9 Tips for Developing an Amazing Mobile App

Americans spend a lot of time on their phones. The quality of their online experiences is largely defined by what applications they use, which has created a unique niche market. Developers have already created millions of apps, but there’s always room for innovation and improvement.

Interested in becoming a developer? Making waves in competitive markets can be tough. Follow these tips to maximize the chances of creating the next big cell phone app.

Start by Identifying Unmet Needs

The average entrepreneur getting into app development isn’t going to be able to compete with established industry giants that are already providing valuable services. Instead, he or she will need to identify other Internet users’ needs that are currently going unmet.

Recommended article: 7 Steps of App Development

Start by doing some brainstorming and market research. Keep the focus not on existing apps that are already popular but on ways a new app could fill in the gaps.

Focus, Focus, Focus

Once entrepreneurs have developed a stellar idea, it’s time to focus and refine it. It’s much easier and more effective to develop an app that focuses on simplifying one aspect of users’ lives or online experiences in a specific niche.

If the app is successful, entrepreneurs can switch their focus to adding features and content later. In the early phases, the app should do one thing exceptionally well instead of losing focus and creating unnecessary clutter.

Incorporate Free Content

The best way to get users to try out a new app is to provide basic access for free. If the app offers some value in its basic, free form, users will be less likely to balk at paying for more advanced features or services.

Many successful apps offer both free versions and paid subscriptions. Developers make money on the free versions by relying on ads, then make the paid subscription services ad-free. It’s a winning strategy for everyone from app developers to advertisers and, most importantly, end-users.

Develop for Both Android and iOS

To achieve maximum success, new apps must be able to reach as many potential users as possible. Designing for the two most popular operating systems, Android and iOS ensures that the app will be available to the vast majority of consumers.

Designing for both operating systems requires implementing a cross-platform development framework. Experienced developers know just what it takes to design apps that are perfectly streamlined for both Android and iOS. They also know that cross-platform design will cut back on costs later once the app becomes more popular.

Integrate Offline Functions

The Internet may be more or less ubiquitous in 2021, but that doesn’t mean users won’t appreciate offline functionality. Many users appreciate being able to access their apps’ most valuable features and contents offline. Since positive user experience defines an app’s success, entrepreneurs should plan to meet this expectation from the beginning.

Perform Extensive Testing

Pre-launch app testing is a crucial step in the development process, so don’t cut corners. Experienced developers can work with entrepreneurs to develop a testing strategy that’s appropriate for their apps’ unique contexts and applications. The plan will likely involve not just pre-launch testing, but also beta testing with customer feedback.

Laboratory testing can only offer so much insight into an app’s effectiveness and user-friendliness. Making the app available to beta testers prior to the official launch helps developers determine actual vs intended use. It also helps to ensure that the app will perform as intended in a real-world environment.

Welcome User Feedback

Before end-users get access to the app, developers should ensure that they have an easy channel for offering feedback. In-app communication is key. The app’s customer service channels should be intuitive and easy to access, connecting users to the right types of automated or personalized assistance, and making it easier to submit ratings, reviews, and feedback.

Creating an effective customer communications channel accomplishes three goals:

It motivates users to communicate problems directly to the development team instead of placing the app’s shortcomings in the public spotlight.

It minimizes the chances of users having bad experiences that could cause them to turn to competing apps, boosting app retention.

It gives developers an idea of what steps they could take to further improve the app’s design or service provisions in future updates.

Create an Effective Marketing Plan

Even a flawless app won’t perform well if no one knows about it. Coming up with an effective marketing plan during the development stages can be incredibly helpful. Assume that any successful marketing plan will involve pre-launch and post-launch campaigns.

Effective app marketing plans need to be more dynamic than some entrepreneurs may expect. If, for example, beta testing or initial customer responses post-launch indicate that the app’s actual audience is narrower, broader, or just plain different from its expected audience, the marketing plan will need to change to accommodate new potential users.

As with feature development, marketing plans should be focused. Don’t try to get everyone on-board at once. Remember, even Facebook started out as a highly targeted platform designed with students pursuing advanced educations in mind. It wasn’t until the platform established itself as an industry leader and began to attract attention from additional audiences that it expanded to target other key markets.

Trust the Experts

There’s a reason entrepreneurs hire development companies during the earliest stages of creating new apps. These industry pros know the ins and outs of everything required to create a stellar new product, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of their expertise.

If a professional developer recommends making certain changes, there are good reasons he or she has made that recommendation. Consider it carefully and work with the team to implement appropriate upgrades or alterations.

Ready to Get Started?

Already have an amazing idea for the world’s next big mobile app? The best way to get the development process started is to contact a company that can help. The online world changes fast, so don’t put off making the leap until someone else comes up with a similar idea. Take action and reach out now to discuss the first steps in the development process.

A Garden Bench Is Much More Versatile Than You Think!

Garden benches are so much more than a place to sit. Available in a wide range of materials it’s easy to find one that suits your specific tastes and needs. They also can not only serve to provide you with a great looking focal point, or garden accent, but also can be used to balance and even help define your garden space as well.One reason so many people love garden benches is that there is just such a huge variety. Most people only associate a garden bench with a metal bench yet don’t realize that there are so many different types available. A metal garden bench can actually be made from iron, aluminum, copper, as well as other types of metal too. These can be as ornate or as simple as you like. For a more natural look many homeowners go with a wooden garden bench. These can range from Oak, Teak, or Pine, to something like Eucalyptus. All of these can add a natural charm and appeal to your garden. There are also many different types of stone benches and a wide variety of plastic garden benches too. Whether you prefer a man-made or natural material there is something for everyone and every garden space.Garden benches are also perfect for providing a great looking focal point or even a more subdued accent to your garden. They work so well at both of these because of the huge variety available. Many homeowners opt for their bench to be their focal point which typically means an ornate metal garden bench, but the choice of material is yours. Depending on your garden there are many types which can work well to give you a focal point which not only matches the style of your garden but calls attention to itself as an object of beauty as well. And of course all the while providing you with a place to sit and enjoy your great looking garden at the same time. Using one to accent your garden space is just as easy because all you need to do is find a bench which goes with the feel, look, and style of your garden and you’re golden. Many homeowners choose to go with a simple stone or wooden bench as an accent to enhance the beauty of their garden because they are extremely good looking but also because they are simple looking enough that they don’t demand all the attention.Another reason so many people decide to purchase a garden bench is actually one which a large number of homeowners and gardeners often overlook the importance of, or don’t think of at all. And that reason is balance. So many people tend to work very hard on one aspect or area of their garden that they completely forget about the look of their space as a whole. This often means that they end up with one fantastic looking section in their garden but nothing else. A garden bench can provide balance to this space by making your garden look much more even and well rounded. An added bonus is that at the same time it can help to define the boundaries of your garden space too. Balance is always much more pleasing to the eye and will also make your outdoor space look exponentially better when viewed as a whole.With such huge array of materials and styles available which can provide you with a gentle accent or striking focal point it’s easy to see why so many people love garden benches. This especially true when they can provide balance and help to define your outdoor space at the same time. Who would have thought a place to sit could be so versatile?

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!

He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.

But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.

Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!

Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.

We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.

Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.

Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!

But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.

Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.

Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.

And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.

All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.

He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.