Do you remember the last time you used a dApp? Even a tech person won't be able to always recognize whether the app is decentralized or traditional. So why is everyone talking about building a decentralized app at all?

Thanks to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin reaching new heights and dominating the market for some time, decentralization quickly became a hot topic among regular users and business owners.

According to this source, the decentralized application development (dApps) market size was valued at $25.63 billion in 2022 and is suggested to reach $ 70.82 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 56.1%.

9 Steps to Build a Decentralized App in 2024

1. Define the Objectives and Requirements

The first step will be determining the purpose of your future dApp. Here, you will need to identify problems the app must solve and challenges it should address so the app will be potentially profitable for you by the end of the development.

We highly recommend starting the development process by listing the main features for an MVP, requirements the industry may have (we will talk about them later), and laws the dApp must follow. So, the first step results should be the scope and purpose of the APP, which will further serve as the guideline for the developers and designers.

2. Learn Your Target (News - Alert) Audience

The next step will be clarifying and defining the dApp’s target audience. You should be well aware of the audience you want to attract, meaning knowing their location, buying patterns, behavior, what they are looking for, and how your product can benefit their needs.

It is also worthy of determining how users will encounter the dApp at this stage since these insights will affect many features and marketing campaigns. Building an MVP version and testing it with a test group so they can provide you with feedback and help you ensure the final software aligns with the user’s expectations and will perform well in the market.

3. Choose a Platform

This step is crucial since it will also affect the cost of the dApp development. You probably know that there are many blockchain platforms. So, choosing the one that fulfills the business requirements, meets goals, and caters to the target audience without extra charges is essential. Some of the platforms you may consider without in-depth research are:

• Ethereum - This is probably the most popular and widely used platform, serving many purposes and suitable for a vast range of dApp types.
• Solana - Solana takes the second place in popularity after Ethereum and is an ideal choice for dApps.
• Avalanche is a highly secure and stable platform that requires low latency and exceptional throughput.

4. Write Smart Contracts

When you and your development team identify the best platform for your project, the next step will be writing smart contracts. The smart contract is where the entire logic of the dApps is located. They represent pieces of code that automatically execute when the set of actions is met. These actions could be transactions, algorithm computations, and other functions within the app users may perform. This code will later be deployed onto the blockchain.

5. Develop the Front-End Part

The front-end part of the dApp is responsible for the user experience. There are several aspects to consider at this stage:

• Since dApp code is public, make sure the US is easy to understand and transparent.
• The UI should align with the information on the blockchain since the data within the app can't be changed when it exists on the blockchain.
• Since the dApp should facilitate transactions, it is also crucial to note that transactions may not always happen immediately. That is why adding visuals indicating the process of the transaction will be beneficial.

6. Build the Back-End Part

The backend part of the dApp is the logic of the app. Here, you should first choose the programming language based on the blockchain you have already chosen and your business goals. However, you may consider Python, Go, or Node.js.

Once the code is written, you will also need to configure the back end to connect to the blockchain ledger and interact with smart contracts. Depending on the dApp complexity and chosen tech stack, this stage may also involve things like:

• Managing user authentication;
• Integrating with external APIs;
• Managing user databases;
• Navigating several types of business logic.

7. Rigorous Testing

The testing part is essential since it ensures the final product works the way you expect it. In the Agile (News - Alert) development approach, testing begins even earlier and is a continuous process.

Hire a QA team to test the front-end and back-end parts of the decentralized app while also investing more time in testing smart contracts and potential app vulnerabilities that lead to data leakage. There are several solutions you can use to test smart contracts without risks, and testnet is currently the leading one.

Skipping the testing stage means you won't be able to modify smart contracts later. Once smart contracts are deployed on the blockchain, they can not be changed. Therefore, your QA team should identify bugs before you deploy smart contracts

8. Deployment

While most think that deployment is the last stage of the development process, the truth is that here, the software development doesn't stop. Make sure the app is compliant with industry regulations, so you stay on the safe side of the law. Deploy the front-end part on a web server or decentralized storage system interface so your future can easily access and interact with your decentralized application.

9. Maintain and Upgrade

Once the app is deployed, you should monitor user feedback, conduct maintenance, and bring timely updates as an ongoing process. Smart contracts may stay the same, though front and back end parts of the dApp usually require updates to cater to business needs and cover users' preferences. It is also crucial to always check the app for any bugs and vulnerabilities, constantly implementing the latest security protocols to keep it safe for users.

Last Thoughts

Building a decentralized application in 2024 first means hiring an experienced development team. While you can always hire freelancers or create an in-house team, building such an app with blockchain app development services allows you to build a solid and stable product complaint with strict guidelines. 

Author: Domi Petocz - Blockchain Department Lead at Interexy with over 5 years of experience in the blockchain and Fintech domain