Mobile application development is booming! There are a lot of professionals and amateurs that want to ride the trend. As a matter of fact, everyone is interested in creating the most engaging and top-selling mobile apps and achieve thereby excellent outcomes. However, on the way to success, it is necessary to bear in mind other people’s experience that can be of great help in the process of developing a mobile app.
Below are 5 common mistakes an app developer should avoid
1. Too many features
One of the first mistakes an app developer might make is to use all mobile device’s built-in features in their app. Smartphones and tablet PCs available on the market today come with such cool things as accelerometer, gyroscope, camera, GPS, etc. However, it is better to keep a narrow focus on very specific uses of the mobile device’s capabilities. No matter how good your app might look, it shouldn’t be oversaturated with all conceivable and inconceivable features.
2. Complicated UI
The UI (user interface) needs to be intuitive, easy-to-operate, and to the point. Keep your end-user in mind. An average consumer is not a geek. Hence, do not overcomplicate the interface. Users give preference to mobile applications where each screen, each button, and each function is pretty well defined and handy. In addition, the app’s design should include good color choices that work in environments with different light: sunlight, dark rooms, nighttime, etc.
3. Lack of adequate testing
Once your app is complete, you need to thoroughly check its functionality. When it is not properly tested on real devices, various bugs and performance issues may arise. Releasing the app on the market with bugs can evoke a storm of user complaints and low ratings. The process of bug removal might be a tiring and time-consuming process, but the game is worth the candle. Therefore, it’s highly important to check and recheck.
4. Just one language
Language localization is one of the things app developers know they should do. Give your mobile application a global audience by making it comprehensible not only in English, but also in other languages, and hence open for new markets. Research and determine your potential end-users in various countries and set up languages in your app correspondingly. According to a recent analysis report by Distimo, a Dutch company that tracks the popularity of apps, the top growth markets for applications in Apple’s App Store for the iPhone include the following countries:
Table 1: Top fastest growing countries in terms of revenue
in Apple’s App Store for iPhone (May 2011 – May 2012)
Source: Distimo BV, June 2012
5. Assumption of getting rich overnight
Mobility implies an exciting future, and to dream big is good. Many people are inspired by Rovio’s Angry Birds app which has been sold more than 700 million times already, but it is their 52nd game. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind that mobile application development does not 100 percent equals quick money. Let’s get real. Whatever you do, there are always three elements to take into account: time, effort, and money. So, the process of getting to the point where you are able to release a market hit might require a good deal of patience.
Industries and Technology Areas:
Industries: information technology
Technology Areas: mobile application development, software development, smartphone, tablet, Android, iOS, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Windows Phone
