A Guide To Mobile App Backend Development

Unlike millions of other apps, getting users’ attention is essential in today’s competitive market. A robust backend is necessary to provide users with the best services and performance possible.

Entrepreneurs must know that an app’s performance ability depends on its robust backend. For instance, a food delivery app can fail to process orders due to a weak backend. Your app may only work correctly with a robust backend, which could cause performance issues that annoy users and increase the churn rate.

The backend is a foundation that manages all the background work to ensure smooth and effective operation. An efficient backend manages storage, security, and data processing, allowing your program to run without a hitch.

How to develop a mobile app backend? 

Not to fret! This blog offers a thorough understanding of mobile app backend development by utilizing a wealth of expertise and specialized knowledge. It covers every critical aspect of creating a mobile app backend, regardless of whether you’re new to app development or trying to improve your current project. 

Discover everything about mobile app backend development and relevant aspects to create a solid basis for your app’s success.

What Is Mobile App Backend Development?

Mobile app backend development involves creating the server-side components of a mobile application that handle data processing, storage, and communication with the app’s front end. This includes setting up databases, server logic, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), user authentication, and integration with third-party services.

Mobile apps require a robust backend for the front end to perform. The mobile app backend server’s primary duties include handling data processing and storage, guaranteeing security, and maintaining functionality. Providing your users with an excellent app experience requires a strong backend.

How Does Mobile App Backend Work?

Everything operates smoothly behind the scenes because the backend communicates with the frontend to process user requests. The frontend is useless without a backend, while consumers won’t be able to engage with the app without a frontend. So, how do the front-end and back-end communicate? They use APIs.

When a user taps on the app, the frontend sends a request to the backend. The backend processes this request through an API. Then, it sends the necessary information back to the front end for display.

Here’s an easy example:

You’re buying a dress online. After choosing the dress, you click ‘Buy Now’ and move to the checkout page to select a payment method. The frontend requests the backend to connect with an external payment gateway. Once connected, you see a banking page asking for your card details for payment.

The API connects the frontend, backend, and external payment service, handling the entire process to ensure your purchase goes smoothly without any issues.

The mobile app works flawlessly and gives users the desired solutions thanks to smooth communication between the front and back end. In this instance, it makes online payment and outfit purchases simple.

How Does Mobile Backend Development Differ From Frontend Development?

The visual elements of an app are the primary objective of frontend development. It comprises the visual elements that users interact with and perceive, such as buttons, sliders, typefaces, colors, and general layout. These elements are developed by frontend developers using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The mobile app developers ensure the application is visually appealing and easy to use.

On the other hand, backend development focuses exclusively on server-side functionality. It includes data storage, database management, and security assurance. However, backend development can be challenging due to the need for robust security measures, efficient data management, and scalability. The backend serves as the frontend’s support system, ensuring everything functions properly giving users an excellent experience.

Simply put, the backend powers everything behind the scenes, while the front end is what users see. Although they focus on different development elements, both are necessary for a mobile app to perform correctly.

Role Of Backend App Development

• Performance and functionality: The application’s backend powers its main features and oversees server-side operations such as data processing, user authentication, and database interactions. This ensures the app’s flawless functionality and user experience.

• Frontend and Backend Communication: The backend and frontend use APIs to exchange data. When a user interacts with the application, requests are sent from the frontend to the backend, which processes them and returns the data that needs to be shown. Due to this communication, users are guaranteed a seamless contact experience and real-time responses.

• Scalability and Upgradability: As your user base expands, your app may quickly scale thanks to proper backend development. Scalability in backend development refers to the ability of the app’s infrastructure to handle increased workload and user demand. It guarantees that your app can adjust to evolving needs and technological advancements by enabling quick and affordable platform upgrades.

• Comprehending User Behaviour: Using efficient backend techniques, you can gather and examine user data. For example, by tracking user interactions with the app, you can identify popular features and areas for improvement. This knowledge aids in your comprehension of consumer behavior and enables you to improve your offerings in terms of goods, services, and communication strategies.

