Apple’s iPhone, Samsung’s Galaxy, Microsoft’s Lumia, Lenovo, etc. are only the names of a few brands which are dominating the mobile marketplace. There are several other players and between them, they have captured a mind-boggling customer base.
These customers are thirsting for apps which simplify their lives, provide easy access to various necessities and luxuries, give them updated information on travel, weather, and distances.
In a similar way, the market for apps is expanding with more and more creative apps finding their way into stores from where they are downloaded and used.
As more and more devices proliferate the market, app developers are waking up to the huge potential that is available. Yet, for every 1000 developers, only a few see a successful adaption of their apps. So what are the hurdles that face mobile application development firms:
Unique Idea, zero visibility
Ask any app developer what he feels about his app, and his answer will not surprise you. For him, it is the invention of the year. Mobile Application Development is not just about creating something from somewhere. It is about creating something from nothing. It is an idea, an innovation and for the app developer, it is brilliant.
Well then, why is the same developer struggling to popularize his idea? The reason is, an app, after development sits in a store. There is no visibility for the app.
It is only necessity based. Do I need a flashlight? I look for a flashlight app, on a dark night. Do I want a compass? I look for one when I am stuck in the middle of nowhere. Thus, brilliance alone is not enough to launch a successful app. What is required is its utility or usability factor.
Give 7 out of 10 for usability and 5 for ingenuity and you have a fairly good chance of launching a successful product.
Marketing Necessary.No budget
App developers are so caught up in the design and execution of the app, that they leave the marketing to the end when their budget has already run out. Without marketing and advertising, an app has to wait to be discovered. Will it be? Read point one above.
Development Approach
After the idea for an app has been vetted, the next big concern for an app development company is which platform to target and whether the app should be native, hybrid or cross-platform. This is a tough decision. But experience indicates that it is better to go with a hybrid or cross-platform instead of a native application.
The reason is, wider your consumer base, better the chances of finding more customers. Also, if your application is online and you want a mobile version of it, then look for a good software engineering firm which can help you to create a cross-platform app. Over the years, native apps are preferred as they are more feature rich and rendering is better.
However, only trained eyes can make out the difference between a native and a hybrid app and it is not necessary to limit yourself.
Keeping in mind the above challenges, app developers need to have a plan in place wherein marketing takes priority over development. The reason is, hindsight is not good for start-ups. Having a clear strategic marketing goal can help to hit the ground running and make sure that the product is populated in all the right stores, is visible to target customers and thereby is downloaded and used.
Apps need to be secure, bug-free and work across a wide range of devices. This comprehensive nature of an app will ensure wider adoption. But the final and more important requirement is a gem of an idea, a brilliantly innovative idea which will simply sell itself!
Custom Software Development 