Global mobile app economy is thriving. According to
Statista, consumers downloaded 178.1 billion apps to their connected devices and this figure is projected to grow up to 258.2 billion app downloads by 2022. Rising popularity and sheer volume of apps in the marketplace makes mobile application development a valuable tool among enterprises. And that is why organizations, regardless of the industry, have been moving in a mobile direction. But before you jump the mobile app bandwagon, it is essential to be aware of the aggressive competition in the app marketplace. As of the first quarter of 2019, Google Play Store has 2.1 million apps and Apple Store has 1.8 million apps for its users, reports Statista. With millions of applications available for users, it is crucial to ensure that your app stands out.
In this emerging world of technology, developing a mobile isn’t rocket science, but it is not a walk in the park either.
Mobile app development demands thoughtful approach and extensive pre-planning. And if you want to capitalize on the profusely growing mobile app market, then you need to stay on top of mobile trends as well as watch out for the innovations coming down the pipeline. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of mobile app development mistakes you should avoid along the way.
1. Lack of a value propositionIf you are missing out on the reason why people should download and use your app, then the chances of your mobile app success might be low. Every mobile application should have a purpose that appeals user. So, before you start spending your time and resources in building a mobile application, make sure to clearly state how the proposed application is different from its competitor apps. Have a proposition that answers a need and prove highly relevant to your target audience.
2. Poorly designed user interfaceMost businesses are inclined towards incorporating everything they have on a website into a mobile application. Inconsistent design methods and including too many features not only drives up mobile app development costs, but also kills app performance. While designing a mobile app, it is crucial to ensure intuitiveness and consistency. Similarly, overstuffing the user interface with too many features may be annoying. Instead, identify the core features your target audience will need and get it done right. Failing to design a simplistic and appealing interface would prompt the users to delete the app altogether. Useful and relevant features backed with a minimal yet intuitive design is key to your app’s success.
3. Ignoring cross platformGoogle’s Android and Apple’s iOS are the leading mobile operating systems that account for over 95% of the global market share. And when it comes to the iOS versus Android debate, you can’t find an easy answer. Businesses need to develop native applications across all the major platforms to ensure no major user bases are missed. However, the costs and time for building native mobile applications could impose significant barriers to development. That is where cross-platform app development tools such as
Xamarin prove to be a boon for developers and businesses alike. Facilitating mobile app development that adapt and follow design and interaction guidelines put forth by both Android and iOS platforms, Xamarin framework ensure native performance and user experiences.
4. Inadequate testingMany businesses rush through the testing phase to launch mobile application at the earliest. However, cutting down the testing efforts and time to minimize time-to-market may result in having an application with multiple issues and bugs at release. Not only this backfires your app success, but also adversely affects your brand reputation. Hence, make it a point to execute the testing phase of mobile app development rigorously. Check whether the app performs well againsts stringent constraints, across all platforms and devices. During the testing phase, make sure to use every tool available, seek the expertise of other developers and ask your peers to try out the application. Conducting an extensive beta testing and ensuring the best quality in your application allows for a positive brand growth.
5. Failing to have a marketing planFailing to create a marketing strategy a common mistake conducted by businesses while developing a mobile application. Many organizations commit the mistake of overlooking the importance of having a marketing strategy in place. If you want your mobile app to succeed, then you should have a documented marketing strategy to boost downloads and attract users. Before investing too much time and resources in mobile app development, think about the app idea and how to market it. Launching a mobile application without a proper marketing strategy runs the risk of vanishing among the crowded app stores. It is strongly recommended to come up with a solid marketing strategy for your target audience. You may use your marketing strategy to stir some excitement before the app release. A few screens of your mobile app or a promo video might also prove beneficial in attracting potential users. That way, you can create a buzz around your mobile app before it is available on the store.
Final ThoughtsThe key to a successful mobile app development is straightforward - Come up with a breakthrough idea, create a marketing strategy to match it and build an app your audience will love to use.