Mobile apps have become increasingly essential as just about everything in society has transitioned to digital. Many brands have developed custom mobile applications to help connect with their customers and make product and service delivery seamless and easy. If your business is thinking about creating a mobile app, you may be wondering how to get started as well as some of the pitfalls you can avoid to ensure a great product.
Keep reading for a few insights on what mistakes to avoid so you can create and launch a successful mobile app.
Poor Design
Design doesn’t only mean how the application looks but also how well it works. Nothing turns off a user faster than a non-intuitive design, confusing interfaces, or features that don’t work. Ensuring that your app looks good and functions well can mean the difference between a repeat user and someone uninstalling your app. Make sure your developer is focused on a good user interface (functions and features) as well as the user experience (design and simplicity of use). And don’t forget about content either. The clearer and more concise your language for menus and navigation, the easier it will be for customers to use your app, which translates into a positive user experience.
Limited Platforms
Tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft all have their own platforms for applications which means that they all work differently. This could mean developing an app that works across multiple platforms to ensure all of your customers can use your app, regardless of what operating system they’re on. One of the benefits of mobile apps is reaching more people than ever before so you don’t want to limit yourself to just one platform. Imagine the frustration of a potential customer discovering they can’t download your brand’s app because it doesn’t work on their phone. You could lose a customer if they decide to find another business whose app works on their phone. Most app developers today are experienced in building cross-platform applications and can guide you during the development process.
Copying Other Apps
With thousands of applications launched every day, many fail to make it to the mainstream because they don’t offer anything new. To make an application stand out, it’s important to ensure that yours isn’t just a cookie cutter replica of an existing app. While you can certainly take inspiration from existing apps, be sure to brainstorm and research how your app can solve a unique problem for your audience. It could just be one or two small elements that sets your app aparts and gets it noticed in a crowded marketplace. Not only will customers appreciate the innovation, your brand could become known for great new ideas.
Not Testing
The most important phase in the development of an application is the testing or QA phase. This is when you get to try out the product, identify any issues, and fix any bugs. Unfortunately, this phase can sometimes be rushed to beat impending development and launch deadlines. However, it is critical to take your time with testing. Putting out an app that is riddled with bugs or doesn’t work properly is a surefire way for it to fail. And you may not get a second chance even if you fix it. In a saturated marketplace like mobile apps, consumers will likely just move onto the next app and forget about yours.
Conclusion
Advances in technology can help shape a better future and help businesses succeed. The development of applications can help us transition into the digital age faster and in better ways. However, with a lot of applications released regularly, it can be difficult to find your place in the market without an application that stands out from the bunch. So take your time when developing a new app and be sure to avoid some of the pitfalls you could encounter.
If your business is looking to develop a mobile app, contact Everestek. We’re a modern technology services company that aims to create, modernize, and accelerate digital initiatives. With 20 years of experience, we are focused on user experience, automation, and quality.
