Mobility has become increasingly important in today’s competitive environment. Mobile apps have become a necessity for any business that wants to keep up with the market, improve their bottom line and engage their customers. However, many decision makers are still trying to develop mobile apps the same way that they have developed apps for desktops. The old “tried and true” strategies and techniques are a poor fit for mobile app development, leading to apps that provide poor user experiences, a lack of adoption and negative feedback.
- Mobile apps must work on a variety of platforms and devices.
- Screen sizes vary by device, making it impossible to develop a universal solution that does not consider the specific requirements of each device.
- Design considerations, including navigation, images, text size and speed, are radically different for mobile apps.
- Mobile apps need to be deployed quickly to gain the most advantages from them. If users consider them “yesterday’s new,” they will be less likely to embrace them.
Companies looking to develop mobile apps will need to forget how things have always been done and be willing to change their development strategies and techniques. It is not possible to nail down all of the specifications at the start of the project and then proceed in a linear fashion to completion before seeking feedback from users. It is no longer enough to test an app on one or two browsers before releasing it. It is no longer possible to assume that apps can be retrofitted to interface with back-end systems.
To develop the best mobile apps, companies will need to consider adopting several changes.
- Start by designing an optimal user interface and then incorporating the workflow. The workflow should mirror how the app’s users will actually interact with the app.
- Switch from the waterfall method of development to an agile approach. The agile methodology lets you develop and test specific functionality in short cycles, giving you the opportunity to let users see each piece individually. If mid-course corrections are needed, they can be made quickly and at minimal cost.
- Ensure that back-end systems and databases can interface with the app. Align back-end architecture, if necessary, before launching a mobile app initiative.
- Test mobile apps on multiple devices and operating systems. Simulations should be only one tier of the testing; the second tier should be actual testing on a variety of the most popular devices.
Mobile is not going away, and most companies realize that they need to meet the demand for mobility. However, fewer companies realize that creating successful mobile apps is going to require an attitude adjustment to meet that demand. Changing perceptions, strategies and techniques can help make mobile app development easier and more profitable.
PhaseAlpha has extensive experience in developing mobile apps for a wide range of uses. We can guide you through the entire process, from conception to deployment and beyond. Contact us today at info@phasealpha.com or by phone at 913.648.9200.