Decentralized applications -also known as ‘DApps’ or ‘dApps’- are applications that are decentralized or applications with no central authority. Decentralized applications run on multiple networks on a blockchain, unlike regular applications that use a single central server controlling the system. You can create a DApp on Ethereum blockchain or other blockchain networks.
Decentralized applications are known for their use in finance-related applications due to the transaction handling ability and capacity of blockchains upon which DApps are developed. Therefore, finance-related DApps are used in high-demand areas such as exchanges, marketplace (NFT), wallets, and others. In a bid to simplify the task of developing DApps, this article explains decentralized application development in a few steps that anyone can follow (by clicking on the link, you can find a detailed description of Topflight Apps’ relevant experience).
Pitfalls of Developing DApps
Decentralized application development will create a decentralized app that carries out particular functions, but the hidden risks should be considered before anything else. Some of such hidden risks involved in developing DApps are highlighted below:-
Extra cost for an attractive user interface
DApps are in demand for several of their benefits, but their user interface could be intimidating. Typical centralized applications have user interfaces that encourage users to interact with the app and to use it readily. Users who will go from regular apps to DApps will prefer it to have a great end-user experience.
Developers of DApps, therefore, have to set aside extra costs to engage UI/UX designers to add certain features to DApps to make them more user-friendly. The more user-friendly a DApp is, the more users it attracts.
Extra details for new users
Due to the different basis of operation that regulates decentralized apps, users who frequently use regular centralized apps find it difficult to understand how blockchains and DApps work.
Developers who want to create comprehensive DApps must go the extra mile to explain terms, features, statuses, and transactions frequently occurring on DApps to retain users. A DApp that is adequately understood stands a higher chance of retaining users and even gaining more users.
Updating issues of DApps
Once deployed to a decentralized network, DApps are usually challenging to update. The presence of a decentralized server in DApps means that its updates can not be sent at once to devices that have the DApps. The opposite is the case in regular apps, which have a centralized server that can send updates at once to devices that have the apps.
This makes DApps challenging to maintain.
Therefore, developers of DApps must deploy thoroughly tested DApps to networks and find alternative means to update DApps on users’ devices later.
Unexpected Benefits of DApps development
Developers that create a decentralized application with blockchain also offer unexpected benefits that mean more to the developer. Some of such unexpected benefits involved in developing DApps are highlighted below:-
Zero care for downtime
The connected servers’ basis of blockchain functioning provides DApps with an excellent uptime benefit. DApps developers would need to worry less about downtime as such can only occur if all the connected peer-to-peer networks are down. Such is rare, and so the downtime of DApps is also rare. This means decreased worries for DApp developers in the area of downtimes.
Security and data integrity
Again the connected peer-to-peer networks confer a benefit on DApps in the form of protection. The absence of a centralized server in blockchains means there is no central point of attack from internal or external threats due to the interconnectedness of the blockchain system. This readily protects DApps from damage.
Covered security for DApps means DApps developers and owners can spend less than just keeping it safe and secure.
Costs of DApps development
The cost of developing a decentralized application depends on the blockchain features the DApp will contain. Developing a DApp can range from a minimum of $60,000-$100,000 to higher prices, but a DApp with many user interface features will cost more.
Final Words
Creating DApps on blockchains such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, Neo, etc., is currently the consideration of many developers, as it offers some more benefits and handles financial transactions much more easily than regular applications. While DApps seem like a good answer in many areas, the hidden risks should still be considered while developing DApps.
Weighing both the pros and cons of DApps will aid developers in how to develop DApps that suit the required need.
