Category: Mobile App Development

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6 product planning mistakes companies should avoid

6 product planning mistakes companies should avoid

Mobile app development projects flounder due to several causes. Inferior UX design, No originality, unable to offer value could be chief reasons. But, usually product failure leads to a failed mobile app planning phase. These are six common mobile app planning errors and actionable tips to bypass them.

6 Usual Product Strategy Errors & Ways To Avoid Them

1. Consumes a lot of time to begin

Several mobile app projects take a lot of time to begin. This is not a very good sign. Creating a futuristic blueprint and offering existing business value is a tough balancing act to perform, and in several cases, companies fail to adapt quickly. Also, technological transformation is very tough to predict, making it nearly impossible to satisfy stakeholders to park their money in development projects for dealing with future scenarios. The longer you keep your idea with you, tougher it gets to totally define a functional and feasible framework for development.This can negatively impact your product’s prospects.

How to keep this at bay

One of the difficult aspects of the development process is to begin. To bypass a long drawn-out mobile app development and launch procedure, it’s ideal to put all your high-level information, research, and specifications in a single document by making a PRD. With a PRD as the basis of your project, you can easily communicate technical viability execution plans, and risk and change management strategies to all team members and stakeholders.

Also, it is a must to opt for an iterative, agile method and concentrate on rapid prototyping. With product needs turning very clear cut, focus your efforts on introducing a minimum viable product (MVP), and building and iterating off your learnings.

2. Coming with product devoid of user value

It’s very tough to ascertain which features and functionalities are essential for user value. Correspondingly, it’s not very convenient all the time to view the full range of technical prospects. The onus is on product team to take the customer through product requirements planning to find out the ideal development solution. A detailed product definition stage comprises developing customer requests into firm product specifications, which can be easily learnt by engineering. A PRD document has the propensity to shape your requests into a robust product specifications. Devoid of proper communication, you would not be able to find out the several consequences of features on product performance.

Way to avoid the same

Gauge the needs for creating a good product vis-a-vis your product beliefs. It’s pertinent to ponder critically over user assumptions, technical assumptions, and business assumptions. Your team has to have knowledge of the market, upcoming trends and technologies, and options for the product to specify the needs for a successful results.

3. Devising needs In A Vacuum

Products can be very complicated, including various systems, subsystems, and functionality; obviously, their needs are complex as well. The certain organizations suffer due to lack of diversity within the team. Product teams must have several people with various areas of expertise: product owners, product managers, developers, engineers, architects, and UX/UI designers etc. This makes sure that several perspectives and opinions come together to carve out a well-thought out product.

How To Avoid It

Engage team members – product owners and product managers, designers, developers, etc. – in product strategy and conceptualization. Agile approach is based on a unified approach, implying several members of your project team collaborate tin the entire product development process, including product definition.

4. Confusing innovation with value

If you rush to include innovation and development expenses can go up. New technologies and abilities can at times trigger panic and turn the execution of new features haywire. This kind of problem can be arrested with proper mobile app planning; a PRD permits lesser errors between development handoffs and highlights the requirements to ascertain the essentiality of feature alteration.

The way to bypass the same

Be focused on your product objectives and keep in mind that you are devising a product for a certain target user. Will this feature or functionality offer anything new or value to the end-user? Is this necessary for the product? If the answer for these is no, then you do away with the feature or implement the same in future not now.

5. Ignoring Competitive Threats

Market viability is imperative for any product, and competitive threats can spoil your development plans. Apart from keeping track of the customer, you must be observant of emerging trends and technologies. At times, your competitors will launch products with features very alike to yours. In such a situation, your team might have to pivot. Yet again, a PRD can be very helpful in these situations as you might have already discussed and documented several solutions to certain features that suits the scope and budget of your project.

The way to bypass the same

Industry and competitor research should be an essential part of your product strategy.

What is your competition providing?

How is your product distinct?

The needs and problems your product solve that other products don’t?

