mobile app best practices
DESCRIPTION
Best practices for building your mobile app. Is it right for you? By Kate Washut, Partner, Far Reach for the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance's Business Education Series on 10/8/13. http://www.farreachinc.comTRANSCRIPT
Mobile App Best Practices
Agenda• Native app or responsive website?• So, you need a mobile app• Choosing the best platform• Finding the right developer• Building for success• Marketing your app• Monetizing your app
Native AppsPros:
– Perform better than websites (better for data-intensive applications)
– Personalization opportunities
– Offline availability– Convenience – shortcut– Device-specific
functions• Camera• GPS• Scan
– Can charge $ for them
Cons:– Cost (mult.
Platforms)– More work to
update content– App approval
process (Apple)– Available only via
download– Search/SEO
Responsive WebsitesPros:– Platform neutral– Cost – Easy content
updates w/CMS– Search/SEO– Immediate use
(don’t have to download anything first)
Cons:– Performance– Loss of marketing
benefits– Less effective
w/device-specific functions
The Bottom Line• What are your objectives?– Share information? – Improve staff productivity, convenience,
efficiency?– Increase customer engagement?– Provide interactivity or functionality? – Revenue stream?
Choosing the Best Platform(s)• What does your audience use?
Q2 2013 Smartphone Statistics
Choosing the Best Platform(s)• What does your audience use?• When/where will they use it?– Smartphone only? – Tablet, too? –Which one(s)??
Q2 2013 Tablet Statistics
Choosing the Best Platform(s)• What does your audience use?• When/where will they use it?– Smartphone only? – Tablet, too? –Which one(s)??
Choosing the Best Platform(s)• Other considerations –– The approval process– Android has how many versions?
What does all this mean for you?Most importantly - Know your audience
Finding the Right Developer• Ask for samples of work• Ask for references• Understand the process• IP Ownership
Building for Success• Define value-add up front• Get feedback before starting• Focus on usability• Test thoroughly• Keep it fresh – listen and enhance
Marketing Your App• Focus on benefits • Price it right• Brand it• Promote (landing page)• Work it
Monetizing your app
Summary• Don’t create an app just because it’s
cool• Be smart about your platforms• Find a reputable developer• Marketing is key• Subsidize your app through
monetization