Let's face it, developing an app is no small feat. As a business owner, the stakes are high and the pressure is real; you've got to tackle market research, development timelines, user experience, and so much more. But here’s a little secret: tricky as it may seem, sidestepping common pitfalls can make your journey a whole lot smoother. We’ve seen businesses falter at various stages, and more often than not, it boils down to a handful of recurring mistakes.
Mistakes are the portals of discovery.James Joyce
In this guide, we're diving into the frequent errors many businesses make during app research. By the end, you'll walk away with actionable insights to steer clear of these traps and set your app development on a solid path.
Chasing the latest technology or trending features might seem like a smart move, but it can be misleading. Often, businesses get drawn to new and flashy capabilities without considering whether they truly add value to their app or, more importantly, to their users. Just because a competitor releases an app with enhanced AI capabilities doesn’t mean your app needs it too. Focus first on solving the core problems your users face.
It’s like wearing a fancy suit to a beach party – sure, it looks impressive, but it doesn’t fit the occasion. Rushing after every new tech advancement can leave your app cluttered, confusing, and disconnected from your main objective. You want your app to be like a well-tailored outfit, fitting perfectly to the needs and wants of your users.
Avoid the temptation of “shiny objects” by:
Remember, it's always better to build an app that does a few things exceptionally well rather than trying to do everything and ending up mediocre. Keep your eyes on the prize: a functional, user-friendly app that meets your users' needs and supports your business goals.
It's easy to get excited about creating a new app, but if you’re not considering the actual needs and preferences of your end-users, you’re setting yourself up for potential failure. Think about it: if your app doesn’t resonate with your target audience, they won’t use it; and that’s a huge problem.
One common mistake is assuming you know what your users want without actually asking them which can lead to misguided decisions that don’t address the real pain points of your users. For example, imagine developing an app with a myriad of features, but the majority of your users only need three core functionalities. All the extra bells and whistles are just unnecessary and can clutter the user experience.
Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.Bill Gates
The solution? Conduct thorough user research and engage with your target audience through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and user testing. This research will provide valuable insights into what your users actually need, and it will help ensure your app is user-friendly and meets their expectations. Remember, happy users lead to higher retention rates, which ultimately contributes to your app’s success.
It’s not just about what users say they want; it’s also about understanding their behaviour. Sometimes, users are unaware of the solutions they need until they see them in action. Observing user interactions with similar apps or beta versions of your own app can uncover hidden needs and desires.
At Glance, we’ve seen firsthand how apps that truly consider their end-users thrive. We’ve worked with businesses that took the time to invest in user research and reaped the rewards of a loyal customer base. So, before you dive headfirst into app development, take a step back and ensure you’re in tune with your users’ needs. It’s an investment worth making.
It's a classic scenario: you dive into market research, eager to uncover valuable insights. But somehow, along the way, the data gets tangled up. Misinterpretation is surprisingly common and can stem from various things. Here’s how to avoid them:
Lack of Clarity in Research Objectives: If your research objectives are vague or too broad, the data collected may not be actionable. Before you start, know precisely what you're looking to find out. Instead of "what do our customers want?", try something like, "how do our customers feel about our mobile app’s user interface?". This sharp focus will guide you to more relevant insights.
Small Sample Size: While you may be tempted to draw conclusions from a smaller, manageable set of data, this can lead to misleading results. Ensure your sample size is large enough to reflect your target market. Think of it like trying to understand your company’s culture by only talking to one department – you’re unlikely to get the full picture.
Biased Information Sources: Relying on biased information sources can skew your findings. Be critical of where the data comes from by using diverse sources for a well-rounded view. It's like reading reviews; don’t just trust a single glowing testimonial instead seek out varied opinions to see the broader landscape.
Businesses frequently struggle with these hurdles, and it’s easy to get frustrated. But by accounting for these issues, you can turn your data into a solid foundation for decision-making. At Glance, we’ve seen the positive impact of accurate, well-analyzed data first-hand, so make sure you do it!
Let's be honest—no business wants their app to be a failure. Scalability means planning for success, whether that success is right around the corner or years down the line. Picture this: your app launches and becomes an instant hit. It's being downloaded left, right, and centre. Fantastic, right? But then, uh-oh, it crashes because your server can’t handle the newfound traffic. That’s a nightmare scenario!!
When you're doing your app research, think big and act smart. Your app should be able to grow as your user base increases. This involves ensuring that your back-end infrastructure can handle an influx of users. It's not just about handling high volume; you also need to think about adding new features, supporting additional device types, and expanding to new markets.
Let's say you're running a retail business, and you've just launched an app. Initially, you might have a couple of hundred users, but what if you have thousands during a sale or promotional event? If your app is not scalable, it will fail when you need it the most. To avoid this, make sure you’re asking the right questions during the research phase—Can the infrastructure handle more users? What about more data or more transactions?
