These days the number of mobile applications available for download in app stores is rising and sometimes when you embark on the development process of an app, it is difficult to know whether users will download your app to use it or delete it soon after they have used it.
We know developing a mobile app can be a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. For that reason, today we will talk about common app development mistakes, and how you can avoid disagreeable consequences, like loss of time and money, unlikely expectations, and unsatisfied customers.
How mistakes in app development kill your business
We all know that launching an app can turn out to be an excellent strategy for your business’s success because you can focus on a different approach for attracting clients and creating new revenue sources.
However, you must take note of the difficulties faced and common mistakes made in developing mobile apps in order to not end up with users abandoning your app or app stores penalizing you by removing your app from the store. As a result, the company will have to pay a substantial price for the agency’s mistakes.
Consider that perfectionism in mobile app development calls for resources such as time, money, and effort. There are numerous factors to consider at various phases, and several barriers to conquer, and it all takes a long time. For example, some of the most common mobile app development mistakes are the lack of understanding of consumer wants, overcrowding the app with features, insufficient app testing, not understanding your target audience, or underestimating the cost of development.
Be aware that these errors can significantly impact user experience and overall performance.
How engagement affects in your app success
When we develop an application, one of the metrics we must look at the most is engagement. User engagement is the key to a successful business strategy. But what does it mean? It refers to the level of interaction and connection users have with a website or mobile app.
If you have a high app engagement is because users find an app engaging and beneficial, they have a higher tendency and motivation to keep on coming back to the app and recommend the app to others. But if you have a low app engagement, it is because users find no value in the app itself, which may lead to fewer visits to the app, decreased number of downloads, negative reviews on app stores, and others.
For that reason, keeping track of and investing in the improvement of app engagement is important for any app business to enable boosted user experiences, drive user satisfaction, and foster app growth and success.
We recommend following a few metrics such as session duration, screen views, and user interactions, because they play a crucial role in measuring and assessing engagement levels. Also, other metrics to consider are User Analytics, User Retention, App Store Reviews, In-App Surveys, A/B Testing, and Heat Maps.
10 Mistakes to avoid in App development
1- Not Identifying the Need
One of the most common mistakes when it comes to app development is not conducting proper market research. This is why you cannot afford to make assumptions about your prospective users’ needs and behaviors.
For that reason, you need to conduct researchs where your findings are accurate enough. For example, deep insights into specific users, demographics, motivations, and behavioral patterns. Also, don’t forget to do a benchmark to understand what the competition is already doing to set clear goals and targets for your app.
Remember that to set the course for success, it is important to have an accurate idea of customers’ expectations, the right set of tools and technologies, and understand competitors’ strategies.
2- Choosing the Wrong App Development Team
Many companies believe that selecting a partner is a simple task, but it should be considered as an important part of the process to avoid falling in with a team that does not have the knowledge and requirements that your app needs.
Therefore, before deciding upon a mobile app development team, you need to fix the budget, the platforms, the complexity, the domain of your app, and the objectives. After that, is time to start doing some research and find out about the app development companies that match the criteria of your mobile app.
Remember that making a list of questions to ask it is important to make your final decision. For example, you can ask for their portfolio, client references, approaches, and others to see what kind and what size of projects they have worked with.
3- Underestimating Total Costs
Sometimes in the process of developing your project, we make the mistake of not sizing the cost correctly. It is important to have a clear budget to be able to distribute it in the best possible way.
Therefore, here are 3 tips that should help you when setting your budget: detail your budget to avoid surprises, always set a fund for unexpected costs, and stick to the budget once you set it.
4- Not Building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Creating a proper feature scope for the MVP is the most challenging part of the development process, usually contains only core features of the product, helping you validate your idea among target clients and/or investors.
Testing your app with an MVP allows you to test your product in actual market circumstances, against competitors’ products, and on prospective users, letting you launch the app in the market before going through with the entire development process at an advanced level.
5- Poor User Interface (UI) Design
A poor design can make the app difficult to navigate and use which can
negatively impact the user’s perception of the app, becoming a very important reason why users abandon the app and seek out alternative options. Also, can negatively impact your discoverability and visibility in app stores.
But how do I know if the app has a poor UI/UX? If the app takes too long to load, if you have a monotonous design without creativity or poor navigation means the user has to scroll and click severally to find what they need, then you have a poor UI and you need to fix it.
6- Adding Too Many Features
The term “feature-rich” has become a positive quality for many app developers, but what they are not considering is that adding too many buttons and features may confuse users, distract them, or make them confused about what to do. A mobile app with fewer but more focused functions is more convenient and easier to navigate.
For that reason, having fewer and more targeted features makes a mobile app purposeful and easy to understand. On the contrary, having too many features makes the app slower and adds to the load time.
7- Developing for Multiple Platforms Simultaneously
We know that developing your app for several platforms is a one-way path to reach as many consumers as possible. However, we recommend not going for too many platforms simultaneously because one bug can affect all platforms.
Makes more sense to start with one platform and once you are absolutely sure about the success of your app, then you can expand it to other platforms. This will help you increase your app’s success rate.
8- Inadequate Testing
Poor testing is equal to a poor user experience, if you don’t want to damage the reputation of the app and its developers you must test it over a range of devices to ensure a good first impression.
By testing your app you will avoid bugs and glitches, security vulnerabilities, incompatibility with devices and operating systems, and of course, negative reviews and low ratings on app stores.
Remember that inadequate testing not only after your app’s success but also can lead to financial losses.
9 -Ignoring User Feedback
We must realize that the app is being developed for the general users. Therefore, they must have a voice in the design of the app they want to use.
By collecting user feedback you ensure the success of your app because is one of the easiest ways to assess your app’s user experience.
We also recommend combining data from both app analytics and user feedback, in that way, you will have enough information to meet users’ expectations for your app.
10 – Unplanned Market Launch
Like all launches, planning must be a very important part of the project. Before launching the app, you must test your MVP to understand what modifications are necessary, and then by optimizing the app store with the aid of your partner you will be ready to launch your app.
Ready to take the leap? Consider partnering with ThinkUp, an experienced fintech app development company that understands the intricacies of fintech mobile apps. Let us help you transform your business and stay competitive in today’s fast-paced.
Do you want to develop an application for your business?
At ThinkUp we are a digital product development company, obsessed with quality and specialized in mobile applications and unique user experiences. We create world-class digital products for startups and enterprises, with the goal of transforming and empowering businesses.