Types Of Mobile App Backends

Selecting a suitable backend for your mobile app is paramount for its performance, scalability, and user experience. Different backend types offer various features and benefits, catering to specific needs and use cases. For instance, a custom backend allows for maximum flexibility and customization, while MBaaS offers pre-built backend services that can significantly reduce development time. Here’s an overview of the different types of mobile app backends and their unique characteristics.

1. Custom Backend

A custom backend is created to meet your application’s needs. This method allows you to implement any feature or capability as needed, giving you the most excellent flexibility. Although creating a custom backend can be more costly and time-consuming, it ensures that your application will function strictly as intended and offer a personalized user experience.

2. MBaaS (Mobile Backend as a Service)

MBaaS functions similarly to a ready-made backend solution, allowing you to launch and operate your application rapidly. It offers ready-made services that are administered by a third party, such as push alerts, database management, and user authentication. This method works well for accelerating development and lowering the requirement for backend administration. On the other hand, in comparison to a custom backend, you have less control over customization.

3. Serverless Backend

Developers don’t have to worry about server management when using a serverless backend because the cloud provider takes care of the server infrastructure. It is one of the most affordable options, as fees are based on actual consumption and scale with the app’s needs. Applications with fluctuating traffic are best suited for serverless backends since they can effectively handle different loads without human intervention.

4. Microservices Backend

This backend architecture breaks down the backend into more minor, standalone services that each handle a particular function. This type of system can boost overall robustness. It also makes maintaining and updating specific backend components easier without affecting the entire app. Since each microservice can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently, it provides excellent flexibility.

5.  Real-time Backend

These are made to handle applications that need to communicate and update data instantly. They are ideal for chat apps, live streaming, and collaboration tools because they leverage technologies like WebSockets to facilitate real-time interactions. Real-time backends give users instant feedback and changes, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.

6. API-driven Backend

The main goal of an API-driven backend is to build a strong set of APIs that the frontend can use to communicate with. This method allows various frontends—such as web and mobile apps—to communicate with the same backend easily. Multiple client applications that share the same backend services can be developed and maintained more easily with the help of API-driven backends, which encourage consistency and reusability.

7. IoT (Internet of Things) Backend

IoT backends are explicitly designed to manage data from various networked devices. They oversee the processing, data storage, and transmission for Internet of Things devices, ensuring that information from sensors and other hardware is effectively managed. Applications in wearable technology, industrial automation, and smart homes—where dependable and instantaneous data processing is critical—need IoT backends.

Advantages Of Mobile App Backend Development

Backend development is vital to the success of mobile applications. It offers numerous advantages. These include enhanced security, scalability, cost efficiency, and improved user experience. Investing in a robust backend ensures your app is well-equipped to meet user needs and handle future growth.

Backend development is vital to the success of mobile applications. It offers numerous advantages. These include enhanced security, scalability, cost efficiency, and improved user experience. Investing in a robust backend ensures your app is well-equipped to meet user needs and handle future growth.

1. Security

Sensitive data is safely maintained with backend development. Managing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks entails installing encryption, safe data storage, and security against unauthorized access. Retaining user confidence and adhering to data protection laws require a secure backend.

2. Scalability

With a well-designed backend, an application can extend its user base and scale effectively. It can manage rising traffic volumes, data loads, and user engagements without sacrificing performance. Scalability ensures that the application will continue to work and be responsive as its use and popularity grow.

3. Cost

Long-term cost savings can result from backend development investments. You can reduce regular upgrades and maintenance requirements by creating a solid and effective backend. Furthermore, scalable backend solutions optimize resource utilization and save operating costs by handling growth without necessitating significant extra investments.

4. User Experience

The backend is essential for the user experience to be seamless and responsive. It swiftly and effectively handles user requests, giving the front end the necessary information and capabilities. You can ensure users’ favorable experience by a smooth frontend-backend interaction, which promotes user engagement and retention.

5. Push Notifications

This is one of the most essential tools for interaction and information. It is a backend development that makes notifications possible. Push notifications can enhance engagement and retention by notifying users of changes, fresh content, and critical alerts. They work well to keep users’ attention and encourage action.

