Step by Step
Below are steps to help you get started, once you’ve made the decision to develop a useful and functional app for your users. They’re just guidelines and suggestions, but could be helpful tools in the app building process.
1. Find a Problem to Solve
Think Vanilla Ice. You need to focus on a sole idea or problem that needs solving, so you can insert your app into that market and offer a unique experience. Look around you; there are always problems that need solutions. Think of your favorite restaurant – do they need an ordering system? What about their marketing? The success of an entrepreneur largely depends on finding problems that can be solved, and in unique ways. Successful products and services they can do this while remaining affordable and/or convenient. Find a niche that needs a little tweaking, a problem that needs some solving, and you’re in.
2. Identify the Need
Have a great idea? Do your research; someone may have already beaten you to it. Take detailed notes on not only the issue, but also what other possible solutions could be. These will help implement your idea and develop your app. Take note of what users are looking for. Then, once it’s time for development, build a landing page that highlights your idea and showcases the app. Allow users to sign up for it via email to download at a later date. Apps are great marketing tools.
It’s key to make sure your idea is a good one, one that will be successful. You don’t want to create an app based on an idea that nobody is interested in (duh), or something that’s already been covered. Again, do your research!
3. Focus on the Design
So you’ve got the app, and now it’s time to design it and make it standout. Outline the flow and functions of the app first – take note of what features you plan to offer and which ones you aren’t. Feel free to map out the flow of your app by hand, envisioning how your user will navigate various areas and what features they will use and how often (you should put these features in the front of the app, so that they’re easy to get to). This will help you to clearly understand your app as well as envision how the layout and theme will look. It will save you time in the long run because you will be able to breeze through during actual development. Like writing a college essay.
4. Trim the Fat
The app is now a delicious steak and you don’t want any extra gristle or fat. You only want to offer the “core value” of your app idea – cut out the excess stuff that doesn’t directly pertain to your idea. Some features can be fun to have, or moderately useful, but if they aren’t relevant or necessary to the main function of the app, get rid of them. Trimming off the fat will make your app more useful, run faster and be more engaging to users.
Too much content can bog things down, or make them confusing. If a user can’t get to the app and use it quickly and easily, they won’t use it.
5. Design
Nothing wrong with basic – it makes sense. A simple design allows for visibility and functionality, but be careful, you don’t want it to be boring. Design is important, so make sure you employ a designer who has a unique vision and can make your app really pop without being too busy. You or your designer should have an adequate idea of what your app is trying to achieve, and be skilled in graphics and user experience. Having image editing skills (Photoshop) is paramount to your success as an app builder.
6. Create a Developer Account
You’ll need to register as a developer with Apple and Google so that you can sell your app through their stores. Keep the costs in mind – Android is a one time $25 fee, and Apple charges $99 annually. You can register as an individual or as a company, but registering as an individual is much easier.
7. Use Analytics
Analytics are important – don’t ignore them. They help you track downloads, user engagement and app retention. Taking the time to really study how your app performs, what your users like and don’t like, and how their usage effects your sales will help your app as well as the overall success of your business. Statistics don’t lie, and having accurate analytics can show you how your investment is doing as well as how your app can affect your business.
8. Ask for Feedback
Once your app is live, actively ask for feedback. Embrace it too, you should constantly The first influx of customer data/behavior will tell you all you need to know about improving and enhancing your app. Keep an eye on what they like and don’t like, how the app is performing, and you’ll be able to continually improve your app and your business. Stay consistent, because user preferences and needs are constantly changing.
9. Introduce new features.
Keep your app fresh and consistently adding new features is a great idea. As you think and implement new ideas, remember to use analytics and feedback to see if they work and if you want to keep them. Sales and new coupons are always great ways to keep the app useful.
Ready to get started? Create a mobile app today! Bizness Apps can help you develop a great app for any platform.