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Saturday, August 1, 2015
5 COMMON APP DEVELOPMENT MISTAKES
http://www.startapp.com/blog/5-common-app-development-mistakes/
When done right, making and publishing apps can be very profitable for developers. Making an exceptional app is not easy, so we are highlighting 5 common mistakes that beginner app developers should try to avoid:
Don’t develop an app without the end user in mind
You know that you have a great idea for an app. But, will anyone else agree with you?
Always think about the user as you develop your idea. Constantly put yourself in the user’s position. Why would a user need this app? What benefit would they get from it? How will they interact with this app? How is it different from your competitors?
It is also very important to BETA-TEST your app before you release it. This will help you get a sense for how the UI and UX appeal to actual users.
If you don’t think about the user, you may end up with an app that you enjoy but one that doesn’t appeal to anybody else.
Don’t carry over UI elements from other platforms
EACH MOBILE OS has its own specific look and feel. If you copy the UI of another platform, users may complain and you may get in trouble from the App Store or Google Play Store for not following brand guidelines. Examine the design guidelines for ANDROID and IOS for a better idea of what your app should be expected to look like.
However, don’t be afraid to add your own branding and feel to your app. Just make sure that the general design of your app looks like it belongs on the right platform.
Don’t have just one screen size in mind
This is especially important! One important aspect of app development, especially on the Android platform, is that apps are available on a range of devices of differing size and shape. If you only design your app for one screen size, it won’t scale correctly on different devices. This will frustrate and alienate potential users.
Make sure that you put a lot of thought into how your device will look on bigger screen, like a tablet. In addition, keep in mind that devices allow for screen rotation and landscape orientation.
There are many tools to preview how your app will look on different devices, includingANDROID APP DESIGN. For iOS developers, this process is more simple because the range of devices is smaller. For iOS, focus on the most recent devices released (iPhone 5 & 6, for example). Apple usually phases out older devices unlike Android, so you won' t have to worry about them.
Don’t try to add too many features too soon
Though it may be tempting to showcase all that you can do, you don’t want to overwhelm your users with too many features at the very beginning. Let them get used to your app before adding new or more complicated features. The more tech-savvy users will embrace any new features, and the average user can explore new features or choose to simply use the original features.
Additionally, by saving some features for future updates, users will also see that you are actively working on and improving your app. This is an important image to have if you want to retain users and stay relevant.
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice
This is both the easiest and the hardest mistake to avoid. You may not want to reveal your app just yet or you may be embarrassed about encountering a problem. While this is understandable, there is a whole community of app developers out there in nearly every corner of the internet.
Visit forums and ask questions. Join discussions. You may find out that someone out there has encountered a similar problem!
In addition, there are many other resources available to you across the online community, including the IOS and ANDROID developer websites.
When you are just starting out in app development, there will be a lot of trial-and-error until you finally launch an app that catches an audience. The important thing is to not get discouraged. There are millions of apps out there, and not every one will be a major hit. Just do the best you can and avoid making some simple mistakes, and you will start to gain users slowly but surely.
4-tips-beta-testing-success
http://www.startapp.com/blog/4-tips-beta-testing-success/
Beta-testing is an important step for any app developer who wants to release a strong, stable app into the app stores. To make your beta-testing as thorough and effective as possible, try following these 4 tips:
1) Create a list of objectives
Before beginning your beta test, make sure you outline your objectives and what metrics you want to measure. You should ask yourself some questions before you start. Do you want to release to friends and family? Do you have contacts from a previous app release? How long will the test period be? How are you going to measure your results? Who is your target customer?
If you are unsure when deciding what to measure, here is a short list of key metrics that you should include in your beta-testing strategy:
- Sign-up and log-in: If users have trouble signing in to your app, it doesn’t matter how fantastic the rest of your it is.
- Menu Options: Make sure that your menu options are easily accessible and options like “support” or “help” are easy to locate.
- Data Handling: If your app stores data, make sure the data is stored properly and isn’t deleted without notice.
- Interruptions: How does your app function when a user gets and SMS or a call? How does it function on low battery v. full battery?
2) Screen Your Testers
Public beta tests may seem like a great idea because of the time and energy it saves. While it is true that your beta tester pool will be larger, the feedback you receive will most likely be low-quality. Public beta testers usually sign up out of curiosity and grow bored with the process and/or never submit any feedback. In addition, public beta tests open up your unfinished product to the public. If the public’s first interaction was with an unfinished app, they may not be willing to re-try your app once it is out of beta.
Go for a private beta-testing. Private beta testers are much more invested in the process than public testers. The testing group can be as large or as small as you would like. You can also have them submit a tester application to help you choose the best testers for your app. Look for testers who are fully committed and who seem like they will give you valuable feedback.
By screening your testers, you can also make sure that a diverse group of software and hardware is represented. As we all know, the mobile industry is extremely fragmented, with hundreds of devices and mobile software versions. You want to make sure your app is tested across a variety of devices and software versions by a variety of testers.
3) Be Attentive
You need to engage with your beta testers and make sure the beta testing process is smooth. First, you should have open channels of communication. Be up front with what your testers should expect once they begin using your app. If there are areas of your app that are not yet functional at the start of the test, your beta testers should be the first to know.
There should also be an easy way for your testers to give you feedback or report any bugs. Try setting up a forum or a database where they can easily enter information. A forum is also a good way to connect all of your beta testers. This way, they can discuss any issues in your app. You will also be able to see if a bug is widespread or only occurred on one tester’s device. This can help you prioritize which bugs or issues that you should tackle first.
Most importantly, you should acknowledge that you received the feedback from your testers. A simple “thank you for your feedback” is sufficient. If you are able to, give your testers an estimate for when a bug will be fixed. This will let them know that you heard their feedback and that you are actively addressing it. Your beta testers are giving up some of their own time to help you out. If it seems like you are ignoring their feedback, they may abandon the whole process.
4) Incentivize Your Active Testers
As your beta test is coming to a close and your ready to publish, it is important to consider one thing: you already have a group of active users in your beta tester pool. If you have been analyzing your data well enough, you should be able to easily identify who the power-users are. Capitalize on this. Give your beta testers some incentives for downloading your app once it hits the app stores. If your app is paid or freemium, give them a coupon code so they can get the app for free. Show them that you appreciated the time they took to help you perfect your app.
Clearly, the active testers enjoyed engaging with your app. By treating them well, you can turn them into advocates for your app and your company. You will have downloads from the beginning and you can count on your active testers for accurate and fair app reviews.
Keep the contact information for the most active testers. If you decide to develop another app down the road, you already have a list of dedicated and enthusiastic app testers.
Beta-testing your app gives you a chance to fix any major bugs or performance issues before releasing it into the app stores. This will not only ensure that you are releasing the best possible version of your app, but it will also cut down on negative reviews and ratings when your app is released.
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