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What I learned from my first mobile app failure

What to avoid and what to focus on, key lessons from a first-time developer

Want to develop a mobile app? Developing the application is difficult, and getting it noticed on the app store is just as difficult.

In this post, I will be sharing my story of what I learnt from my first mobile app failure.

In my experience, most app developers are excited to launch their new mobile application which is more or less loaded with features.

My story begins a couple of years ago when I had my idea. I was pretty much convinced about the success of my idea. During the day of the app launch, I felt like Steve Jobs launching the new iPhone with everybody waiting in the queue to download my app. What a dream!

However, in reality, my application managed to receive only 5 app downloads out of which three were of my closest friends, who also managed to help me with the reviews.

Also Read: Unfazed by 3 failures, this 20-year-old is building a new startup, with some big names backing it

While my app launched on the app store, it was completely rejected by the audience.

Mistakes to avoid and lessons to remember

 

Excitement kills reality

Before you get excited about creating the app, you need to ensure that the idea is viable. It is like driving with a broken GPS. You can drive faster but can only to get to the wrong destination sooner.

So before I began racing, I decided to upgrade my GPS, which meant concocting a plan to bring it to the market successfully.

I learned that research is a crucial element. Research on the business requirement, competition in the market and above all research about numbers of apps with the same idea.

Any good product is based on the idea of resolving issues with a fresh approach. However, if your idea is already there in the market, you can always try to improvise or add more value to it.

If there is tough competition in the market then maintain focus on improving the basics or offer something unique.

Try to find problems around you, and create solutions within the app to resolve it.

Don’t be obsessed with creating a perfect product

Being a new app developer,  I worked to fit in as many features and plugins as possible, even if they were not required.

As a result, my application was not optimized and it ran sluggishly.

Another disadvantage was the increment in developing time, while I was attempting to make the perfect app, I was losing time.

So try to eliminate unwanted & unusual features and launch the app with only a few important ones. This is also known as the minimum viable product (MVP).

You can add more features in the updated version of the application. This method reduces development time and cost, also it ensures that you can execute your idea quickly.

Also Read: These 9 famous startup failures have a lesson for you

Design simply

The design of the app is crucial in making a good first impression on the user, therefore, the layout of the app should be crafted and designed carefully.

While everything on the internet is free and easily available, i.e. theme, design pattern, plugins, and so on. These free templates encourage app owners to create an application on their own.

With so many templates to choose from, how do you pick the best one?

Well, just look at some of the most popular apps on the market, for example, Uber, or Airbnb.  They all have a simple design with an easy to use UI. Try to make your design as simple as you can, remove all unusual graphics from design.

Identify the right audience

Creating a dream project without planning is like shooting in the dark. Before creating the app, first, it is essential to ask, Why?

Identifying relevant users always helps in creating features.

Usually, popular apps are always designed according to their target audience which is why they get attention from an early-stage. So try to identify whom you’re serving in future and jot down their needs.

If the application is crafted according to the users, it will gain traction and this may help you to monetise the app.

ASO (App Store Optimization) is oxygen

If your application does not perform well on the app store, App Store Optimisation (ASO) can turn your fortunes around.

ASO is similar to search engine optimisation (SEO), which helps to boost website rankings on the search engine, except this time it is for the app store.

In my personal experience, it is crucial that all newbie app owners should learn the basics of ASO and strive to implement it in the best possible way. Here are some basics of app store optimization. (trust me it works):

  • Put a catchy keyword in the title.
  • Add keywords in the description.
  • Use attractive & appealing screenshots.
  • Insert informative videos in the screenshots.
  • Use the app Store analytics for audience behaviour
  • Encourage positive reviews to users.
  • Try to create a brand identity design (Icon, Color)

Also Read: How the world’s most successful founders approach failure

Final thoughts

By writing this post, I hope it helps every new app owner or someone who is planning to build an app and avoid making the same mistakes that I did.

One key takeaway for readers is that you should keep your eyes on core functionality or selling point of the app. Try to keep the design and functions of the app as simple as you can.

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Image Credit: Maulik Sutariya

 

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