Tag Archives: Business

Using AI to Build Software: Risks, Security Concerns, Copyright Issues, & What Businesses Should Know

Vibe Coding and Coding with AI
Android Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, iOS Development, Web Design, , , , , , ,

AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and other coding assistants are changing software development fast. They can generate code, explain bugs, suggest refactors, draft documentation, and help teams build features much faster than traditional workflows. For many companies, that sounds like a major advantage.

And it can be.

But there is a difference between moving faster and building safely.

AI can absolutely help developers ship software more quickly. It can also help them ship bugs, security issues, weak architecture decisions, and legal uncertainty more quickly. That is why businesses should be careful before assuming AI-generated code is automatically production-ready, secure, or legally low-risk.

This is especially true when software is complex, security-sensitive, connected to hardware, or built for clients who expect reliability and accountability.

AI Is Fast, but Fast Does Not Mean Correct

One of the biggest risks with AI-generated code is that it often looks polished.

The structure is usually clean. The comments can sound thoughtful. The explanation is often confident. To a busy founder, product owner, or developer, that can create the impression that the code is solid and ready to deploy.

But polished is not the same thing as correct.

AI coding systems predict likely patterns. They do not truly understand your application, your users, your architecture, or your real-world constraints the way an experienced engineer does. As a result, they can produce code that appears professional while still failing in important ways.

AI-generated code may:

  • Work for the common case but fail on edge cases
  • Misuse frameworks or libraries
  • Generate logic that compiles but does not match your architecture
  • Create tests that only reinforce the same bad assumptions
  • Look complete while missing key validation or failure handling

That is part of what makes AI-assisted development risky. The mistakes are not always obvious.

AI Works Best on Simple Tasks, Not Deeply Complex Systems

AI Coding

AI is often most useful on simple, well-defined engineering tasks.

It can be genuinely helpful for boilerplate, CRUD operations, helper functions, repetitive UI patterns, documentation drafts, basic test scaffolding, and straightforward integrations. In those cases, the requirements are usually clearer and the coding patterns are more common.

The problems start when the functionality becomes more complex.

As complexity increases, AI tends to struggle more with multi-step logic, unusual edge cases, state-heavy systems, tightly coupled dependencies, and behavior that only makes sense in a specific production context. This becomes even more important when software has to interact with hardware, embedded systems, firmware, sensors, serial communication, industrial controllers, or custom peripherals.

In those environments, small mistakes can break real-world functionality.

AI may misunderstand timing requirements, make bad assumptions about device state, overlook memory or power constraints, mishandle interrupts or retries, or generate code that looks right but fails when run against actual hardware. That is because these problems are not just software problems. They are integration problems, environment problems, and testing problems.

AI can still be useful in these situations as a helper. It can assist with troubleshooting ideas, draft code, protocol explanations, or documentation. But it should not be blindly trusted to design or implement complex hardware-adjacent functionality without expert review and real-world validation.

The more your software touches firmware or physical devices, the less safe it is to assume AI fully understands what it is building.

Some Software Companies Claim Engineers Review All AI Code, but Do They?

Software Developer Using AI

Many development firms say the right things.

They tell clients that AI is only used to improve speed, that engineers review every line, and that security remains under control. That sounds reassuring. But the more important question is whether those review processes are actually happening consistently under deadline pressure.

Recent survey data suggests there is a real gap between adoption and verification. Sonar’s 2026 State of Code Developer Survey, based on 1,149 professional developers, found that 72% of developers who have tried AI coding tools use them every day, AI accounts for 42% of committed code, and 96% do not fully trust AI-generated code to be functionally correct. Yet only 48% said they always verify AI-assisted code before committing it.

That matters because many company claims imply there is always a strong human review layer. The survey data suggests that, across the industry, review is often not as consistent as the marketing sounds. That is an inference from the adoption and verification numbers, not a direct statement from Sonar.

There are also policy and governance gaps. Venafi’s 2024 survey of 800 security decision-makers found that 83% said developers in their organizations use AI to help generate code, 66% said security teams cannot keep up with AI-powered development, and 92% said they have concerns about the use of AI-generated code. The same reporting said fewer than half, 47%, reported having policies in place to ensure the safe use of AI in development environments.

So when a software company says, “We use AI, but our engineers review everything and make it secure,” the honest answer is: maybe. Some companies absolutely do have mature review pipelines, secure SDLC practices, and strong accountability. But the broader data suggests that many organizations are still struggling to match those claims with day-to-day reality.

AI-Generated Code Can Introduce Real Security Risks

IOB Risk and Fraud Management

Security-sensitive code is where careless AI use becomes especially dangerous.

Authentication, authorization, file uploads, payments, session handling, password resets, admin permissions, webhook validation, encryption, and API access control all require careful design. Small mistakes in those areas can create large vulnerabilities.

AI may suggest code that seems common or convenient but is not actually secure. It may omit checks, recommend outdated practices, or fail to think through abuse cases.

Veracode’s 2025 GenAI Code Security Report said its testing across 80 coding tasks and more than 100 large language models found security vulnerabilities in 45% of AI-generated outputs. Veracode also reported that larger or newer models did not automatically solve the problem.

That does not mean AI should never be used in software development. It means AI-generated code should be treated as a draft that still needs review, testing, and security validation.

AI Does Not Understand Your Business Rules

Business Rules

Software is not just code. It is business behavior.

Every real application is shaped by pricing logic, approvals, user roles, edge cases, compliance requirements, operational workflows, reporting assumptions, and historical exceptions. Those details are often what separate working software from expensive mistakes.

AI does not truly know your business logic unless you explain it in detail, and even then it can miss nuance. That means it can generate code that technically satisfies a prompt while still violating the real rules your business depends on.

A feature may look complete while still:

  • Calculating pricing incorrectly
  • Mishandling permissions
  • Processing refunds the wrong way
  • Violating compliance expectations
  • Breaking reporting logic
  • Creating bad outcomes for long-time users

These issues are often harder to detect than syntax errors because the software still runs. It just runs incorrectly.

Blind Copy-and-Paste AI Development Is a Trap

AI is most useful when it helps people think better and work faster.

It becomes risky when it replaces understanding.

A developer asks an AI tool for a solution, gets plausible code, pastes it in, sees it basically work, and moves on. That feels productive in the moment. But if nobody on the team fully understands that code, the business has taken on hidden risk.

Now there is logic in the system that no one really owns. It becomes harder to debug, riskier to refactor, and more expensive to maintain. Over time, that is how AI can quietly add technical debt even while making short-term delivery look faster.

