So we’ve noticed there seem to be a whole bunch of ‘experts’ out there who like to dish out advice about mobile application development. Be careful who you listen to, we’ve heard some terrible advice, some of which we’re sharing in this blog:
Don’t worry, mobile application development is cheap
Developing a mobile application needs to be looked at as software development in terms of the fact that it is a project and projects are never cheap. They require project managers, specialists, contractors, components and multiple deliverables. Some apps with less functionality will never be cheap. More inexpensive – sure. Always go into a mobile application development process with the expectation of laying down some substantial capital.
Mobile apps only need to be developed for smartphones
When a business decides to venture into mobile application development they generally assume the mobile application is for use on a smartphone. In our dynamic, technologically advanced environment, mobile application development needs to be done against the backdrop of ALL mobile devices. A mobile device is defined as a ‘portable computing device.’ These therefore include:
- Laptops
- Smartphones
- E-readers
- Tablets
- Handheld gaming devices.
End-users of these applications are using them to present information, work remotely, share information or for recreational purposes. All of which are expected to be functional on various mobile devices.
You can create a meme titled ‘*grabs the popcorn once the mobile app has been built’
There is no time to sit back and relax once the application has been built. Time needs to be dedicated to testing the application, fixing bugs, listening to customer functionality requests and delivering on them. Any new business venture will fail if it remains stagnant, as mentioned earlier, mobile application development is a project. There are objectives and goals that are set for the application. These goals could range from desirable performance to the number of desired downloads. Constant evaluation, monitoring and control must be conducted to identify gaps between perceived actual and desired results.
Shorten your timeline, a mobile application is quicker and easier to develop
The launch of a mobile application requires months of planning. With so many applications available across multiple app-stores, yours will require a clever marketing strategy to build anticipation and differentiate it from the competition. Even the simplest applications will require an element of marketing to create awareness of it.
All software needs to have a competitive advantage to make it successful. Competitive advantage doesn’t sprout overnight and requires extensive thought, skill and correct implementation measures.
All you need is a specialist and some clever coding
App developers can no longer impress the market and sponsor with clever coding. Sponsors want a competitive application that delivers attractive return on investment. This means that the developer must consider market attractiveness and differentiate the user and customer. According to developer.com:
“A user is any person who interacts with a product. A customer, on the other hand, is the particular person that an app serves. There is a significant difference between these two individuals.
When app developers think about users, they’re thinking about the “user flow” and “user experience.” User flow and user experience are very important, but they don’t address an app’s primary business problem. What app developers should ask themselves before they even start designing a product is why people would want to download it.
Figuring out why people should download an app requires a thorough planning phase, during which app developers should concentrate on research and analysis of their target audience. They should determine goals, needs, and wants of the people they are building an app for. Only when armed with this information can app developers design a product that their customers truly desire.
Building products for customers—not for users—requires a shift in thinking. But, with a customer-centric approach, app developers can consciously design products, services, experiences, and systems that their customers will value and use. Customer-focused design helps developers refine their ideas and build truly successful products.”
You don’t need a website if you have a mobile application
There is a process that goes into downloading an application and once-off users of a mobile application don’t have the patience or time for it. It means they have to create an app-store account, download and install the application and then figure it out (with correct functionality this shouldn’t be a problem, but nevertheless a mission for once-off users.) Having a website for your application increases once-off user experience by limiting the amount of admin and effort they require to use the services of the application. They may even want to download the application and become lifetime value customers.
We know there is always an element of subjectivity when receiving advice from various sponsors and software developers. We’d love to hear the interesting advice you’ve been given. Drop us a comment below.
Sources:
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/types-of-mobile-computer-devices
http://creative.artisantalent.com/busting-the-common-myths-of-mobile-app-creation/
http://www.developer.com/ws/other/the-five-deadly-myths-of-mobile-app-development.html
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/the-myths-of-mobile-design-and-why-it-matters-2
Please Note: At time of publishing the artisantalent.com link was producing an error, so we have removed the link until this is resolved.
