App Development: Android or iOS?

Mobile App Development
Whether you have a business requiring mobile app, or is a developer yourself, there is always one question that comes into consideration... Should I start with Android or iOS?
As mobile app development is growing in a really fast pace, it doesn't mean that you have to rush and try to simultaneously build app for both platforms. In fact, it is often wiser to choose one to start from. It is recommended to do so because in the mobile app development process, a lot of learning and fixing are involved, which makes it simpler to achieve your desired app experience on one platform first. Now that we agree on that point, we can proceed to determining whether you should start on which platform.

Choosing Between Android or iOS
Well, it is not easy to choose without any ground. Nor it is a wise solution to simply toss a coin and see what you get. Therefore, here are list of some factors that you might want to consider:

• Target market: Android holds the largest global market share, with substantially more users in Asia and the majority of developing countries. So, if you are targeting that demographic, then android app development will be more suitable. On the other hand, while iOS have less user, they tend to have higher income and education, as well as higher engagement. It comes down to whether you aim for breadth or depth.
• Purpose: Will there be in app purchase or direct charge for your app? If that is the case, then it might be preferable to start on iOS app development. Data from various studies shows that iOS users are more likely to make in-app purchase and generate more revenue than Android. But it doesn't mean that you should scratch Android off your list. In fact, if you want more control over the hardware and software of your app, Android might be better as it allows more freedom in elements customization
• Cost: Generally speaking, the costs of building app for Android and iOS are similar. However, difference in the cost will occur when you need to design for more number of devices that use Android. At the same time, however, it also means that you can reach wider audience.

Conclusively, choosing a platform to develop your first mobile app depends a lot on the purpose and goal you want to achieve. However, due to demographics, cost, and engagement, many developers usually start with the iOS platform first. One of the most prominent example for this case is Instagram, who waited for 2 years before launching its app on Android.

Hope this helps!

User Experience in Mobile App Development

Mobile App Development

As discussed in the previous post, mobile app development is growing faster than ever. Businesses and enterprises, from neighborhood cafes to commercial airlines now have their own mobile app. And indeed, it creates a win-win situation for both the customers who gain easier access to various services, and the business itself as they can engage the customers directly.

However, to make the most out of mobile app development, it takes more than simply create one and put it on the apps store. Of course, there are many things to be considered. Functionality, platforms supported, and speed to name a few, but on top of them all is the User Experience (UX).

Why User Experience Is Important

The term user experience (UX) is quite self-describing, as it is really about how the users interact with certain brand or product (which in this case is the mobile app). So, a good UX is one that satisfies, or even surpasses the customers’ need. And that is exactly the first reason why UX is important. The last thing you want to happen is for customers to download your mobile app, try it, feel frustrated, and end up uninstalling it. Even if you have the coolest feature around, it is of no use if customers are frustrated while using it.

On the other hand, if your mobile app has top-notch UX, customers will be satisfied and deem the application to be useful. When it happens, people keeps coming back and engagement increased. Your brand gets a bunch of loyal customers. In addition, happy customers can also help in spreading positive word-of- mouth which increases your mobile app’s traffic.

How to Achieve Good User Experience

It literally takes a whole book to cover the elements of user experience. Don’t freak out just yet, though. In the most fundamental sense, it all starts with a good understanding of your mobile app’s target users. Conduct some research to figure out your customers’ demographic. Are you targeting youth or adults? Do they live in urban or rural area? What are their occupations? From those information, you can create some personas of your target customers. Each category may have different needs, and this process is truly essential to deliver a mobile app that can satisfy them.

Next, ensure that your mobile app has all the functionalities it needs. Not inadequate, not redundant, just right. Again, research can be useful to find which functions your customers need the most, what might be useful for them, and what may not. To establish good user experience, testing can also be done. It will help in discover how people are using the app, as well as areas to be improved.

Finally, you want your mobile app to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate around. People do judge a book by its cover. No matter how advanced the features you have, poor design will quickly turn customers off. Oppositely, appealing interface and app design will make customers more willing to browse around. Other factors that should be considered is the navigation of your app. Complexity causes confusion, thus it is important to keep things simple and highly comprehensible. All these aspects combined together, you are now one step closer to create a mobile app that shines.