Mobile devices have become indispensable. More than 60% of Internet traffic is generated by mobile devices today. Having a mobile responsive website is now a minimum requirement for businesses.
Interacting with responsive websites on mobile devices can, however, be tedious. The user must remember the website URL, the user must type a URL or find a link to access the website, the time it takes to load needed information on a website can become a barrier. and the size of the screen can impede the user’s ability to access information they need quickly.
Creating a mobile app can help overcome these challenges and offer a wide range of advantages over mobile website:
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Visibility. An app remains visible on your device providing a daily reminder about your brand, building brand recognition, whether the app is used or not.
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Convenience. An app can allow users to access your services more quickly, often without the delay associated with loading a website.
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Customization. An app can allow the user to customize how they interact with your business and access what they need most more directly.
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Creating Value. A well-planned app can represent an extension of your business’ value proposition and can serve as a platform to prompt repeat purchases, introduce new products or services, or share other info.
Here are some best practices to keep in mind if you decide its time to get a mobile app for your business:
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Begin with the value proposition. Remember, for a user to want to download your app, it must offer some form of value in terms of convenience, information, offers, or other value.
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Plan for personalization. One of the biggest ways you can create value for an app user is personalization. Having a thoughtful personalization is key to the success of your app project.
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Think short and long term. Planning your app should not only involve the features that are a current priority but also how the app will evolve over time. Planning for the future can allow you to save time and money on future enhancements and upgrades.
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Think short and long term. Planning your app should not only involve the features that are a current priority but also how the app will evolve over time. Planning for the future can allow you to save time and money on future enhancements and upgrades.
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Never build and app without a prototype. Prototyping allows you to test your app concept to ensure it is fulfilling the vision you had when you undertook the project. Rapid prototyping can be a quick and inexpensive way to validate your assumptions and identify new opportunities you may not have considered.
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Plan you security early. Security should be a paramount concern. An app should incorporate security features into its design as opposed to having them force-fit later.
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Offer respectful notifications. Being able to provide your customer notifications through your mobile app is a privilege which can easily be taken away. Done respectfully, notifications can serve as a valuable channel for you to engage with your customers about new products, services, offers and other topics. If overused, it could quickly place your customer relationship on a negative footing.
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Test thoroughly. Before launching your app, make sure it is tested thoroughly. Do not forget, one of the primary benefits of an app for the user is speed. Make sure your app is not bogged down by bloated code or other problems. The first impression created by your new app should not be a negative one.
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If you do not need it, do not collect it. It can be tempting to amass user data through mobile apps. This could expose your business and your app to a wide range of security, privacy, and other risks. Do not take the risk if you do not have to.
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Be transparent. An app can open the door to a range of personal information about your customers which is difficult to gather through other means. Be honest and transparent about how user data is being used, and its destruction. Losing the trust of your customers can be very costly.
When developing a mobile application, it is essential to consider how best to inform users of the latest content and other updates. Developers must weigh the benefits of timely notifications against the potential costs of bombarding users with too many messages.
A mobile app can be a huge competitive advantage for businesses. To learn how Trigyn can help make your mobile app vision a reality.
For more information about Trigyn’s Development & Maintenance Services, Contact Us.
