7 Vital Questions To Ask Before Developing An App
Whether small, medium or large enterprises, all businesses are making successful leaps by building state-of-the-art mobile apps for their business to increase their profit margins and enhance their customer base.
Building an app for your business could certainly be a lucrative idea, but then, as they say, one size doesn’t fit all! How do you assess the need for an app in that case? What questions do you need to answer before you set your foot ahead?
Increasingly, we are accessing the web using smartphones and tablets, with consumers now averaging 4.2 hours per day in apps from 2019.
The app business has undoubtedly become a lucrative idea for many. However, regardless of whether it’s a gaming app, an eCommerce app, or a streaming app, there is no such thing as instant success.
Just like traditional web development is based on certain fundamentals, so is mobile app development. Moreover, you need to ensure that you can maintain the app before you actually build one.
Having said that, let’s have a look at 7 vital questions to rebuttal before developing an app!
Time Availability — Do You Have The Time And Resources To Develop And Maintain An App?
Like any other website, any app requires consistent maintenance to make it a hit amongst the users. The app you develop must be kept updated for your users to find it relevant with time.
I agree that mobile apps can bring in more users leading to an increase in revenue but building an app is not a one-time job. Apps need to be updated regularly to fix any and every challenge you come across.
Marketplace — Does Your App Hold A Market?
The AppStore and the PlayStore are filled with mobile apps of various kinds. As per data, there were 3.14 million apps available for the users to download.
In the 21st century, everyone, including startups, SMEs, and Large Enterprises, understands the value and benefits of having an app for their business. An app has become inevitable in several industries like eCommerce and Gaming.
Having said that, even today, many businesses may not be sure if they need an app to improve or fit with what they do.
Spending a large amount on app development based on what you think isn’t the best idea. It is smart to verify if you have a market for your app before you make a move. Do your research, create a survey for market research, talk to customers before you start with the app development process.
Customer Persona — Is It Up To Date?
An app-only hits a million downloads on the app store if your customer persona finds it useful. And for that, the app you build must possess all the hallmarks of success — features and user experience being the primary focus.
You certainly must have created a user persona at the planning stage of your mobile app, but to keep updating it as you go on building the app would be a good idea. The development phase of the mobile app is a good time to analyze and retrospect.
Some of the things you must examine while building the user persona for your app includes your customers’ behavior patterns, motivations, demographics, goals, and interests. The better you understand their requirements, the more are your chances of aligning your app with them.
Apps that are useful, secure, and user-friendly tend to attract users quickly. As a result, many users might drop in reviews for your app on various app stores. Responding to these reviews can be considered an extended part of your app development process. Do you have the time to respond to queries, concerns, and suggestions for improvements?
Do You Have The capacity To Carry The Financial Burden (In Case)
Did you know that the most earning apps in 2019 bought in over a whopping $82k a day? Impressive, isn’t it?
As motivating as this may sound, as an app entrepreneur, you must live in reality. Your app, in the beginning, may draw some funds in the initial months, turning into minimal or marginal profits.
Having said that, there is certainly an X factor in apps, given that various organizations and businesses across the world are successfully building and deploying apps. The key here is to have a solid monetization strategy. Do you have one already?
Even if you decide that making money is not a top priority, a strategy that addresses long-term financing and profit will need to be considered.
Do You Have Your ‘new-to-market Strategy’ Sketched Out?
Just like selling a piece of land or a house, you must trade quickly on your app being new in the market to grab and hook the attention of your potential customers as soon as your app goes live.
The myth that you would launch your app in various app stores and people would come and download it from there needs to go! It doesn’t work that way.
Having a mobile app marketing strategy is crucial to place your app purposefully in front of your target audience. To do this, having a fresh new to market app marketing strategy along with a long-term marketing strategy ready is imperative.
Tip — Making use of your email marketing database, paid ads on Google and various social media platforms is something you must consider.
Marketing budget — Are You Ready?
Although marketing doesn’t really have to cost you a fortune, you must have some capital and the drive to take the marketing process forward. You can easily market your app using social media, paid banners across websites, or even leaflets in retail stores.
Having said that, the app market is a bit of a competition. For some specific industries like the gaming industry or the health industry, partnering with the right marketing agency can give you a competitive edge.
Having a marketing plan in place is the first thing you need and while you are at it, ensure that you lay out tasks and details for the launch and ongoing marketing. If you do not give your marketing plan the thought that it deserves, it will essentially mean that the time, money, and effort you’ve spent building the app would go for a toss.
Have You Partnered With The Right App Development Company?
If you belong to a nontechnical background and are unsure of where to begin your app development planning, development, and deployment, it is highly recommended that you choose the right app development partners to bring your app idea to life.
App development comprises multiple steps like planning, development, deployment, marketing, and maintenance. With that said, joining hands with the right app development partners becomes vital. Good Luck!
