7 Mistakes To Avoid During Mobile App Development

If you are in that moment where you start developing a mobile application, I am sure you already dream to the success that will come after you will upload it on app market. Although you can handle very well the coding part of your app, this is great but, unfortunately, it is not enough. There are many variables that can influence the way users will receive your app. Whatever you do, don’t make the following mistakes that will keep you far from the wanted victory.

Poor User Onboarding And Registration Process

After you developed the code and you are in the phase when you create the design for user interface, keep in mind that first impression matters the most. It is vital to keep your app simple and intuitive. The ideal app is to make user understand how it works in the exact moment that he opens it for the first time. Moreover, let him experience a little with your app and what it can do before asking him for his information. If the first page of the app is a registration form you can be sure that he will close the app as soon as possible. A better approach is to present the app a little and make him understand its value and after that, try to convince him that he will receive more if he completes his data. Be careful though, not to ask to more, too early. Allow them to opt for a progressive profiling and ask just the essential information at first. More helpful details on app onboarding you can read in one of our previous articles.

Image Source: UX Archive

Building For Multiple Platforms At Once

If you are thinking about multiple platforms, think twice because you will not be able to concentrate your efforts in the right direction. If you begin with just one platform, then the entire development process will run faster and you will enjoy the results better. Although you want to reach the top of all app markets the best thing you can do in this situation is to create the app for just one platform – App Store, Google Play, Amazon, etc – and, then you can focus your thoughts for another one. The moment you are sure of its success there, you can think about the third platform and so on.

Focusing on More Than One Purpose and Function

As you should build the app for just one platform first, the same thing happens with your features. If you overwhelm your users with too much functionality at first, thinking that this needs your app to impress them, you are wrong. First, focus on the main purpose of your app and on the main solution of the problem that you wanted to solve in the first place with your app and after that you can offer more. Of course, it is crucial to test it before you release the app on the market because an app filled with bugs available on app store is the worst thing that could happen in a developer’s world, nearly an apocalypse.

Forcing Users for Only Social Login

It is imperative to make the login process as easy and as fast as possible but, allowing your users to connect with only their social accounts it is a big mistake. It is an advantage for those users that are really active on social platforms to let them use those credentials in your app too but, as astonishing as would sound that, you have to know that not all the people in this world love Facebook, for example. Keep all the options opened and everything will be well.

Forgetting Personalization

More important than features are the personalized elements of an app. Keep an eye on users’ preferences and try to accomplish their needs in every step they make within your application. Be sure to implement function that will show the actions made by users. In one of our articles on personalization we highlighted the importance of sending smart recommendations to help in the moment they need them the most or saving their last action to start from there next time they open your app. Little details make the difference. Start with little things and you will have great results.

Image Source: http://www.frequenterapp.com

Not Investing in Mobile Engagement

The first thing you should have in mind even from developing stage is how you will convince your users to choose your app and to come back to it over and over again. You don’t need a huge budget, but you have to invest a lot of time in creating a phenomenon around your app, while you are concentrated on creating the app.

1- Social Sharing

Social media channels is one of the best ways to allow users to spread the word about your app. We all conduct our lives according to the advice we receive from friends and family. In mobile world is the same thing. Be sure that you implement social sharing buttons inside your app between important activities. We always warned you and we say it again: Never interrupt users’ actions for telling them to share your app because you can be sure that they won’t share your app. Instead they will share their disappointment with a 1 star review. The best approach is to wait until they are fully engaged because they solved a problem using your app or they won a battle inside your game and they will be glad to answer to your invitation to share your app. You can also encourage them to share their experiences in their profiles by giving them incentives within the game.

2- Push Notifications & In-App Messaging

You must take advantage of facilities that can convince your users about the value of your app, like in – app messaging and push notifications. While in – app messaging are messages received by users when using your app, push notifications are messages displayed on devices that have your app installed, but they need users to enable them.  More details on the relation between them (because it is a strong one) and best practices to use them you can read in the article, Push Notifications Vs In-app Messaging.

