9 Expert Tips To Design the Perfect App for your Business

As consumers  increase their use of smartphone technology, more businesses are growing their presence in the e-commerce app world.  Businesses need to adapt to changing consumer behavior to survive; and, creating an app  for your business is your first big step towards adapting to the world of e-commerce.

Developing your first app for your business can be a daunting task. That’s because a consumer’s first impression of your app  is equally as important as that of a customer’s first step in your store. To help you in your journey, here is a list of things you should keep in mind while designing your app.

1.   Which Platform Should You Choose?

One of the first things to decide when developing any app is to choose whether you want to launch it as an app for iPhones or Androids. As a businessperson, this strategic decision can make or break the success of your app.

If aim to maximize revenue, then you should take into account that iOS tends to be more profitable for developers than Android. However, there are other factors to consider besides your goals and profitability.

For example, it would be unwise to launch an iOS app when your target market region predominantly use Android. . Android apps can help you reach a larger audience, especially in regions where they are more popular.

2.   Should the App be Free or Paid?

The answer to this question largely depends on your business goals. On the other hand, if you are on the fence, here are some things to consider.

If your business is small and in need of brand recognition and awareness , then a free app is a good way to go. Even though profit is especially important for businesses that are trying to survive in a market, a free app can help your cause indirectly.

Naturally, a free app is downloaded by more people than paid apps. That makes free apps a great marketing tool.  You can also add a few extra paid features in your free app so it can generate some revenue as well.

3.   Frequently Update the App

App maintenance is important to prevent glitches and obsolete features that hamper the user experience.  You and your team will learn and grow as you move forward so this will help your app grow and adapt to the changing market as well.

Maintenance does not only come in the form of app updates. You should also invest in quality CMMS services such as Axxerion, which makes the experience of creating and managing an app more streamlined and convenient.

4.   Business Image and App Icon

The App Icon should be consistent with your brand’s image and have a visual connection with your other platforms like your website, social media channels, and even the app’s interior design.  Maintaining a visual connection helps your customers remember you. Remember, an app is your virtual marketplace to interact with your customers, so be sure to pay attention to the visual components of the App.

5.   App Icon—Less is More

The logo is probably one of the trickiest parts and leans heavily  on your team’s creativity. Icon design is the polar opposite of the conventional poster design. Your entire message needs to be encapsulated  into one small logo.

Icons are very small, that is why when detailed and elaborate designs are used, they become discernable and confusing when you see the small icon on your device.

That is why you should keep it simple, yet memorable.

6.   Individuality in Layout is Confusing

The essence of businesses in competitive environments is finding ways to stand out but this rule does not apply to the layout of your app. Allow yourself to be inspired by apps that are popular and use similar functions.

New and unique ways in the functions, such as hand gestures could confuse the user and if it is confusing, customers will not return to the app, nor will they recommend it to others.

7.   The Curse of the Loading Speed

Imagine that you have developed  the perfect app with every feature meticulously planned out. However, after going live, you find out no one is interested in it and people click out of it as quickly as they click on it.

This is the sad reality of the fact that app design is not the only thing that will make it a success – yet another reason to keep your app design simple. Websites and apps that have a lot of graphics and complex features have a trade-off, they will take longer to load.

People are not as patient as businesses would want them to be . It takes mere seconds for someone to leave a site if it does not load.

8.   Create an Easy Experience

Try and make the experience as easy as possible for the user. Make sure  the navigation of the app is easy, and also include tutorials for the user. If a user finds an app easy to use, they are more likely to return to it.

9.   Don’t Abandon the App

After setting up and launching the app, do not abandon it. It is important for your customers to still have direct contact with their seller, not only does it makes the experience more personal, but it will also help minimize communication barriers.

Have a customer service team that stands by to respond to emails and calls and create a system where customers can receive almost immediate, or rather quick responses from your team.

If the burden of the customer feedback becomes too overwhelming or the queries are repetitive, analyze them, and see whether it is a design flaw  of your app and update it accordingly. Otherwise, you can also set up an FAQ section for your customer’s convenience.

Final Thoughts

Creating an app for your business will be a bit daunting at first because there is so much to consider during the planning stages. However, this can connect your business to a larger customer base and help your growth.

Hopefully using these tricks and tips will make your ventures in e-commerce  easier.