These questions can be ignored at your peril. It’s essential to know your rival’s strengths and weaknesses to make your product unique. With good research, you can highlight your product’s USP.

6. Unable to choose between needs and privileges

You can’t implement all features in the first version of your product. It’s a must to understand the main feature suitable to resolve your users’ central issues. Devoid of proper communication, it’s tough to ascertain the features that are essential and the ones that are good but not a must at this juncture.

How to tackle the same

Put in place a classification system to prioritize features. Sit with your project team to ascertain the features that are important to have versus the features your product can ignore to start with.

Finally

A well-thought out product planning offers your app a good chance in the market. By bypassing the product strategy errors mentioned above, you can offer your team an opportunity to succeed in the market. A mobile app requirements document is a handy tool to get a clarity of requirements and how your product can achieve the same.

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Tips to consider before developing an enterprise app

Tips to consider before developing an enterprise app

Enterprise mobile app development is breaking the glass ceiling at the moment. A staggering 71 percent of organizations feel investment in enterprise mobility solutions is ideal to take on market competition head on. However, developing a suitable business app is no child’s play.

We all require an enterprise app facilitating seamless engagement with employees, offer critical updates, swiftly respond to client queries, and monitor critical business procedures in one place. For the same, you have to first imagine developing an app meeting obligations of end-users – your employees, clients, and other stakeholders. It must be flexible to adapt to the business and technology alterations quickly.

Look to join hands with an expert technology solution provider to thrash out that perfect app.

Things to factor in prior to developing an enterprise app

Know your End-User Requirements

Prior to developing your custom enterprise app, ponder over your end-user expectations and requirements. In case your business app is meant for your employees to aid them carry out regular tasks more efficiently, then you have to be aware of their pain points of daily work. For example, time-consuming and repetitive tasks, areas where proper team communication is a problem etc. For this, you should speak to people and collect critical feedback so that you can create an app that is perfect for your employees.

Gauge Market Competition

While carrying out groundwork for your app, it is essential to examine the features your competitors are providing in their business apps. Are these features helping their employees’ and clients’ to solve problems? Get the answer by visiting the app stores and downloading some corporate apps. After getting relevant inputs, present the same to your app strategy planning experts. Now, you discuss the ways to improve upon those features and include something unique and important for your audience.

Select Your App Platform Carefully

This is the fundamental step in app development. Selecting a platform and an outsourced software development company can be very puzzling. Hence, look into aspects such as budget, convenience of execution, project control ability, etc. In case you opt for an outsourced development partner, ask about things such as engagement alternatives, technology stack, budget, portfolio etc. Whereas, with DIY platforms you must go through things such as:

– Is the platform user-friendly?
- Does it provide able customer assistance?
- Will it offer seamless app integration and deployment choices?
- What about the expenses for app assistance and maintenance services

Ponder over these questions prior to choosing as it can have a bearing on your business going forward.

Native vs. Hybrid App Choice

This is another important choice to be made. Selecting a native app option is wrong if audience reach is very small. However, by choosing the hybrid app option your app penetration will increase but it entails a high budget and complicated development procedure. Take a call only after analyzing end-user preferences. Hence, it’s ideal to develop a hybrid app that is compatible on multiple platforms – Android, iOS, and Windows smoothly.

UI/UX Design of the App

This is an important matter and a decision has to be taken only after careful consideration. Customers love apps with intuitive UI/UX experience. This is true for software applications as well. Accord UI/UX design is a high priority in your app development process. Always keep in mind that UI and UX are unique. UI happens to be the design of the app interface, which also helps in devising user experience (UX).To get desired outcome on this count opt for professional help.

Backend abilities

It’s critical to look into the back-end abilities of your enterprise mobile app. With a potent database problems related to data security, storage, and connectivity can be tackled with ease. The contemporary business apps depend on API integrations for the transfer of information with third-party apps to carry out particular functions. Whereas, certain developers avoid a custom backend. Therefore look into aspects like cost and time involved while taking a call on having a customized backend.

