According to a study by Verto Analytics, Android users uninstall 89% of downloaded apps while iOS users remove 82% apps. That means, nearly 85% of apps has short shelf life.
Mobile App developers are working hard to create mini-version of softwares (apps). And users never think twice while removing those apps. This is not a fault of users; this is a fault of apps.
Not all apps have longer shelf life. Branded apps like Facebook, Twitter, Candy Crush and others are always residing in users’ smartphone. They have something different that make them survive longer than others. What’s that?
Without further ado, let’s discuss the key points that an app must have to survive over a long haul.
Is your app something users can use regularly?
Social networking, shopping, news, etc., apps are something that users use regularly. Real estate app is not something that can be used regularly. Everyday users will not buy property, but, of course, they will log into Facebook to see updates. Hence, they will delete Real Estate app once they purchase the property.
Apps that are checked out on a constant basis generally have longer life than those which users use once in a blue moon.
So, make an app that can offer something users can check out constantly. Otherwise, there is no meaning to invest time, money and efforts on apps that users can’t stick to.
Does your app offer something that website don’t?
Flipkart has both the website and the app. But its in-app chat feature is available only for app users, not for website users.
Suppose you have a shopping site and you create an app for the same. If you offer same features in your app alike your website, make sure that you have made a small version of your website, nothing else. What makes the real difference is when your app offers something that your site can’t?
Users want what they don’t have. After all, they comprise their smartphone space to put your app. If they get everything from website, why should they install the app?
Does it offer Real Incentive?
Users prefer to visit website more than apps as it takes less time, efforts and steps. That’s why, your website doesn’t need a sort of incentives to attract users, but your app does.
Wallgreens, an American Pharmaceutical company, attracts users towards app through its coupons which are available only for app users. Not only the company grabs users for app, the incentive strategy also helps company to keep users engage and active on a regular basis. As a final check, real incentives improve the shelf life of app.
Does it Assure Security?
10% users swear to leave a brand app if they found security issues.
No matter how much your app is useful to users, once they meet with any security issues, they prefer to uninstall it rather than taking risk while continuing with the app. Adopting security measures is as important as it is to make and market an app.
Don’t consider security as an optional feature. Make it indispensable and also let your users know how secure your app is.
Do You Have a Budget?
App makers often underestimate the cost of app marketing which makes their app development cost go worthless. Without marketing, your app won’t reach to users. App marketing cost is not just limited to make the app reach to users. You have to market app as long as you want your app to go. So, make sure you have a long term marketing budget, before you plan for a long life of app.
Conclusion
Taking an app so far is not a cup of tea. You have to consider many things ranging from development to marketing. All stages of making an app to maintenance require a good amount of time, efforts and money. Getting out of any one of these can hinder the success of an app.
Mobile App developers are working hard to create mini-version of softwares (apps). And users never think twice while removing those apps. This is not a fault of users; this is a fault of apps.
Not all apps have longer shelf life. Branded apps like Facebook, Twitter, Candy Crush and others are always residing in users’ smartphone. They have something different that make them survive longer than others. What’s that?
Without further ado, let’s discuss the key points that an app must have to survive over a long haul.
Is your app something users can use regularly?
Social networking, shopping, news, etc., apps are something that users use regularly. Real estate app is not something that can be used regularly. Everyday users will not buy property, but, of course, they will log into Facebook to see updates. Hence, they will delete Real Estate app once they purchase the property.
Apps that are checked out on a constant basis generally have longer life than those which users use once in a blue moon.
So, make an app that can offer something users can check out constantly. Otherwise, there is no meaning to invest time, money and efforts on apps that users can’t stick to.
Does your app offer something that website don’t?
Flipkart has both the website and the app. But its in-app chat feature is available only for app users, not for website users.
Suppose you have a shopping site and you create an app for the same. If you offer same features in your app alike your website, make sure that you have made a small version of your website, nothing else. What makes the real difference is when your app offers something that your site can’t?
Users want what they don’t have. After all, they comprise their smartphone space to put your app. If they get everything from website, why should they install the app?
Does it offer Real Incentive?
Users prefer to visit website more than apps as it takes less time, efforts and steps. That’s why, your website doesn’t need a sort of incentives to attract users, but your app does.
Wallgreens, an American Pharmaceutical company, attracts users towards app through its coupons which are available only for app users. Not only the company grabs users for app, the incentive strategy also helps company to keep users engage and active on a regular basis. As a final check, real incentives improve the shelf life of app.
Does it Assure Security?
10% users swear to leave a brand app if they found security issues.
No matter how much your app is useful to users, once they meet with any security issues, they prefer to uninstall it rather than taking risk while continuing with the app. Adopting security measures is as important as it is to make and market an app.
Don’t consider security as an optional feature. Make it indispensable and also let your users know how secure your app is.
Do You Have a Budget?
App makers often underestimate the cost of app marketing which makes their app development cost go worthless. Without marketing, your app won’t reach to users. App marketing cost is not just limited to make the app reach to users. You have to market app as long as you want your app to go. So, make sure you have a long term marketing budget, before you plan for a long life of app.
Conclusion
Taking an app so far is not a cup of tea. You have to consider many things ranging from development to marketing. All stages of making an app to maintenance require a good amount of time, efforts and money. Getting out of any one of these can hinder the success of an app.