The Top 10 Reasons Why Apps Fail & How To Avoid Them
When beginning the journey to app development and launch, you are often confronted with the fear of app failure. Will all this time and money that goes into app development be worth it? If you know the reasons why apps fail and how to avoid them, the answer is yes – it is totally worth it! So, let’s take a look at the top 10 reasons apps fail and how to avoid them:
Reason #1: Lack of Market
If you have an app that is deemed common on the app market (meaning there are many apps just like it on the market), then your app won’t be in high demand and will surely fail. To avoid this, make sure you have an app that is useful to your target audience and is unique in appearance and function.
Reason #2: Lack of App Development Strategy
When you work on any project without a strategy and end-goal, you are taking huge unnecessary risks. Knowing what you would like your app to do and where you envision your app being in the future (in terms of downloads, customer loyalty, etc.) can help save a lot of development time. To avoid this easily fixed problem, make sure you know what you want the app to look like and where you want it to be in the near future before you meet with your development team. Then, have the development team pitch in ideas on how to reach your goals.
Reason #3: Lack of Analysis
App management at any given time will involve analysis. However, many people make the mistake of doing a poor job of analyzing their competition even before the app development process begins. To avoid this egregious mistake, enlist the help of specialized analysts who will provide a detailed and thorough analysis of your app’s competition. Knowing your competition will put your app above them and ensure its success for years to come.
Reason #4: Lack of Attractiveness
An app’s great design could be the missing link when looking at an app’s success or failure. If your app’s design is too plain, or even too busy, users will uninstall your app and move on. To avoid this, find the right balance between efficiency and visual attractiveness. Once you do, your app will be well on its way to success.
Reason #5: Lack of Target Audience Elements
If you are developing an app for an older generation who did not grow up using electronic devices, presenting an app that is complicated to use and visually overstimulating will deter that target audience from using your app. To avoid this, do extensive research on what your target audience is looking for in an app. Knowing their thoughts and needs will help your app reach its fullest potential.
Reason #6: Speed Issues
One of the most frustrating issues for mobile app users is a slow app speed. When your app is full of bugs and/or unnecessary graphics, you are setting yourself up for a slow app that will discourage users. To avoid this, make sure your app runs quickly and smoothly by monitoring your app’s performance and fixing any issues that come up in a timely manner.
Reason #7: Lack of Cross-Platforms
Although creating an app for one specific platform (like iOS or Android) saves time and money, it doesn’t help in your app’s overall success. To avoid this potential reason for failure, take the time and spend the money to develop your app on many platforms. Reaching the greatest amount of users will tremendously increase your app’s likelihood for success.
Reason #8: Lack of App Testing
Beta tests are an essential part of app development. If you build an app and skip the testing phase (with a small target audience), you run the risk of technical issues that could have been avoided if you had only tested the app before releasing it. So, to avoid this issue, run thorough tests on your app and make corrections as needed before your app’s official release.
Reason #9: Lack of Marketing Strategy
Having a marketing strategy is just as important as having a development strategy. You need to know how you will advertise your app so it will have its best chance at success. To avoid this mistake, confer with an app marketing professional and develop a marketing strategy that fits your app’s goals and target audience(s).
Reason #10: Lack of Monetary Strategy
The final strategy most people overlook is a monetary strategy. This is a strategy that highlights your use of funds for advertisements, such as Facebook ads and Google ads. It is important to work within the lines of a budget and know which ads will be well worth the money spent. The ads that will benefit you the most are the ones that are going to reach the majority, if not all, of your target audience. So, to avoid this reason for app failure, create a budget with your marketing and/or development team that suits your app’s goals and needs for success.
When you are developing an app, so many questions and fears will arise, especially for first-time app creators. Apps can fail or succeed based on how well you confront these common problems. The goal of every app developer is success. This guide to avoiding common app failure reasons will hopefully help you in your app’s development process. With the right tools and knowledge, app success is achievable!
