Can You Really Build an App in 90 Days? Here’s How We Do It
In this fast-moving digital world, business owners and founders like you are always looking for smarter ways to connect with customers to grow your brand. And at the top of the list is launching a mobile app.
Now, we get why the idea of building an app might feel overwhelming to you. You’ve probably heard the horror stories too: app projects dragging on for months (or years), budgets blowing out, endless revisions, and by the time it’s done, the market’s already moved on. So it’s only natural to wonder and reflect on these worries like
- Do I really need an app?
- Won't an app be too expensive & time-consuming?
- Will I be able to create one that can compete in this crowded space?
Your worries aren't unreasonable. But what if we told you it didn't have to be so complicated? And we know that because we have done it before! Not once, not twice, but dozens of times, across various sectors, objectives, and budgets using a clear plan, a well-defined idea, and flawless execution. The unifying thread across all businesses is that we know when done correctly, a mobile app can greatly enhance user engagement, streamline customer experiences, and offer serious ROI.
This blog is not here to sugarcoat things or sell unicorn dreams. It is to show how we can develop a mobile app within 90 days. So if you’ve been sitting on an idea or if this sounds like something worth exploring, then keep reading because this breakdown is exactly for business owners like you.
Days 1–5: Getting A Crystal Clear Image of The Big Idea
(Requirement Gathering)
Your idea might be fantastic and unique, no doubt, but unless we understand your audience and business goals, it’ll never translate into a good product.
So we start by sitting down with you and asking:
- Who’s the app for? Are they busy tradies? Parents trying to juggle? Local event-goers? A foodie looking to explore authentic cuisines?
- What’s the real problem you’re trying to solve?
- What does the app need to do from day one?
- Where are your users most likely to drop off or get frustrated?
We take all that and create a clear scope. A shared plan of what we’re building and what we’re not building (yet).
We also run a quick competitor check to avoid reinventing the wheel or to avoid missing any opportunities.
Days 6–12: Choosing the Right Platform & Tech Stack
(This is where we plan how to actually build your app)
Now that we have an idea of what your app must do, it’s time to decide on how to build it. Here’s where most people get confused with Native? Hybrid? Flutter? React Native? What's the difference between them? What's best for your business? Let’s break it down here.
1. Native Apps
- Has to be built separately for ios and Android
- Gives you better performance and deeper hardware integration (camera, GPS, etc.)
- Can be both expensive and time-consuming (two teams = double cost) Ideal for High-performance apps (e.g. games, banking apps, AR tools)
2. Hybrid / Cross-Platform Apps
- Built once, they can be used on both Android and ios
- Slightly less impressive in terms of performance, but more budget-friendly and quicker
- Modern tools like Flutter and React Native make this a powerful and flexible option. Ideal for: Startups, local businesses, delivery apps, booking systems, loyalty platforms.
We guide you based on the following aspects:
- Budget - How much are you ready to invest?
- Timeframe - A tighter deadline means we keep things lean and focused.
- Target audience - Your users guide the design, features, and overall flow.
- Feature complexity - More features mean more time, testing, and planning.
Once the stack is locked in, we also decide on key integrations:
- Will you need Google Maps?
- Payment gateway like Stripe or Afterpay?
- Push notifications?
This is the skeleton around which your app will be built.
Days 13–23: Designing the Experience
(UI & UX Design)
Your app’s design is more than just how it looks; it’s how people feel when using it.
Here’s how we approach this phase:
1. Wireframing
We sketch out every major screen and flow: onboarding, login, home page, user dashboard, etc.
Where does the user go after logging in?
How do they make a booking, add an item to a cart, or request a service?
What happens when they hit a dead end or make a mistake?
2. User Journey Mapping
We build out the ideal journey:
First-time user opens the app → signs up → finds service → completes action → gets value
3. High-Fidelity Prototypes
We design full-colour mockups with your brand colours, fonts, and visual identity. We even animate key transitions so you can "feel" the app before it’s built.
We use Figma or Adobe XD, depending on what works best for the client.
4. Client Review & Feedback
Nothing moves forward until you sign off. We build with you, not for you.
Days 24–34: Front-End Development
(Bringing the interface to life)
This is where the code starts. Our front-end devs:
- Convert the designs into real screens.
- Set up navigation, transitions, and button behaviour.
- Make the UI responsive across devices and screen sizes.
- We also build in animations and interactions to make the app feel smooth, like that satisfying swipe in Tinder or the bounce on Instagram stories.
We also do frequent testing to ensure things look and work right across different phones and OS versions.
Days 35–55: Backend Development + User Management
This is the engine of your app. The backend controls your:
- User accounts and data
- Login authentication (Google, Apple ID, email/password)
- Admin dashboard controls
- Real-time data syncing
- Any automation or scheduled tasks
Security is a huge focus here, especially if your app deals with personal or financial information.
We implement:
- Secure data storage
- Encrypted authentication tokens
- Role-based access control
We also connect your app to any cloud services you’re using (Firebase, AWS, etc.)
Days 56–66: API Integration
Now we plug in third-party services like
- Payment gateways
- SMS or email platforms
- CRM or inventory management systems
- Google Maps or location tools
Each integration goes through setup, configuration, and multiple test runs. We make sure the app doesn’t break if one of these services slows down or fails.
Days 67–77: Testing, Testing & More Testing
Here’s what we test:
- Functional: Do all features work as expected?
- Compatibility: Does the app work across all targeted devices?
- Performance: Does it load quickly? Does it crash under stress?
- Usability: Do users understand how to use it?
- Security: Can it withstand malicious attempts or data leaks?
We involve real users from your audience to do the final testing to give you feedback, and this process is called User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Days 78–82: Final Adjustments & Polish Work
Based on feedback, we fix bugs, polish transitions, improve loading speeds, and tidy up small UX issues. Here, we also prep final metadata for the App Store and Play Store:
- Screenshots
- App descriptions
- Keywords
- Privacy policies
Days 83–90: Launch Time
The final build goes through
- App Store and Google Play submissions
- Performance monitoring setup
- Launch plan with social media or email campaigns (optional)
We also help you with post-launch support options because this is where feedback gets real.
Now You Know That It Is Possible
Building a mobile app in 90 days isn’t some marketing gimmick. It’s real, it’s achievable, and it’s often the better way to go if you want results without being stuck in a six-month loop of back-and-forths and budget blowouts.
But let’s be honest, it’s not a walk in the park either. You’ll need the right plan, the right people, and a team that knows what they’re doing.
That’s where we come in. At Planet Media, we’ve helped Aussie businesses go from “just an idea” to fully launched in 90 days with apps that are lean, efficient, and built for real users. No drama. No chaos. Just solid delivery.
So if you’ve got an idea and 90 days to spare, we are a Canberra-based company providing app development services that can transform your concept into a market-ready app from start to finish.
