Application Development

FEATURES OF APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Once you have your basic idea, the layout, and the colour scheme right, you need to start thinking about what the customer actually wants, because if you don’t meet their needs, a competitor might, and as a result, you could lose significant business. There are a few features which are nice to have and some which are must-haves, but many will make your app really stand out.

Must have mobile app features include:
 

1.   Simplicity

Many people have short attention spans and if you make you app difficult to navigate then they will lose interest fast. If your customer cannot access their information quickly and easily, they will become frustrated and do it another way – possibly by using a competitor’s app. Clear, uncluttered screens with obvious leads to the next step in the app process and no ambiguity improve the customer experience and will encourage them to continue to use it.
 

2.   Speed

Fast loading screens are vital. No one likes waiting, particularly when all they have to look at is a screen-loading symbol and this frustration soon gives way to boredom resulting in a decision to seek something better. Speed means an appropriate set of graphics and not fetching large tables and databases. Keep it simple and keep it quick.
 

3.   Good image resolution

While you have to balance app speed against functionality and resolution, you have to ensure that what you have on screen is sufficiently detailed to make the user experience worthwhile. We are well past the times of blocky graphics and today’s users expect to have hi-definition and 16 million colours. Anything less will limit your app sales.
 

4.   Flexibility

There are three main mobile operating systems – iOS, Android, and Windows – and in order to achieve the best out of your app, it needs to be available on all of these. Android apps are easy to upload to the PlayStore, but iOS needs to be tried and tested by Apple before they are allowed on the App Store. The coding doesn’t necessarily need to be different but you may be dealing with different screen sizes and resolutions so make sure to test on both systems before uploading.
 

5.   Security

Internet security is becoming an ever-increasing issue and the same applies for your app. With many applications storing personal and sensitive information or credit and debit card details, security is an absolute must.

Hackers may attempt to:

• Place malware into apps and onto devices where it can access data and steal screen lock passcodes
• Intercept sensitive information travelling over the network
• Steal customer data for identity theft or fraud.
• Get hold of private business assets