Whilst mobile apps are a great digital investment for a lot of businesses looking to leverage the power of technology or transform digital processes, apps are not always the ideal solution for every business. 

Many startups, looking at the success of Uber, Airbnb and Instagram for example, assume that a mobile app is the best place to start, however, this is not always the case. With a limited budget it may be best to test your concept with a web-based MVP. A website can prove to be more cost-effective and provide a greater level of flexibility as it’s easier to make changes to your website after you’ve received user feedback and are ready to jump into the next phase of development. 

Before making your decision, consider the tips and advice we have put together below aimed at helping businesses understand the value of mobile apps and websites respectively. 

Consider Your Target Market

It’s important to carry out extensive research on your user base in order to decide whether a website or a mobile app will suit user needs and generate more conversions. If you’re targeting an older user base eg. 65s and over then a website may be a better starting point as opposed to a mobile app. 

Whilst older internet users are increasingly active online, some older people lack online confidence as research reveals that a large proportion of individuals over 65 are less likely to trust companies to keep their data secure online, especially via mobile apps. A fifth (20%) of people over 65 describe themselves as ‘not confident’ online, much higher than the average (7%). Subsequently, it’s evident that older users feel more comfortable browsing through a website on a desktop as opposed to using a mobile app on a smartphone, considering a significant percentage of older users may not have access to a smartphone. 

On the other hand, if your target user base ranges from the 16-30-year-old market then a mobile app will be well received and will generate a significant number of conversions. Millennials and ‘Gen Z’ users are accustomed to seamless user experiences online when engaging with brands and will expect attractive UI and a user-friendly experience whilst using smartphone applications. Studies reveal that social networking applications and marketplace apps are most popular amongst 18-29-year-olds, with over 44% of individuals aged 18-24 using social media apps more than five times a day. These statistics should be taken into consideration by businesses looking to disrupt younger markets. 

Start off with a mobile app if you’re considering the following:

Personalising your user experience

Websites and web apps offer personalised experiences to users, however, if your users desire a greater level of personalisation or there is a networking/social element to your product then a mobile app is the better approach. Mobile apps facilitate greater personalisation enabling you to offer tailored communication to users based on their interests, location, usage and behaviour. Apps not only offer a far more personalised customer experience and the ability to offer custom recommendations, but it’s easier to track and observe user engagement via a mobile app, allowing you to improve conversion rates. For example, the ‘explore’ page on the Instagram application is tailored towards user preferences, automatically recommending images and content based on posts similar to those ‘liked’ by a user or ‘liked’ by accounts that the user is following. 

Have you thought about native smartphone functionality? 

Although websites and web apps have advanced dramatically in recent years with the advent of HTML5, it remains difficult to access the native capabilities of your smartphone or computer via a website or web app. Developing a mobile app instead of a website will enable you to access and capitalise on the native functionality of a mobile device such as a smartphone camera, contact list or GPS. Additional native functionality will enhance the user experience of your product and subsequently, provide a superior level of customer experience. For example, the ‘live location’ feature on the Uber application, enabling users to share their location with others would not be possible on a web application or a website. 

Will your users require offline functionality? 

Additionally, if you want to enable users to access content without an internet connection then a native mobile app is the ideal solution as users will still be able to use the app offline as opposed to a website or web application that is limited to an internet connection. At Appoly, we built an automatic ‘sync’ functionality for our client Thames Water’s application, so data syncs automatically when the user is connected to the internet.

Have you thought about notifications?

Notifying users via a website involves sending out email notifications or SMS notifications which can be quite costly for the product owner coupled with the fact that users do not always feel comfortable sharing their mobile numbers. Using email as a way to engage prospects and customers has seen a massive decline in recent years. Email messaging has lost the effectiveness it once had and click rates and open rates seem to remain on the decline. It seems that push notifications and in-app notifications are the new and enhanced ways of engaging and updating users as opposed to email notifications via web browsers. Research reveals that there have been instances where the push medium of notifications has delivered click-through rates of 40% with many users feeling that push notifications notify and engage users in a less intrusive manner.

Security Concerns?

‍If you’re looking towards developing a digital solution that will require users to provide sensitive data and information such as online banking and fintech solutions, or healthcare apps involving medical data and personal medical history, a mobile app could be an optimal solution. Apps offer Touch ID, Face ID and Two-Factor Authentication such as using GPS to verify a user’s location before allowing users access to sensitive information. At Appoly, we sandbox and encrypt data to isolate apps from each other to ensure that they are a secure option for storing personal user data. 

