Mobile apps are changing the business world, everything every function and every operation is in the process of being remodelled to fit in the technological business world. Today mobile apps are at the heart of business functions starting from marketing, finance, and the operations; they are playing a crucial role in ensuring efficiency, speed, security, and accuracy. The number of apps in the market is in millions, but they are not enough to cater for the every business needs, this means that the demand for mobile apps in not going down any sooner. With IoT (internet of things) future on the horizon, it means mobile apps are about to become even more significant in our daily lives due to the portability of control (using mobile apps to control other devices from anywhere). Mobile application development is an area that has to be dealt with, with due diligence, this is because there are so many things that could go wrong in the process, also, there are several things that the developers or the owner of the mobile app have to consider or else the app will be of little or no use since it will be impossible to achieve the set goals or the objectives for which the app was developed to achieve.
This article outlines the 7 major things you need to do for successful mobile app development.
1. Set the objectives
Every successful mobile app in the world exist to solve a particular problem like security, speed, cost reduction, efficiency, productivity, etc.; there is an objective behind every successful mobile app. When developing an app, the first thing should be to decide on the objective and determine if these goals are viable in terms of financial consideration, the acceptance in the market, the utility and so on, the app has to solve an existing problem and should offer a logical solution. Looking at all the major successful apps, they are all something that people need as they help them in their daily lives by simplifying or solving a persistent problem therefore even before you start developing or looking for a developer have a viable idea of what the app will do and the market niche that the app will help fill. The objectives will help guide the app on the right development route because when you know the end goal, it is easy to know which road to follow.
2. Project management
Over the years, this is one thing presented the biggest challenge to mobile application development. Project management focuses on project planning, initiation, execution, controlling, and closing the project to achieve the set goals. Project planning is a crucial part when it comes to app development; many apps have failed due to poor or no skill in project management, other mobile apps are launched too late in the market making in hard for these apps to withstand the competition. An excellent mobile application if not launched at the right time has high chances of failing, therefore, as a developer it is imperative to conduct effective project management that will help develop the mobile app with the available resource at the set period.
3. Choosing a platform
The secret behind the success of most mobile applications is targeting. Targeting helps the developer or the application owner to focus the resources and efforts to serving the right audience. Do a significant research to determine which platform will reach most of the audience you are targeting with the app; this will change in different locations and the type of the market targeted. It will be pointless to build an elegant mobile app that will not be used by a larger percentage or the target population. The one factor to consider when choosing the platform on which to develop on is the target market.
4. The user interface
Develop a user-friendly app is a “must do”, otherwise, user will keep a considerable distance from your mobile app. When developing a mobile app, you have to consider the user experience, the user does not see the code that has been written, he/she sees the interface, and he/she is looking to complete tasks easily, and quickly, complex UI will chase away users. If a user launches the app for the first time and he/she find it hard to do anything, be sure the user will most likely uninstall the app and look for another app that is easier to use, therefore, dedicate enough efforts and resources in developing the mobile application.
5. Design architecture (speed, security and reliability)
Mobile application should be developed by a person with the necessary skills and experience. Most of the mobile apps are not the “DIY” projects you could be used to; they require a tech expert ( a developer ). If you do not have the necessary skills, it is always advisable to hire professional services, professional mobile app developer. Professional developers will design apps that are fast, secure and reliable, security is one of the major issues in today’s world and if the users suspect that the mobile are is not secure enough, the next thing they will do is remove the application from their mobile device, unreliable and slow apps will also suffer the same fate.
6. Promotional strategies
One of the biggest mistakes you can do is assume the mobile app will market itself; you have to craft marketing strategies that will have first to create awareness to the potential users that the app is available on the market and offers certain benefits. After creating awareness, you have to promote the mobile application to enable it to compete favourably in the market. Dedicate enough resources and efforts to the marketing efforts of the app.
7. Set monetization strategies
This is crucial for the apps intended to make returns. Be careful in choosing a monetization strategy as it may “kill” your application future either by high prices or wrong monetization strategy. Most of the successful mobile apps in the market are free, something that gives them a competitive edge, therefore, it is imperative to choose the right monetization strategy.