5 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating an iOS or Android App
Thinking about developing an iOS or Android app? Find out more about the five mistakes to avoid when creating an iOS or Android application; and how you can learn from others’ mistakes, made in the creation and marketing process, that will save you a lot of time and money.
Boring Doesn’t Sell- Remember, there are a ton of applications available to users. Make sure your app says something to your intended customer. If it’s a game, make it exciting and interesting for the people downloading it. If it’s a weather app, make it intriguing to your target demographic. There is a lot of noise to sift through, so make sure your app doesn’t get lost with the rest of the apps that are failing. If you are creating an app that was developed six times…it is going to be BORING to the user. Be creative and think of something unique. According to Read Write Web, Apple receives 15,000 app submissions a week and 95% are accepted within a week of submission. Apple paid out over a $1 billion in AppStore revenue shares so there is a major opportunity to make money. You need to create something that catches people’s attention with significant user value to alleviate them from their boredom.
Your App is Good, Not Great- After creating your app, you may think that this is the best thing that’s happened since bubble gum in Blow Pops. Well I’m here to tell you that that isn’t true. You need to look at your product from a consumer standpoint. Point out flaws you see and what needs to be improved. Don’t become blind to what your product really is. After all, it is an application and that application needs to serve a purpose. Whether it’s providing information, entertainment, or music, it needs to be demonstrated. Listen to people that are close to you. If they think it has flaws, most likely other people will as well. Be creative and have fun with it!
Track Your Success- Be sure to realize who’s installing your app and what group these people fall into. Make sure to form a contact list of people that are contributing to your success. This will help when it comes to market other applications you create. Realize who is covering your application and where the buzz is coming from. What are the characteristics of the typical user and how can you target more of them? These sources are helpful when you decide you want to pitch other companies your new application. I highly recommend you get an account with Google Analytics. It provides you with information on traffic and marketing effectiveness.
Advertising- Once you settle on your product, it is time to determine available avenues for free advertising. Many social networks exist such as blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and your own website. Learn how to use these networks effectively, and it will save you time and money in the long run. There are ways to inhibit your success, so I recommend reading…yes reading, a few pieces of literature. Moller Marketing lists the top 10 social media marketing books that can improve your knowledge. They outline ways to be productive using social networks. Having your app on a web store list is important to get your app seen by the greatest audience. If you have a mobile web store, you better be promoting your app on it! Paid advertising is also an option. Email and text message campaigns can help you get the word out. Customers that already exist can receive messages via their phone or email or by building in a cross-sell feature in your apps.
Highlight Features- Make sure that users are aware of all the features included in your app. I for one don’t want to have to search around for what makes your app unique and helpful; it should stick out and impress me. Your app’s features need to be apparent to the user, don’t hide anything important that should be noticed.
So what struggles and success have you had regarding mobile app development? How has your business improved from avoiding development mistakes at the beginning? This article highlights key areas to focus on when developing and marketing your iOS and Android application; but if you have more to share, please feel free to leave a comment.
Matt Machacek, Marketing Communications, W3i, LLC
Matt is a senior in the Marketing program at SCSU. Matt is applying his learnings to W3i’s social media outreach.
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July 29th, 2010 at 9:01 am
[...] 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating an iOS or Android App – W3i Blog Some good tips for mobile app development, marketing and evaluation 1) Boring doesn't sell 2) Your App is Good, not Great 3) Track Your Success, 4) Advertising (I'd include Marketing) 5) Highlight Features [...]