Start off with a website or a web app if you’re considering the following:

Concerned about screen size

If you’re aiming to develop a complex management system for internal staff in order to streamline processes, then a web-based product would be far more suitable in comparison to a mobile app as it is easier for users to analyse and enter complex data on a larger screen. Similarly, if you’d like users to be able to download and view PDFs and data collection forms then the benefits of a bigger screen on a web-based portal or system outweigh those of a mobile app product. For example, Appoly is building the ‘Talent Engage’ platform for leading IT recruitment agency Talent International, aimed at redefining the contractor experience. We came to the conclusion along with our client that a web app would be a more appropriate solution due to the fact that contractors will use the platform to enter large amounts of data and would require a larger screen size. 

Budget Constraints?

Based on over a decade of industry experience, we have found that budget constraints often dictate whether a client will choose to develop a web-based MVP over a mobile app. If you’re a startup with a new concept/idea and a limited budget then a web-based MVP or web app is a great first investment, enabling you to promote brand visibility and awareness before securing funding to invest in native app development. 

Similarly, SME’s who are focused on implementing digital transformation strategies but are limited by budget should start by ensuring their website is mobile optimised and user-friendly with attractive UI that promotes a consistent brand narrative before they look to invest in mobile app development. A phased approach towards implementing digital transformation will maximise return on investment. 

User Acquisition 

It is arguable that a website is far easier to advertise and link to elsewhere online, especially with tools such as ‘Google Ads’. More than this, leveraging the power of SEO, for example, makes it far easier to promote your brand online as opposed to promoting a mobile app product, as the first point of call for searches is still mainly Google via a web page (web presence is vital). However, mobile apps and websites are not mutually exclusive and can certainly work together to build an overall brand identity, a multi-channel approach is desirable if your budget allows for this, therefore consider promoting your mobile app product using a web-based landing page to acquire users.

Whether you start by building a mobile app or a website will depend on the target market you’re aiming to attract, the problem you are aiming to provide a solution to, and the features and functionality requested by your user base. A multi-channel approach will have the most desirable effect as websites or web-based platforms work effectively with mobile apps to promote strong brand identity, increase brand awareness and brand engagement, and ultimately offer a superior user experience. 

Email for enquiries: georgia@appoly.co.uk

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It’s important to consider the ways you can transform your digital strategy and business processes. Developing a mobile app to enhance your business procedures or streamline processes and efficiencies is an ideal way to elevate your business and increase revenue. A mobile app can transform your customer experience offering by providing customers with a new and simpler way of reaching you. Here at Appoly, all of our client development projects start with a clear and concise brief that provides the team with a firm understanding of what type of app the client requires. If you’re debating whether to write or map out your features and requirements, we have created a step-by-step guide on how to create an informative mobile app development brief of requirements.

With all of our client projects, we aim to develop a collaborative working relationship reliant on consistent communication and an app brief of requirements is an important first part of the development process.

Whether you’re a startup business, an SME or a large corporation looking to simplify daily tasks for employees, it is essential that each and every project starts with an App Requirements Brief or a specification document. For app developers such as ourselves, there is nothing more frustrating than a brilliant idea that hasn’t been thought through logically. We understand that users seek fast digital solutions that fit into their daily lives, therefore it is important to consider all the features of your app and their functionalities before the development process begins. A clear App Brief makes the development process much smoother as it gives us a greater understanding of your requirements to ensure your app reaches its full potential once it is live in the app stores. This article outlines all the areas that must be thought through carefully when putting together your App Brief.

Focus on solving a single problem                  

The main purpose of building any digital solution is to overcome a problem to simplify and streamline processes for your users, whether these are business problems or consumer ones. The power of apps lies in their capability to connect people and share intelligent data, therefore it is important that you pinpoint what area of your business needs improving or whether collating and synthesising data is the best way to solve the problem your users are facing. For example, Ductclean approached Appoly to find a solution to their increasingly inefficient paper-based systems which were slow and outdated. We designed and developed a suite of mobile apps which digitised Ductlean’s paper-based systems with a user-friendly backend enabling admins to manage and schedule jobs for remote site workers. This has been a massive success by dramatically increasing the efficiency of the business and helping Ductclean secure new clients who were impressed with the transparency of the work. If you’re a corporate, SME or established business in need of digital transformation then perhaps this example will resonate with you as your business may benefit from streamlining internal processes with a digital solution.