6. Better Security

Advanced backend security mechanisms guard against many threats, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injections, among other vulnerabilities. Frequent security updates and patches contribute to the app’s integrity maintenance, guaranteeing the security of user data and application resources.

7. User Authentication

Backend development makes secure user authentication procedures, such as registration and login, more accessible. It ensures that some functionalities and data within the app are only accessible to authorized users. Strong authentication techniques, such as multi-factor (MFA), improve user confidence and security.

8. Cloud Storage

Integrating cloud storage with the backend allows efficient data management and access. Cloud storage solutions provide scalable, reliable, and secure data storage options. They enable easy access to data from anywhere, ensuring that users can retrieve their information seamlessly.

9. Time

A well-organized backend can significantly decrease time spent on development and deployment. Developers can expedite time to market by streamlining the development process through effective coding methods and frameworks. With this efficiency, businesses can swiftly launch their apps and maintain their competitiveness in the market.

Disadvantages Of Mobile App Backend Development

While mobile app backend development enables powerful functionality and data management, it comes with technical complexity, resource intensiveness, scalability concerns, security risks, compatibility issues, maintenance requirements, and integration challenges. Addressing these challenges effectively requires a skilled development team, thorough planning, and continuous monitoring and optimization of the backend infrastructure.

1. Complexity and Time-Consuming

Designing backends can be complicated and time-consuming, particularly when working with custom-built systems. It also requires a lot of skill and work to set up databases, servers, and APIs and ensure everything functions properly behind the scenes. Because of its complexity, developing an app may take longer than expected to complete and be ready for release.

2. High Costs for Custom Solutions

Creating a custom backend from scratch can be expensive. The costs may increase when you invest in server infrastructure and hire professionals. You may have to choose the more expensive option because, although there are less costly options, such as Backend as a Service (BaaS), they provide different customization.  

3. Maintenance and Updates

After the Backend is operational, frequent upgrades and maintenance are required to ensure everything functions properly. This includes bug fixes, security protocol updates, and ensuring the Backend grows with the application. These ongoing tasks can be resource-intensive and require constant attention from developers.

Mobile Application Functions That Are Provided With Backend Development

Backend development for mobile applications offers a wide variety of functions. Some of them are:

1. User Authentication

Backend development makes safe user authentication procedures possible, enabling users to register, log in, and access personalized content safely. This guarantees that authorized users can only access the app’s functionality and data.

2. Data Storage and Retrieval

User-generated content, app settings, and other data are efficiently stored and retrieved thanks to the backend’s data storage management. This enhances app performance and makes data access across devices easier.

3. Push Notifications

Driven by the Backend,  these are an excellent means of maintaining user engagement. Notification timing and delivery are controlled by the Backend, guaranteeing that users are informed in a timely manner about new content, messages, and significant events. It’s essential to keeping users engaged with your software.

4. In-App Purchases

Backend systems provide payment gateway integration and safe transaction processing, which enable in-app purchases. This allows the app to use monetization techniques like offering in-app purchases.

5. Reporting & Analytics

Backend development encompasses analytics and reporting functionalities that offer valuable insights into user behavior, application performance, and essential data. This data-driven strategy aids trend identification, decision-making, and app feature optimization.

6. Content Management

The Backend is essential for controlling the process of updating content in apps that require frequent updates, such as news apps or blogs. Administrators may add, update, and remove material using it without changing the front end. This makes it simple to maintain current and pertinent material on the app.

7. Security and Compliance

One of the main priorities is security, which is managed on the Backend. Your app’s Backend ensures compliance with security norms and laws like GDPR by handling secure connections and encrypting data. This feature is essential for safeguarding user information and your app’s good name.

8. Integration with Third-Party Services

Social media networks, cloud storage, mapping services, and other third-party services can all be easily integrated with backend programming. This uses outside resources, increases app functionality, and improves user experience.

9. Real-Time Functionality

Backend systems support real-time features like chat rooms, live updates, and teamwork tools. This allows the program to have interactive features, synchronize data, and facilitate immediate conversation.

