development, enabling hybrid development — code written once runs on both Android and iOS without the need for separate development teams for each platform. RxJS and NgRx libraries are used for state management, while communication with backends takes place via REST or GraphQL APIs depending on project requirements. Access security is ensured through OAuth2 and JWT authentication, and real-time functionality is implemented via the WebSocket protocol.
Types of mobile applications Prolink develops
Prolink develops mobile applications for a wide range of business needs — business applications for internal processes, B2C applications for communication with end users, tourism and destination applications, IoT and smart home applications, and mobile games. A detailed overview of each category is available in the types of mobile applications guide, and the specifics of development are described on the mobile application development page.
References from practice
Prolink has developed mobile applications for clients in tourism, transport, the public sector and business services. The Cammeo taxi service application allows users to order rides and track drivers in real time. The Autoškola Rusan application gives students access to learning materials and schedules. A multilingual application was developed for the Ministry of the Interior serving users from different countries. An AR application was developed for the Museum of the City of Ilok enabling visitors to interactively explore exhibits.
Frequently asked questions about mobile applications
How much does mobile application development cost?
The cost depends on the complexity of the functionality, required integrations and the scope of the first release. For an indicative estimate, contact the Prolink team with a description of the functionality you have in mind.
Android or iOS — which platform to develop for?
For most projects, simultaneous development for both platforms using a hybrid approach is recommended. If there are specific reasons to prioritise one platform, that choice is defined during the analysis phase.
Can I add new functionality later?
Yes — the modular architecture of hybrid applications developed at Prolink enables new functionality to be added without reworking the existing codebase.
What is needed to publish on the App Store and Google Play?
Publication requires a registered developer account on both platforms. Prolink manages the complete preparation and submission process, including metadata optimisation for better store ranking. More on ASO is available on the ASO optimisation page.
A mobile application as a long-term business investment
A mobile application is not a one-off project but a living digital product that evolves alongside the business. Prolink approaches development as a long-term partnership — technical support, performance monitoring and development planning ensure the application remains relevant, stable and secure as the business grows. For a consultation and requirements analysis, contact the Prolink team.