However, if you’re a startup or your a business targeting consumers then you need to ensure that your product is solving a substantial issue and that this issue is best solved with a digital solution. For example, YoungPlanet approached Appoly to build a mobile app to address the inherent waste and product obsolescence in the UK by helping parents with the movement of unwanted children’s clutter via a mobile app.

Research your target market         

With competition tougher than ever before, it is key that you define your target market from the outset. The more you know about your potential users, the more effectively our developers can tailor your app to their needs. This requires serious research on demographics. Make sure to know some of the defining criteria within your market such as the location of your users, age range, gender, interests, occupation etc as the tone of your copy, branding, UX and UI will depend on these factors. Also, think about what your users do on a day to day basis. Are they professionals / students / singles? And what is it that this group of people are looking to gain from using your app? As experienced developers, we know that the look and feel of your app is just as important to users as the service it offers. Therefore this is a major part of your app brief that will play into the design and determine the language that is used for your app. 

Define the core features for your MVP

‍Describing the core features is the most important part of your brief, as this will outline the basic functionalities of your app. Think through the whole user journey from start to finish. What screens will your app have and what are their specific functionalities? Where will your buttons be on the screen and where will they lead to? And how many screens are there altogether? Consider what will be the most efficient experience for your user, and make your choices based on this. If you can provide your developers with wireframes or visuals, this would be a huge help. If not, your UX/UI designer can help you with this in the design stage, but it is always useful to include it in your App Brief if possible. It may be useful to start prioritising your features based on the value that each feature will add to the overall product. We can help you define your essential features and clarify the less important features that can be rolled out at a later phase of development during the concept refinement stage of the discovery and design process.

Consider UX and UI    

Having a design in mind is always beneficial so that your UX/UI designer has something to work with. You want to create the right look and feel for your app, so make sure to consider what will be most appealing to your target audience. If you’re a company, you may want to use your existing brand colours and font for consistency. However, if you’re a startup, this is a new and exciting stage that calls for a creative flare. Yet again, research is key; If your app is aimed at professionals, maybe dark colours and formal language is best? / If your app is aimed at students, maybe light colours with casual language is best? (One way of gaining inspiration and showing you developers what you want is looking at other similar apps you like the design of.

Do you have a fixed budget and timeline? 

‍Having a realistic budget for your app is essential. Depending on how complex your app is, the price can vary drastically. Most app projects require a backend system to manage the data within the app, as well as a Native iOS and Android app build. In addition, when you consider the design work, testing, and project management, a typical app might have a team of 7-10 people working on its development at any given time. Bearing this in mind, it is understandable that app projects often cost an excess of £20,000. Furthermore, although it is possible to develop an app quickly, it is more important to get the user experience and the design right before any coding starts. This phase might take 4-6 weeks in itself. When you add the development and testing phases, we find that most app projects take 3-6 months to complete.

Social connections               

Another part of your brief should include Social Connections. This means deciding whether or not you would like your users to have the opportunity to log in to your app using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social media platforms. A major part of your app’s success depends on how easy it is to register, share and connect with others, so this is a popular option that is often forgotten in the App Brief!

Third-party integrations and API’s  

If you are a company with an existing database, you may want to consider connecting this to your app. Here at Appoly, we are happy to work with your existing system to improve its functionality with an app. An API is typically defined as a set of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request messages, which is usually in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format. Appoly has worked with 100’s of APIs from third-party providers to in-house IT departments. Our skilled developers can customise your API or create a new one from scratch, should you require this service. All our custom APIs are developed to industry standards, ensuring they are secure and stable. All APIs are hosted on a secure server, with an SSL certificate to ensure all data is encrypted as it travels from the app to the backend. All APIs have token-based authentication to ensure the highest level of security. Appoly has extensive experience in developing and working with REST (JSON) and SOAP API (XML).

If you have any questions regarding your brief or would like a sample template of Appoly’s App Requirements Brief please feel free to email me at georgia@appoly.co.uk.

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Improved Privacy and Security

One of the major issues concerning customers when using technology is privacy and data encryption. Apple has addressed these concerns with their new privacy policy and this will be rolled out in the iOS 15 update. Apple has ensured that companies will not be able to track users through their IP address as they have obscured them for all iOS users.