The problem is not AI-assisted development. The problem is unexamined AI-assisted development.

Copyright and Public Code Risks Should Not Be Ignored

There is also a legal and intellectual property issue that many businesses overlook.

AI coding tools are trained on large amounts of existing material, and public discussions around those systems have repeatedly raised questions about copyrighted works, open-source code, attribution, licensing, and whether model outputs can sometimes resemble existing material too closely. The U.S. Copyright Office has been studying these issues in a multi-part AI report and said in May 2025 that its training report was released in pre-publication form because of congressional and stakeholder interest, which underscores that the legal questions remain important and active.

The safest way to describe the current situation is this: there is still legal uncertainty.

The U.S. Copyright Office has said generative AI systems train on vast quantities of preexisting human-authored works, and it has also reaffirmed that copyright protection in the United States requires human authorship. In its January 2025 report, the Office said questions about the copyrightability of AI outputs can generally be resolved under existing law, without new legislation, but that does not eliminate ongoing disputes about training data, licensing, or output similarity.

For businesses, the practical concern is not just whether a model provider will eventually win or lose lawsuits. The concern is whether your team may unknowingly accept code that creates licensing, attribution, or ownership questions later.

That risk is higher when:

  • Developers paste AI output directly into production code without review
  • Teams do not check licenses for comparable open-source implementations
  • No one verifies whether generated code is unusually close to known public code
  • Companies assume “AI wrote it” means there are no copyright or license issues

That assumption is unsafe. The law in this area is still evolving, and businesses should not rely on overly confident claims that copyright concerns around AI-generated code are fully settled.

Privacy and Confidentiality Risks Are Also Real

Another major issue is what developers feed into AI tools.

Source code, credentials, logs, customer records, internal documentation, proprietary logic, and infrastructure details may all create security, contractual, or confidentiality risks if shared in the wrong environment.

Before teams use AI in a development workflow, they should know what data is being sent, how it is processed, whether it is retained, and whether internal policy or client obligations restrict that usage. Governance should come before convenience.

The Best Way to Use AI in Software Development

Junior Developers

Used correctly, AI can be a real force multiplier.

It is often valuable for drafting boilerplate, brainstorming options, explaining unfamiliar code, speeding up repetitive tasks, drafting tests, drafting documentation, or helping developers get unstuck.

But the healthiest way to use it is as an assistant, not as a substitute for engineering accountability.

The developer or development company still owns:

  • Correctness
  • Security
  • Maintainability
  • Architecture
  • Compliance
  • Production readiness
  • Long-term code quality

That responsibility does not disappear because the first draft came from an AI model.

Final Thoughts

AI can absolutely help software teams move faster. In fact, Sonar’s 2026 survey suggests AI-assisted coding is already mainstream, with AI accounting for 42% of committed code among respondents.

But faster is not the same as safer.

The real danger is not simply that AI sometimes produces bad code. Human developers do that too. The bigger danger is that AI can produce code that looks polished enough to trust before it has actually earned that trust.

That is when companies end up with bugs, vulnerabilities, legal uncertainty, and technical debt hidden behind a surface of apparent speed.

Use AI to accelerate simple work. Use it to support engineers. Use it to explore ideas. But do not mistake generated code for verified code, and do not assume every company promising “human review” is applying the kind of careful review your software actually needs.

Pioneering a Greener Future with Sustainable Tech in Renewable Energy

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A hand grasps a light bulb, from which a vibrant plant grows, representing the fusion of ideas and nature.

In a world increasingly conscious of its ecological footprint, the drive towards sustainable energy solutions is more critical than ever. Understanding the intersection of sustainable technology and renewable energy is key to pioneering a greener future. This blog explores how sustainable tech solutions are transforming the landscape of renewable energy, providing businesses with innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance efficiency. By embracing these advancements, organizations can make meaningful strides toward long-term sustainability and resilience.

Powering the Future

The basics of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro, set the stage for why sustainable energy is essential in our shift away from fossil fuels. With the growing global demand for energy, shifting to renewable sources is not just a choice; it’s a necessity. You’ll discover the impacts of sustainable tech solutions in renewable energy, balanced insights into their pros and cons, and what the future holds for these technologies. Let’s dig deep into this vital topic and see how we can leverage these innovations for a sustainable tomorrow.

The Impact of Sustainable Tech on Renewable Energy

Solar panels absorbing sunlight, representing the transition to solar energy as a key component of future energy solutions. Wind Turbines and powerlines surround the solar panels.

Innovative tech solutions are transforming the renewable energy sector, enhancing efficiency, affordability, and accessibility. These advancements enable us to better harness natural resources like wind, solar, and hydropower, significantly lowering environmental impact while maximizing energy production. They play a pivotal role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting a sustainable response to global energy demands.

One of the significant effects is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. By integrating sustainable tech solutions, businesses can significantly lower their carbon footprint, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier planet. For technology executives, this means not just complying with environmental regulations but leading the way in corporate social responsibility.

Beyond environmental benefits, these solutions offer economic advantages. Advancements in technology have led to a decrease in the costs associated with renewable energy production, making it more competitive with traditional energy sources. This economic shift makes sustainable tech an attractive investment for businesses looking to align their operations with environmentally friendly practices.

Breaking Down the Benefits

A detailed 3D representation of a factory featuring a wind turbine, illustrating the blend of industry and renewable energy.

Adopting sustainable tech solutions in renewable energy presents numerous benefits, from environmental impacts to economic savings. For businesses, these solutions can lead to substantial cost reductions over time, as renewable energy typically results in lower operational expenses compared to traditional energy sources.

The environmental benefits are significant. Sustainable tech solutions help mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions, conserving water resources, and decreasing the reliance on depleting resources. This aligns with global sustainability goals and reinforces a brand’s reputation as environmentally conscious.

In addition, these technologies often come with government incentives and tax breaks aimed at promoting green energy adoption. This financial boost can be a compelling reason for CTOs and CFOs to consider integrating them into their existing operations. By doing so, companies not only improve their bottom line but also contribute positively to the community and environment at large.

Expanding the Benefits of Sustainable Tech in Renewable Energy

A handshake between two people over a desk, representing partnership and mutual understanding in a business environment.

