5 Mistakes to Avoid When Developing a Mobile App

Small mistakes can lead to big problems in mobile app development. If you're building a mobile app and want it to be successful, avoid the top 5 common mistakes people make when taking their business into the mobile market.

tech
February 5, 2022
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Developing a Mobile App

2022 is going to be an exciting year for mobile apps and the industries that use them. The pandemic era has accelerated the ways in which we use technology and everyday activities are being digitized. Things that were once done in person, like shopping, scheduling appointments, and even banking, are going mobile and utilizing mobile apps for convenience and accessibility.  For the mobile app industry, that means better development and more opportunities in new markets. Successful companies and brands know that the key to success in 2022 is developing or updating their mobile app-but there are some key aspects to take into consideration when doing so. Avoiding these 5 common mistakes that could hinder the success of the app will ensure the efforts put into development won’t go to waste.

1. Making the App Less Useful Than the Website or Physical Location

A large reason for developing a mobile app is to provide convenience and accessibility to users and loyal customers. If the app does not provide the same or more services than the traditional platforms, it’s unlikely going to experience much success. For example, if the business is the service of goods and has more products listed on their website than their mobile application, users aren’t likely to keep returning to the mobile app. If, on the other hand, the mobile app has more products or special sales that can only be accessed via the app-customers will keep the app downloaded as the mobile app provides something the website cannot. A mobile app should have a clear purpose and objective in order to reach a positive outcome. Having a clear benefit of the mobile app will drive users to want to download it and use it moving forward.

2. Poor User Experience Design

Poor user experience design (UX Design) will cause a mobile app to suffer and result in a significant loss of downloads, active users, revenue, and brand image. The UX design is crucial because it’s what determines how the interaction between the user and the app will go. A simple, easy to navigate, and uncomplicated design will make users love the app and keep them coming back. On the other hand, creating an app that's time-consuming to understand, disorganized, and unpleasant to look at will push users away. We live in an age where attention spans are short, so if a first impression is bad, there's little room for recovery. A common mistake made when developing an app is overcomplicating it. Sure, an app can be complex behind the scenes, but everything users see and interact with should be smooth, easy, and fast. During the planning and developing stages, think about the features and interactions that the target audience would be most excited about experiencing.

3. Not Doing Enough Market Research

You wouldn’t build a business without understanding the demand for it, and the same thing goes for mobile applications. Mobile apps require the knowledge of not only the target audience but the competition as well. Doing research on what features other companies in the same market are offering on their mobile apps can help determine which features you’d like to include. It can also help weed out the features that users find irrelevant. There are plenty of ways to research your market and audience. Surveys, online forums, social media polls, and market intelligence reports can each help build your database of knowledge. As mobile apps continue to become the most popular platform, businesses will have to adapt to competition in the same way standard businesses have. Just as a business can thrive in an oversaturated market, so can mobile apps. The key is to understand what works, what doesn't, and what your audience wants.

4. Not Developing a Platform Strategy

When designing a mobile app, you can opt to use a single platform approach or a cross-platform approach. The single platform approach can be used to develop an app for IOS or Android and is the traditional route. It can also be used to develop a separate app for both. On the other hand, the cross-platform approach will allow for one app to work on both platforms. You need to have a strategy for which platforms you plan to utilize. Take into consideration your audience, and which is more relevant to them. It’s also important in terms of budget. Each option varies in price and can come with its own set of roadblocks. Not preparing for which platforms you want to use will lead to underestimating costs, a false time frame for development, and potentially not reaching your target audience.

5. Not Having a Proper Budget

Developing a mobile app is important for the current professional landscape, but it is an investment. Yet, no matter how many benefits you can gain from joining the mobile market-you have to accurately prepare your budget in order to do so. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when planning your budget. First, you need to hire developers who know the ins and out’s of mobile app development. The tiniest details can make or break the overall design and development of your app, so you want to work with reputable, experienced people. Cutting costs in this area could lead to poorly developed apps, limited testing, poor security, and ultimately a bad investment. Investing in professionals should be a significant part of your budget, and will save you time and money in the long run. You’ll also want to make sure you have the budget for high security, good UI/UX, third-party integration, storage, and more. Doing some research on current cost trend analysis and relevant markets will ensure you’re getting a fair price, but not going below the standard of excellence.

Develop Your App With Invemo LLC

Invemo LLC has extensive experience in developing beautiful and high-performing mobile apps. We will take your business's unique narrative and integrate it into a perfectly designed app without ever sacrificing quality. Our mobile apps are developed quickly and include top-of-the-line features and UX, plus extensive testing before launch.  If you’re ready to develop a mobile app or are looking for more information, contact us today!