Mobile Backend As A Service (MBaaS)

If you do not want to create your backend server or put resources on a cloud-based server, you can choose Mobile-Backend-as-a-Service(MBaaS). Numerous independent MBaaS services allow users to monitor their applications 24/7. They provide incredible functionalities and analytical frameworks for backend development.

Architecture And Server- Working

The backend architecture is a process for designing the structure and business logic of an app’s backend. A robust backend architecture allows users to navigate the app and use its different features seamlessly, without worrying about the complicated functions running at the backend.

Backend development prepares your mobile application to work as it was intended to. The backend varies from application to application and can be differentiated based on servers, databases, and middleware.

Breaking Down Mobile App Backend Software Stack

The mobile app backend software stack is where all the complex operations and functionalities come together to deliver your users a high-performing, secure, and feature-rich app. Choosing the right technologies and architecture for your backend stack is crucial for unlocking the full potential of your mobile application and ensuring its success in the competitive app market.

Here’s a breakdown of the components that make up a typical mobile app backend technology stack, giving you a better understanding of what goes into the development process.

1. Servers

A server is a storage and application processing computer that gathers details about user interactions with your app. It can also run specific instances of code depending on the inputs it receives.

2. Database

A database is a repository of relevant data. They contain information that server access to direct app functions. They are also used to securely organize information so that they are easily accessible by the users through the app.

3. Middleware

Middleware is a set of software that connects an application’s backend to its frontend and is deployed on its own server. It connects the client and server and is organized in various business and presentation layers.

Middleware provides data communication, authentication, web services, error handling, and data integration by allowing on-premise and cloud apps to interact. A good middleware can enhance the apps’ processing, management, user engagement, authentication, and content management.

List Of Top Backend Development Tools

For mobile app backend development to be reliable, scalable, and effective, selecting the appropriate tools is essential. These technologies facilitate communication between teams and developers, offer necessary functionalities, and expedite development. Let’s look at some of the best backend development tools for mobile apps, which can greatly impact how well your app performs.

1. Web Server Tools

The mobile app’s backend server stores, processes, and serves data to apps installed on the end users’ phones. The communication between the server and the clients is secure.

Apache HTTP Server

It is a very popular web server designed to serve static and dynamic web pages and host web services. It is used by over 67% of all web servers in the world and is fast, reliable, and highly secure.

Apache Tomcat

Java applications are served using this webserver, a variation of the Apache HTTP Server. Tomcat could also serve web pages, but in that case, it would not be as effective as the Apache HTTP server. Its application processing power is second to none, though/

NGINX

NGINX is an open-source server usually used as a proxy server for email. It can also be used as an HTTP cache, load balancer, reverse proxy, media player, and streamer.

Node.JS

Node.js is a JavaScript-based, lightweight, and efficient web server. It utilizes non-blocking, event-driven input/output and is fast becoming popular for web and app development.

Lighttpd

Lighttpd is another high-speed open-source server that is faster than Apache servers. It enables virtual hosts, URL rewriting, automatic file expiration, fast CGI streaming, directory listings, HTTP redirects, transparent cache output compression, and large file support.

2. Databases Tools

These days, the dynamicity of an app is of the utmost importance, and the database tools do exactly that. They are responsible for providing data and information to a customer and also accepting and storing previously shared data.

Oracle RDBMS

It is an RDBMS that implements object-oriented features such as inheritance, polymorphism, and user-defined types. The Term RDBMS stands for relational database management system.

IBM DB2

The IBM DB2 helps you modernize the management of unstructured and structured data across multiple clouds and on-premises environments. It is also a relational database.

Altibase

Altibase combines an in-memory database with an on-disk database with a single uniform interface. This enables real-time access to large volumes of data while simplifying and revolutionizing data processing.

Microsoft SQL Server

Another popular RDBMS system from Microsoft. It is used in transaction processing, business intelligence, and analytical applications.

SAP Sybase AS

It is commonly known as Sybase DB or Sybase SQL Server. Sybase DB was developed for the Unix OS to meet the rising performance, reliability, and efficiency demands. It is often used for online transaction management on location and in the cloud.

