According to reports, more than 5 billion people have mobile devices, and over half of these connections are smartphones. Yes, there are more than 2.7 billion smartphone users across the world, and these statistics prove that how much the mobile app industry is thriving because every smartphone user is somehow using apps for sure.
Yes, even studies show that average human checks their phone every 12 minutes and out of which 10% of people check their phones once every four minutes. So, whatever they are seeing, well 90% of mobile time is spent on apps.
But what can you do that people start spending their time more and more on your apps? Yes, you read it right. And, developing an app that offers meaningful and genuine value to your users is the key. Many factors are there through which one can determine how successful their app will be; still, an understanding of some basic functions that users demand and expect can help start you off on the right foot.
So, here we have covered ten important factors that need to be added in apps to ensure the mobile app has a shot at success.
1. Great User Interface (UI)
We all know this one proverb that “the first impression is the last impression.” And, it applies almost everywhere, even in the matter of apps. Because somehow it is in human nature to judge anything or anyone by their first impressions. For example, people even judge books by their covers and so do the apps within the first few seconds of its usage. So, now it’s time to think- how can our mobile apps make a great (and lasting) impression in a few moments? And, the answer is UI as it is the key.
Yes, the way your app looks is vital to its success. Most importantly, for free apps, because there is already a high churn rate for them. In all, the user won’t bother to learn more about what apps can do, if it doesn’t look and perform as well as a rival app.
In most cases, the user is operating from a mobile device with a small touchscreen. Hence, when it comes to this, it is very important to keep in mind for every winning app. Thus, the UI is unobtrusive, mitigating design elements that don’t add a use or function to the app. That means it gets eliminated if it doesn’t add value.
Winning apps give users a logical path to follow for easy navigation, elevate the most relevant content, and focus on the primary task of the app. In all, it solves the users’ problem or adds the most value.
2. Intuitive and Easy Navigation
According to several reports, the only reason the users give for deleting a mobile app is that they don’t use it. Even if users do find themselves using your app consistently, this doesn’t mean that you’re safe from being deleted because studies have shown that around 14% of smartphone owners delete an app which was difficult to use. This all indicates that customers are looking for Intuitive navigation and overall usability of key functions in mobile app experiences.
Well, the doubt may arise that what does usability look like on a mobile app? So, keeping the clicks and actions less is a big win for usability on mobile. On mobile, it’s far more onerous to select objects and input information than it is on the desktop even without the benefit of a mouse and a keyboard.
As we know, scrolling is favored over clicking on mobile especially, so when developing the architecture and content of your app, try to keep that in mind. All we are trying to say is keep clicks and field entries of your mobile app to an absolute minimum, all without limiting functionality.
3. Fast Loading Time and High Performance
Well, let me as a question to you that if the app you are using is taking forever to load or just crashing, freezing, and getting shut down often, would you prefer to use it?
Similarly, it will automatically be avoided by users if it takes too long to load. Yes, don’t forget winning apps take less than five seconds to load. However, there are times when more complex apps like Facebook take a bit longer to load—well only because these apps require large amounts of data to start up. But for such apps also, users only stick around because when they start the app, they see ongoing activity. So, you also consider taking the user to a “loading” screen if this is the case for your app, which will inform them that the loading process is on.
Apart from that, apps that win are also high performing and highly consistent. Because if apps get constantly freeze, they are disregarded by users.
4. Extremely Helpful Customer Support
We all know that not every mobile user is tech-savvy. And, this implies there will always be people who will have general pre or post-purchase questions or will need help with their download. Well, all you need is to answer such a question of users’ within hours or even minutes in some cases, especially for becoming a winning app’s customer support. In all, only one question can lead to a sale or an app recommendation and can become profitable.
You can also try a trick for this as you notice that you start to get the same questions over and over. So, you can also create an FAQ-section for your users to save time. Also, you can consider the outsourcing customer support and hire people for other individual inquiries if you get a LOT of inquiries.
5. Community Building
If the users somehow are aware that many other people are using the same app that they are using, then the chances are high for someone to return again and again to an app. For example, apps like health monitoring, fitness, dieting let people read and share progress reports and advice from fellow users. And, the travel and recipe apps let users share comments, share the experiences and favorites as well as compile ratings. And, of course, the gaming apps let players measure their success against others which makes them engaged.
