Updating Apps for Business: How Often Should You Release Updates?

You’ve finished testing and polishing your latest app, all that’s left to do now is release it, sit back and watch your creation change the world — right?

Not quite.

The tech world moves pretty fast. Just a few short weeks after its release, your app could be out-of-date to the point of barely functioning. Which, is why you’ll need to do everything you can to keep it up to date.

Updating apps may seem like something you can get away with doing once a year or every couple of months. But, to make sure you keep your app up running at its best, you’re going to have to update it much more often than that.

Getting ready to release your first app and aren’t sure how often you should update it? We can help.

Here’s everything you need to know about why updates are essential to maintaining your app, and how often you should release them.

Odds are, you just spent a lot of time making sure your app runs flawlessly. You know it works — so why do you need to keep updating it after its release?

Users have a habit of uncovering bugs developers can’t anticipate. On top of that, OS updates can create new bugs that didn’t exist at the time of your app’s release.

Regular updates can help patch up these errors, and keep your app running the way it should.

Regular updates also allow you to add new features to your app that can benefit your users and help you stay ahead of the competition.

Obvious aside, regular updates can also help your app overcome another unseen obstacle: the App Store.

If you release your app and then never touch it again, the App Store and Google Play aren’t going to let you sit back and profit. Your app could wind up buried under a mountain more well-maintained apps.

Now that you know why you need to update your app, it’s time to cycle back to the original question; how often should you update your app.

The short answer is; at least once a month.

Updating your app once a month will help you keep up with OS updates, tackle any bugs, and keep your app at the top of the Google Play or App Store updates list.

That said, it’s essential to keep in mind that updating once a month is the absolute bare minimum. If you cannot keep up with monthly updates, you may want to reconsider your career as an app developer.

The more updates you provide, the more active your app will seem. But, if your app needs to update every day or every other day, your users may start to get a little annoyed. You need to strike a balance.

Depending on the type of app you’re managing, you should try to plan for weekly or bi-weekly updates. You should also try to release updates around the same time, so your users can learn to look out for them.

Apps aren’t like art. You can’t release your masterpiece then move on to the next project. Think of it more like a car. It needs regular maintenance if it’s going to keep running.

Now that you know how often you should be updating apps, it’s time to start planning your next big patch.

Need a little help bringing your next great idea to life? Let us help.

Contact us for more information about our services or to book your free consultation today.