According to Brand Chat statistics, a percentage of businesses are planning to build and release at least one mobile app this year. However, just like any other industry, such a task isn't as easy as it seems. Startups may be tempted to design their own app, lured by the promise of quick results and a surge in followers as soon as their product is released. The reality, however, tells a different story. The app market is daily filled with apps that, without a proper plan, lead to significant loss of company capital.
Various Platforms
When it comes to app development, you have two operating system choices: iOS or Android.
While one may connect you to potentially higher-paying customers, the other has a much larger audience. If you're ambitious enough, you can develop an app that works on both systems. However, in this case, you've likely doubled the costs.
App Purpose
While you might release an app just for the sake of having one, if your app doesn't inherently do something, no one will be interested in downloading it. This means you'll have to spend a lot of time carefully planning how this app will help you achieve your overall goals. Formulating this step alone can take years to ensure you reach the top rankings.
Talking to Customers
Once you've outlined your idea, it's time to download and try new apps. The first step is to contact your customer base and get their input on what they find useful. The next step is to research your customer metrics, both current and prospective.
Fine-tuning and App Updates
Even after releasing the app, remember that you need to maintain it. You need a team dedicated to maintaining and improving the application. Do what is necessary and remove what is not. Unlike physical goods, today's consumers expect regular, scheduled updates to their software to fix bugs or otherwise provide a better experience each time they install and run the app on their phones.
Even this list, as recently proven, is not complete or comprehensive. People asked on Twitter: "What questions should I ask before building an app?". The tweeted responses show that while there's no limit to what should be asked, there's a common theme that most consider vital before investing in the development of such software.
Focusing on the most popular questions highlights exactly what you should ask yourself before taking any steps towards building an app.
- Another app? Why? For whom? What apps already exist? What advantage will your app have? What differences will your app make? Simply put, your app needs a purpose, otherwise it will do nothing but add to the noise of the app world.
- Are we doing this to meet a need or just because we think it's a trend we don't want to miss? Just because all other companies are doing it doesn't mean it's necessarily right for you. Especially if you're a startup with a limited budget, because in this case, a failed app can lead to a failed business.
- Are you filling a gap in your customers' user experience or are you just filling a gap in the marketing mix you understand? Know your customers. Do they really need something that improves their experience with you? Or is it just your assumption? When in doubt, never be afraid to send out a questionnaire. The easiest way to get information about your customers is to engage with them.
- If this mobile app doesn't offer the same content or flexibility as its computer version, is it really worth the effort? The issue with phones today is that as long as your website has a mobile version, you don't really need to build an app. The only time this changes is when, for example, your users are logging into your site to deposit money or make transactions. These actions translate much better to apps.
- Will people really download/buy this app? Will there be high demand for what you are launching? Do your research. If there's enough interest, build it. If people don't feel strongly about the idea, either drop it or go back to the drawing board.
