A mobile application success depends on many factors. An app can be downloaded by many people, but also be easily deleted. One of the most common factors that causes this is an unfriendly interface. Therefore, it is the first thing that we have to take care of. But there are many others errors that cause apps to be unsuccessful.
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Mobile apps and web pages
A common mistake is turning mobile applications into an exact copy of a web page. This is a great mistake; a mobile app that contains as much information as a web page will be extremely heavy and slow. In addition, a mobile screen is much smaller than a computer´s. To avoid this mistake, you must be clear about how you want to reach the customer, to only show the website essential content through the app.
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Compulsory registration
There are many applications that force the user to register without having shown anything interesting. This is one of the most common app development errors. If the user does not know how the application can contribute, he will probably not register, and delete the app instantly. If you want users to register, you should offer some free content and invite them to register to access to more information and more opportunities.
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Endless forms
Smartphones are far from being the most comfortable devices when filling out registration forms. For this reason, it is convenient that registration forms are short, collecting the essential information: username, email and password. The rest of the information may be collected through the user profile configuration, optionally. Failure to do so can be detrimental to the application success.
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Complicated user interface
Generally, in the attempt to make applications showy or with a revolutionary design, some tools end up being too difficult to use, with gestures that users are not familiar with or too many hidden menus. In this case, it is opportune to keep it simple and adapt the app to the gestures and menus of each mobile operating system. Users already know them and the application will integrate seamlessly into a familiar interface.
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Extensive usage tutorials
Mobile devices´ screens are not comfortable to read large texts. For this reason, it is advisable for the app operation tutorials to be simple and clarifying. It is better to explain how to use the app in a few steps. That is why it is so important for the user interface to be simple.
In short, a too-long tutorial contains two errors in app development: on one hand, instructions for use are too long for the device and, on the other hand, it means that it has a complicated interface, which will be rejected by users.
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Not investing in the marketing strategy
This is one of the mistakes in app development that you should try to avoid the most. You have to be aware that if you do not implement a mobile marketing strategy, it is very difficult to achieve your objectives. If you do not invest in marketing, the resources invested in the app development phase will be wasted.
Without a mobile marketing strategy there is no success. Actually, not investing in marketing is one of the most common mistakes in app development. You may have “the world´s best app”, but if you do not invest in marketing people won´t be able to get to know it.
In order to avoid this, it is advisable to distribute the app investment in two halves: half of the resources to its development and the other half for communication and marketing. In this sense, you can hire agencies specialized in mobile marketing or turn to mobile development professionals who can also help you.
