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.

Mobile App Development in Singapore, Online Business Platform

What Is Mobile App Development
Mobile app development is the process whereby application software is developed specifically for mobile devices. Usually, mobile app is accessible through devices such as smartphone and tablet. Apart from those that are already pre-installed in the devices, you can also download apps from an online app store. In 2017, it is reported that the Apple has more than 3 million apps in its mobile app ecosystem. Games like Pokemon Go, online ride hailing platforms, and online food ordering have all been a big hit. As technology and smart devices are becoming more and more readily accessible to people worldwide, mobile app development is a rapidly growing field. Designers and developers are often contacted by businesses and enterprises to work on mobile app development.

The Benefits of Having A Mobile App
A common assumption is that only big companies need to have their own mobile app. And that is, in fact, wrong. Even small and medium enterprises can benefit from having a mobile app and stay in the front-line of their industry, here's why:

• Be ever visible. People are on their phone a lot, and imagine the exposure gained if the app icon of your business is there. By just being there, you are able to cross your customers' mind, increasing the chance for them to  think of your service.
• Increase customer engagement. Having a mobile app means that customers can easily reach you wherever they are. Transactions can be done in just a few clicks and moreover, consistent service and procedures are applied so that satisfying interaction is more guaranteed.
• Build customers loyalty. Mobile app development helps you to connect in direct and meaningful way with your customers. It is also possible to provide extra value for your customers by creating a loyalty program or app-only promotions. When customers have a good experience, chances are they gonna use the app again.

How To Create A Mobile App
Convinced to create a mobile app for your business, but have no idea where to start? Check out our post on how to create an app without programming! Alternatively, the easiest way to do this is to be in contact with digital experts who specialize in mobile app development. Mobile app developers are ready at your service, handling the app design according to your needs. The prices will usually vary depending on the complexity and the platforms supported. Therefore, it is good to have an idea of what functions you need for the app and its purpose.

Reviews Of Mobile App Development
Grab - Car, Taxi, Bike Booking App
An example of a very successful and popular mobile app is Grab. Using the app which is available on both android and iOS app store, users can easily use it to book transportation in simple steps. First, location detection is used to determine the pick up point accurately. Users are then prompted to key in their destination and their choice of transportation. After confirming the booking, users are able to track if their driver is on the way, and be notified when it has arrived.
The app is popular as it offers more convenience compared to the traditional taxi. Users don't have to make a call to book with Grab, and the app makes it impossible to misheard pick-up or destination point. The app is more effective and transparent as it directly indicates how much will the journey cost. In addition, Grab also give their customer extra value by frequently giving promo code that users can use in the mobile app. 

Mobile App Development

Mobile App Development in Singapore

Developing mobile app has become a prevalent practice these days. Especially in a country as highly developed as Singapore; mobile app is a growing necessity for business, companies, and startups alike. Compared to websites, mobile app development has some benefits. For example, it allows businesses to connect with their consumers. Mobile app development makes engagement more direct and consumers can receive feedback in real time. The format of mobile app also makes it accessible through many devices such as smartphones and iPad, which people often carry with them nowadays. For certain business like the growing online shopping platform in Singapore, mobile app development is even more important as it is most able to engage customers and provide them with satisfying purchase experience. Also, for ride hailing platform such as Uber and Grab, mobile app development is essential to enable location detection feature.

Mobile App Development Course in Singapore

As the trend and demand for mobile app grows, mobile app development skill is also becoming increasingly sought after. In the local context, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore has identified mobile application development as a rising IT skill that is crucial for Singapore's IT manpower to stay ahead in competition both globally and locally. Some local polytechnics in Singapore offer diploma in mobile app development. The course offered by Singapore Polytechnic, for instance, offer a part-time course over one year which combines face-to-face and e-learning session. Short term courses can also be found easily. For example, the NTUC Learning Hub has a four-day programming and mobile development course. Participants will be able to build mobile app on Android by the end of the course, and receive a certificate of participation.

Mobile App Development Companies

If you are running a business and thinking of having a mobile app for it, fret not. In Singapore, there are many companies that can do the job for you. These companies may differ in specialization so you can choose which one suits your business best. For example, some are more experienced in eCommerce, others handle mobile games, social networking mobile app, and so on. The services offered may also differ in price according to what features are needed for the mobile app, which makes it useful to clearly define what goals your business wants to achieve by having a mobile app. Thorough planning will also be helpful, as the process of developing a mobile app may take from 3 to 6 months depending on the complexity.