Teradata

Teradata is an open RDBMS that runs on multiple operating systems, such as Linux, Windows, and UNIX. It can be integrated with various business intelligence (BI) tools and can also support massive volumes of data.

ADABAS

ADABAS stands for “Adaptable Database System.” It was developed to run on IBM mainframes. It is optimized for big data and reliability and is known for its cross-platform portability and developer productivity.

MySQL

MySQL is an open-source relational database that scales faster and is free. It is used in many frameworks popular among developers to design eCommerce, transaction processing, and data warehousing applications.

FileMaker

Powerful software allows users to create personalized apps and databases. Businesses use it to track invoices, customers, resources, work orders, and inventory.

Microsoft Access

Microsoft developed this database management system that combines the relational database engine with a graphical user interface (GUI). It is an information management tool that helps users store information for analyzing, referencing, and reporting.

Informix

Informix is a fast and flexible database server developed by IBM. It manages object-relational, dimensional, and traditional relational databases. Its small footprint and self-management function makes it suitable for onboard data management solutions.

SQLite

Written in C, SQLite is a database engine that develops embedded software for devices like televisions, cell phones, and cameras. It can manage low to medium-traffic HTTP requests, change files into smaller-size archives with lesser metadata, and can be used to process some data within an application.

PostgreSQL

It is also known as Postgres. It is a free and open-source RDBMS that emphasizes extensibility and SQL compliance. Most Mobile and analytical applications use it as a data warehouse.PostgreSQL provides support for different SQL functions and user-defined types and functions.

Amazon RDS

Amazon Relational Database Service, or Amazon RDS, is a collection of managed services that makes it simple to deploy, set up, operate, and scale databases in the cloud. Amazon RDS performs services and tasks such as backup, recovery, patching, and migration.

MongoDB

MongoDB is a source-available cross-platform document-oriented database program used to build highly available and scalable internet applications. Its flexible schema approach makes it popular with development teams using agile methodologies.

3. Git Clients

Git clients allow developers to work with visual version control and a project collaboration system. The user does not have to write the code for version control manually, enabling them to perform their tasks faster and more comfortably.

SourceTree

SourceTree is a free GUI Git client. It simplifies developers’ interactions with Git repositories so that they can concentrate on coding. Its GUI makes it easy to visualize and manage your repositories.

GitHub client

GitHub is a code hosting platform for version control and collaboration. It is a 100% open-source tool for writing cross-platform desktop apps using CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

4. Microservice Platform Tools

Microservices are a collection of tools and technologies that offer various functionalities over the Internet. They come with pre-defined functions and algorithms and allow developers to build an application easily.

Kubernetes

Often abbreviated as KBs, Kubernetes is an open-source platform for container cluster management. Its major goals are automating deployment, providing scaling, and operating application containers across a cluster of different hosts.

Docker

Docker uses OS-level virtualization to deliver software in packages called containers. It brings microservices into the game by providing developers with easy-to-use and fast packaging deployment and distribution mechanisms. Docker is popular among developers for building compartmentalized apps as it also provides tools such as registration services, native clustering, and cloud services.

5. Local Development Environment

An LDE, or local development environment, provides a way to configure services on a workstation to run a website or mobile application.

WampServer

WampServer is the solution stack for the Microsoft Windows operating system that consists of Apache Web Server, OpenSSL, MySQL database, and PHP programming language runtime. It is an open-source development environment that mobile app development companies use to build web applications and manage databases. 

XAMPP

Developed by the Friends of Apache group, XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server solution stack. It supports development using Perl and PHP language scripts and can also serve web pages on the World Wide Web.

Laragon

Laragon is a fast, isolated, portable, and powerful development environment for Node.js. It supports multiple languages, such as Python, PHP, Ruby, Java, and Go. It is lightweight, fast, easy to use, and easy to extend, and it is great for building and managing modern apps.

