Mobile apps, as well as websites, are the latest frontier for startups. Businesses have to decide whether to choose a native application or a responsive website, rather than trying to know what each platform has to offer.
The reason is simple – the visitors who are accessing your website through a desktop, also want to access your brand through mobile devices.
Applications are the intermediate way of reaching out to customers, just like an advertisement or a website. We can’t debate about one vs. another. However, businesses need both for customers who are browsing on the go or on their desktop.
Moreover, having applications engages visitors and motivates them to come back. On the other side, websites also play an important role. Check out the reasons why both are important.
#1. To showcase brand
Websites are offering detailed and more sensible information to educate the customers about brands and offers. Having a responsive site means you have killed two birds with a single stone. Your business can get visitors’ attention from both desktop’s site and mobile website.
Although you are developing a responsive site, you have to engage customers through a mobile application. Make sure to create one that increases your brand value and allows users to perform their tasks quickly on the go.
#2. To develop a platform-first product
It could be a difficult choice to develop a website or an application first, when you have a non-tech business delivered through technology. The decisions may rely on your target audience.
- How do you reach them in the best ways?
- How do you simplify their current performing tasks?
The answers to these questions depend on whether your product values a mobile-first strategy or a web-first. This is unless you are developing for productivity or utility tool that can be developed for on the move apps like to-do lists or apps that don’t need an internet connection to run. If you are developing an application for a single platform, you can’t ignore the customers.
#3. To test with an initiative across mobile platforms
There is the iOS platform and then the Android one.
When you are not sure which mobile platforms you want to target first, you should opt for a responsive website. Android, iOS, and other mobile operating systems are enabled by a responsive website to interact with the brand and provide a similar experience.
Businesses just have to invest one time to get their desktop and mobile platforms covered. This helps in validating your source of traffic.
Even in this case, you have to create your product with analytics integrated to know the traffic that comes from different devices. Once you know what devices your customers are using the most, you can then develop a customized native app solution for them.
What Qualities Should the Mobile App Have?
#1. Appropriate platform
Your application must be optimized for mobile users by taking benefits of integrated qualities of tablets and smartphones. You must also make sure that the app is compatible and functional for all devices and brands.
#2. User-centric design
If you want to build successful mobile applications, you have to create user-friendly and highly intuitive design. Thus, you have to hire the right partner, who prioritizes the user experience in interface design.
#3. Social media integration
It would be great to use Facebook Connect or other single sign-on technology solution to enable visitors to use social media logins to sign into the mobile application. Moreover, you should provide an option to recover their username/password or remind them which social network they utilize when setting up the app.
#4. No extra steps to complete most frequent actions
You should develop an application that focuses on particular purposes. Additionally, user interface must be adapted for the easiest possible completion of the most frequent actions. The best design app is “the way users want.” One odd screen loses your visitors in favor of your competitor.
#5. No advertisements
Are you planning on developing a free app and monetize it through ad banner? Then you have to be careful. Almost every customer looks for an ad-free alternative, if it is available on the market. People don’t ever think of more or less features loaded in the app, if it is free from advertisement.
According to user’s viewpoint, ‘no ads’ is the truly optional characteristic. It is possible to rouse positive emotions with typically colored banners. But one can have to differentiate ads and make it less disturbing.
What Qualities Should the Website Have?
#1. Proper developed pages
A website should be simple to use. It must have easy navigation, callouts, proper utilization of links and information displayed, so that it should look attractive along with informative. Some critical information such as “contact info” and “about us” should be accessible.
#2. Proper domain name
Having a solid domain name is a must in order to create your brand name. You should use good sense and do some research when selecting a domain for your business. If your “.com” address is already taken, you should avoid using the “.net” version or hyphens, as these ones chase away your visitors. It is best to search for the perfect “.com.” by taking enough time.
#3. Security
It is advisable to use strong passwords. If the website is developed on platforms like Magento, WordPress, etc., then you should ask professionals to keep the platform updated. Apart from integrating latest functionality, these regular updates deal with security issues found by other developers and users.
#4. A clear identity
Make sure to pay attention when you are surfing the internet. You should explore websites with titles and logos, design with banners and ads. Stay brief and concise with texts.
#5. High interactivity
On today’s competitive market, simple websites are not effective and up to the mark to beat competitors. Having an efficient website means including a wealth of resources such as FAQs, White Papers, Contact Information, Feedback, etc.
#6. Implement industry best practices and business knowledge
You have to develop websites according to industry standards that uses industry best practices for design and functionality. Create this kind of websites, and the customers will appreciate them.
#7. Web accessibility guidelines
It is recommended to implement best practices like Web accessibility guidelines, as web world becomes focuses more on the end customer’s needs.
User Experience (UX) for Startups in Web & Mobile App Development
Most of us want to know how to create better mobile apps or websites. There is an accurate answer to this issue. Having better user experience design provides a better response from the behalf of users. Design can make the difference between a rich and engaging customer experience and a simple delivery, especially for a startup.
In this competitive world, there are experienced players who are looking for an opportunity where people are getting a second-rate experience, especially on developing mobile applications. Developing scenarios, defining personas and creating sketches and prototypes result into the best design.
Some designers are having problems in designing user-oriented websites and applications. Here, we came with user insight to develop the best websites and applications for startups, by following the given steps.
- Research – Understanding the audience for whom you are designing for;
- Ideate – Give suggestion about possible designs;
- Prototype – Create a representation of your ideas;
- Test – Get feedback for your ideas;
- Repeat – repeat the entire process;
How Important is Design for Startups?
Design is layered like business and technology. Check out the image given below.
Considering this image, we understand how important it is to have embraced UX for startups. With UX, one can easily sprinkle on dust whenever needed. It is recommended for startups to allocate a portion of a mobile app or software development budget to UX/UI. Having a better User Experience Design will impact on how good your mobile app, website, platform and startup would be.
Is It Worth Hiring a Mobile and Web Development Company?
Having both mobile apps and websites is important for startups, if they want to enjoy a successful business. Websites bring in the audience for startups, while applications ensure their future. Whether it is an app or a website, both are the foundation of all digital marketing and other elements and thus, hiring a mobile and web development company is a must.
Many reputed companies provide excellent development service by considering the latest standards and techniques. By hiring them, you will able to speed up your website and application launch and thus, boost your business.
Images “ Laptop, tablet, app. / Shutterstock.com“
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