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 original app idea
The competition is tough in the mobile app market. According to a report by Statista, there are already over 3 million apps in the Google Play Store, and the Apple App Store has nearly 2 million.
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.
There is an app for almost everything these days, and it can be challenging to come up with an original idea that hasn’t been done before.
How to overcome this:
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 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.
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.
How to overcome this:
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 by designing the app on paper 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.
Screen size and resolution also play a significant role in creating a user-friendly interface, so make sure to optimize your design for different devices.
By focusing on creating an easy, delightful mobile app that people can enjoy using, you’re sure to succeed in developing an engaging, user-friendly interface.
3. Optimizing battery consumption
Mobile app development can present some tricky challenges, but one of the biggest is consuming less battery life.
Optimizing battery life for native development presents some significant challenges for developers. In particular, native apps, 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.
Battery life in native mobile apps requires a strategic development approach and ongoing refinement as devices advance, but it can be achieved with creativity and foresight.
How to overcome this:
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.
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:
- target audience
- what problem(s) your app solves
- programming languages you want to use
How to overcome this:
When defining the scope of your app, don’t think too big. The less complex the scope of your project is, the better your chances of 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.
Partnering with a reliable mobile app development company can also help you stay on track and ensure that your project stays within scope.
With years of experience in the mobile market, contact StarTechUP with your app needs!
5. Ensuring security and privacy
Today, we see real challenges in mobile security. 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:
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 that best security practices are followed during the development process. They will set network boundaries and test for vulnerabilities before deploying mobile apps.
Ultimately, authentication procedures, such as biometrics or two-factor authentication, will help secure a mobile app and protect against such issues. So, invest in mobile security to ensure your user’s safety and trust in your product.
6. Dealing with different screen sizes and device compatibility
Mobile devices come in all shapes and sizes.
This means mobile apps need to play nice with all sorts of screen sizes and resolutions. Plus, they’ve got to work well with whatever mobile operating system your target audience uses.
With different platforms of iOS apps and Android operating systems now available, as well as a myriad of different phone models, it can quickly become a dizzying array of different devices to account for.
How to overcome this:
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.
Your app developer must factor in different resolution sizes and account for different pixel densities or screen resolutions as well.
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.
But there are often differences in the way cross-platform apps work which requires more tailored development processes. For example, Android uses Java as its language, while iOS devices focus on Swift/Objective-C.
How to overcome this:
There are plenty of cross-platform app development frameworks out there, such as Flutter or React Native, that enable 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.
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 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.
How to overcome this:
Getting funding for mobile app development can be an uphill battle, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
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.
[Also read: 9 App Monetization Strategies That Work]
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 AI and machine learning, mobile applications are now capable of accomplishing customizability, speed, and scalability.
How to overcome this:
With the right app 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 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 services or cloud solutions.
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!