The advantages of adopting sustainable tech solutions extend far beyond cost savings and environmental impacts—they encapsulate a strategic transformation for businesses positioned for future growth. By shifting towards renewable energy, companies can diversify their energy portfolios, reducing reliance on finite, fossil-based fuels. As the supply of traditional fuel sources diminishes, leading to increased extraction costs, businesses adopting renewable energy can avoid these escalating expenses. The stable pricing of renewables offers a less volatile energy cost structure, allowing for more accurate and reliable financial forecasting. This financial predictability is crucial in enabling firms to allocate their resources more effectively towards innovation and expansion, ultimately fostering long-term economic growth.

Furthermore, investing in sustainable technologies positions businesses as leaders in innovation and sustainability, reinforcing their brand reputation and competitive edge. As awareness grows about the detrimental impacts of climate change, consumers and stakeholders are increasingly turning their support towards companies that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship. By showcasing a proactive approach to sustainability, businesses not only enhance their public image but also attract environmentally conscious customers and investors. Additionally, these efforts can facilitate strategic partnerships with other like-minded organizations, leading to collaborations that drive further advancements in sustainable practices. Embracing this forward-thinking approach solidifies a company’s role as a pioneer in the evolving landscape of global energy solutions.

Challenges and Considerations

An individual creates a city model that incorporates wind turbines, emphasizing eco-friendly design and innovation.

While the path to adopting sustainable technology in renewable energy is paved with numerous benefits, it comes with its own set of formidable challenges. Key among these is the considerable initial investment required. Though the promise of long-term savings is a compelling incentive, the hefty upfront costs can present a major financial hurdle, particularly for small and mid-sized enterprises. Businesses must carefully weigh the initial expenditure against the potential for future returns, a task that requires not only financial foresight but also strategic planning.

Infrastructure modification presents another significant challenge. Transitioning to renewable energy solutions often demands substantial overhauls of existing energy systems. This can be a daunting undertaking, necessitating both time and financial resources to reconfigure or upgrade infrastructure to accommodate new technologies. These projects are not only capital-intensive but can also disrupt daily operations, thereby requiring careful planning and execution.

Moreover, the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power demands sophisticated energy storage solutions to maintain a consistent energy supply. This challenge calls for the development and integration of advanced storage technologies, which can reliably harness and distribute power even when natural resources ebb. The refinement of these storage solutions is critical for ensuring energy stability and is an area where continual innovation is needed.

Furthermore, the integration of sustainable tech solutions introduces a level of technological complexity that can be daunting for many organizations. This complexity necessitates a well-trained workforce, equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage and operate these advanced systems. Small businesses, in particular, may find it challenging to recruit, train, and retain the necessary personnel, adding another layer of difficulty to the adoption process. The need for specialized knowledge and skills underscores the importance of investing in workforce training and development as part of the transition strategy. Deploying effective educational programs can empower teams to manage these technologies efficiently, unlocking their full potential and ensuring long-term success in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Pros of Sustainable Tech Solutions

An expansive room containing numerous Energy Storage System configurations.

Environmental Impact: Sustainable tech solutions offer a significant reduction in carbon emissions and pollution. By utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, businesses can contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet. This shift not only helps mitigate the adverse effects of climate change but also supports global efforts to preserve natural ecosystems.

Long-term Cost Savings: Although the initial investment may be substantial, sustainable tech solutions promise considerable savings in the long run. Lower operational costs, coupled with potential government incentives and tax breaks, can lead to financial benefits that outpace those offered by traditional energy sources. Businesses can turn these savings into reinvestments for further sustainability initiatives or operational improvements.

Brand Reputation: Embracing sustainable tech solutions enhances corporate social responsibility and improves public image. Businesses that prioritize environmental stewardship are often viewed more favorably by consumers, stakeholders, and investors. This improved reputation can lead to increased customer loyalty, better brand recognition, and a competitive edge in an increasingly eco-conscious market.

Cons of Sustainable Tech Solutions

Solar panels and wind turbines in a field, showcasing a sustainable energy storage system for renewable energy generation.

Initial Costs: One of the primary drawbacks is the high upfront capital investment required to implement sustainable technologies. The financial outlay can be a significant barrier for businesses, particularly for those with limited budgets. It’s crucial for companies to explore financing options or partnerships that can help alleviate initial financial burdens.

Infrastructure Needs: Integrating sustainable technologies often requires significant modifications to existing systems and infrastructure. This transition can be both time-consuming and expensive, potentially disrupting current operations. Businesses must carefully plan and strategize these changes, ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to manage the transition effectively.

Complexity and Maintenance: Deploying sustainable tech solutions involves technological complexity that requires specialized knowledge and ongoing maintenance. This can present challenges, especially for smaller businesses lacking the resources to hire skilled personnel or provide continuous training. Ensuring the efficient operation of these technologies demands a commitment to maintaining expertise and updating systems as needed.

Balancing these pros and cons is essential for businesses considering the shift to sustainable tech solutions. The decision should be based on a thorough analysis of current operations, budget constraints, and long-term sustainability goals. By weighing the potential benefits against the challenges, organizations can make informed choices that align with their strategic vision for the future.

Future Directions in Sustainable Technology

A hillside adorned with wind turbines, accompanied by graphs depicting the energy storage system's data and trends.

As we look ahead, the future of sustainable tech solutions in renewable energy appears promising. Technological advances are expected to continue driving down costs and improving efficiency, making renewable energy even more accessible. Innovations in energy storage, such as advanced battery technologies, will play a crucial role in overcoming the challenges of intermittency in renewable sources.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning can optimize energy consumption, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal waste. These technologies can predict energy demand patterns and adjust supply accordingly, reducing energy loss and enhancing system reliability.

Collaboration will be key in this evolving landscape. Industry partnerships and government support will be instrumental in scaling up renewable energy projects, fostering innovation, and creating a regulatory environment that encourages sustainable practices. Business leaders have an opportunity to not only adapt to these changes but to drive the market towards a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, sustainable technology solutions are poised to revolutionize the renewable energy sector. By adopting these innovative technologies, businesses have the opportunity to substantially minimize their environmental footprint while also reaping economic rewards. The integration of sustainable technologies allows for a decrease in carbon emissions and enhances the overall efficiency of operations, contributing to a more sustainable planet. Nevertheless, it is essential to navigate the associated complexities and costs with careful consideration and strategic foresight. Companies must evaluate the long-term benefits against the initial investments and operational challenges to ensure a smooth transition.

