Questions to ask before creating a mobile app

In 2018, the Apple App Store and Google Play recorded 113 billion downloads of games and apps – an increase in 10% from the previous year. With such a huge demand for mobile apps, career prospects for developers and creative roles in the app development industry are plentiful. However, failure rates are high and it’s important not to jump into development before thoroughly researching the market.

What is the goal of my app?

Every successful mobile app starts out with a clearly defined objective. Before you even think of putting a development team together, brainstorm exactly what you want to accomplish. What do you want your app to do? Who will it appeal to and how will you market to them? Is there a need for your app and is there anything similar already available? It can be tempting to create an app with multiple functions and features but the best apps are those with a single purpose. Choose one simple function and make sure it is done well.  

How will my app be different from its competitors?

With so many apps available to download, the chances that you have a unique idea that’s never been tried before are slim. Do some market research before you start developing your initial idea - you can use Google Trends and Google Keyword Planner to find out whether people are actively searching for what you are trying to do. Read reviews of similar apps and learn what customers like and dislike about them. You may find that you need to modify your original idea based on feedback about similar products in the app stores.

What will the user experience be?

Nothing is more frustrating for mobile users than a poorly designed app, and good UX (user experience) often makes the difference between success and failure. Thoroughly planning out your app’s layout, user interfaces (UIs), and navigation flow before you begin also saves additional development costs later in the process. There are numerous wireframing tools available online to help you produce a basic mockup of your app before starting development.

Interested in a career in app development? An MA in Creative App Development from Falmouth Flexible can help you develop the skills and connections you need to take advantage of the opportunities available in this growing field.