6. Collaboration Service Tools

Collaboration services tools make working together on professional projects easier and faster. It reduces bottlenecks in feedback and workflow approval processes and allows for real-time communication. The three core features of collaboration tools are

• Communication
• Project and task management
• File sharing and management

Slack

It is a cloud-based collaboration and messaging app that is used by organizations to communicate. It connects people to the information they need. Its major features are:

• Pinning messages and reference links to channels.
• Managing and tracking documents.
• Advanced search modifiers.

Jira

Jira is a software application for issue tracking and project management. Its web-based product management uses Scrum and Kanban.

7. App Performance TestingTool

A good performance testing tool is essential for determining your apps’ effectiveness, speed, scalability, reliability, and interoperability.

Apache JMeter

JMeter is a test tool developed by Apache to measure and analyze the performance of apps and web services. It is written in Java and can test mobile, web, and FTP applications if the system supports JVM (Java Virtual Machine).

AppLoader

When testing an application, this tool creates the same user experience across all of its access points. It also allows the developer to test the complete business flow without adding a plugin or writing any code.

What Are Some Of The Challenges And Best Practices In Backend App Development?

The ever-changing world of mobile app development presents problems that call for creative fixes. In order to create practical mobile applications, developers must overcome a number of challenges, including embracing new technologies, guaranteeing data security, and utilizing cutting-edge capabilities like AI and cloud computing.

1. Keeping Up with New Technologies

How can Mobile app developers incorporate the latest technological developments?

Best Practice/Solution: To remain ahead of technology changes, developers might benefit from regular training, industry networking, and reading trade periodicals.

2. Scalability and Performance Optimization

One typical difficulty is scaling an app to accommodate growing user needs while keeping performance at its best.

Best Practice/Solution: Ensuring smooth app performance under variable loads requires implementing scalable design, performance monitoring, and continual optimization.

3. Ensuring Data Privacy and Security

One of the biggest obstacles to developing mobile apps is safeguarding user data and ensuring privacy laws are followed.

Best Approach/Remedy: Data security risks are reduced by putting strong encryption, safe authentication procedures, and frequent security assessments into place.

4. Integration of AI and Machine Learning

Integrating AI and ML functionalities can be complex.  

Best Practice/Solution: Leveraging pre-built AI services, training models for specific app needs, and iterative testing ensures seamless integration and optimal performance.

5. Cloud Computing and Serverless Architectures 

Using cloud services and serverless architectures presents challenges in deployment and management.

Best Practice/Solution: Using cloud-native tools, adopting serverless frameworks for scalable operations, and optimizing resource allocation to streamline cloud deployment and management processes.

How Can EmizenTech Help?

For mobile app backend development, EmizenTech is the best option because of its extensive skill set, which includes knowledge of APIs, proficiency with data structures and algorithms, and strong server management abilities. 

As a leading mobile app development company, we bring knowledge, guaranteeing excellent solutions that satisfy even the most exacting app needs. The company comprises a team of talented app developers who have been perfecting their abilities for over a decade.

Beyond its technological expertise, EmizenTech stands out for its dedication to open communication, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking. With a history of providing high-performance backend solutions, clients can rely on us for their backend needs. Our commitment to openness guarantees that customers are informed at every stage, building confidence.

Conclusion 

Every perfect mobile app backend development offers the scalability, security, and functionality required to deliver a fantastic user experience. Its significance remains unquestioned as it manages vital functions such as data storage, authentication, and external service integration. These are essential for smooth app performance and customer delight.

Mobile backend development takes various forms, such as serverless designs for easier resource management, cloud-based solutions that offer flexibility and affordability, and classic server-based systems. While each kind meets a distinct set of app requirements, they all aim to provide robust solutions.

If you are looking for an excellent choice for backend development, then we at EmizenTech are the perfect destination for a mobile app development company. Having crafted hundreds of successful mobile apps with a team of experienced developers, we deliver tailored mobile app development services that exceed client expectations, making them the go-to partner for unlocking the full potential of mobile applications. 

With EmizenTech, elevate your app’s backend to new heights. Partner with us today for a backend that drives success.

Frequently Asked Questions