We are observing a monumental growth globally in terms of smartphone penetration, and businesses feel that they all need apps as part of their mobile presence. I hate to break it to you, but an app is not a mobile strategy, and if you are planning to embark on this journey, you would need to look closer to see if you should appscond or appsolutely go for it.
Here are some guidelines to validate the need for an app:
Before you go on your appventure the most important thing is for you to ensure that you have the basics right. Before you move on to better things, make sure your backyard is clean. These are important matters to consider:
2) Visit the graveyard
Truth be told, for every successful app there are thousands of failed apps, which we refer to as the APP Graveyard. It is fierce competition out there because most users don’t download more than 40 apps and those apps that live on the second screen are bound to get deleted. The wakeup calls for apps longevity rests in the “emergency services” on the users’ phone. The user will receive frequent reminders to update and maintain apps on their phone and this is the make or break. Take the time and go and investigate why apps end up in this final resting place and if your business goal for the app is not something that can live in a mobi-site? Learn from others mistakes and avoid making the same.
Having a great idea for an app is not enough. An app should provide real value for a specific group of people and you need to have the end user in mind. Take the time to do your homework, by investigating the following:
4) What is in it for the end user?
There are many things to consider when you are planning an app, but this is probably the most important one. Here are some of the more important considerations:
5) Don’t drain the user’s device
It is paramount that your app does not drain the end user of memory on their phones, data usage, and importantly, power on their phones. Some apps are so well designed that you don’t require to have any data to use the app, so, for example, it can be used whilst flying on a plane, on airplane mode. Look at these options as majority of the market is very sensitive to data usage.
It’s time to address the elephant in the room. To develop an app is very costly and between wire framing, concept, design and development it is going to cost you a chunk of money. Once the app is ready to launch to market, further marketing spend is required to drive users to the app to download it as well as a well-thought out in-app messaging strategy to get them to continue to use it. Incentives and Rewards can only go so far, and it will take a lot of commitment to nurture your app to success – and maintain it.
It’s appsolutely paramount that you validate the need for an app and once you can tick all of the boxes, you are on your way for a very successful journey. We have seen very successful apps in the market place for example Uber, McDonalds Surprise Alarm, WhatsApp and Waze. Your brand might be next, so make it count.
In closing, as Neil Boortz famously quoted “Luck is opportunity met by preparation - and to be prepared or unprepared is a personal choice.”