And, somehow these ways you can build communities for your users and sustain the engagement. So, invite users to participate in surveys and games, highlight new content from around the community to build the community. Well, this is one of the most important factors to get users attracted.
6. Augmented Reality
Your app must stand out of the box, especially in terms of its features. And, this most exciting and recent technology trend can do it. Yes, it enables users to combine real and virtual world experiences seamlessly. A Clutch survey showed that around 54% of users practicing e-commerce apps would use features of augmented reality if they were available.
For instance, if an app could let customers use the camera in their device to envision how a particular fashion product would look on a user’s face or how a particular decor piece would look in different places around the home.
Apart from this, if a children’s drawing app could come to life with 3D animations or if a browser app could show geographically or historically relevant information or to give directions to the nearest ATM or coffee shop when the device’s camera is aimed at a particular landmark. All such enhanced features can not only make your app unique but can also make your app ‘People’s choice.’ And, somehow that is what we want.
7. Social Media Integration
Well, it somehow related to community building. All you need is to tap into the larger communities that already exist either by allowing users to share their progress, experiences, and dislikes and likes with friends in the broader world. Social media gives your app an exposure boost and also increases engagement. Your presence grows in the social media universe, and your content has a chance to start trending every time a user shares content from your app.
Next, what you can do is let users sign up in your app/service by using one of their existing social media accounts. This not only saves time and trouble but also makes it easier for users, especially those who don't want to have to create a new password, or even username, profile if they don’t have to.
Hence such points show that this is another way to expand users’ in-app experience and also keeps people on your platform integrating social media feeds in it. That’s not it; you can also use social media to promote your app at the outset when you’re getting ready to launch it.
8. Simplicity
There is no doubt that ample cool things can be done in a mobile app in terms of development. But it can not be denied that unless those cool features align with the goals and needs of your users, they are probably hurting more than helping.
In all, we are trying to say is cramming a mobile app full of features may make the app clunky and more difficult to navigate than it needs to be. And, as we already mentioned above that users are craving for intuitive app navigation, and that signifies that simplicity is key. So, making a simple, usable design of the app is a chief requirement of you while performing mobile app development.
When it comes to simplicity, it somehow means for a user that the options are simple. So, start considering what goals your users are looking for to complete every time they access your app.
And, then try to put all your efforts into making those tasks as easy and enjoyable to complete as humanly possible. Just remember that additional vanity features will not only distract your users from the tasks at hand but can also make users feel overwhelmed and less satisfied with your app experience overall.
9. Personalized Experiences
It can be seen everywhere that either we talk about brands or websites, all are searching for ways to make sure that their user experiences more personal. Hence, personalization is equally important on mobile apps; this is not much of a surprise.
According to an eMarketer survey of internet users, more customized experiences on mobile apps is the number one user expectation for the future of mobile. So, it’s important to put personalization at the center of your strategy whenever possible to stand out in the crowded mobile app space.
Based on a variety of factors, personalization can be achieved, including demographics, the user’s current location, or the behaviors that users take in the app. For example, a retail app can personalize content for its customers based on past browsing and purchase history. Similarly, a news app can grant geographically-relevant content by default.
Well, this shows how one can find ways to make the mobile app more personal to the attributes and needs of the users as only this will make them more likely to connect positively with your app and, by extension, your brand.
10. Feedback System
For many businesses, getting feedback from the user has proved to be very helpful as this way, you will be able to know more about your application. Yes, it is one of the easiest and the greatest way to get suggestions and criticism from the users and also helps you to shape the future of your application.
Apart from that, this feature also grants your users a chance to put an honest opinion which makes them comprehend the humble personality of your brand.
Wrap-Up Words
Well, we all know that the app marketplace is cluttered with competition—but it doesn’t say that your new mobile app can’t stand out from the crowd. The opportunities for mobile apps are growing with exploding mobile usage, and with it. But you’ll have to figure out how to break through the noise if you want your mobile app to be successful.
Fortunately, all the above points will help you a lot, so you don't have to think alone. Just plan your mobile app in a way it encompasses more of the above possible characteristics. No wonder, this will be your formula for a successful app.
Have a Great Mobile App That Truly Skyrockets Your Business!
