Today’s world relies heavily on applications and there’s probably an app for anything you can imagine. This means that there’s a huge selection of apps that are similar to one another, and whatever app you’re planning on developing, you probably have plenty of competitors. If you want your app to be people’s first choice, you’ll need to take extra care in making your app good.
It can be very confusing trying to figure out what to focus on in your app, especially if you’re new to the world of app development. The first thing you should do is figure out what the must-have features are. So here are the 7 key features of a successful mobile app.
Table of Contents
1. Security
Online security is getting increasingly important, and your app is no exception. Many apps store personal and sensitive information such as credit and debit card information, and thus security is critical.
Hackers may try to:
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- Implant malware on apps and devices to access data and passwords.
- Spy on personal information as it travels across the internet
- Commit identity theft or fraud after getting personal information from consumers
- Obtain private business assets.
Because of these possible vulnerabilities, app security must be a top priority and thus a vital feature of a successful mobile app, not just something to be considered after an attack has been committed. To secure your app, the first thing to do is use strong passwords. (You can check how secure your passwords are here).
2. Flexibility
Your app should be compatible with all three major mobile operating systems: iOS, Android, and Windows, to get better visibility and more downloads. If an app is only compatible with iOS, then it may have an improper screen size or resolution on Android or Windows. Each operating system should be treated equally, and you should expect to get users from all three of them.
Keep in mind Android apps are easy to publish on the PlayStore, but before an iOS app is listed, it must be reviewed and verified by Apple.
3. Speed
High loading speeds are vital. No one likes to wait, especially not when they have to look at a screen with a loading icon. When people are forced to wait, they quickly become bored, and because of this boredom, they might go search for something more appealing.
To make sure your app is performing well and is fast enough, you should follow the correct testing approach and processes before officially launching your app. Here’s a small list of tests that will help you check the performance and speed of your mobile app.
Hardware acceleration, which can be enabled on Android 3.0 and later versions, may improve the smoothness of animations. However, not all functionalities are usable when hardware acceleration is set up, so test thoroughly.
4. Colors
Basic things such as eye-catching color palettes will make your app seem much more appealing to users. In addition to the primary colors of your app, you should also pay close attention to complementary colors. By considering all of this, you’ll end up with an application that is both appealing and highly functional.
5. Battery Preservation
There are a lot of fantastic apps out there, but if the battery drains too quickly while using the app, many users will no longer want to use it. Remember that your app will not be the only one that users have and use on a daily basis. It will be used only for a fraction of the day, so it should only drain a fraction of the battery. Think about every element of your app and how it will affect battery drainage.
6. Simple Design
The core of a successful user experience is a user interface that is easy to use and navigate. Make every single button and feature clearly visible, and before adding a new element, consider if it’s necessary. If it isn’t necessary, then refrain from adding it, as it will only add clutter to your app. Generally, the fewer buttons and messages you have on your app, the better.
This will not only make it much easier for users to navigate the app, but it will also make it much easier for you to develop and maintain it.
7. Consistency
Every part of your app, including the colors, text, features, and messages, must be consistent. If there are any inconsistencies, they will confuse your users and make the app seem unreliable.
A consistent app is one that is easy to use. If an app is difficult to use, your visitors may even think poorly about themselves because they’re unable to properly use it. You want your users to feel good about themselves and your app, and consistency is the way to achieve this.
Conclusion
There are many crucial elements of a successful app, and you’ve just learned 7 of them. Most of the features mentioned above are not even an option if you want your app to be successful: they’re a necessity.
If you implement all 7 features, you will be left with an app that is safe to use, fast, easy, accessible on all of the major operating systems, and pleasant on the eyes. You will need to make changes every once in a while in response to customer feedback and results, but these steps will get you going in the right direction!
