It isn’t a stretch to assume that today’s world is mobile-centric. The number of mobile devices and users has steadily grown globally, and the trends only seem to be growing further. As devices become more accessible and affordable, the technology that powers them becomes increasingly more intelligent and efficient. In fact, the real innovation when it comes to smartphones isn’t really the hardware components that make a phone but rather the software that breathes life into it.
Mobile applications have steadily gotten better and more abundant over the years. There are easily more than 4 million apps in the google and apple app stores combined, and the number is certainly going to grow. Apps have made their way into every aspect of our lives, from shopping to finance and from entertainment to education. Given how much we depend on our apps for almost everything we do, it is no surprise that most businesses are drawn towards mobile app development as a lucrative business opportunity. Simply looking at how profitable tech products and services have become in our digitized economy, it makes sense to assume most businesses are developing their own mobile app to provide a better product or at least reach their audience more effectively.
While launching a mobile app can be an overall profitable affair, the increased competition and customer expectations have surely added risk to the venture. As compelling of an option a mobile app can be when it comes to taking your business and company to the next level, it is equally difficult to build and launch an app that can compete and stand out in today’s marketplace. Businesses often make some serious mistakes when launching their mobile apps due to lack of expertise, time, or resources, and these mistakes can quickly turn your dream of launching a mobile app into a nightmare. So, if you are an aspiring business about to launch your mobile app, make sure you absolutely avoid these major mobile app development mistakes.
Major Apps development mistakes every business should avoid
Before we begin, it is important to note that many of these mistakes are fairly common. We are all humans and likely to commit a slip-up occasionally, but that doesn’t have to be the end of all our ventures. If you run a business that might find itself guilty of one (or more) of these mistakes, then fear not, it’s alright. The point here is to help you identify and avoid some of the most common mobile app development mistakes and not to discourage you from building apps in the first place. With that in mind, let’s begin.
Lack of Research
Doing the right research is absolutely critical, not just to launch a mobile app but also to any business in general. Yet, it is astonishing to see how many companies tend to skip or rush it. Let’s break down systematically what research includes. First, there is market research, the act of studying the market to see if your product has a chance of doing well. A lot goes into market research, from analyzing competitors to ensuring there is a genuine demand for your product. You want to ensure you are bringing something authentic and original to your niche while also delivering what you promise in the most simplest, easiest, and accessible way possible.
Companies tend to skip market research mainly because, to them, their idea seems fantastic. And while it is entirely alright to believe in your app, ultimately, you have to be rational and practical. Put your idea to the test, see how it fairs, let the market be the judge. What problem does your app address? Will there be enough demand for it? Do you have any competitors? If yes, how do you plan to beat them? All of these are critical market research questions you need to ask yourself before committing to building a mobile app.
But research isn’t simply limited to market research. Based on your market analysis, you’ll have to answer a few more critical questions: What would be the best platform to build your app, Android or iOS, or both? What specific tools do you need to use, and what specific functionality do you want to implement in your app? These are all specific research questions you’ll need to address before building your app.
Skipping an MVP
Another major mobile app development mistake is not building an MVP. MVP is an acronym for Minimum Viable Product; it is essentially a barebone, simplified version of your product that only includes its primary functionality. MVPs lack additional and minor functionalities, aesthetic features, and sometimes even some polishing. Why would you want to build an MVP then? Well, launching an MVP early is one of the best ways to get user validation and feedback on your products. If your app does well with the early adopters, that’s a good indicator of how it will perform in the larger market. Because MVPs are a very basic version of the product, they are much cheaper and faster to produce, ensuring you reach the market early with them. Taking note of the feedback your MVP generates can significantly change the direction your product development takes, ensuring you spend your resources building something your users want and love.
If you are hesitant about launching an MVP, note that you don’t have to launch your early product to everyone at once. MVPs are primarily intended for enthusiasts and early adopters; people would be willing to try out your product even when it isn’t fully polished. By not building an MVP and heading straight into developing a finished product, companies risk investing a ton of time and effort into developing products that may not do well in the market. Building MVPs is one of the most practical and safest ways of developing a mobile app.
Poor Budgeting
Poor budgeting is another major mistake companies commit when building an app, and this is a serious one. Mobile apps are expensive to develop, and they often come with many unexpected hidden costs that most developers aren’t prepared for. First and foremost, there is the cost of development, and this largely depends on how you plan to have your app built. If you hire an in-house development team, you pay for th4e development in the form of salaries, and if you decide to outsource the project, you can expect to pay anywhere between $40 to $100+ to a typical mobile app development company USA.
Beyond just development, you have design costs, testing costs, maintenance costs, and even marketing and promotions costs, all of which can add up really quickly. The most common mistake most developers make by not planing out their development budget is that they end up spending a lot more than what they should have on certain areas of the project that they need to cut corners on the other sides, affecting the overall quality of the project. It is extremely important to allocate the appropriate amount of budget to various parts of the projects and be prepared for any unexpected charges along the way. Therefore, budgeting is critical for any company that aims at making more money than what they spend on building their mobile apps.
Endnote
Building a mobile app is certainly not an easy task, and the potential mistakes go way beyond those mentioned. Apart from conducting appropriate market research, budgeting, and launching MVPs, companies also need to ensure they pay attention to the UI&UX of their application, spend enough time and budget on testing and bug fixing, incorporate customer feedback, and rolling out regular updates. All in all, launching a mobile application takes a ton of time and effort. And in trying to achieve anything this demanding, it is likely that one might make a few errors along the way. What matters more is that you stick to your goal of building a profitable application and don’t let your mistakes hold you back.