10 Costly Mistakes Developers Make When Building A Mobile App

Modern technology has given us a lot of things; faster internet, accessibility of data, and apps that will do everything for you! From basic things like tracking, planning, and leisure to more complex ideas that align themselves with niche areas of functioning- there is an app for everything. 

If one is to follow surveys, there are over 4 million apps on the AppStore and Google Play store. And if stats are to be believed, the number is only increasing. However, not every app is able to garner the success the makers may have envisaged. And while the actual reason may not be recognised by a third person, there are some common mistakes that are made in the process of app development that may write off the fate of the app. It is obvious that nobody plans on making errors. And while not all errors can be avoided, some can be averted. 

10 Costly Mistakes Developers Make When Building An App 

We have compiled a list of 10 costly mistakes developers make while building a mobile app, from its inception to the final user experience and review.  

1. Research

Anyone who has ever worked in app development may know that almost everyone is impatient. The process of creation is satiating and fulfilling, which makes the developers jump the gun and immediately start with the process. What often gets overlooked is doing the due diligence while researching. This may end up becoming the costliest mistake on your end. 

Knowing your app well enough to find the best-fitting platform for it is one of the fundamentals of app development. This step may save you a lot of brainstorming and frustration. It quite honestly becomes a make-or-break factor in the app’s future. 

An app’s development has several crucial decisions. There are numerous ways of building an app; 

• You can code on your own 
• You can take the help of app creators to avoid coding 
• You can hire an agency 
• You can hire a freelancer to help you out 
• You can become a white-label reseller 

These are broader categories that encompass several smaller categories as well. So these are not decisions that can be made in haste. It requires ample forethought that is substantiated through research. App development should be tailored well according to your needs. 

2. First Impressions

It is a very common saying that first impressions are often last impressions. While this may not hold up when it comes to people and experiences, it is true when it comes to user expectations while using an app.  

These first impressions also determine word of mouth and future traffic engagement on your app. Every user has set expectations from a brand, and their fulfillment decides their further usage. Hence, first-user interactions are very important. Below are some pointers as well as common mistakes that must be avoided; 

• Your welcome page shall hold great appeal 
• Aim to focus on every user’s preferences 
• An ill-developed homepage may decrease the number of our early visitors 
• One thing that must be avoided is a long and tedious registration process. Don’t have your users fill out forms from the get-go. It may discourage further use of the app. 
• A simple sign-in process can be followed instead. 
• Integrating logins through social media platforms makes the process easier for the user. 

3. User Experience

User experience is one of the prime factors that determine an app’s continued use. Many apps can be frustrating to use because they’re not as user-friendly as they should be. Repetitive ads, constant pop-ups, and multiple user permissions are some of the examples that may make the app frustrating. Such features don’t do much besides bloating the application and increasing the chance of failure. 

One needs to place themselves in the shoes of a user to properly grasp the concept of making apps user-friendly and enhance their experience. 

4. Failing to stick to a Budget

Budgeting is essential to any business undertaking. Going past the budget is a very commonly observed issue in app development. There may be several factors that inflate the budget, like; 

• Not being thorough enough while estimating a ballpark figure is the top problem of budgeting. One needs to be realistic with expense planning. Nobody understands the needs and process of an app better than the developer. Instead of settling for an unrealistic figure, get real with the numbers. 
• Another issue is failing to plan the aspects of the project properly. The budget needs to be allocated for all aspects of app development. It won’t cross the budget if the amount is allocated properly. 
• There should always be some money set aside when the development incurs unexpected costs. The trends are constantly evolving, and apps require updating that may come with unplanned expenditures. 

Many factors need to be considered before you decide upon a number for the app. And these need to be researched properly. 

5. Marketing Your App 

As a developer, one’s role doesn’t simply end at the completion of the development bit. Marketing is the main way of guaranteeing your app’s success. A lot rides on the marketing strategy that you devise for your product. Your domain and audience can be important points for consideration while planning a strategy. Your plan may include posting on blogs for promotion, curating content for social media, reaching out to PR agencies, etc. 

6. Mobile vs Website

Sometimes developers don’t put enough effort into creating a website for the mobile app, and the website ends up looking like a clone of the mobile app, or vice versa. Mobile apps gain more momentum than websites simply because users are able to access them on the go/ so making your mobile app a replica of your website may not be the best way to go. 

Mobile and web are two separate spaces that have different modes of operation, which is why your app needs to be adept for both platforms. Users have different expectations for a mobile app, so don’t waste your money and resources on cloning the website. There needs to be something unique in the mobile version that makes people download the app. However, a common colour scheme and font can be used for brand semblance. 

7. UI/UX Build

UI/UX design often gets neglected in the process of development. The user interface is an important aspect that cannot take a backseat. One of the primary reasons behind uninstalling apps is the below-average UI/UX design. 

As mentioned earlier a few times, a user has expectations when they access an app. One can take the popular and successful apps as the blueprint for concocting the perfect app. Simple apps with quick navigation among the numerous functions are one fail-proof way. One can also include a search feature and a quick home page view. 

Getting too creative may lead to a complex app that isn’t the most user-friendly. Design shouldn’t be a hindrance to the user. It is best to stick to what works. 

8. Testing Phase

Testing is one step that cannot be skipped at any cost while developing mobile apps. It should always be an ongoing procedure. It will be extremely helpful to fix bugs and provide insights to improve user experience. 

Make sure that you have a strong in-house testing outlook. Apart from in-house activities, it can also be outsourced to experts for third-person reviews. Assure that proper and efficient tools are being used for testing; this will guarantee accurate insights. Always allow an appropriate amount of time for testing. 

9. Overloading of Features

In our race to make the app as unique and all-encompassing as possible, we sometimes may go overboard on the features. It is a common observation that the simpler the app, the likelier it is to be popular with the masses. Too many features often confuse users and heighten the likelihood of uninstallation of the app altogether. 

This can be averted if the main features of the app are highlighted, making them easier to identify. Overburdening the app for the sake of vanity is not the best approach to take. Expertly developing simple features will guarantee the scope of success. 

10. Targeting Too Many Platforms at Once

Taking things one at a time is probably the best advice anyone can give you when it comes to app development. Don’t be in haste to put your app out on every possible platform simultaneously. 

A few things to consider; 

• Gauge the benefits of every platform and rule out the weaknesses. Select one platform among Windows, iOS, and Android. 
• Assess your target audience well. It is common knowledge that Android dominates a majority of the volume of users 
• Consider all factors involved in making the choice and select one that caters to your app’s needs the best 

In Conclusion 

We hope that no app developers make these common errors. And if you have no clue how to go about developing your mobile presence, there is no need to look further. 

We at Saffron Tech, have industry experts to aid you with all your digital needs. We can help you transform into a digitally-sound brand by delivering top-notch solutions custom-tailored to your needs. The digital space can be an especially daunting one. However, in the right hands, it can make you into an indispensable force. Reach out to us today for a better future! .