Mobile phone users have significantly exceed desktop users, which means the number of people that use mobile phones are now more than the number of people who use desktops. And this trend plans to continue on in the coming years.
Mobile phones have increased in popularity because of apps, which often can do more than your desktop or browser apps. The phones are also more diverse and more portable, making them a great option for people always on the run.
This is why companies are now focusing more on developing apps for phones in addition to their website for PCs. However, building apps are not always an easy task, they come with multiple challenges of their own.
Here are 7 challenges that an entrepreneur may face when developing a mobile app.
Creating a noticeable app
The mobile app market is very concentrated. There’s immense pressure to create apps that get noticed. It is no surprise that what users see can affect the way they make decisions. A compelling graphics and app design can entice users to make decisions they would not usually make under normal circumstances.
Solution
Create the app according to targeted audience and aim of the app. Try to offer something that no one has offered before and track successful apps to understand what clicks with users. Be as descriptive and use as relevant keywords as possible.
Getting the app funded
Investors never experiment, they look for feasibility. If you are going with just an idea, no prototypes, then it’s useless since they don’t forecast anything.
Most of the apps will never find room in the users downloaded app list. Success of an app also revolves around the age-old marketing mantra: visibility. If they don’t see it, they won’t buy it. With funding, you can increase your app’s visibility and get more downloads.
Solution
You have to highlight the bits and pieces of your app that others don’t have or anything that distinguishes your start up. You may also try crowdfunding – platforms like Kickstarter and AppBackr are great starting points. You can also ask from your friends, family, colleagues. In return, you can offer them a share in profits.
Multi-platform support
Multi-platform app formatting can get bothersome. Each platform is unique and exhibits different features, capabilities and behavior. But, if you want your app to work seamlessly on all mobile platforms with varying screen dimensions, developers have to adopt responsive designs.
Solutions
You can use cross formatting mobile applications like RhoMobile, PhoneGap, MoSync, Xamarin, and other numerous tools to make it easier.
Security
According to survey, 45% of respondents named security as one of their top challenges for enterprise mobile app development. Mobile-oriented security needs require specialized expertise much the same as mobile app development does.
What happened with Ashley Madison and the rise of ransomware, security is becoming the prime concern for Chief Information Officers. Until recently, security was not something app developers would worry about. But now, no feature moves without a focus on security.
Solution
Linus Torvalds, the founder of Linux, asserts that it is near to impossible to protect your systems against security breaches. All you can do is make your systems as secure as possible.
Build a secure application by securing the code, device, data (preventing data theft and leakage). Put identification, authorization and authentication measures in place which helps users to prove an app who they are, adding another layer of security to the login process.
Marketing and promotion
Some say, “marketing is the black hole of a business.” And, why wouldn’t they? It’s all sunk cost. Whatever you have spent is gone. You’re not making an asset.
It will not be an understatement to say that most apps fail only because of a poor marketing and promotion strategy. And in 2017, putting up a go-to-market strategy for an app has become more challenging.
Small businesses do not have a large budget to dedicate to marketing or promotional events. Even those that do have the money, may find themselves only having a few channels to promote their content.
Solution
When creating a marketing and promotion strategy, always go for experts. You might know a little about social media, Google AdWords, Facebook ads, and incent ads, but that is not going to work.
Do not trust your in-house team unless they have spent at least five years promoting an app. Consult people who have been successful and follow their advice.
Considering the performance and battery life
You might face problems regarding app’s performance and battery consumption. Apps can perform worse when running on low power and you should consider users with ageing mobile devices that can’t even last 24 hours.
Solution
API testing is particularly useful in this regard, as it tests the core functionalities of a mobile app and the device it runs on, ensuring that any spikes in battery use can be caught and mitigated. You need to make sure that your app will work on power saving mode.
Connecting with the user
The mobile app market is changing very rapidly. To survive in the ever-evolving mobile app market one has to be innovative and creative, it is imperative for mobile app developers to connect with the consumer.
Solution
Make your app very simple and clear, try not to ask many private questions to login. It will help you connect with as many users as possible.
Security concerns is the major factor which is commonly faced while development and after phase. there are much loopholes which always left to cover that become the major issue for further deployment and run of app. To know more, read here: