As an entrepreneur, you’re always looking for the next big opportunity. And in the current mobile-first landscape, developing a successful app can make all the difference.
But, of course, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows. There are mobile app challenges involved in the process that you should be prepared for before taking the plunge.
In this blog post, we’ll explore nine mobile app development challenges and help you overcome them!
Let’s get started!
1. Coming up with an idea that’s original and has not been done before
According to a report by Statista, there are already over 3 million apps in the Google Play Store. Apple App Store, however, has nearly 2 million. We know the competition is tough. You might already feel the pressure even when you haven’t started anything yet.
It’s no secret that coming up with an original app idea can be a challenge. Whether it’s a mobile app, painting, or any other creative endeavor, it can feel like the well of fresh ideas is running dry.
How to Overcome this Challenge
Here’s the thing—original ideas don’t usually arrive all at once. Instead, they come from stitching together previously existing concepts in new and innovative ways.
Part of the mobile development process is researching. Start by looking at existing apps and brainstorming ways to make them better. You can also explore industry-specific ideas or look for trends across different markets.
But if you already have an idea in mind, put them in writing. Write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how crazy it may be. This will help solidify your thoughts and pave the way for interesting conversations.
2. Creating a user-friendly interface
No matter how awesome you think your design is, it’s all pointless if the app users can’t use it. If the interface of your app is not user-friendly, expect confusion from the get-go.
Creating a user-friendly interface is one of the mobile app development challenges you have to face if you want your product to stand out. Principles and techniques can be used to help you design an intuitive interface, but the key is to keep it simple.
How to Overcome this Challenge
User interface design needs to be approached with an empathy-first mindset. Put yourself in your user’s shoes, and think of ways to make their experience as seamless and intuitive as possible.
An effective strategy is to start designing the app and then use feedback from real users to refine your ideas. This will help you identify common pain points in the user flow, allowing you to make changes before you go into the mobile app development process.
Make designing layouts that are simple and easily understood, using vibrant visuals to engage users, and ensuring navigation are straightforward. It’s also important to develop features that users expect; this may include basic features such as search functions, smooth scrolling experiences, notifications, and review systems.
By focusing on creating an easy, delightful mobile app that people can enjoy using then, you’re sure to succeed in developing an engaging, user-friendly interface.
3. Optimizing battery life
Mobile app development can present some tricky challenges, but one of the biggest is consuming less battery life.
Optimizing battery life for native mobile apps presents some significant challenges for developers. In particular, a native app, those built natively for a given platform or device, must know the best way to access and use the low-level features of a smartphone or tablet while still providing an excellent user experience.
Doing this requires not only a well-thought-out development approach but also continuous refinement as smartphones and tablets become more sophisticated. But with some creativity and foresight, battery life can be optimized in native mobile apps.
How to Overcome this Challenge
To start, native mobile app developers can work on reducing the number of network requests that are sent off when the app is opened. Reducing the number of requests can help conserve battery life, as each request requires energy.
In addition, developers should be sure to take advantage of features already present in the device, such as leveraging low-power modes, showing fewer ads and videos, and optimizing code that runs in the background.
Finally, developers should consider turning off notification services when an app isn’t actively being used—this way, there is less energy wasted on managing notifications in the background. With these ideas in mind, developing native apps can actually become very energy efficient over time!
4. Defining the scope of your app
Defining the scope of your app project is one of the most crucial and unavoidable mobile app development challenges you’ll face.
Once you’ve got a great idea for an app, it’s easy to get caught up in enthusiasm and start dreaming of features. But before envisioning the technical aspects of your app, you’ll need to define its scope.
The scope includes your target audience, what problem(s) your app solves, the programming languages you want to use, and more. All of these elements must stay within focus and be consistent throughout development so that your application consistently meets those objectives!
How to Overcome this Challenge
When defining the scope of your app, don’t think too big. The less complex the scope of your project is the better chance of you launching a successful mobile app.
When it comes time for development, everything should tie back to your target audience, as people are more likely to use an app that offers solutions specifically tailored to their needs. Knowing what features are necessary early on will help guide these important decisions along the way.
Taking the time now to hone in on an appropriate scope will save you valuable time, money, and stress further down the road. So take a few dedicated minutes of your day to really define your target mobile app market and the objectives behind your app: it’ll make a world of difference!
5. Ensuring security and privacy
Today, we see mobile security issues left and right. Out of all the countries studied, Australia had the highest percentage of mobile app threats detected (26.9%), according to Lookout, a leading provider of endpoint-to-cloud security.
Despite advances in mobile technology, devices are vulnerable to malicious threats from hackers and online criminals. Phones and tablets can be prone to various mobile security issues, such as Wi-Fi interception, data theft, and malicious attacks.
