Flutter is a mobile app SDK that can be used to build beautiful, high-performance apps for iOS and Android.
For now, let’s focus on the app SDK intended for developers. Let’s get this out of the way right now: Flutter is not another mobile operating system or an alternative to React Native.
It is not attempting to compete with Google or Apple or any other company in the industry. This is just another tool in your marketing kit, one you might choose to use if you have a project that needs it.
What is Flutter?
Flutter is an open source mobile app SDK that helps developers create applications for Android and iOS. The apps are written with a combination of Dart, a programming language that also powers other Google services, and the native interface of whichever platform they’re running on. The app’s code is compiled into machine code, not requiring an interpreter, which makes it run faster.
The app can also be compiled into a static app that doesn’t require an internet connection and can be used offline. This is similar to how apps work on the web, rather than installing an app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Why Use Flutter?
Let’s start with the obvious: Flutter is another tool in your marketing kit, one you might choose to use if you have a project that needs it. If React Native isn’t the right fit for your app, Flutter provides an alternative for building cross-platform apps. What does that mean?
In the simplest terms, cross-platform apps are the same program code that runs on both Android and iOS. A native app is built to take advantage of the platform-specific features and functionality of the device.
A cross-platform app tries to account for the differences between the two platforms, but it won’t be as efficient as a native app. In other words, it won’t be quite as good.
How to Use Flutter in Your Marketing Campaign
First, let’s talk about the ideal circumstances in which Flutter would be a good fit for your marketing campaign. Then, we’ll get into the nuts and bolts of building an app with Flutter. - Target a new market - If you’re trying to reach customers who are new to your product, or you are targeting a new market, cross-platform apps could be a good idea.
They allow you to reach more people, without having to build a separate app for each operating system. - Your product has complex features - If you have a complex product that needs several different features written into the app, it might make more sense to build a cross-platform app. - You want to engage with your customers - If you want to engage with your customers or allow them to engage with one another, then cross-platform apps could be a good option. They let you build communities, host user-generated content, or even send push notifications.
Beautiful Interactive UI Built-in
One of the most appealing features of Flutter is the built-in beautiful, interactive UI. Take a look at any of the apps built in Flutter, and you’ll see how easy it is to create a gorgeous UI.
That’s because Flutter has widgets — reusable, scalable pieces of code that developers can use to create custom UI elements. There are a handful of widget libraries that come with Flutter, and you can also create your own if you need something specific.
You can create and customize any type of UI, including complicated animations and transitions. You can also use your existing branding in your app by including images or text elements in your UI.
Fast Development Time
One of the biggest advantages of Flutter is that it offers a fast development time, so you can get your product out to the market quickly. You could develop an app with a native UI, but it would take longer — and it would be more expensive. Flutter has a plug-in for any IDE that is widely used, from Google’s own IDE to Visual Studio Code.
It also has a visual debugger, so you can catch any bugs quicker and fix them more easily. You can also easily do hot reload, which allows you to quickly test your app as you’re building it, so you can see if there are any issues or problems.
Cross-platform Support with One Codebase
This is one of the biggest advantages of Flutter — you write one codebase for both Android and iOS, and then you compile it into two apps. This means that you can have cross-platform support with just one app, instead of having to build two separate apps.
You have to decide which features go into which app — or, if you’re building an app with a community or interactions, you could put some of the features in both. This could be a great option. If you’re only targeting iOS or Android, you’re better off creating a completely separate app.
Conclusion
Flutter is a tool that you can use to build apps for both Android and iOS, and it can help you build them faster. Not every project you have will make sense for Flutter, but if you’re looking to build an app for both platforms and you don’t have a lot of resources, it’s worth considering.
If you do decide to use Flutter, keep these things in mind: - It’s still new — there may be bugs or issues you encounter as you get started, so be patient and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. - If you’re targeting both Android and iOS, make sure you use the same code for both apps, but just put it in separate files. - If you’re building an app with a community, you can use the same code for both platforms, but you may have to tweak some features to make them work on each OS.
Finally, keep in mind that while Flutter is a great option for building apps, it’s not going to solve all of your problems. You should still think about your options and the best ways to use the tools available to you.
