Mobile app development
Android and iOS app development for companies and startups
Building an app is not just writing code: you need to decide what users really need, which technology to build it with, which systems it must connect to, and how to publish and maintain it over time. I am Gaetano Racioppa, Software Engineer: I work with companies and startups that want to bring a customer service, a tool for field workers or a new digital product to Android and iOS.
I personally take care of analysis, development, testing and publication on the App Store and Google Play: you have a single technical contact, from the first conversation to later versions.
The problems an app should solve
Manual processes
Paper forms, spreadsheets and phone calls that an app can replace with data entered only once.
Services that are hard to reach
Customers and staff asking to do on a smartphone what today requires a PC or a counter.
Systems that do not talk
An app becomes useful when it is connected to the ERP, the CRM or the APIs the company already uses.
An existing app to rebuild
Bad reviews, crashes or unsupported technologies: we assess whether to evolve the code or start again.
What development includes
- Requirements analysis and definition of the first version’s features
- Technology choice: cross-platform with Flutter or native development
- Interface development starting from the design, also working with your designer
- Integration with existing APIs, backends and services
- Push notifications, authentication, offline use and device features when needed
- Testing on real devices and publication on the App Store and Google Play
- Maintenance, updates and new versions
Technologies and how I choose them
For most business apps I suggest Flutter: a single codebase for Android and iOS reduces duplicated work and keeps the two versions aligned. When an app relies heavily on features specific to the operating system or the hardware, I consider native development or a mixed solution.
For data I use Firebase when real-time synchronisation and speed matter, or a .NET backend when there is complex business logic or company systems to integrate.
Experience
I develop mobile apps for companies in sectors such as Insurance, FinTech, Retail and Industry 4.0. Many projects are covered by confidentiality agreements: during a call I can describe their context, my role and the technical choices.
“I highly recommend Gaetano Racioppa Consulting. He consistently deliver high-quality code and are adept at troubleshooting and problem-solving. Overall, gaetano would be a fantastic addition to your development team.”
How I work
- 01
First conversation
A call to understand goals, users, constraints and what already exists.
- 02
Estimate and scope
We define features and priorities together; the estimate is based on the agreed scope.
- 03
Iterative development
Intermediate, verifiable releases, so you can see and try the product as it takes shape.
- 04
Testing and quality
Automated tests and checks on real devices and environments before every release.
- 05
Release
Store publication or go-live, following a repeatable procedure.
- 06
Maintenance and evolution
Fixes, updates and new features after the first release.
Frequently asked questions
Is a native or a cross-platform app better?
It depends on the features. For most business apps a cross-platform solution such as Flutter covers Android and iOS with a single codebase. Native development makes sense when the app makes intensive use of features specific to one platform. The choice is made during analysis, not in advance.
Do I also need a backend?
Almost always, if the app has to manage users, shared data or integrations. It can be a service such as Firebase, a tailored .NET backend or the APIs your company already has.
What is needed to publish on the stores?
Apple and Google developer accounts registered to the company, the store listing material (texts, icon, screenshots), a privacy policy and passing the store review, whose timing does not depend on me. That is why publication should be planned from the start.
How much does an app cost and how long does it take?
It depends on the number of features, the integrations with other systems, the level of polish of the interface and what already exists. That is why I do not publish price lists: after the first conversation I prepare an estimate based on the agreed scope.
Related pages
Let’s talk about your app
Tell me who it is for, which platforms it must run on and what it should let people do.