How User Experience (UX) Plays A Part In Mobile App Development
- Major Sputnik
- May 17, 2017
- 3 min read
Mobile App Development Rapid Growth
In this modern day where people always have their technology devices nearby, mobile app development is becoming a fast growing field. Various kinds of business, from fast food establishments to retail brands now have their own mobile app. And indeed, it creates a favorable situation for both the customers who gain easier access to various services, and the business itself as they can engage the customers more effectively. However, to boost maximum gain from mobile app development, it takes more than simply create one and put it on the apps store. As you might already have imagined, there are many things to take note of. Functionality, platforms supported, and speed to name a few, but on top of them all is the User Experience (UX).
The Vital Role of User Experience
The term user experience (UX) is quite self-describing, it is indeed about how the users interact with certain brand or product (which in this case is the mobile app). So, a great UX is one that meets, or even surpasses the customers’ expectation. And that is just the reason why UX is so important. The last thing you want to happen is for customers to download your mobile app, try to use it, feel frustrated, and end up deleting it. Even if you have the most sophisticated feature ever, it is of no use if customers are frustrated while using it. Conversely, if your mobile app has a good UX, customers will be satisfied and perceive the application to be useful. When it happens, people will keep using the app and engagement rate increased. Your brand starts to cultivate customers’ loyalty. Apart from that, pleased customers can also help by spreading positive word-of-mouth which in turn increases your mobile app’s traffic.
Quick Guide to Create Good User Experience
It takes literally a whole book to cover only the elements of user experience. Don’t freak out just yet, though. Fundamentally, it all begins with an in-depth understanding of your mobile app’s target users. It’s a good idea to conduct some research to know your customers’ demographic. Are you targeting youth or elder? Do they live in urban or rural area? What are their vocations? From those information, you can create the personas of your target customers. Each category may have their own unique traits and needs. Therefore, this process is truly vital to deliver a mobile app that can satisfy them.
Next, ensure that your mobile app has all the functionalities it needs. Not inadequate, not redundant, just right. Again, research is always helpful to find which functions your customers need the most, what might be useful for them, and what may not. To devise a good user experience, testing of your mobile app’s beta version can also be done. It will be of use in discovering how people are using your app, as well as identifying rooms for improvement. Last but not least, your mobile app has to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate around. People do judge a book by its cover, and first impression lingers. No matter how advanced the features you have, bad design will quickly turn customers off. Oppositely, appealing interface and delicate app design will make customers more eager to browse around. Other point that should be taken note of is the navigation of your app. Complexity causes frustration, which is why it is essential to keep things simple and highly comprehensible. Combining these aspects altogether, you are now a step closer to create an exceptional mobile app.