Myth 1. Users and Customers Are Synonymous
You must have heard app developers talk about ‘users’ more often than they talk about ‘customers’. There is a very significant difference between the two as the user is a person who interacts with the app and a customer is the one that app serves.
When app developers think about the user they are thinking about the user flow and user experience. Both these are very important in the app development process but they do not address the business problem. The one question that app developers answer before developing the app is, why will people download the app?
Trying to figure out why will people download an app requires proper planning during which developers concentrate more on their target audience by determining goals, needs and wants of their audience. Once they have complete information about the user they can continue to design and develop an app.
Myth 2. Mobile App Development Is About Writing Code
Most of the myths about mobile application development arise from misunderstanding created due to the changing nature of the technology. Until a few years ago, when mobile apps were new to the market, simply writing good code and making a few screens would have got you a top ranking application with millions of downloads.
Today, things have changed drastically and developing a successful mobile application takes more than the sheer knowledge about iOS and Android technologies. Companies are looking for applications that will bring them a good return on investment (ROI).
App developers must understand the ways in which an app can ensure a good ROI. Capturing the interest of the customers takes careful planning and strategizing. Today, app development is about making successful products by continuous improvement, growth strategies and measuring results carefully.
Myth 3. As Soon as People See Your App, They Will Download It
Some of the most successful apps in the App store look amazing but that alone does not make the app successful. The value proposition of an app is the deciding factor for the app to be successful. We can define the value proposition as the promise an app offers to its users. A well-articulated value proposition is what drives downloads.
When app developers focus more on the graphics it can distract them from the larger goal that is to deliver actual value. A value proposition can be broken down into three parts:
-Emphasizing the app’s benefits
-Explaining how an app solves a customer’s problem or improves their life.
-Differentiating an app from the competition.
A user will pay attention to graphics but may not download the app due to it unless the app adds value to the user or caters to a real life problem.
Myth 4. The Idea Is Everything
Most entrepreneurs think the idea is the key to a successful app. The harsh reality is that ideas are worthless on their own. Idea is only as good as the life in it.
There are three main factors that an app developer must keep in mind when building an app. They are:-
-The right timing
-The right market
-The right place
In simple words, a successful app is a perfect fit for the market.
Myth 5. Once the app is launched, you can relax
Launching an app is like setting up a new business, it requires proper nurturing and time to grow. If it doesn’t grow, it fails.
Even though most people agree with the idea of launching an MVP (minimum viable product) before the final product and keep iterating and adding features to it. Even though this is the right way to do it, people get attached to the feature list which usually makes it difficult to identify the core functionalities of the app.
MVP is feasible as it validates the idea by testing the app with the target audience. The purpose of the MVP is listening to users and adapting accordingly. An inability to adapt will lead to failure of the product.
In the long run, app developers should figure out what exactly the mean by “growth.” Does growth mean expanding the existing user base, satisfying loyal users, making a larger profit, or developing innovative technology?
Once the goal is set, developers can measure the effectiveness of the strategy they used through analytics and user testing and then use the relevant data to measure the success of their application. By following this, no myths of mobile app development can be affect your decision to build an app.