This will initially take place only on the Mail app as well as Safari, yet there are plans to expand this in the near future. Apple will begin to track all apps that send off your data, as well as apps that have access to your camera.

Changes to Safari

Whilst on the topic of Safari, Apple has made some changes to it in the upcoming update. The intention is to push Safari as the main search engine as it has been playing second fiddle to Google’s Chrome for quite some time. On the macOS Monterey, Apple has aimed to make Safari the optimum choice by giving it a sleeker look and adding additional sync features to other devices. Apple is planning to implement the desktop Safari updates onto iPhone and iPad so the three devices can be easily connected.

Find My AirPods

This next feature is an extremely exciting prospect for those of us who keep losing our AirPod case! Apple is implementing a tracking device for AirPods and AirPod Pros. This consists of a ’Bluetooth beacon’ being released from the Airpods which can help your ’Find My Network’ devices locate your lost AirPods.

The post What Have We Learnt from Apple’s 2021 WWDC? appeared first on Appoly.

Design

First impressions are vital, so if a user feels that your website is not aesthetically engaging, then this immediately affects their perception of your brand and reduces the likelihood that they will choose to engage with your business. To avoid this, seek out a highly skilled web designer such as our website design specialists at Appoly who can help to ensure that you offer customers an optimal user experience with an attractive user interface.

Accessibility

If your users cannot work their way around your app or website then you are in trouble! Your users will expect a great user experience and your app/website should function as intended, fulfilling its original purpose. Ensure you have a simple and easy to navigate product to avoid confusing users, alsp adding individual pages and tabs into your website will act as directions in order to optimise the user experience.

User Feedback

If the user experience isn’t great, this will inform users’ perception of your brand and the feedback on your product which influences a new user’s decisions to engage with your product or service. However, constructive feedback will enable you and your developers to implement any changes that need to be made. With the correct constructive criticism, user feedback can be extremely helpful in improving the quality and standards of your app.

Interest and Interaction

In order to maintain a positive user experience it is crucial that you are on top of development and updates. If you are not updating your product’s functionality or design then you may start to fall behind when pitted against competitors. Apps like Pokémon Go are a prime example of this, nothing was changed or enhanced for a long time, and so the initial surge of interest and engagement with the product plummeted after time. Even the largest organisations and corporations need to change and elevate products and processes to sustain their popularity.

Contact Appoly for App and Website Development

If you’ve got an app idea that you’d like to discuss, or you’re looking to develop a new website, then get in touch and speak to one of our expert UK based development team members.

We’re always happy to discuss new projects, whether big or small.

The post The Importance of User Experience appeared first on Appoly.

The OS will enable JavaScript one and a half times faster, the whole system will be twice as responsive. Apps that need high performance to extract 3D animations to edit video footage will run like clockwork. Apple have also announced that they have optimised all of the apps on the app store for M1.

This new Mac software has universal apps which run on both Intel Macs & the new M1 Macs. One company that has already created a universal version of their apps is Adobe. They’re starting with Lightbox and then moving onto Photoshop next year. Mac users will now be able to run both iPhone & iPad apps on their Mac.

However, you may not be able to use some iPhone apps on your Mac just yet… Apple has reminded developers to remain making updates, although you may experience overlaps in terms of automatic placement in the App Store. There are also some iPhone apps that may not be accessible because of the developers opting out of the transition, such as Google & Facebook.

The automatic conversion from iOS and iPadOS to MacOS Big Sur produces an issue for compatibility for some apps. Applications that are only on iPhone such as accelerometers and touchscreen gestures won’t work on a Mac. The technological giants have instructed developers to change their code to enable the app to be compatible or opt-out of having the application on the Mac Store.

Most of the apps will need the developer of the application to opt out of the transition to Mac. However, this isn’t the case for apps that use Core Location API, those apps won’t be accessible on the Mac Store and Apple will exclude these apps without the developer involvement.

Apple will add clarifiers to each of the apps to let the user know if the app has been checked by Apple to see if it is optimised for Mac.

Contact Appoly for Mobile App Development

If you’ve got an app idea that you’d like to discuss, or for any of our other key services, get in touch and speak to one of our expert UK based development team members.

We’re always happy to discuss new projects, whether big or small.

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