It was only seven years ago that the first iPhone was released, but the impact it has had on the mobile app development industry has been enormous. Rather than just being used to call people, send text messages and play games, mobile phones are now a vital part of our lives that we use to do all kinds of things from playing games to managing our bank accounts and making shopping lists. In this piece, we’ll take a look at 10 key trends in mobile app development that are helping to drive the industry forward in new and exciting ways.
1) Narrow your focus
One of the biggest trends in app development is super apps, Apps that provide many different services. Take WeChat, for example, a messaging app launched in China. WeChat can be used to send messages, make calls and share photos; it’s also been known to trigger China’s version of Twitter when breaking news occurs and to push out money transfer notifications from banks. Its huge collection of features has helped it grow exponentially it now boasts almost 400 million monthly active users.
2) Design with user experience in mind
Design with user experience in mind and you’ll have a product that will provide value to customers while also appealing to their interests and needs. Chatting apps are gaining popularity, as are super apps and instant messaging software. Design apps, consider design trends of all sorts, keep an eye on what’s trending in your industry, and think about how all these factors can be included in your app development process.
3) Stay updated on ever-changing trends
In an industry that evolves with new tech every year, staying updated on ever-changing trends can be a challenge. But you don’t have to look very far to see that chat apps and instant messaging software are taking off not just among consumers but also within businesses.
4) Increase relevance by catering to your niche
When it comes to mobile app development, there’s a lot of competition. It might seem like every person on your block is developing their app and building an empire but you can stand out by zeroing in on one specific area of interest for your app. If, for example, you’re interested in news delivery apps and don’t want to get too involved with sports or social networks, you could pitch a news feed app with local and global breaking stories.
5) Customize Your App Style and Functionality Based on User Behavior
To help your app generate sales, you need to make sure that it is tailored to meet users’ specific needs. Think about how you can customize content based on a user’s behavior. For example, if you know that certain users browse a certain page or section more often than others, try testing out personalizing their experience by displaying additional relevant information for that user specifically.
6) Develop Apps As A means of increasing Brand Loyalty
According to a 2017 report from IBM, 70% of smartphone users preferred apps from brands they know and trust over ones from companies they don’t. If you want to increase your company’s market share and revenue, consider developing an app for your brand. It will have an immediate impact on your brand visibility and it can help boost customer loyalty. Don’t miss out on these mobile application development trends that are supercharging business growth.
7) Test, Test, and Test Again before Launching!
When launching a new mobile app, you’ll want to make sure it is solid and ready for prime time. This means getting your application tested by as many people as possible. Test your app before releasing it to ensure that there are no bugs in your code and that each feature works as expected. Before launch, you can also use beta testers to get feedback from users on how they like your app so far and how they might use it if they were given an opportunity.
8) Look at the bigger picture when creating an app
Many entrepreneurs become locked into small details and lose sight of what is most important. This can result in wasted time, energy, and money. To avoid these issues, it’s critical to understand what a great app needs to accomplish. What is your target audience’s problem? How will you make their lives easier? And how can you solve that problem in a better way than anything else out there? When answering these questions, don’t be afraid to dream big!
9) Why It’s Important To Think Beyond the Apple Store or Google Play Store
Many people launch their app with only an Apple or Google store in mind. But as you might imagine, these platforms aren’t as important to an app developer as they once were. As users rely more and more on their mobile devices for everyday tasks, there is a market for your app outside of Apple and Google’s channels. Learning how to start a new business from conception to execution.
10) Don’t Underestimate the Role of Marketing in App Development
Every business knows that marketing is important for developing a new app. But it’s not just about launching an app and seeing what happens. Good marketers know that customer feedback needs to be monitored closely and incorporated into your strategy from day one. No matter how good your app is unless you can get potential users to download it, your marketing efforts are wasted. Take our advice: If you want to succeed in app development, don’t underestimate marketing.
Conclusion
While these app development trends are emerging, there’s a chance that some might disappear (or at least subside) over time. It will be interesting to see which ones stick around and which ones fall out of favor. But what is clear is that there’s no shortage of development trends in mobile apps today!