As we delve deeper into how sustainable tech can reshape industries, our subsequent blog will explore the dynamic interplay between sustainable technologies and energy efficiency. This upcoming discussion will shed light on how these advancements can optimize business operations further, drive sustainability efforts, and ultimately, bolster profitability. Meanwhile, organizations should start contemplating the incorporation of sustainable tech to transition towards a more eco-friendly and economically advantageous future. By doing so, they can not only enhance their corporate reputation but also contribute to a more resilient and sustainable global economy. Stay tuned to discover the myriad ways these technological advancements can elevate your business performance and environmental commitment.

Mastering Mobile App Development Outsourcing for Business Success

Android Development, iOS Development, , , , , , , , ,

An image showing two street signs: one labeled "Outsource" pointing left and the other "In-House" pointing right.

In the fast-paced world of technology, developing a mobile app can be essential for businesses aiming to reach a broader audience and streamline operations. However, not all companies have the expertise or resources to build an app in-house. This is where outsourcing mobile app development comes into play. Whether you’re a CTO, CEO, CMO, or a business owner, understanding how to effectively outsource this critical task can save time, reduce costs, and lead to superior product results.

Before you jump into outsourcing, it’s crucial to understand the process, its benefits, and potential pitfalls. This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about outsourcing mobile app development, from the initial evaluation of development partners to future planning. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp on how to leverage outsourcing to your advantage.

Understanding the Need for Outsourcing

An individual with their hands on a puzzle of the world map, with wooden figures positioned across different regions.

Outsourcing mobile app development can seem daunting at first, but done right it can be a strategic move for your business. The decision to outsource often stems from a lack of in-house expertise, which can hinder a company’s ability to develop an effective application. By partnering with an external team of experienced developers, businesses can gain access to innovative ideas and expert execution. This collaborative approach is particularly valuable for companies with limited technical staff or those venturing into the mobile market for the first time. A capable outsourced team comes equipped with a breadth of experience across various industries and platforms, which can significantly enhance the quality and functionality of the final product.

Another compelling reason to outsource is cost efficiency. Hiring full-time developers can be prohibitively expensive, especially when you consider not only salaries but also training, benefits, and other overhead costs. Outsourcing allows businesses to contract skilled professionals on a project basis, thereby significantly reducing these expenses. This approach also minimizes the financial risks associated with developing an app internally, as there is no need to invest in costly technologies and infrastructure. By leveraging external resources, companies can allocate their budgets more strategically, investing in other areas of business growth while still ensuring a high-quality application development process.

The speed of development is another critical factor that makes outsourcing appealing. With an outsourced team, businesses can expedite the development process by accessing a pool of developers who are ready to start immediately. This rapid initiation is especially beneficial when time-to-market is crucial for gaining a competitive edge or responding swiftly to market demands. By outsourcing, companies can streamline the development timeline, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure faster deployment of their mobile applications. This strategic advantage allows businesses to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, seizing opportunities without delay.

Choosing the Right Partner

Two business people in suits shaking hands to finalize a deal"

When embarking on the journey of outsourcing your mobile app development, selecting the right partner cannot be overstated. It is the cornerstone of your project’s success. Start by conducting thorough research to identify potential partners who possess a solid track record within your industry. Look specifically for companies that have amassed a considerable portfolio of projects akin to yours. This evidence of past performance serves as a clear indicator of their capability and reliability, offering insight into their adaptability and problem-solving prowess in scenarios similar to what your project might encounter. Don’t hesitate to ask for references or case studies that highlight their past successes and challenges. These can provide invaluable real-world insights that go beyond the polished facade of marketing materials. Websites like Clutch can also serve as a great resource.

Effective communication forms the backbone of any successful outsourcing partnership. It’s imperative that your chosen partner can communicate fluently in your preferred language, ensuring that ideas, concerns, and updates are conveyed with clarity and precision. This eliminates potential misunderstandings which can lead to costly errors or delays. Establishing a structured communication plan is advisable, incorporating regular meetings and the use of collaborative tools.

Slack and Microsoft Teams allow real-time messaging, file sharing, and video calls for seamless interaction. For project management, Trello and Asana offer task boards for tracking progress efficiently. Zoom is great for video conferencing, ensuring clear face-to-face communication. These tools enhance coordination and align teams, improving the success of outsourcing partnerships. This practice fosters transparency and keeps the project aligned with the set goals and timelines, ensuring that no critical updates go unnoticed. Consideration of potential time zone differences is also crucial; aligning schedules to allow for overlap can significantly enhance real-time communication and responsiveness.

Assessing cultural compatibility with your outsourcing partner is essential. Look for a partner who shares a similar set of values and understands the intricacies of your business’s goals; this alignment ensures a seamless integration with your existing team. Creating a harmonious working environment is crucial for fostering a coherent collaboration where both parties are deeply invested in not only achieving but exceeding the set objectives. This synergy often results in the development of an app that is not only functional but also embodies the essence of your brand, resonating well with your target audience.

Equally important, remember that you often get what you pay for. Rather than searching for the cheapest option, prioritize quality and experience. The right partner will have the expertise to anticipate needs, mitigate risks, and add meaningful value throughout the project lifecycle. Look for a partner who asks the right questions to fully understand your requirements and goals from the start. A partner who asks insightful questions will gather the necessary information to accurately define the project scope, saving you time and ensuring alignment on expectations. Ultimately, investing time in building a strong, culturally aligned partnership with an experienced provider can yield a product that truly reflects your business aspirations and stands out in the market.

Managing the Outsourcing Process

A businessman interacts with a digital screen, managing various client networks through touch technology.

Efficient management of the outsourcing process is essential for success. Begin by setting well-defined goals and deliverables that align with your business objectives. Providing a detailed project brief is crucial; it sets expectations and gives the development team a comprehensive roadmap to follow. This clarity not only streamlines decision-making throughout the project’s lifecycle but also aids in evaluating progress and making necessary adjustments. A well-articulated brief can serve as a pivotal reference point for resolving ambiguities and ensuring everyone is on the same page, thereby minimizing potential miscommunications. ​​Based on the project brief, budget, and timeline, your outsourcing partner should create a specific scope of work. This scope of work should outline each feature and milestone within the app, breaking down the project into manageable, measurable steps. This detailed document becomes a key guide, aligning both parties on expectations and providing a framework for accountability, helping to keep the project on track and ensuring that every component is thoroughly planned and executed.

