Top 4 Considerations When Making an App

Creating a successful app is a dream for brands everywhere. With more users depending on their smartphones to accomplish daily tasks, the apps market has become an increasingly competitive arena. 

To rise above the competition, invest time in the planning stage. After all, behind every successful app is a tremendous amount of research, prototyping, and consideration.

To ensure the app’s functionality and polish, hire software development experts. In addition, make sure to consider the key points below to make the process easier for both you and your chosen developer:  

Concept Proofing

Before anything else, you need to explore the idea behind your app. A concrete concept will serve as a guide when you make decisions later on in the app’s development. 

For a clearer concept, ask the following questions:

1. What challenges does your app want to solve? And how does your app address them?

People seek solutions to overcome a particular challenge (e.g., budgeting, connecting with friends, avoiding traffic). Once you zero in on that challenge, ask yourself if your app is a viable and smart solution for it.

2. Are there any other apps similar to yours?

As mentioned earlier, the apps market is highly competitive. Check the market for similar apps and think of how you can differentiate yours. This can help you in your marketing strategies and may help attract more users.

3. What are your main goals for the app?

Do you want to be seen as an innovator? Do you wish to build customer loyalty to an existing business? Are you looking for other platforms to drive revenue? Knowing your goals will help you set priorities in decision-making. Consequently, these will guide the app’s overall design. 

Marketing

Just like any other product or service, you need to consider marketing when making an app. In the planning and development stages, this includes identifying your target audience, creating a focus group to test the app’s viability, and setting up quantifiable markers of success. 

Accomplishing all of the above requires a lot of research on the latest trends in gadget use, internet usage, and several other factors to help predict user response upon release.

Aside from app development, marketing is vital in attracting users and driving revenue as well. After all, customers won’t use an app that they’re not aware of.

Thus, marketing strategies pre- and post-release are crucial in ensuring the app’s long-term success and growth. 

User Technology

The app is bound by the technology a customer uses. This means that you need to design an app to work within the limits of a gadget’s software and hardware. Consider the three things below:

Platforms

Modern gadgets in the market have varying operating systems. For example, Android and iOS remain as two of the most popularly used platforms among mobile phones. As for desktops and laptops, Windows, macOS, and Linux are widely used.

These operating systems use different programming languages. If you want an app to work in a particular platform, you need to use the language native to it. Thus, it’s not uncommon to create multiple versions of the same app to properly work in different gadgets. 

To increase efficiency, tech experts came up with cross-platform frameworks that allow developers to create only one app for different operating systems. Keep in mind that each language has its pros and cons. 

Consult the developer to help weigh your options and decide which language suits your app’s purposes and design best.

Software Limits

Newer software is often incompatible with older tech. At the same time, you can’t assume that all of your audience have the latest phones and computers. 

It’s always best to consider how far back you want your app to be compatible. Make sure to discuss with your development team and consider flexible features. 

Design 

A crucial factor in an app’s success is a seamless and professional-looking design. A great design always considers its target audience and finds ways to make the app easier to use. 

Aside from the app’s overall look, make sure to consider the following: 

User Interface

An app’s design is more than the colours and visual graphics it employs. It also refers to its elements, its layout, and how it interacts with the user. 

In a user-friendly interface, a customer should have no trouble looking for specific functions and elements to accomplish their task. If navigating the app is difficult or if there are too many elements to look at, users may simply find it too hard to use and uninstall your app.

Device Orientation

Some apps automatically stick to one orientation. Others, however, can freely change orientation depending on the user. 

The device’s orientation—that is, landscape or portrait—can affect how a user interacts with the app. Whether an app’s orientation is flexible or not should be weighed in carefully to make sure that it aligns with the app’s overall purpose and goals.

Keep in mind that these are only some of the things you need to consider when developing an app. Take the time to research, plan, and consult with other professionals. With the right help, you can surely develop a successful app.