How to Overcome this Challenge
Ensuring security and privacy should always be a top priority. It’s important to consider mobile encryption techniques to secure user information from external threats.
Working with a trusted mobile application development company is a great way to ensure security best practices are taken during the development process. Additionally, they will set network boundaries, and testing for vulnerabilities before launch is essential when deploying mobile apps.
Ultimately, open discussions on authentication procedures, such as biometrics or two-factor authentication, for an enhanced level of security. With careful planning and attention to detail, mobile developers ensure safe applications that protect users’ data from unwanted intrusions.
6. Dealing with different screen sizes and device compatibility
Mobile devices come in all shapes and sizes. It’s important to consider how your app will look across these devices, as this can greatly affect the user experience.
With different platforms of both iOS apps and Android operating systems now available, as well as a myriad of different phone models on top of that, it can quickly become a dizzying array of different devices to account for.
How to Overcome this Challenge
By having a good understanding of the different device dimensions available and learning the techniques to display content across different screen sizes properly, experienced mobile app developers can make this challenge manageable even for the most complex hybrid apps.
Not only must developers factor in different resolution sizes, but they must account for different pixel densities or screen resolutions as well. App testing offers ways to check and refine your apps on different device formats so that users get an optimal experience no matter how they access your app.
In short, being aware of the different requirements for different screen sizes will help you successfully overcome this mobile app development challenge!
7. Supporting multiple platforms
Mobile app development has come a long way, but there is still one challenge that can stump even the most experienced team of developers: cross-platform app development.
Developing apps on multiple platforms can increase the number of users significantly and reduce the amount of time spent optimizing for different devices, both of which are great advantages.
But there are often differences in the way operating systems work which requires more tailored development processes. For example, Android uses Java as its language, while iOS devices focus on Swift/Objective-C, so developers must have a good grasp of multiple technologies if they want to create cross-platform apps that are truly optimized for all users.
How to Overcome this Challenge
How do you ensure that an app looks and functions properly on all mobile platforms while minimizing the time and complexity of development? The answer lies in cross-platform app technology.
There are plenty of cross-platform app development frameworks out there, such as Flutter or React Native, that enables developers to bridge the gap between iOS and Android and provide a unified experience for their users. You can craft one version of your app that works seamlessly on Apple iOS, Android, and even Windows devices. This eliminates the need for multiple versions tailored specifically to each platform.
Not only does this simplify the coding process, but it also ensures that mobile users get a reliable product that works optimally. Developers can overcome the daunting task of maintaining multiple versions of their apps with flair and confidence.
8. Getting funding
Developing mobile apps is no small feat. There are countless hours of design, decisions regarding technology and operating system compatibility, and coding. But one of the biggest challenges businesses face isn’t technical—it’s financial.
Developing a mobile app requires substantial investments in terms of resources, talent, and time. This can be an obstacle for many businesses that don’t have a large budget or an already established customer base.
How to Overcome this Challenge
Getting funding for mobile app development can be an uphill battle, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. There are multiple routes to pursue financing, depending on what stage in the development cycle you’re in.
For early stages, applying for grants or networking with industry professionals may be the best way forward. For those with an MVP already developed, seeking out investors and venture capitalists could be the answer.
Crowdfunding platforms are another potential avenue to explore. All viable options require researching local ecosystems, knowing investor trends, and effectively marketing your mobile application to secure enough funds to see your project through to completion.
With the right kind of dedication and preparation, getting adequate funding should become less of a challenge, allowing you to focus on making your vision a reality!
9. Incorporating new features and technologies
The app development world is a constantly evolving landscape, and the biggest challenge has always been staying ahead of the curve. As mobile app development technologies continue to evolve and improve, so too does the development process if you want to remain competitive.
With continued advances in cutting-edge development technology, such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, mobile applications are now capable of accomplishing unprecedented feats of customizability, speed, and scalability.
How to Overcome this Challenge
With the right development team, no technological hurdle is too daunting. All it takes is a deep understanding of mobile application development trends combined with expertise in the latest AI or ML technologies.
With a mobile app development company, you can create an amazing experience that stands out clearly from its peers. They will help you in expressing your vision by leveraging the latest technologies, such as AR/VR or cloud solutions.
More than just coding and developing, an experienced mobile app development team can provide valuable insights into the direction of the industry and help you remain competitive in a rapidly-evolving tech landscape!
Develop Your Mobile Apps with Us!
We know that developing a successful mobile app takes more than meets the eye. From understanding the latest technologies and features to securing adequate funding, there are a lot of pieces that need to come together for an app development project to be successful.
That’s why our experienced development team is here to help you navigate through the entire process and ensure that the development process is a breeze. At StarTechUP, we provide mobile app development services tailored to each project to make sure that your app exceeds your expectations.
Contact us today to get started on your mobile app journey, and let our team of mobile app developers help you create amazing apps with confidence!