Budget management is another indispensable aspect of outsourcing. Despite its cost-effectiveness, it’s vital to have a transparent financial plan. Clearly defining your budget and discussing it openly with your outsourcing partner helps establish financial boundaries and priorities. Agreeing on payment milestones corresponding with specific phases of the project can offer financial control and reinforce accountability. This structure should be outlined as part of the contract, ensuring that both parties are aligned on expectations and obligations. A contract that includes these financial milestones not only provides a framework for payment but also serves as a safeguard, reinforcing commitment to deliverables and timelines. This practice not only helps in avoiding unexpected expenses but also ensures that resources are allocated efficiently at each stage, which can significantly impact the project’s outcome.

Incorporating quality assurance (QA) as a core component of the outsourcing process is imperative for delivering a successful mobile app. Establishing robust testing protocols and encouraging consistent feedback from the development team ensures that the app functions as intended and meets your quality standards. A reliable outsourcing partner should have their own dedicated QA team to identify and address issues early on, but it’s equally important for your company to have an internal team of testers who can test the app independently and provide valuable feedback to the developers. This dual-layered approach to QA is a crucial step in ensuring that the app not only meets technical specifications but also aligns with user expectations and business objectives. This continuous evaluation can detect discrepancies early, allowing for timely corrections. Allocating adequate time and resources for thorough testing can preempt subpar performance and avert costly post-deployment fixes, ultimately safeguarding the app’s launch integrity and user satisfaction. Integrating QA throughout the development cycle underscores a commitment to excellence, providing a solid foundation for achieving your business goals.

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing

Outsourcing in red, surrounded by business-related doodles.

Outsourcing mobile app development offers numerous benefits but also presents some challenges. One major advantage is access to a global talent pool. This allows you to find experts with specific skills that may not be available locally. You can also benefit from diverse perspectives that can enhance creativity and innovation in your project. Cost savings are another significant benefit. By outsourcing, you can avoid many overhead costs associated with in-house development, such as salaries, benefits, and office space. This enables you to allocate resources to other critical areas of your business.

However, outsourcing can also present challenges. Communication barriers may arise, especially when working across different time zones. This can lead to delays and misunderstandings. To mitigate this, establish clear communication protocols and consider partners who operate in similar time zones or have flexible working hours. There is also the risk of losing some control over the development process. Regular updates and transparent communication can help maintain oversight and ensure that the project stays aligned with your vision.

Planning for the Future

A group of business professionals gathered around a conference table, discussing and brainstorming future company strategies.

Outsourcing is not just a short-term solution; it can be an integral part of your long-term business strategy. Building a robust partnership with your outsourcing team and keeping them informed about your company’s evolving needs ensures a more seamless and efficient collaboration on future projects. Such relationships foster innovation and creativity in addressing future challenges and opportunities. Having a reliable partner who understands your business also offers the flexibility to scale operations up or down, based on project demands. This adaptability can provide a strategic advantage, enabling your business to respond rapidly to changing market conditions.

Consider utilizing feedback and lessons learned from past outsourcing endeavors to hone your approach moving forward. Evaluating what worked well and identifying areas for improvement will refine your strategy and pave the way for even better outcomes in future projects. Such introspection not only bolsters your development processes but also cultivates a culture of continuous improvement within your organization. Additionally, tap into the expertise of your outsourcing partner to stay informed about the latest technological advancements and industry trends. Their insights can help ensure your app remains competitive, modern, and aligned with evolving industry standards.

Embracing a proactive approach by integrating emerging technologies can secure your app’s relevance and effectiveness in delivering value. Your outsourcing partner, equipped with a global perspective and diverse skill set, will be instrumental in navigating these technological shifts. By maintaining consistent communication and setting clear objectives, you ensure your partnership evolves in tandem with market demands. This strategic foresight can profoundly impact your business’s growth trajectory, positioning your app and company at the forefront of innovation and success.

Conclusion

Outsourcing mobile app development can be a game-changer for businesses seeking to expand their digital presence without the overhead of an in-house team. By understanding the process, choosing the right partner, and managing the collaboration effectively, companies can create high-quality apps that meet their strategic goals.
With careful planning and execution, outsourcing can offer both immediate benefits and long-term advantages. It’s a powerful tool for innovation and efficiency that can help your business thrive in the competitive tech landscape. Stay tuned for our next blog on Sustainable Tech Solutions for Renewable Energy, where we’ll explore how technology is transforming the renewable energy sector and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Mobile App Development Salt Lake City, Utah

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Mobile App Development in Salt Lake City, UT

If you’re looking for a Salt Lake City mobile app development partner who can take your product from idea to launch (and keep improving it after release), Mystic Media builds scalable, custom iOS and Android applications for startups through enterprise teams—right here in Utah.

We deliver full-cycle product development: app modernization, native and cross-platform builds, UX/UI design, testing, and guided deployment to both Google Play and the App Store—plus ongoing support as your app grows and evolves.

Mobile App Development Services | Case Studies | Testimonials

What we build for Salt Lake City teams

iOS, Android, and cross-platform apps

  • Native iOS and Android applications
  • Cross-platform apps (when speed-to-market and one codebase make sense)
  • App modernization (audits, redesigns, performance improvements, scaling)

Integrations that make your app run the business

We regularly integrate mobile apps with third-party APIs, custom backends, analytics, and business systems—tailored to your workflows, reporting needs, and data requirements.

Launch + long-term ownership

From concept through release, we help ensure smooth deployment on the App Store and Google Play. Post-launch, we stay engaged with maintenance, feature rollouts, and ongoing improvements as your app adapts and expands.

Featured Salt Lake City case studies

Bean There Camping (Bean Trailer) — iOS + Android app built for real-world connectivity

Bean There Mobile App

Built as a proprietary campsite destination resource, this app combines a customer-only campsite database with social features that support discovery, reviews, and trip sharing. It’s designed to work online and offline—ideal for spotty campground service.

View this case study

Won-Door Programmer — modern mobile tool replacing proprietary hardware workflows

Won Door Programmer - Salt Lake City based mobile app

Replaced an installer workflow previously handled by a proprietary hardware device with a modern mobile experience.

Delivered an iOS/Android installer app optimized for phones and tablets, plus an administrative portal supporting installer management and diagnostics.

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Apt CoWork — iOS + Android + web app for booking coworking spaces

Apt Cowork - Salt Lake City Mobile App Development

Delivered iOS, Android, and web applications that let users sign up and book coworking spaces, backed by reporting and monitoring tools—including workspace connectivity tracking.

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Monarch Education — secure, AI-powered education platform

Monarch Education - Salt Lake City Based

Supported scoping and MVP planning with milestone-driven execution on a strict timeline to help launch an enterprise education software platform focused on secure, personalized experiences for students and teachers.

