Hard to believe, but it's been almost 10 years since the commercial for the iPhone 3G coined the phrase, "There's an app for that." Since then, the mobile app market has exploded, with statistics portal 3.8 million apps available on Google Play, and 2.2 million apps on the Apple App Store in the first quarter of 2018. At this point, your business probably already has a mobile app, or is planning to launch one. If the latter is the case, choosing the right mobile app development company is essential to success. But what should you base your decision upon? Here is what you need to know - and think about - before even starting your search.
Facts about the mobile app market
With so many mobile apps in every conceivable category vying for a narrowing band of attention, you should first be sure it meets a specific need of your target market. Thomas Smale - founder of FE International writing for Entrepreneur - provides this observation :
"The temptation for even small, local businesses to develop their own app is completely understandable. An app that gains you traction with customers can be a significant way to boost business. And the solid number of active users that the app brings is one of the most important factors for determining how to value an app and how the app adds to the overall value of your business."
But the key phrase in Smale's observation is "active users." Statista offers this cautionary : During its most recent survey period, only 21 percent of people who downloaded a mobile app continued to use it after six months. Which means that even though your app may initially be popular, most users could quickly lose interest.
Mobile app trends
So how can your app keep your audience interested for long-term engagement? Relevancy is essential, as consumers use their mobile devices to find what's important to them. Search Engine Land's Brian Solis - Principal Analyst at Altimeter Group - chronicled four new growth trends in mobile apps, via . Basically, people want apps that will help them do the following:
- Become more productive and discover new conveniences.
- Learn new things and refine skills.
- Improve mind and body to stay in shape physically and mentally.
- Better manage finances or find ways to save money.
Notes Solis, "... it is clear consumers are becoming increasingly empowered and specific in how and what they search for in apps." Which smoothly leads to this segue into how to find a mobile app developer.
How to find a mobile app developer
- Assess what you want your app to do - Determine the purpose of your app, as well as a basic concept of functionalities and features. Appademics provides a very helpful on the subject from the app developer's experience and perspective.
How to find us
While you're compiling your list, Virtual Stacks Systems has over two decades in the software industry, and is experienced in developing user-friendly, engaging mobile apps for businesses in a wide variety of industries. to learn more.
