Mobile App for Startups – What All Needs to Be Considered

Just starting out? You are definitely on a mission to get more people on board and reach out to as many people within your audience as possible. The more tools you have handy, the better it is for you.

Given that it is a mobile-dominant age, you need to have a mobile presence to act upon your ideas; it goes without saying that the mobile app is a must for startups. However, before getting started with a mobile app, there are a few things you need to consider. Let’s just say if you plan for these points, you are ready to sail through rough seas with ease.

Here, we will talk about everything that you need to consider and plan for, before embarking on the journey towards giving your startup a mobile app.

Define the objective of your mobile app

Your competition has a mobile app, and so do others in your niche. However, that should not be the sole reason for you to have a mobile app. If that is the case, rethink your objective now!

• What purpose will a mobile app solve for your target audience?
• How will the mobile app help you further your business?
• Will the mobile app help you accomplish your goals if you have already defined them?

Answering these questions will bring you nearer to your purpose and help you define the real objective of having a mobile app for your business.

Always have a simple and clear statement determining the objective of the mobile app. This will help in planning and make your needs clear to the developer as well. The objective will also help decide the features and the roadmap for mobile app development. Along with the purpose of the app, you will also need to work on the future of the app you are developing.

Identify the uniqueness of your app

The mobile app world is not just dominant but also competitive. You will find several apps proposing to do the same thing in different ways. When Uber became a success, you could see several Ubers coming out in the open to help you find the best transportation for your needs.

Candy Crush, the game that became a hit with many people, has made space for several games of the same kind. A lot of mobile app ideas are being scrapped by the app store, and a few others are being used and reused by the competition in the segment. Therefore, you must have something unique to convey to the audience.

You may not have a completely different idea. However, you need to propose your idea in a slightly different manner, bringing out a taste of uniqueness. This will help the audience connect. Before releasing your app idea towards development, make sure you have answers to the following questions.

• Is the app idea unique and different?
• Does the app truly solve a problem that is being faced by the audience in the niche?
• Will the app connect with the audience?

In order to answer these questions, you should ideally connect with the people in the target group, and understand what sort of problems they face with the existing apps. What are they looking for in the new apps that will hit this segment? The answers to these questions will help you define the unique element in your app.

Plan the technology stack for the app

Once you are clear about the app idea and the unique proposition, it is time to get started with the planning. You need to ensure every aspect, including the app’s features, are well planned and nicely defined.

At this point, you will also need to plan for the technology that you will use in the application. Here are a few questions that should help you plan the technology.

• Are you planning to go hybrid or native with your application development?
• Are there more iOS users in your target audience as compared to Android users?
• Which native platform user is more likely to convert and help generate revenue for your business?
• Are the features you are planning supported by both the native frameworks?
• Once you have answers to these questions, you will know which platform to build your application for, and what technology stack you should be using.

Define a marketing plan

It is not enough to have a mobile app ready to go; you also need a very tough and impressive marketing plan that will penetrate the markets you are attempting to break into and convert the potentials in there.

Start working on the marketing as soon as you have a development plan in place. Make sure you know the markets you want to reach, and what kind of customers you are looking for. Research your target’s media habits, both online and offline. This will help you prepare a thorough marketing plan.

If you know where and when to capture your audience’s attention, you have already won the battle.

Ensure Ongoing Support and Maintenance

After successfully launching your mobile app, the journey doesn’t end there. It’s crucial to have a plan for ongoing support and maintenance to ensure the app remains functional, relevant, and competitive. This stage is often overlooked but is essential for the long-term success of your app. Here are a few considerations for this phase:

• Regular Updates: Technology and user expectations evolve rapidly. Regular updates will keep your app current and improve its performance and security. This includes adding new features based on user feedback and ensuring compatibility with the latest operating systems.
• User Support: Provide your users with an easy way to report issues and seek help. Efficient and responsive customer support can significantly enhance user satisfaction and retention.
• Performance Monitoring: Use analytics tools to monitor app performance and user engagement. This data can help you understand user behavior, identify areas for improvement, and inform future updates.
• Marketing Evolution: Your marketing strategies should evolve with your app. As you gather more data on your users and their preferences, refine your marketing efforts to target potential and existing users better.
• Feedback Loop: Encourage user feedback and create a system to review and act on this feedback regularly. This will help you to continuously improve the app and keep it aligned with user needs.

By planning for ongoing support and maintenance, you ensure that your app remains a valuable and preferred tool for your users. This ongoing commitment to your app’s quality and relevance will help sustain its growth and success in the competitive mobile app market.

Summing up

Before you start an app business, it is, therefore, very important that you plan your mobile app meticulously, taking into consideration all aspects of your target audience. This will give you a sufficient base to build a successful mobile app and will leave little to no room for failure in connecting with your audience.

So, stay prepared, research well, and have a defined strategy in place before moving ahead with your ideas.