The mobile app world is continuously flourishing as app developers and users (from small business owners to large ones) find out new opportunities in mobile technology. Most of the businesses have found it very necessary to own a mobile app to stay firm in the competition. However, people have many wrong ideas about developing a mobile app. Most of the people think that mobile app is just like a mobile website that they can easily create by using some pre-built modules and frameworks provided by third-party platforms. But the reality is very different. Any experienced app developer or app user knows it very well that everything is not as beautiful as it seems when it comes to matching up the imagination of the mobile apps.
Myth #1
It is quite easy to build the first version of an app.
Reality
The first version of a mobile application will take hours, weeks, or maybe months to get ready as per your requirements. Thus, you should give your smartphone application maximum possible time; otherwise, hastily may put your application in failure.
Myth #2
Mobile app submission can be made with a click of a button. It’s an easy process.
Reality
According to Pocket Gamer, there are over 1.9 million apps in the app store. The average number of application submission on a daily basis for the month of March 2016 was 1,964 and this month has already seen 9,725 apps submitted for review, which will be either accepted or rejected for any reason.
There are so many reasons for rejection of your app by Apple App Store. It could be when your content is boring; you are mentioning Apple competitors; you are showing no warning for inappropriate content, or your app does not look perfect.
You can submit your iOS app successfully on Apple App Store by following these basic guidelines:
- Your app should not crash.
- You should not use private APIs.
- You should not replicate the functionalities of native apps.
- Only use the genuine artwork with copyright.
- You should not use the camera or microphone, without user knowledge.
Myth #3
Once a mobile app is submitted to the app store, it will automatically be visible to potential users.
Reality
A mobile app will not automatically start being visible to users. You will have to make efforts for it. If you want your app to rank higher in the App store, then you need to use relevant keywords, screenshots and descriptions of your mobile app. Pricing of the mobile app also plays a vital role in app’s success. Today, 90 percent of the top mobile apps are free in different app stores. Therefore, you can get better user engagement if you launch your app for free.
Myth #4
App Store Optimization (ASO) will bring a large number of users to a mobile application within a short period.
Reality
It’s not easy to bring a large number of users to your smartphone application. It requires a lot of efforts to put into app marketing strategies. To get a sense of reality, you can ask some questions to yourself. For instance, does my mobile app have a blog or social media account? Or am I utilising other marketing channels to drive users attention to app launch?
If your answer is “No”, then you have to invest significant efforts in social media and the number of other potential channels for getting traffic to your mobile app. Also, you need to run app store optimisation strategies that include targeted acquisition campaigns.
Myth #5
Once a smartphone app reaches to the users, they will regularly use it.
Reality
Millions of app downloads don’t make an app successful. The truth is that many downloads don’t turn into active users. If users come back to your application few times in a week or use your app on a regular basis, you can make sure that your mobile application is doing well.
Myth #6
Mobile app analytics data will tell me exactly how my app is performing.
Reality
Of course, mobile analytics is a great help to know the statistics about your app but getting just the knowledge of analytics data will not help you, you need to figure out the loopholes in your app based on the data. For that you can focus on some issues, such as:
- Which screen has less engagement?
- How do the users reach to a specific screen?
- At which point users are leaving the app?
When you understand the above issues and take action using accurate statistics, then only you can measure the actual performance of your app.
Myth #7
Every desired user will land on my mobile app.
Reality
Nowadays, it’s tough to bring users on a newly launched app. Users need something different and attractive. If it’s not something users need, they aren’t going to be interested. Thus, you should make sure that your smartphone app is not just an extension of your website, it should be unique & able to engage some new users.
To grab the attention of users, you can be creative and come up with something unique that will put your brand value in front of them. You can also use QR codes for the advertisement, add them to your website and business cards. All this will help users to find your app online & they can download it easily.
Myth #8
Once a smartphone application goes live on the app store, it can promote itself.
Reality
No, a mobile app won’t be promoted itself. You need to do it. You can promote your app using various promotion tactics such as blogs, contributing to other blogs, using slide share, using social media channels or you can also attract users by releasing updates, bug fixes and other app improvements. All this stuff shows to your user that you’re trying to make your app even better.
Myth #9
I can create a mobile version of my website and use it as a mobile app.
Reality
Yes, you can create a mobile version of your website and use it. But you must need to understand that mobile apps are different from mobile websites regarding purpose and functionalities. Thus, embedding a mobile website into a mobile app doesn’t make a sophisticated mobile app that user like.
Developing a mobile app for your business is a very good idea but keeping these myths in mind will help you to understand the real scenario of mobile app development. Also, it will prepare you to focus more on improving the quality of your mobile app.
If you have more misconceptions that people have with regards to mobile app development then you can let us know in the comments section.
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