The Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile App Development

If you have any kind of company or brand today, it’s important that you learn as much as you can about marketing it. Having a mobile app that is well-designed is an essential part of marketing and brand recognition today.

People all around the world spent $111 billion on mobile apps in 2020. This means that you have access to plenty of app developers that can help create the perfect fit for you.

Here are some mobile app development do’s and don’ts that you need to get to know.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the help of a professional to design your app. You can also take the do-it-yourself approach, but you’re dealing with an extensive learning curve that won’t necessarily yield the best results.

Working with a professional gives you a much better chance of having an app that is easy to use, bug-free, with a quality graphical user interface (GUI).

Many experts say that having a mobile app is better than a website these days. Because of this, you owe it to yourself to find the most skilled professionals available. Find out how long they’ve been providing app design and whether they have any specialties. This will save you a lot of time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Many companies make the mistake of trying to knock it out of the park with the first rendition of their mobile app. Trying too hard to build every possible feature into your app can cause you to put too much effort into areas that don’t matter. You can also start minimalistic and then scale the app up whenever you see fit.

Having an app for your small business will reap huge rewards even when you start with the bare minimum. Focus on the key features that you need from the app will keep the project in scope while not wasting any resources.

The biggest mistake that many companies make during the development process is waiting too long to hash out the details. A small, straightforward app can take a few weeks to develop, while a more complex one can take several months.

Giving yourself time to plan means setting goals and objectives for what the app accomplishes, studying your target consumer, and putting enough time and resources into achieving your desired outcomes.

In this day and age, consumers have plenty of options. You’re missing out on traffic, users, and revenue when you decide to make your app exclusive to any one marketplace. You can include the app on both the Apple and Android marketplaces to expand its reach.

Allow people to set up accounts so that they can seamlessly transition between versions if they decide to switch platforms. Keep your app up-to-date with the latest versions of software platforms. Regularly release updates so that the app continues to serve its purpose despite changes in technology.

It’s important that you have a budget in place when it’s time to design and produce an app. Having a budget means that you will know exactly how much to allocate for different parts of the process.

Designing an app can cost you anywhere between approximately $10,000 and more than $250,000 depending on what you’re looking for. Set a budget that works for your company’s expenses, and study what kind of return on investment (ROI) the app can bring you. Create a list of goals for your app along with plans to achieve them each step of the way.

You can always modify your budget, but use it as a roadmap to steer the development of your app.

When you want to get a new app in the most cost-effective way possible, app creators can provide a nice compromise. Many of these app creators today are sophisticated and packed with features that let you make a quality app.

It’s no substitute for having the help of an app developer that can customize it, but the savings you experience could be valuable depending on your immediate needs.

Simple, straightforward navigation is an essential part of app design. Even a beautiful-looking app with all of the bells and whistles will be worthless if people struggle to navigate it. Make use of touch controls and create menus that people can browse through easily.

The best apps have a clear method of navigation even without the inclusion of text-based instructions. Including a grid will help you create the right type of design and will make sure that your margins are designed.

Consider the colour scheme and make sure that you’re using fonts that are easily legible and the right size.

Companies often go too far when trying to make their apps complex. Simplicity is always best because you can draw in new users no matter their learning curve. Both web design and mobile app design are skewing toward minimalism in this day and age.

People have shorter attention spans than ever also, so bogging your user down with complexity will make them more likely to uninstall the app rather than giving it a chance.

If you’re going to invest in app development, the user experience (UX) is one of the most important details to manage. Knowing how people interact with your app tells the biggest story, and will decide whether your app will hit the mark.

Some of the ways that you can improve the UX for your mobile app include:

Managing the UX will play a large role in the outcome you’ll get from the app.

Perhaps the biggest mistake that brands make when developing apps is forgetting security measures. We live in a time in which cyber threats are more common and costly than ever. This applies to mobile apps as well.

Your users need to know that when they download and use your app, their information is safe and not at risk. This is especially important because people shop and keep personal data on their smartphones. Make sure that your app is up-to-date with cybersecurity standards and compliance, and that you’re constantly working out the kinks and fortifying it.

You won’t know what to expect from your app until you have several users test it out. Leave no stone unturned with your test groups, and welcome feedback that can mold your finished product.

Your testers can report any bugs or errors they run into, in addition to notes on anything they found cumbersome or confusing. Skipping this step doesn’t give you a realistic glimpse of how your app serves people and what kind of changes must be made.

Finally, don’t make the mistake of failing to market your app enough. Many companies take so much time to develop an app, only to find that they don’t have an audience for it once it comes time for the launch. Build a buzz for your app well before the launch so that you have a group of people anticipating it.

Master your use of search engine optimization (SEO), invest in some paid ads, and learn to get your app to a prominent position in the app store. Incentivize people to leave reviews once they are satisfied with their app, and this will be worth its gold in motivating others to try it out.

Recognize that marketing is a constant part of the process so that you can keep getting more downloads and subscriptions.

The tips in this article are worthwhile anytime you’re interested in mobile app development. Understanding the ins and outs of app development will help you spread the word about your brand. Take the time to work with developers that are skilled, knowledgeable, and professional.

We check all of those boxes and would be happy to help you out when you need quality app development.

Reach out to us today for a free consultation. Use our contact box or give us a call at 02 5565 8000.