View this case study

What Salt Lake City clients say

  • Apt CoWork (Salt Lake City, UT): praised attention to detail and timely delivery.
  • Bean Trailer (Salt Lake City, UT): noted the value of partnering with a local Salt Lake City development agency.
  • Won-Door (Salt Lake City, UT): highlighted clear and easy communication with the project manager.
  • Car Concepts (Salt Lake City, UT): commended strong communication and high-quality work delivered on time.

Read more customer testimonials

FAQ

How much does mobile app development cost in Salt Lake City?

Costs vary based on complexity, features, platforms, and integrations. We provide detailed estimates after a discovery phase and can tailor solutions to different budgets.

How long does it take to build an app?

Many projects land in the 8–20 week range depending on scope, integrations, and feedback cycles.

Can you improve an app you didn’t build?

Yes—through audits, codebase reviews, redesigns, and enhancement work to optimize performance or scale for growth.

Ready to build your app in Salt Lake City?

Whether you’re launching something new or modernizing an existing product, Mystic Media can take you from strategy and UX/UI through development, launch, and ongoing support—backed by a Salt Lake City-based team and local case study wins.

Explore Mobile App Development Services or browse case studies.

Part 2: Optimize Onboarding with Gamification

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How Gamification Can Boost Retention on Any App Part 2: Optimize Onboarding with Gamification

The Mystic Media Blog is currently endeavoring on a 3 part series on how gamification mechanics can boost retention on any app—not just gaming apps but utility apps, business apps and more. In this second entry, we explore how to refine and gamify your onboarding process to keep customers coming back.

ONBOARDING

Your app has been downloaded—a hard-fought battle in and of itself—but the war isn’t over; the onboarding process has just begun.

App onboarding is the first point of contact a user has within an application. It’s one of the most crucial parts of the user experience. Situating users in your application is the first step to ensuring they come back. Twenty-five percent of apps are only opened once after being downloaded. Many apps simply do not make it simple enough for users to understand the value and get the hang of the application—step one in your retention process.

Here are the top tips for smooth onboarding:

MINIMIZE REGISTRATION

A prolonged registration process can turn off new users. Users do not always have time to fill out extensive forms and can quickly become resentful of the pacing of your app. Keep registration to a minimum, minimize required fields, and get users going faster.

We recommend enabling user registration altogether with “Continue as Guest” functionality. Games typically employ this and it enables users to get hands on with the application before they undergo the tenuous account creation process. Hook them with your app, then let them handle the administrative aspects later. Account creation with Google, Facebook, or Twitter can also save quite a bit of time.

Gamification is all about rewarding the user. Offer users an incentive to create their account to positively reinforce the process and you will see more accounts created. If they haven’t created an account, make sure to send prompts to remind them of what the reward they are missing out on. As we detailed in our last entry, FOMO is a powerful force in gamification.

TUTORIAL BEST PRACTICES

When a user enters your application for the first time, they generally need a helping hand to understand how to use it. Many games incorporate interactive tutorials to guide the user through functionality—and business apps are wise to use it as well. However, an ineffective tutorial will only be a detriment to your application.

Pacing is key. A long tutorial will not only bog the onboarding process down, too much information will likely go in and out of the user’s brain. Space your tutorial out and break it into different sections introducing key mechanics as they become relevant. On-the-go tutorials like the four-screen carousel below by Wavely help acclimate users quickly and easily.

And don’t forget to offer a reward! Offer users some kind of reward or positive reinforcement upon completing tutorials to encourage them to continue using the application.

AVOID DEAD ENDS AND EMPTY STATES

An empty state is a place in an application that isn’t populated with any information. For example, favorites, order history, accomplishments, etc.—these pages require usage in order to be populated for information. New users will see these pages and become confused or discouraged. Many applications will offer self-evident statement such as “No Favorites Selected”. Or, in the case of UberEats below, no message is displayed.

It’s confusing and discouraging for users to see these statements. Avoid discouraging your users by offering more information, for example: “Save your favorite restaurants and find them here.” Check out Twitter’s exemplary message for users who’ve yet to favorite a tweet below.

CONCLUSION

Onboarding is the first and most crucial step to building a relationship with your userbase. One of the major things business apps can learn from gaming apps is that time is of the essence when it comes to capturing a user’s attention. Keep it short, punchy, and to the point.

How the Revolutionary Mechanics of Blockchain Technology Could Serve Your Business

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In the last entry in our cryptocurrency series, we explored how to secure your cryptocurrency with the right wallet. This week, we’ll take a look at the mechanics of the Blockchain across industries.

While the debate over whether Bitcoin will become the dominant cryptocurrency is far from over, the mechanics behind Bitcoin are unquestionably revolutionary. Blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt more than just currency, but industries ranging from healthcare to Wall Street.

The Blockchain is a secure ledger database shared by all parties participating in an established, distributed network of computers. The Blockchain decentralizes the process of validating transactions, allocating the duties to computers throughout the network.

Blockchain is revolutionary because it eliminates the need for a central authority, allowing for a real-time ledger that is not dependent on a single entity governing the transactions.

Imagine if in order to make changes to a text document, you had to email a colleague who would then update the document on Microsoft Word and send the updated file out to all relevant parties on the team. The updating of information would quickly become an inefficient process that is heavily dependent on the central entity (the colleague). Blockchain posits a workflow that is more like Google Docs in that it allows updates to be made in real time and shared across the network instantly without the need of a central authority. Blockchain enacts this principle by relying on computers within the network to independently validate transactions through cryptography. Thus, the validity of the ledger is determined by the many objective computers on the network rather than a single powerful entity.

The idea of decentralization can also be applied to WhatsApp, the popular messaging app that revolutionized texting and cut the cost of transactions globally. WhatsApp cut out the central authority of phone carrier companies by building the same functionality on a decentralized network (the Internet).

If you’re still confused about Blockchain, check out this awesome video by Wired breaking it down in 2 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-UYHvPKt9E

Blockchain has already found usages in many different industries.

  • SMART CONTRACTS

Smart contracts are coded contracts embedded with the terms of an agreement. They are a method for businesses and individuals to exchange money, property, materials, or anything of value in a transparent way that avoids the services of a middleman (such as a lawyer). Smart contracts not only define the rules of an agreement, they automatically enforce the obligations provided in the terms of the contract.

Smart contracts have revolutionized the supply chain and threaten to eliminate the use of lawyers for enforcing contracts. Smart contracts and blockchain ensure data security that could also lead to the transferring of voting to an online system, potentially increasing voter turnout significantly.

