App Development: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

By Unknown   Posted at  1:09 AM   Wall Street Journal 1 comment



Investing in progressive app development is something every business owner should consider. Just like a bad product, a bad application can hurt your reputation and brand. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, there are over 700,000 applications for Apple and Google each. The imperative question then becomes: How do you stand out in the appification of our lives?
Appification is a rather clever term used to describe a change in the way applications are seen and used. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even TVs are heavily targeted platforms by app development professionals to make life easier for consumers. People connect through many different forums, often a variety of different ones throughout the day. Why do people use apps? Simply because at the touch of a button they make rather mundane life tasks convenient, timely, and, sometimes, fun. Instead of going to a website or waiting for the news people click the weather app for example and immediately know the temperature, forecast, and weather warnings. Picture editing is another example of consumers appreciating and utilizing apps that are quick and fulfill their needs. It can be done immediately on the phone or tablet and published instantly on Facebook, twitter or instagram (just to name a few) without having to switch devices. Thanks to cloud service, everything is interconnected.
Having a stable and efficient application is a necessity to grow your client base, enhance your product or service visibility, and put your best business foot forward. Think mobile as the new web. Access on a mobile device allows for an unprecedented level of convenience. It’s why apps should be available and function on Apple and Android platforms. Remember, most people own one or more devices with apps. People like and want to share great things, so it’s important that they can.

Why do apps fail?
1. The app doesn’t meet the target audience’s needs.
When your app doesn’t meet your audience’s needs, how can it be expected to thrive? Consumers look for apps that fit their need like a banking mobile app to check balances and do transfers. If a bank would offer a money game app, it is still related to what they do, but how beneficial is it? Fun for a bit, but a customer wants an app that lets them bank on the go.
2. The app is too difficult/confusing to use.
Another problem is when the app offers too much, is too broad and gets too complicated and difficult to use. The idea of applications is to be speedy and on the go. Easy access, navigation and easy to understand are key aspects of liked applications.
3. The app is not visually appealing.
Think of an app as a mini homepage - Advertising and utility in one small place. Design, color scheme and font should matter. Web pages, magazines ads, billboards and pamphlets are designed to be visually pleasing and easy to read. Apps are no different. Visual appeal is an important marketing aspect. Remember, people scan for things that catch their eye.
With 1.4 million applications just between Apple and Google, can your application really afford to have these problems? In order to stand out you need to make sure you create something that works flawless, is platform friendly and works on a majority of app using gadgets.
4. The app doesn’t work properly or allow for easy navigation.
When an app doesn’t work properly, customers get frustrated. Frustrated customers don’t want your product, your advice or your guidance. What they do want is to tell their friends about the bad experience. Chances are the application will get deleted and a chance for future business may be gone. 
Good solid apps development is the key to successful applications. Yes, it may cost you more than asking a friend to help for payment in beer and pizza or the stranger on Craigslist charging $300 for a one time application. Finding a reputable app developer who will diligently research your target market, business mission and goals for an application will make the cost worth the while.

What do you gain with a solid app?
1. Trust
2. Faith
3. Believers 
4. Consumers
5. Referrals
6. Profit
Sounds like a religion, but isn’t. Let me explain:
TRUST, is what you want. If your clients and customers can’t trust your application, how can they trust your product or service? With so many applications flooding the market, it is easy to go to the next one. If you provide a quality application that is reliable it will reflect positively on you. Then they have FAITH. Because you gave them something solid and dependable they have faith in you and your product. Maybe not completely but it is a good start to keep them and engage them.  When they trust you, have faith in you and your product and BELIEVE that this is great and better than the rest, then you can convert them to a consumer. You don’t want a potential customer or current customer to leave because they are disappointed with your application. When they believe and consume they tell their friends about it. Say you have this awesome cooking app, like a Rolodex for recipes that you can connect to your friends and family with and in this app you can upload and share recipes; people will share it! What they won’t share is an app with issues, that isn’t user friendly and unappealing, no matter how great the concept. (If there is no such app out there yet and you end up having an iPhone app development for it, let me know and credit me, 10% sounds fair. Yes, I know I am funny.) What are you left with now, is a growing consumer base filled with people who believe in you and therefore will be more likely to believe in other products you stand for.
“Appification”
Here is some food for thought. Appification happens in no small part due to the amount of time we spend using apps on different gadgets. If we are not glued to one, we are glued to another. We are on the go, checking things out in breaks and using them to make our lives easier. They are integrated. Banking, job search, news, books, and pictures, everything can be done through applications. There is no age limit either. Even two-year-old children have tablets with apps, or claim Mom or Dad’s as their own, and use those specifically designed for children featuring learning games with cute cartoon characters.
The point is there are millions of apps! How do you stand out in the appification of our lives? Can your business really afford not to have a good application? Think of it as a well-made investment. Remember to think of your consumers’ needs, wants first and your personal benefits second. Success will come if you give the people what they want, need and search for. Use strategic resources to make an informed decision about your app to ensure you are achieving the best results for your business plan.
While there are no promises that your app will reign supreme or, adversely, that it won’t get lost (it does take more than just a solid app), providing quality tailored to your business and your customers’ needs can make all the difference.

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About the Author

Udit Chugh is a student at Symbiosis Institute of Technology pursuing B.tech in Information technology and he loves blogging. G+

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for advocating for well developed apps that serve the consumer first, there does seem to be a rush to market with trendy apps that are seeking profit first, and service to the consumer, second. Excellent post! Metta, Duane

    ReplyDelete

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