Why Firebase Is Right For You
Full stack developers face many challenges when building an app. From issues with your user interface to trouble creating database entries, the journey to bring an app from the drawing board to the computer screen is fraught with peril and as a wise man once said it is dangerous to go alone. Enter Firebase.
Firebase is software created by Google that provides developers with tools and analytics to support their application’s backend functions. It can provide user authentication, create activity reports, and give you insight on why your application crashed. In short, it can be a very powerful tool that allows you to scale your application while keeping track of everything going on in your backend.
While Firebase has many benefits, I will focus on three in particular; the ability to build “powerful apps”, the tools required to release and monitor them, and the methods it provides to reach and engage with your audience.
POWERFUL APPS
Firebase provides access to the Firestore, a database that simplifies the storage of data in the cloud and allows you to scale your app as your user base grows. It also provides you with offline support and live synchronization across multiple devices. You will also have access to Firebase Authentication, a pre-built structure to log in users that is fast and easy to use. After launch, you can provide users with more functionality through the Firebase Machine Learning tools which allow help the user navigate through your application.
24/7 CCTV
Speaking of post launch support, Firebase gives you access to Crashlytics. This light weight, real time support tool will help you track issues, prioritize problems, and find solutions to keep your app running smoothly. App Distribution is a feature that builds on Crashlytics to get your application to testers quickly while providing you with stability metrics. Just in case you’re not ready to distribute, you also have access to the Test Lab, allowing you to run your application against a wide range of devices. All of your test results are accessible through the Firebase console giving you peace of mind before distribution to a wider audience.
Engage.
Once you’ve launched your application, you can continue to engage your users through the Firebase In App Messaging system. By sending them messages relevant to their needs, you can showcase key features of your app and guide them through any new updates you release. These new features can be released through the Remote Config options which lets you change how your app looks and behaves without requiring users to download an update. You can also use A/B Testing to improve the experience by analyzing product and market experiments whenever you roll out a new feature.
All of these features can seem overwhelming. Maybe you weren’t interested in analytics or hadn’t considered how you were going to scale your app. That’s perfectly understandable because it’s a lot, especially for new developers. So don’t take my word for it. Firebase is easy to use and has great documentation that you can reference when you give it a shot. Go ahead, pick up that sword on your next adventure and see what you can do.
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