  • HEALTHCARE

Within the healthcare industry, Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize data sharing between healthcare providers, resulting in more effective treatments and an overall improved ability for healthcare organizations to offer efficient care. A study from IBM showed that 56% of healthcare executives have a plan to implement a commercial blockchain solution by 2020.

  • SUPPLY CHAIN

Both within the Healthcare industry and elsewhere, blockchain is redefining supply chain management. Blockchain can provide a distributed ledger that tracks the transfer of goods and raw materials across wide-ranging geographical locations and stages. The public availability of the ledger makes it possible to trace the origin of the product down to the raw material used. For this reason, blockchain has also been applied to track organic produce supply chains.

The boon of the Internet of Things and smart objects means that blockchain technology can be extended to process data and manage smart contracts between individuals and their smart devices or even smart homes. Imagine a world where your refrigerator automatically orders eggs when it senses you are running low based on your egg eating habits. This world will be facilitated by a smart contract run on Blockchain technology embedded in an IoT device.

CONCLUSION

While the first blockchain was created for Bitcoin, applications for blockchain are constantly being implemented across industries. As Harvard Business Review smartly points out, the question in most industries is not whether blockchain will influence them, but when.

Many different cryptocurrencies are utilizing variations on Blockchain technology in order to process transactions—some of which are doing so in a more efficient manner than Bitcoin. Next week, we’ll explore the top cryptocurrencies on the market right now and which ones your business should accept.

How Adopting Cryptocurrencies Could Benefit Your Business

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Bitcoin-Trading-featured-898x463Are you missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get in on a currency that could continue to dramatically increase in value over time?

Whether or not the recent surge in value of Bitcoin is a fluke, many agree the idea of cryptocurrency is here to stay. With physical cash having already taken a backseat to credit cards, does it stand to reason that digital currencies will become more prominent in the years to come? Many people are betting big on the answer to that question being yes.

Last week, we explored an overview of cryptocurrencies. For businesses with their eyes on the bottom line, the question becomes: Should you accept cryptocurrencies?

Here are the major factors to consider in making your decision of whether or not to accept cryptocurrencies:

THE POSITIVES:

FRAUD PROTECTION

One of the biggest pros of cryptocurrency is the way in which it protects your business from the risk of fraud. When payments are made through credit cards and PayPal, merchants risk these charges later being reversed if they are deemed a fraudulent purchase. With Bitcoin, payments are irreversible, so the bill for fraud is no longer footed by merchants.

INSTANT INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS

The internet enables the sending of cryptocurrencies overseas to be as easy as sending them across the street. With no central authority to verify transactions, not only do international payments come with no additional cost, they are instant. Cryptocurrencies offer international payments with no extra fees, 0 business days to transfer, and no minimum or maximum transaction amounts, making them an excellent payment option for businesses looking to expand to far-reaching markets.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN TRANSACTION FEES

Instead of paying fees per transaction, cryptocurrencies allow you to pay fees that determine the speed at which money is received. The processing power required to process transactions is distributed across computers on the internet. Network owners make money by allowing merchants and users to use their systems to process transactions. Thus, users can choose their fees based on how fast they require their payments to be sent.

NO PCI-COMPLIANCE NECESSARY

While accepting credit cards online typically requires PCI-Compliance to ensure credit card information is stored safely, cryptocurrencies require businesses to secure their wallets without necessitating the federally-imposed fees that come with processing sensitive information like credit cards. Blockchain technology ensures that cryptocurrencies are secure and that security is cheaper to maintain.

ACCESS A NEW CROWD

As an emerging market with niche followers, the cryptocurrency audience is known for their fervor for all things related to their passion. By adopting cryptocurrencies at an early stage in their development, a business can set itself apart and expand their market to receive visibility from the avid cryptocurrency crowd that has invested in cryptocurrencies at this early stage.

THE NEGATIVES:

MARKET VOLATILITY

Perhaps the greatest detriment to the cryptocurrency movement is the erratic nature of the value of the currency. Bitcoin is the staple cryptocurrency and with its value fluctuating wildly from day-to-day, most cryptocurrency owners would rather save their Bitcoin in hope that its value continues to spike than spend it on consumer goods.

What’s more, retailers may be afraid of accepting something that could lose value fast. When Square announced it was piloting a program to buy and sell Bitcoin through its app, Bitcoin’s price skyrocketed. If a major retailer like Amazon or Target were to elect to accept Bitcoin at their locations, no doubt Bitcoin’s value would spike once again. Thus, the silver lining of the market volatility is if a retailer does begin to accept it early, they could potentially make a large return on their initial investment.

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE

Another major issue for merchants to consider is forthcoming regulations and potential litigation relating to the cryptocurrency markets. With cryptocurrencies still in their infancy, lawmakers are working to enact regulations to govern and tax them. As cryptocurrency becomes more mainstream, merchants that accept cryptocurrencies will have to be adaptable to periodic changes in the laws which govern cryptocurrency.

BOTTOM LINE

While there are some risks in accepting cryptocurrencies, there are potentially massive rewards. Becoming an early adopter of major cryptocurrencies when they are low in value is an investment that could pay off big time if the value of the currencies continues to rise. For forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are ready to adapt to their business environment, the decision to accept cryptocurrency is an easy one. As they say: the early bird gets the worm.

Should My Business Consider Accepting Cryptocurrencies? An Overview

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Recently, Bitcoin has flooded the news cycle, rising in value from about 1,000 per bitcoin on January 1st 2017 to upwards of $16,000 as of December 7th 2017. Square, a prominent payment app, recently announced they will pilot a program that allows for Bitcoin trade. With Bitcoin on the rise, the all-important question becomes: Should your app or website accept cryptocurrencies?

Over the next several weeks, we will endeavor on a series of blogs to answer all of the questions necessary to make that decision, including:

  1. What cryptocurrencies are, how they work, and why they are important.
  2. The pros and cons of accepting cryptocurrencies on your app or website
  3. Choosing your cryptocurrency wallet.
  4. What Blockchain is, how it’s important to cryptocurrencies and its other revolutionary applications.
  5. An exploration of why Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency and of  other prominent cryptocurrencies.

In order to explore cryptocurrencies, we must start at the beginning. The first successful cryptocurrency was Bitcoin, created in 2008 by the still unknown inventor Satoshi Nakamoto. While Nakamoto’s identity is still a mystery, the significance of their invention is not. They initially announced it as a “Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System”. Past attempts at creating digital currency involved a decentralized system, however, Nakamoto attempted to decentralize the currency by mimicking the technique of Peer-to-Peer file sharing networks.

