Reasons why mobile Apps fail – The consistent spread in the number of internet users due to its affordability and importance has also led to significant growth in the number of smartphone users. According to Statista, phone users are projected to reach 3.8billion by 2021. Among other things, the ever-increasing number of smartphone users indicates that users will spend more time on their phones. This number forced lots of online product and service providers to fuse mobile applications into their marketing strategy.
Mobile applications (commonly referred to as mobile app or app) are application software designed to take advantage of smartphones’ limitations and advantages while serving its users. The benefits that come with using mobile applications are numerous for the clients and the business.
Despite the avalanche of opportunities that could be usurped by mobile apps in today’s technology-driven world, many mobile apps have either underutilize or failed outrightly in the utilization of these opportunities.
Why do mobile apps fail?
Mobile applications don’t have to break repeatedly before they are regarded as failures. In fact, an app that breaks frequently can be fixed by a competent developer once there is a need for it. A mobile app can be said to have failed when its intended users abandon or rarely use it. Why does this happen? We will examine some of the main reasons in no particular order.
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<b>Inadequate Market Research:</b>
Regardless of the company’s preference, mobile apps are created to serve users. Your app is destined to fail if any of your research findings did not justify the need for a mobile app. You must be able to answer the question “What will a user gain from using my app?” before deciding to have an app.
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Complex User Interface:
The main reason why anyone would want to use an app is the ease of access that comes with using it. Humans don’t like to be stressed and an app that doesn’t make usage easy for its users will definitely fall in the order of preference. While it is understandable that not all apps can have a simple user interface due to the function they perform, the demography of your users must be considered when building a mobile app. For instance, if your target audience is aged people (50 and above), your app will most likely not catch their attention if it does not have a clear and simple user interface.
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Poor User Experience:
It is expected for new and existing mobile apps to have few glitches and areas of development. Your team should proffer solutions in as little as no time when these problems are spotted by users (on Android or IOS platform). Leaving these issues unattended to or waiting for them to pile up before taking action will definitely not go well with your users and your app will eventually be neglected.
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Trying to replicate the web experience on mobile apps:
As feasible as this is, trying to do so will make the mobile app cumbersome. Mobile apps are built to leverage the limitations of smartphones. Thus, their functionalities should be specific. Users should be able to see the main reason for having your app in their first five seconds or they start losing interest.
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Not Creating enough awareness about the app:
Creating a stunning app that ticks all the significant boxes is one thing, informing users about its existence and why they should use it is another thing. Publicity via the right channels can make all the difference that is needed for your app to be used by the targeted users. Create social media pools and ask for users’ opinions. This will go a long way in registering your app in the minds of the intended users.
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Hire the right team:
Working with the best developer does not necessarily guarantee that your mobile app will boom and get lots of good ratings. You need a team of experienced professionals which also includes a digital marketer, research analyst and an experienced UI designer among others to work in synergy.
The mobile app competition is increasingly becoming tough. A quick peek into the app store of the two mobile platforms (Android and IOS) will validate this assertion. What are the features in your mobile app that differentiate yours from others? How do you plan to keep your users attached to your app? These and many more questions must be justified before the decision to have a mobile app is made.
As we have seen, the success of a mobile app is not tied to a singular phenomenon. In order not to end up like the many mobile apps that have failed to engage users, you should consider working with an experienced team of professionals who have all worked on mobile apps that succeeded.
More reasons why mobile apps fail will be published as the mobile app evolves.