Mobile phone application development has been exponentially growing in recent years, and that growth shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon:
- There are over 30 million registered app developers on iOS.
- In 2022, there were over 2.1 million apps and games on the App Store.
- There are nearly 3.8 million apps on the Google Play Store.
- App Store consumer spending reached $86.8 billion in 2022.
- Roughly 1,187 apps are released on the App Store every day.
- 2,638 Google Play apps are released every day.
In today's digital landscape, it seems like every company has jumped on the mobile app bandwagon. It’s no longer about which companies know how to make a phone app — it’s about which companies know how to get the most out of it. With the app market becoming increasingly saturated — and the wide range of options your customers have — it's crucial for businesses to go the extra mile and ensure their mobile app shines amidst the competition.
Let’s take a closer look at the essential steps you can take to craft a winning mobile app for your company. From defining your phone application's unique value proposition to optimizing the user experience, we will guide you through the process of creating a standout mobile app that captivates your audience and drives business success.
More People are Accessing the Internet on Their Smartphones
In 2023, there are over 6.8 billion smartphone users worldwide, and roughly 60% of all web traffic this year is coming through mobile devices. Suffice to say, mobile app development has the unique ability to reach a large number of potential customers.
Not only have the sales of smartphones and tablets increased, but also the number of phone applications installed. The average American has 80 apps downloaded on their phone, and 85% of time spent on smartphones is spent using apps. Given that the average person spends over 3 hours on their phone every day, it’s evident that organizations have the opportunity to connect with an entirely new type of customer — one who is constantly connected to the internet and the global commerce space.
Without the right mobile phone application development processes, your organization is missing out on tons of new customers that are waiting to be engaged with. In order to provide the best service possible and deliver an unparalleled user experience, it’s important to embrace the potential of developing an effective app and continually optimizing it in the years to come.
The Keys to Building a Successful Mobile App
Building a successful mobile application for your business requires careful planning and execution. Here are four key ways to elevate your mobile app and ensure it's working in your organization’s favor.
1. Define Clear Objectives
You’re likely eager to dive right into developing or tinkering with your mobile app, but it's essential to first define clear objectives for what you’re hoping to accomplish. Determine what you want to achieve with the app, whether it's enhancing brand visibility, driving customer engagement, increasing sales, or improving operational efficiency. Make sure all teams are aligned on who will be responsible for which mobile phone application development processes so that everyone is on the same page.
By setting specific goals, you can align your app development efforts accordingly and make strategic decisions to meet those objectives.
2. Build a User-Centric Design
User experience (UX) is a critical factor in the success of any phone application. Given that 52% of people say a bad mobile experience makes them lose faith in a company, it’s important to build your app with the end-user experience top-of-mind.
To create an engaging and intuitive app, prioritize user-centric design principles. Conduct thorough user research to understand your target audience, their needs, preferences, and pain points. Use this insight to design a visually appealing and user-friendly interface that delivers a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Make it easy for app users to access the information they need without too much trouble. Streamline navigation, incorporate intuitive gestures, and optimize performance to keep users coming back for more.
3. Prioritize Features That Move the Needle
There’s no shortage of app features you can build into your mobile app, so how do you decide where to start? When it comes to mobile phone application development, it’s crucial to prioritize those that align with your app's objectives and provide the most value to users.
Analyze user feedback, conduct market research, and consider your competitors' offerings to identify must-have features. By focusing on core functionalities and avoiding feature overload, you can create a streamlined app that is easier to maintain, delivers a focused user experience, and ensures optimal performance.
4. Never Stop Iterating
The best mobile applications are constantly identifying ways to raise the bar and better serve their users. Not only is thorough testing vital to identifying and rectifying any bugs, glitches, or usability issues in your mobile app, but it also sheds light on how the user experience can be improved. By always testing and iterating your mobile app, you’ll avoid resting on your laurels and ensure features and functionalities are always up to snuff.
Implement a robust quality assurance process to conduct both functional and user experience testing across various devices and operating systems. Gather feedback from real users, monitor analytics, and iterate based on their insights. Continuously improving and refining your app based on user feedback will enhance its performance, usability, and overall success.
5. Lean on Experts as Needed
Odds are, you have a lot on your plate in your current position. Handling mobile phone application development responsibilities is a full-time job. If you’re wearing a lot of different hats as is, you may want to take advantage of software outsourcing solutions.
Outsourcing allows you to tap into a vast pool of global talent and expertise. By partnering with experienced software development teams, you gain access to professionals who specialize in mobile app development, possess in-depth knowledge of the latest technologies and trends, and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products.
If you find the right partner, outsourcing isn’t really the right term for their work — they’ll act as an extension of your team, and work in lockstep with your staff to deliver the very best work.
While the initial investment in outsourced solutions may seem steep, you’re actually likely to save more in the long run. Developing a mobile app in-house requires substantial investments in hiring and training a dedicated team, setting up infrastructure, and managing ongoing operational costs. Outsourcing eliminates these overheads by offering flexible engagement models that fit your budget and project requirements.
You can scale resources up or down as needed, ensuring optimal utilization of your teams and maximizing cost-effectiveness. With outsourcing, you can focus on your core business activities while leveraging the right partners who are dedicated to delivering a successful mobile app that aligns with your vision and goals.
The Time is Now to Invest in Mobile
Having a winning mobile app for your organization is no longer a nicety — it’s a necessity. It's no secret that mobile usage is skyrocketing, and customers are increasingly relying on mobile applications to meet their needs and engage with businesses.
The right mobile app sets your organization apart from the competition by providing a seamless user experience, enhancing customer engagement, and driving revenue growth. It serves as a powerful tool to establish your brand, strengthen customer loyalty, and expand your reach to a global audience.
Don't miss out on the countless opportunities that a winning mobile app can offer. Optimize your mobile phone application development processes, stay ahead of the curve, and make a lasting impact on your customers. Reach out to Accelerance today and embark on a transformative journey that will elevate your organization to new heights.
Andy Hilliard
As CEO, Andy leads and advocates for the globalization and collaboration of great software teams with companies in search of talent, innovation and a globally-distributed extension of their engineering function and culture. Andy founded the ground-breaking nearshore software development services company, Isthmus Costa...
Recently Published Articles
View All Posts
Blog
October 8, 2012 | Andy Hilliard
Choosing the Right Platform or Framework for your Mobile App
Blog
January 28, 2015 | Andy Hilliard
3 Steps to Prepare For the Launch of Your Mobile App
Blog
July 26, 2020 | Accelerance Research Team
Spotlight on El Salvador: The Capital’s Untapped Talent
Subscribe to email updates
Stay up-to-date on what's happening at this blog and get additional content about the benefits of subscribing.