In order for a payment network to function, there must be a ledger to prevent fraudulent double spending—forged transactions. In the physical world, banks function as the central entity which keeps records about balances. With Bitcoin, Nakamoto created an alternate system. Since the network is decentralized, every entity on the network must have a list with all transactions to check if future transactions are valid. Not only that, there must be an absolute consensus about the records in order for them to become a part of an immutable record of historical transactions known as the “Blockchain”.

Nakamoto set in place a rule that only “miners” can confirm transactions. Miners take transactions, verify them in exchange for a token of cryptocurrency, validate them, and spread them in the network so that every node adds them to the database and the transaction becomes a part of the blockchain. The only way to create a valid Bitcoin is for a miner to complete this function.

Technically, anyone can be a miner. Since there is no central authority to regulate mining and prevent a ruling party from abusing it, Nakamoto set a rule that miners need to invest some of their computing power to the solving of a cryptographic puzzle using the SHA 256 Hash algorithm, in order to verify transactions. Without getting too technical, the miner must complete a cryptographic puzzle in order to build a block and add it to the blockchain, the reward for which is a specific number of Bitcoins depending on the difficulty of the puzzle. Miners compete to solve these problems and the first to solve it and validate the transaction receives the reward. This is part of the consensus that no peer can break.

While the system is complex, the use of the currency is ultimately quite simple. As outlined in BlockGeeks overview, 5 properties separate Bitcoin transactions from other transactions:

  • Bitcoin transactions are irreversible.
  • They are not tied to real-world identities but to pseudonymous addresses. This is one of the reasons Bitcoins are frequently used on the black market.
  • Transactions are enacted instantly and are global.
  • Cryptocurrencies are secured by a cryptography, making them extremely secure.
  • Without a central authority, cryptocurrencies are permissionless to use.

Cryptocurrencies often limit the supply of tokens, which is true of Bitcoin. The token supply of Bitcoin decreases in time and will reach its final number sometime around 2140. The monetary supply is controlled by a schedule written in code—in other words, purely through mathematics.

Whereas the statement on your bank account represents a debt owed to you by the bank, Bitcoins are not indicative of debts, they are literal currency with inherent value like a diamond. And the value of that currency has skyrocketed in the past year. Only 10 years after its creation, Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are currently in an inchoate stage, making it all the more important for intelligent citizens to track their progress and global impact.

Next week, we will review the pros and cons of accepting cryptocurrencies through your app or website. Stay tuned!

The Business of Emojis: How Top Companies Monetize Emoji Apps

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Emojis have become a staple of text communication in the 21st century. According to Digiday, over 6 billion emoji messages are sent per day. iMessage, Facebook Messenger, GChat, Snapchat & more have all integrated unique emojis into their platforms. Where there is popularity, there is money to be made.

An Emoji is defined as a small digital image or icon used to express an idea, emotion, etc., in electronic communication. Emojis evolved from emoticons, which are pictorial representations of a facial expression using ONLY punctuation marks, numbers and letters. The first intentional use of an emoticon has multiple origins depending on your source. In 1857, historians documented the use of the number 73 to express love and kisses in Morse code. Some credit a New York Times article covering an Abraham Lincoln speech in 1862 with introducing the phenomenon. The first documented use of “:-)” and “:-(”  overtly to express emotion was in 1982 at Carnegie Mellon.

As online chat became popular, so did the use of emoticons. In an era of computer-mediated communication, emoticons help communicate nonverbal cues in digital threads. From emoticons, emojis emerged, eschewing the punctuation and using images to directly convey emotion. The first emoji was created in 1998 or 1999 in Japan by Shigetaka Kurita. Emoji was first integrated with iMessage in iOS 5. Snapchat recently bought BitMoji for $100 million. Messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and G-Chat are all following WeChat’s lead in creating their own visual keyboards. iOS 10’s iMessage App Store pushes stickers, opening up a new visual possibilities for app developers and advertising.

With big money on the line, here’s how top companies are monetizing their emojis:

DOWNLOAD FEE: Some emoji companies sell their apps with a download fee. For a flat rate of $1.99, the user receives access to all emojis. Most users will find it hard to justify paying for an emoji app unless they have a pre-existing relationship with the brand, thus this technique is best for major brands like Kimoji, Amber Rose’s MuvaMoji, the newly released Mike Tyson emojis, etc.

EMOJI PACKS/PREMIUM CONTENT: A more popular monetization method than a download fee is the individual pricing of emoji packs and premium content. Both paid and freemium apps can enact this monetization method. A company may offer one emoji keyboard for free with download of the app, then offer premium content, potentially sponsored by another brand, for a fee. Emoji> is among the top purveyors of this strategy.

BRANDED CONTENT: Perhaps the most effective monetization method for emojis is branded emojis and stickers. Fortune recently profiled a start-up named Swyft that generates revenue creating branded emojis & sticker packs. A sticker pack they created for Gwen Stefani’s album Spark the Fire was downloaded almost a million times and resulted in 41 million impressions in 10 days.

App developers looking to push their own emoji packs can generate revenue with branded partnerships after establishing popularity. BitMoji built up an audience over time with a seemingly endless keyboard of expressions. Upon attaining popularity, BitMoji was able to acquire tons of sponsored sticker packs to generate revenue. BitMoji’s success led to Snapchat’s decision acquire BitMoji and integrate an established brand rather than create their own unique emojis.

RETENTION: In order to build an audience and monetize, emoji keyboards must retain their users. Ads aren’t a popular monetization method for emojis since users like their digital conversations ad-free. Animated Emoji Pro integrated games into their app in order to increase user retention and ascend in ASO rankings. Users get lost BitMoji’s vast selection of icons, increasing usage time.

LOCALIZATION: Localization is another major way of enhancing retention on an emoji keyboard. A study by SwiftKey found radically different patterns of emoji usage depending on geographic location. Creatively utilizing geolocation services to localize the user experience for an emoji keyboard can be a vital tool in building and retaining a national or even global audience.

Succeeding with an emoji app requires innovative thinking, attention-to-detail, marketing & careful consideration of audience. Like TV, print, & web messaging, well-crafted emojis require good creative, and meaningful visuals that convey emotion. With 45 billion messages sent per day in the US alone, there is great potential for a well-crafted emoji app to become profitable business with the right combination of concept, execution, and an experienced app developer.