Accord high priority for app Security

Security is very critical for enterprise apps. Don’t depend on in-app security features to protect your app against cyber threats and data breach incidents. From the very start of the project itself, your developers should consider including extra safety measures to upgrade your app security levels. You can opt for methods such as password safeguard, high-level authorization, role-based access, API gateways, potent data safety policies etc.

Turn your App Expandable

While building an enterprise app you should factor in future needs apart from the current requirements. For example, if you wish to develop an enterprise web app or platform, you should also think about a mobile version to offer better usage options. Also, ponder over the app architecture – does it have the bandwidth to house new functionality or features if and when the need arises. Is your application compatible with third-party app integrations? How much would it cost to incorporate a new set of functionalities in your app? These things go a long way in deciding the fate of your application going forward.

Figure out app monetization

Configuring app monetization processes at the beginning of your project is important. To enhance the app monetization rate, you have to first spike your app use and popularity among the users. Gather feedback from end-users – employees and clients – via online surveys and questionnaires regarding your application. For example, in case the app is meant for your employees, seek answers for questions like how it’s helping in aiding their productivity etc. Also, look at including new features in the next update on the basis of user feedback.

Think ahead

Your contribution doesn’t end with app release. You should constantly think and plan for the upcoming app releases. Also, take crucial calls pertaining to budget, user experience, and monetization processes. It is to be noted that the app you develop should constantly evolve and be more beneficial for the target audience. As for enterprise apps, it’s never for the company, but employees and customers who use it.

Some Regular Examples of Enterprise Applications

It is very much evident by now that the enterprise apps are essential for any business to optimize their business processes, organize communication, and accelerate employee productivity. Having business apps help companies to carry out business transactions swiftly and precisely.

Some Usual Enterprise Applications

Wrap up

It is very much evident that building an enterprise app is by no means an easy job. You have to be very careful and forward thinking to come out with a business application that can turn daily jobs very much convenient for your employees. All the above-mentioned factors are crucial for your enterprise app development efforts. In case you have enough of time and money, executing the above strategies will definitely help you develop a perfect app solution.

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Why is it essential to invest in app maintenance and support ?

Why is it essential to invest in app maintenance and support ?

Several people who own an app business are oblivious to the significance of putting money in mobile app maintenance and support services. In case you wish to develop a new app or have, of late, launched one, you should know about the importance of app maintenance and support for future success. So, let us delve into the significance of app maintenance and support.

Mobile App Maintenance and Support

Mobile app maintenance and support pertains to the whole set of procedures adhered to for ensuring a smooth and hassle-free operation of any live mobile app. It comprises tracking, processing, fixing and upgrading the components it is made of to provide a superior end user experience. Statistics point out that close to 52 per cent of the apps get taken down by several users within the first three months of the launch. This happens due to improper app maintenance to improve the user experience. Despite having advanced features and functionalities there will always be a room for improvement. Hence, the app maintenance and assistance, which aid in pushing the new features to your current app or deal with the bugs.

Mobile Apps Needing Maintenance

In order to gauge the support and maintenance required in any app the understanding of the feature and complexity level of the same become imperative. For example, if you own a complex eCommerce app having millions of daily active users, you need a more proactive maintenance plan. So, based on the kind of your app, the amount of daily active users, and the complexity aspect, go for the pertinent maintenance plan from any efficient mobile app maintenance and support service provider.

