In the digital era, where mobile apps are officially declared as “the next big thing”, it's a cardinal sin to even commit the slightest of mistake when it comes to the development of the mobile apps. Measuring a desirable mobile experience is a complex process and designers are trying hard to create the perfect mobile app with what less information they are presented with. An average mobile app doesn't stand a chance in this fiercely competitive marketplace. The pressure to create a top-notch app is huge and the designers and the developers are the first line of attack, those are destined to face it. Listed below are few crucial mistakes that custom mobile app development services should avoid at any cost while designing.
Note : I have written this article originally for Agriya blog
1. Poor Design
This is by far, the biggest and the most fundamental mistake committed during the app creation stage. UI designers are in-charge of the placement of elements, while the UX designers try to enhance the user experience. Both these designers have to give a thought in the user's point-of-view, try to visualize, how they are able to interact with the app that is being created. A simple and interactive design that works well on multiple levels will be for sure more engaging for the users. The designers should also be equipped with the latest happenings and the trends in the designing arena, so that they can come with innovative designs that will excite the end users.
2. Unnecessary Features
An app should be designed with only the required amount of features, even if it has to be just a handful. Too much of the features will only make the mobile app slow and affect the overall performance. It's important for designers to identify the primary features that will help in the main functionality of the app and if required can add additional features as updates for enhancement in a later stage.
3. Neglecting the Primary Goals & Objectives
This may happen when the designers commit to a lot of things at the same time. Negligence of the primary goals and objectives will lead straight to the path of failure. It also means that the designers loose track of the expectations of the app's target audience. All the hard work put in will be of no use, if they lose sight of their targeted, end users.
4. Tiring & Exhaustive Tutorials
Tutorials, without a doubt, are very much important to any app development as it acts as a guide that helps the end users. Unfortunately, most of the tutorials are overloaded with excessive information and ends up trying to explain the same point in multiple versions. If the app created, demands an exhaustive tutorial, make sure it's described in simple terms that the user can understand.
5. Taking Up A Complex Process
A pre-defined process that includes the necessary steps and goals for various time frames is what is required for an app development. Complicating things will only lead to a lot of confusion and will result in a creation of app with very low standards. Sometimes, designers get overambitious and apply multiple design elements, with the thought process that it will make the app unique. Even though this process may work for some apps, users tend to get irritated with over-styled visuals.
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6. Trying To Replicate Other Apps
A thumb rule for success in designing is, every product is unique its goals, value, functionality and the end users. An alarming trend that is followed nowadays is to replicate the design and functionality of a successful app blindly. There is no guarantee that, the same will work for the app, that's been created.
7. Ignoring Feedback While Redesigning
Redesigns are part and parcel of the designing process and with the competition this fierce, it's very much important to go through the timely redesign process to keep the mobile application up-to-date. Valuable inputs from the users will be of much value as, those users care more about the operations than the aesthetics. Redesigning the app, ignoring those feedbacks may lead to the discontent of the end user, in-turn, lead to the decline of that mobile app.
8. Keeping the Users in the Dark
This is, again, another major mistake designers commits during the updating or redesigning process. By not letting the users know about the process can backfire pretty bad. A simple message with not much technicality, explaining the process will do wonders in also enhancing the overall relationship between the app business and the end users.
Read Also : 8 Best UI/UX Tools for Responsive Web Designing
9. Keeping Unrealistic Financial Goals
A financial plan is always considered the backbone of any business and a lot of thought process and work is put into, to create the perfect plan that will suit a particular business. But even after such strains and hard work, many businesses fall flat because they were unable to create a logical and realistic financial plan. The same goes for the creation of mobile applications too. The designers should never ever get into an impression that the app they have created, will bring in high returns on investments. With an ocean of free apps available for the users, projecting the returns with a paid app can be tricky. It's always important to include all possible ways of revenue generation strategies should be included in the financial plan. Few examples are in-app purchases, in-app advertising, etc. The UI/UX designers must walk the thin line with regard to the number of in-app ads or in-app purchases, as too much of these will hamper the user experience and may even reduce the financial impact of the app that was forecasted earlier.
Final Words
As a mobile application development company, one should always be aware that mistakes, no matter small or big, will always come back to hurt the progress of the company. Improving on the design is a long-going, on-the-work process and proper awareness of the consequences will help reduce such mistakes in the future.