3- In-App Rewards and Offers

Let’s be honest. Who refuses a promotional gift or a discount from his favorite brand?  Take a moment and think about what you can offer to your users along with your great app to make them choose your app from hundreds in your category. An example of attractive gift is from Herdwatch.

Not Investing in App Marketing

While developing an app you shouldn’t keep out of your mind the promotion and monetization strategies. We always advice that development team should keep a close connection with the marketing team and to inform each other about the steps that needs to be made in both areas even before releasing the app on app stores.

1- ASO

App Search Optimization is the answer to make your app visible in app market. Concentrate the most of your efforts in finding the right keywords and add them in app name, app title and app description. For some tips for choosing the right keywords read on Growth Tower.  Choose the most professional screenshots and, even better a clear and descriptive video. Another amazing advantage for your app would be app localization to offer users around the world the same awesome experience. Read more about that in previous article.

2- Boost Campaigns

If you want to rank as high as possible in app stores and to be visible for your potential users, driving boost campaign will be a valid solution. You will not only acquire a high number of users in a short period of time, but you will attract organic downloads without losing more time and money. It will also give you an opportunity to go viral if you app is perfect enough.  Take as an example a travel company from Turkey, where they daily installs increased to 600 from 203, after the boost campaign.

3- Social Media Ads

Nowadays, it is a real trend to move everything on social networks, even the mobile marketing. And, it makes sense. We are surrounded all day (and all night) long by messages, videos and actions from and towards social media accounts. This is a real fact and there is no point on deny it. Since people prefer video ads you can have in mind the following video ads providers to attract your potential users. Best practices on doing this you can find in Best Ppractices Of Mobile Video Ads On Social Media. Besides video ads on social media, you can prefer other mobile app install ads in these platforms to reach your audience.

• Facebook is the number one choice for mobile developer due to its popularity. If you consider to create Facebook mobile app install ads for your app, you can follow the instructions and best practices in this article. 
• Twitter has the advantage of short and effective video messages. You can also create image ads to increase your app installs.
• Instagram is one of the most preferred platforms that mobile app developers prefer to promote their app. If your research shows that your audience is in Instagram, you can consider video and image ads to increase both engagement and downloads.
• SnapChat offers the option to create personalized video and image ads.
• YouTube is the leader of video channels with millions of videos displayed every day. There are several ad types that you can consider in YouTube to promote your app. You can find them in this article for more information.

4- Mobile Ads

If you have a budget to invest in your app, then you have to think about mobile ads. They come in various sizes and formats and they all have advantages and disadvantages. We know that you have a lot on your mind but this is a big deal and you have to balance all the elements to choose wisely.

a) Interstitial Ads

We covered deeply this topic in another article but, as a summary you should know that interstitials are ads that cover the entire screen making them more effective. With the right timing and frequency they could be the right choice for you.

b) Video Ads

Video ads are preferred by users lately, because of their attractive characteristics.
Besides that, Google states that customers are 2 times more focused when they use their phones for videos rather than watching TV.

c) Native Ads

Native ads are more discrete because by their format they blend with the content. They are a great solution for those who want to attract their users in a non – intrusive way. On the other hand they risk passing unnoticed. More tips and tricks on that you can find on App Samurai.

d) Playable Ads

Playable ads are interactive ads that offer their possible users a free trial before deciding if they want to download it or not. Although they seem more appropriate for games, they can be applied on other categories like travel, social or commerce. If you are interested in this type of ads you have more details in our recent post.

Image Source: http://img.serveroute.com/panda_pop_v2/demo_portrait.html?dev_nomraid=1

Final Thoughts

If you invest time in thoughtfully designed apps and in the same time you are aware about promotion and marketing strategies then you are on the right track to upload an amazing app on the market that everybody will love it and will share it. Avoid the pitfalls listed above and concentrate on the right development trends before is too late and don’t forget that it is more important to create a really good app with a few strong features than a buggy one filled with different and useless characteristics.