The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.Henry Ford
Another aspect to consider is the financial scalability. Planning for scalability means allocating budget for upgrades, future-proofing your technology stack, and possibly considering cloud services that allow you to scale up—or down—according to demand.
Addressing scalability from the start will save you headaches (and heartaches) later, so, don’t wait for a tech disaster to force the issue. Be proactive and integrate scalability into your app research and development strategy right from the start.
When it comes to designing an app, more is not always better. We often encounter businesses who fall into the trap of wanting to offer every possible feature, thinking it will set their app apart. While it’s tempting to include every bell and whistle, this can overwhelm users and detract from the overall experience.
Have you ever used an app that has so many options that you spend more time figuring it out than you do actually using it? Frustrating, right? Well, your users feel the same way. It’s crucial to focus on simplicity and usability. Think of each feature as a door – if you have too many doors, your users won’t know which one to walk through. Prioritise the features that are most valuable to your users and ensure they can easily navigate through your app.
Remember, a clean and straightforward user experience fosters satisfaction and loyalty. Keep the user journey smooth and intuitive. For instance, Instagram started as a straightforward photo-sharing app. It became a household name and only later added more features, like Stories and Shopping, as users became comfortable and started demanding more.
A great rule of thumb is, if a 12-year-old can’t figure out your app within a few minutes, it’s probably too complicated. Keep your design intuitive, your navigation clear, and always, always, think from your user’s perspective. After all, they are the ones who will make or break your app’s success.
It's easy to underestimate how long it takes to develop an app, especially when you're keen to get it to market. But rushing things never leads to good outcomes. Think of it like baking a cake; if you take it out of the oven too soon, you're left with a gooey mess. And nobody likes gooey messes, right?
One common mistake is setting overly ambitious deadlines. We get it, the excitement can be overwhelming, however, it's crucial to build in enough time for thorough testing, unexpected hitches, and final tweaks. An app filled with bugs, because it was pushed out in haste, is a recipe for user frustration and negative reviews.
Communicate clearly with your development team about realistic timelines. It's so important to align expectations at the outset. Ask all the right questions: "What does the development cycle look like?" or "How much time do we need for different stages?" This will save you from scrambling at the eleventh hour.
Finally, remember that flexibility is your ally. A rigid timeline with no room for adjustments can set you up for failure. Sometimes great ideas or necessary changes pop up during development, and having a little leeway allows your team to incorporate them without derailing the entire project.
So, next time you're mapping out the timeline for your app development, give it the time it truly needs. Trust us, your future self—and your users—will thank you.
In the rush to get your app to market, it's easy to overlook the myriad legal and compliance concerns bound to arise. But ignoring these aspects can be a recipe for disaster. From data protection regulations to intellectual property rights, there’s a minefield of rules to navigate. Miss a step here, and it could cost you dearly—not just in fines, but in lost user trust and credibility.
Take, for example, the GDPR in Europe. It's not just about having a privacy policy; it’s about how you handle user data, from collection to storage and everything in between. Even a small oversight can lead to hefty fines, not to mention the potential PR nightmare. And it’s not just about law—compliance can cover industry-specific standards as well. If you're in the health sector, for instance, HIPAA compliance is non-negotiable.
So, how do you stay on top of it all? First, make compliance a core part of your developmental process, not an afterthought. Involve legal experts from the outset to identify potential roadblocks and navigate around them. Secondly, regular audits can help ensure you stay compliant as laws and regulations evolve. Trust us; it's less painful to address these issues during development than to scramble for solutions post-launch.
Remember, getting compliance right from the start isn't just a legal necessity—it's a trust-building exercise with your future users. Stay proactive, and you'll not only avoid nasty surprises, but you'll also present yourself as a reliable and responsible player in your field.
Taking the time to conduct thorough and thoughtful app research can mean the difference between an app that thrives and one that fizzles out. We've seen businesses, time and again, make avoidable mistakes that lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities. From falling for the allure of the latest tech trends to overlooking the critical needs of their end-users, these missteps are not only common but also costly.
At Glance, we understand the pressures and challenges you face. The app landscape is dynamic and riddled with pitfalls, but by avoiding these common mistakes, you can set your project on a path to success. It’s about making informed decisions, listening to your audience, and being adaptable without losing sight of your core objectives.
Remember, it's not just about keeping up with the competition; it's about creating something that genuinely adds value and stands the test of time. And if you ever feel like the weight of app development is too much to bear on your own, don't hesitate to reach out to experts who can guide you through the process.
After all, your app could be the next big thing—make sure it's given the best chance to shine.