Several Types of Mobile App Maintenance

i. Emergency Maintenance

This type of maintenance handles all the imminent problems and mistakes that surround the system and seek quick remedy. If a company gets into an unpredictable but important troublesome situation regarding their mobile app, they must avail emergency maintenance.

ii. Perfective Maintenance

With target users utilizing the app, some new or altered user needs unravel. Perfective maintenance factors in those feedbacks. It entails operational alterations in the source code, in order to offer active app users an incredible user experience,similar to their liking.

iii. Adaptive Maintenance

Over here maintenance is focussed upon updating the system to keep it relevant with the evolving hardware or software surrounding. Environment, in this sphere, pertains to the effects and working conditions, which affect the application’s system.

iv. Preventive Maintenance

This is primarily the intervention based on cutting down or doing away with the development of errors. It basically works on lessening the complications of the application and enhancing the knowledge and maintenance factor.

v. Corrective Maintenance

Finally, corrective maintenance refers to rectifying faults and leftover errors in the daily app operations. Residual errors pertain to mistakes in design, logic or coding. They are generally extracted from the bugs flagged by users.

Significance of App Maintenance Services

More than anything else one should be aware of the significance of mobile app maintenance services. In the current cut-throat scenario it has become essential to optimize the app’s performance, and retain current users, while trying to lure more users.

Mobile app maintenance can be a blessing in such a scenario as it ensures a superlative user experience.

i. Be relevant to changing technologies

With mobile and tablet manufacturers bringing fresh models of the hardware systems, the new devices do not have similar size specifications or features. For example, the advent of a face and fingerprint recognition altered screen sizes. An app that cannot gel with the evolving hardware and OS, turns irrelevant in the current context. A diligent and dedicated maintenance team becomes essential to get along with these changes from time to time and assists in retaining user loyalty.

ii. Enhance the UI

The look and feel of any app are essential in ensuring its growth in the market. The UI has to be appealing and functional, so as to keep the users attached to it. Having an organized maintenance plan, you can easily harness the best UI.

Iii. Gel with changing OS

Each year, it is not unusual to see an update in the iOS and Android platforms. Without updating your current apps they won’t function at all or properly. Such problems should not occur with your app as well. With a maintenance plan inclusive of thorough audits if the beta version of the update released is optimal for doing away with last-minute inconvenience to the users. Maintenance prompts the right intervention at the appropriate time.

iv. Remain in line with software library updates

App developers, as a usual practice, like to utilize the pre-coded software libraries to cut out several inactive coding work. This even implies that they must make sure that your app software is in sync with any updates in the relevant libraries. Maintenance plans have a useful role on this count and make sure continued optimality.

v. Handle downtimes with ease

Downtimes are usual and inevitable in most of the segment of information technology.

Even the big fish such as Amazon, Blackberry etc have suffered downtimes which have negatively impacted their revenue. By putting money in constant and prompt app maintenance aids in spotting such downtimes before it wreaks havoc. Getting organized maintenance plans implies that you’re assured of quick remedy to restore the normal functioning in case of such problems.

vi. Assure constant and strong safety

With hackers and cybercriminals having easy time in exploiting gaps in the digital arena, even the ideal security protocols and encryptions go out of fashion in quick time.

In case your app is having crucial information, it can easily have negative and uncontrollable implications. Regular app maintenance aids in maintaining high security. It ensures that the newest security protocols and measures are implemented to safeguard the app and its users from the threats emanating from cyberspace.

Price tag of App Maintenance and Support Services

It is totally wrong to assume that app maintenance can cost you badly. In fact, the real cost is less severe than the security threats and malfunctioning of apps. Chiefly, it’s the two aspects in conjunction that dictate the price for your app:

Complexity: The more complex the app happens to be the more holistic its maintenance becomes.

Frequency: Then it is the turn of frequency of intervention. Weekly or monthly maintenance can cost more than quarterly or half yearly maintenance.

As such, the expense can be dissected into the following elements –

  • Hosting expenses
  • Monitoring and crash analytics
  • App store optimization
  • Licenses
  • Regularity of including new content
  • Marketing costs
  • Emergency scenarios

Finally

So, it is critical to accept that the cost hinges heavily on how your app got initially built. If it hasn’t been engineered to expand, the maintenance cost can go up considerably as the app increases its user base. Generally, the companies that offer app development services also give the maintenance plans. You have the option to get the same team or go for another seasoned app maintenance service provider.