Now it is already impossible to imagine modern business without a website and social media profiles. No matter what you do, people, we emphasize, should know about you on the Internet, see your company, its activities and offers. Such an idea creates a desire to purchase your product or service, even if a person has not bought from you before. But if all this is necessary and goes without saying, then what about mobile applications?
Apps are not suitable for all businesses. Moreover, in almost all cases, a mobile application is not developed as the first IT product for a business; rather, the application will complement and expand existing IT products, be it a website, blog or service. However, there are times when the goal of a business is a mobile application, but in this article we will consider a different situation. For example, you have a website and thoughts about developing your mobile application. This has its advantages:
- the application requires fewer actions from the user than the site, which makes it convenient to use;
- the application can run faster than a web browser;
- the application provides a personalized and convenient interface for each phone or tablet;
- the application is the image of the company and the trust of customers.
It is no secret that the number of smartphone and tablet users is growing and traffic on the entire Internet is already led by mobile devices (60 to 90 percent of all connections). Therefore, thinking about developing an application seems like a promising idea, although there are some nuances. To understand all the possible problems, consider the beliefs to consider before developing.
The app must have a clear purpose
By downloading the application, each user wants to solve some problem. For example, he wants to read - downloads an e-book, wants to follow workouts - a special program for drawing up a set of exercises with reminders, and so on. For your application to be in demand, it must solve at least one user problem.
The application should solve or facilitate the solution of a specific problem
If you have a site with a feedback form or an appointment for an event, you hardly need an application. After all, it is easier for a user to perform an action online than to download an application, use your service and then delete the application as unnecessary. People download the application only if it really makes it easier to perform some actions or gives access to unique useful functions that are not available anywhere else.
Application needs to be monitored
An important detail is that the application, like the website, must be constantly monitored. If errors, negative comments or low ratings occur, they need to be quickly responded to and corrected, which creates a favorable impression of caring for users and helps the application to appear above the rest in the list of applications (similar to search results on Google). You also need to update the software component in time, as it may become outdated.
The application should be simple and easy to use
It seems trite, but unlike websites, the user makes more effort using your application and expects more too. To open an application, you need to download it, and before that you also need to find it in Google Play or the App store, unlike a website that simply opens via a link on the Internet, feel the difference? Therefore, the expectations from the application are higher, and they must be justified. If a person closes the site, he can return to it later, but if a person has deleted the application, then it is unlikely that he will ever install it again.
The application must be modern
All people have their own preferences for choosing a device and must be respected. To do this, the application must be available on all devices, be it iPhone or Android, tablet or smartphone. So you have to make the application equally fast and beautiful for all of these devices in order to be in demand among potential customers.
Is it necessary or not?
If you can affirmatively and reasonably say “Yes” to the five main points above, then you can safely plan the development of a mobile application. Of course, even a simple application can cost more than a website, but with proper planning, all costs are paid off in the first year of the application's operation. Once again, make sure that your application is easy to use, it effectively and quickly solves the user's problem, is supported on all devices and monitored by specialists.
Otherwise, if you have a website with simple functionality, it is better to invest money in its modernization and acceleration, for example, use new technologies such as PWA (Progressive Web Application) or AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), or improve the design and mobile adaptation, thus making the site more accessible and easier to use, creating the same positive and strong image of your company.
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