Statistics to state how trending mobile apps have become is unjustified, as it is as clear as day that they have indeed become a part of everyone’s lives. When we take a look at the app stores for downloading a single app, we can be sure that we don’t look past the top 5 or maybe the top 10. But there are hundreds of other apps for each segment that go unnoticed.

This means the competition is huge. Though many businesses are turning this trend into a great means to build apps and promote themselves, some might get lost somewhere in the middle, as their app might have not achieved its fullest potential. For an idea to become a successful app, it is only possible if it is supported by a strategically positioned mobile app development process.

So, what does it mean for an app to be ‘successful’?

A successful app is one that combines three aspects in an excellent way: market, user, and product. When these factors come together that is when a product attains great value, uniqueness, and good performance. Amidst other intricacies of an app, the features of any app are what determines if the product attains its worth. A successful app should contain features that are both user-centric and business-centric.

Given below are some tips that might help you make a sustainable application no matter what your business background is or how big your business is.

So stay glued!

Market research

First things first, it is crucial to know the target audience as they will be the ones who will help you check how feasible your idea is and which channel to choose to market your app. You can search for stats, check the trends, and also conduct polls to find the right set of people. Discuss your idea with them who you think will make potential customers.

Check if it fits their expectations and ensure it solves more than one problem that they have been facing these days. Because the more solutions you provide them via a single medium, the more it motivates them to install and use your app. Also, keep in mind that you are not a lone wolf here and that any segment is bound to have a competition. So, your app should contain something unique that helps outshine your competitors’ apps.

Identifications

As you have decided upon your target audience and market now, the next step is now to choose which platform you are going to deploy your app with that will reach a wider audience. Then comes the business models. Every model has its own advantages and disadvantages. To ensure that your app generates good revenue, and fits with your needs, you can even take your competitors’ model into consideration. There are many models of generating revenue like paid apps, premium services, advertising models, etc. Now what suits your app, and whether or not it is a profitable path, is for you to decide.

App designing

This is one of the significant factors to decide the success of your app. Remember that apps are bound to make the tasks easier and convenient. Hence, in any case of mobile app designing, less is more. Whether the app design is extravagant or not, everything revolves around how efficient is it to use for your audience. Yes, a snappy UI adds a good feel to your app but an intuitive UX is essential for simplicity.

Focus on questions like:

Are you making users’ lives simpler?
Can users navigate within the app easily without any guidance?
Are these features important and relevant to users?

Choosing native, web, or hybrid app

Selecting the development approach depends on your strategy, budget, and time. If you are looking to widen your user base, then following the trend is the right way. That is, to develop apps for both iOS and Android platforms. If you are concerned about the time constraint you need not worry when implementing a cross-platform app development framework.

Developing an app prototype

This is the stage where your app idea will be turning into a functional product with minimum and essential features. A prototype is a miniature version of your final app, through which you can attract the attention of potential investors. Instead of explaining everything verbally about your product, this will be a great way to visualize the benefits of your app.

Maintaining app performance

Performance and an app’s success go hand in hand. Poor performance of an app with respect to technical issues or lags can lead to a negative user experience. Many surveys state that the users will abandon an app if they encounter any bugs and glitches and if they do not listen. More than 25% of apps are downloaded from the app store only to be accessed once and abandoned due to poor app functioning. To avoid this, your app should be periodically updated for quality assurance.

Planning the right marketing strategy

If you are planning to make your app well known to the world, planning a marketing strategy after it is launched is of no use. The right marketing plan should be based on driving new app installs and on re-engaging target users. Therefore, you should build anticipation for your app even before you launch it, and do a big push before launching.

However, also be aware that marketing doesn’t end once you launch the app. As said already, it should drive user retention rate and installs forward. Thus, leverage digital marketing techniques and make your app discovery rate increase every day.

Upgradation

A sound business plan should never settle. There needs to be constant up-gradation and innovation, as people are now spoilt with choices and too many of them. So to ensure that you are ahead of your competitors in the long run, your app should not be stagnant. You want to develop a feature or you want to update the performance. Every step your app moves forward, the updates should also be in parallel with it.

Tracking the progress with analytics

There is nothing more powerful than the analytics and numbers that show how much your app is being relevant, and how your app updates are welcomed. By integrating app analytics, you can gain clear insight and identify the KPIs that can improve your app. For example, points like, ‘Which app features are getting more attention?’, ‘How often are they using the app?’ and ‘Is there any particular section that they are dropping out?’, etc., can give you a clear picture of the user behavior to enhance the experience.

Closing thoughts

App development is no more restricted to savvy engineers. Many innovative businessmen, designers, and marketers have started taking this mobile app development or web development domain. So, even if you have only a teensy-weensy bit of knowledge on the technology side, you can have a conversation with the top app development companies that can take in your ideas and incorporate more innovative ways to apply their techniques and tools to build you a commercially viable product.