So, you’ve decided to develop your app and surely you can imagine how your app will be a resounding success, though nothing is really so simple. Our modern app market is overwhelmed with a huge amount of applications and there’s fierce, cutthroat competition between the app developers (think mean girls on steroids). Even if you successfully handle the coding part, unfortunately, it’s never enough. There are many other factors that can influence your app’s success. In this episode, we’ll look at the most popular mistakes that developers commit during their App Development.

Working Without a Good Plan

There’s an important question that needs to be discussed before developing an application. Make sure you know answers to the following questions: Why did you decide to develop an app? Who is your target audience? What value does your app have and how it’ll help users? Does Christy really care about your app’s success? Many people start developing an app but deep in their mind they have no idea how their application can be useful for people. As a result, they become disillusioned when nothing happens.

Having No Value Proposition

One of the most important factors of an app’s success is having a unique value proposition. Take some time and think about whether you should take this route and what you’re going to offer your user. Make sure your value proposition is unique and has value to offer your users.

Including Too Much

Some people are sure that if they have to include everything plus the kitchen sink into a website or a mobile application, they’ll definitely achieve success. Unfortunately, things don’t work this way. A proper mobile app should streamline the experience and allow people to quickly accomplish a task within the shortest period of time. Having failed to identify the key use cases will undoubtedly lead to missing the mark in the app development.

Make Registration Process as Simple as Possible

So, you’ve finally finished your code and now your task is to create the design for a user interface. Remember a golden rule that says, “First impression is the most.” That’s why you have to keep your app as simple and intuitive as possible.

You need to create an app that makes your user understand how to work with it as soon as he opens it for the first time. Present him an idea, show him some cool features before asking a user to present his information. Put yourself in your user’s shoes. If the very first page of your app will be a registration form, make no mistake that a user will close your app as soon as he opened it.

A good approach is to start with presenting your app and giving a user the real value. After this step, you can try to convince users that they’ll get new data/features in case they complete their data. However, you need to find the right moment.

Your App Should Be Properly Tested

More than a thousand applications are being released daily. And now there’s a huge amount of apps for all tastes. As a result, it’s a competitive market to release an app that people are willing to download.

Some developers commit a huge mistake by not testing their app before a release. Consequently, it may lead to a total failure, as it’s the quality of an app that is responsible for its success. Having ensured that your app is properly tested will result in users’ positive feedbacks.

Logging With Social Networks

The login process should be as fast and simple as possible, though it’s a big mistake to allow your users to log with their social accounts. It’s pretty convenient for those people who’re active on their social platforms.

Nevertheless, as amazing as it sounds there still people who don’t have any social accounts. And you also need to take this fact into account. Keep all the options opened and provide a great user experience.

Don’t Forget About Personalization

New features are great, though that’s not all. More important than features is the personalization of your app. Try to understand the user preferences and then accomplish their needs in every tap they make in your app. Make sure that you implemented a function that will show the actions made by users.

Not Taking into Account The Use Case For Your Audience

Before, while and after the development of your app it’s necessary to understand the use case of your app for your customers and prospects. Are you truly answering a need, or just developing an app because it’s another tool to possibly engage with your audience?

All you need to do is to survey your users and get an understanding of what they need, how they actually want to engage on mobile, and what will drive them o constantly use your app over others.

The Amount of Downloads Is the First Consideration

Don’t focus only on the amount of your app’s downloads. App’s retention is great, though it’s not the most important thing on which you need to focus on. If your app gets thousand of downloads but none used, it won’t make your app successful.

You need to track data and find out where the drop off actually occurs between download and use. After that, you need to focus your efforts on relevance and retention.

Developing For Multiple Platforms At Once

If you think that the best way to reach as many users as possible, is to develop your app on every platform available, you’re wrong. The truth is that your app will be modified multiple times as soon as users actually start using it. Every day you’ll be learning new things about your user’s behavior.

Sometimes it’s better not to spread yourself too thin but understand what works one platform, and only then move on. If you focus on one platform, the entire development process will run much faster. Besides, there will be higher chances that your app will be in the top of all markets.

If you have a very limited budget, it’s better to focus on developing an app for one platform or a hybrid app. Otherwise, you may end up with a few barely developed apps that will bring benefit neither for your users nor for your business.

On the other hand, this challenge won’t hurt you if you have a pretty solid budget.

Ignoring Negative Feedback

Any experience is of value (even the negative one). The same thing is with feedbacks. For example, for gaming apps, the paragraph-long, one-star reviews are highly important and valuable. It’s these users who don’t actually care, else they wouldn’t spend their time. Bear in mind that their review can be a reflection of a thousand users who have the same opinion but don’t usually write reviews.

Don’t Expect Immediate Return on Investment

You’ll be amazed when you find out that less than one percent of apps actually make money. Just bear in mind this fact as it’ll help you reconsider your plans for building an app in case your main goal is to gain profit.

Take Into Account Hidden Costs

Positive thinking is great, though when it comes to usage rates and retention of app users, you need to be realistic. There are many factors that should be taken into account, such as the cost of content development, various ads to drive for enlarging users audience as well as the ongoing costs of future maintaining your app.

Taking The Easy Way Out

If you decide to develop an app, be ready that it’ll take A LOT of time. You can’t just copy and paste ideas from other people as well as software tool elements and then wait for a huge success. Things don’t work like this. Try to focus on taking your time to create a perfect app that’s unique, provides value, and will solve customer needs.

Not Taking Into Account a Marketing Plan

Despite putting all your time, energy and, resources into app development, spend some time on your marketing strategy research. In case, you don’t have a decent marketing plan, you might be endangering all your efforts.

The Bottom Line

Try to stick to these simple, but at the same time, very important rules and you’ll be amazed by the success that your app can achieve. Spend the equal amount of time both on code developing, your app’s design, and marketing strategy. And you may be sure that you’re on the right track to upload an outstanding app that everybody will love and share with each other. Remember that it’s much better to develop an app with a few cool features rather than a buggy one that is full of various useless characteristics.

The Trailblazer's Guide to Building a Successful App

15 Mistakes To Avoid During Mobile App Development was originally published in JetRuby on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.