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A Comprehensive Guide to Designing a Great App

Nowadays, people are spending more and more time on their smartphones and tablets. The average user spends 5 hours per day on a variety of applications. So, brands are developing high-quality smart apps for consumers to download. The competition is huge in the app marketplace, so yours needs to stand out. 

The quality of the user experience is what makes a good app. Consumers expect instant loading speeds, easy-to-navigate UI, and visual aesthetics. Let’s go over how to design the perfect app.

Where to begin with app development?

Before you begin the process, you must know how to create a mobile app. If you don’t have any knowledge of app development, then your only choice is an app builder platform that will guide you every step of the way.

But before you start building your app, you have to know that there are three types of apps: native, hybrid, and web. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so selecting the best option depends on what kind of app you’re developing. 

  • Native: native applications are perfect for heavy-duty tasks that require more power, like gaming or the use of video and photos. 
  • Web: web apps are the simplest that don’t need access to smartphone native components.
  • Hybrid: hybrid apps are the best of both worlds. They utilize the same base code for both platforms. They can use the device’s features and be updated regularly. This software type is excellent for goal, productivity, utility, and enterprise apps.

Native and web apps operate on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of what they do, so consider what type of software you want to produce.

Web apps are cheaper to develop and faster to make, but you can’t place them on app stores to download. On the other hand, native software is more accessible because users can download them directly from the store.

Decluttering

Clutter is one of the biggest reasons a user will switch off an app. By having too much going on the screen, you overload users with too much information. Take a look at popular mobile software, and you’ll notice there is minimal info and buttons. So it’s crucial to get rid of anything in a mobile design that is not necessary.

Furthermore, by having a minimalistic design, the consumer will notice the crucial information first. 

Offload tasks

Have you ever downloaded an app and bombarded with sign-up and payment forms? This is a huge negative that will leave people frustrated. Instead, make using the app a smooth process with minimal interruptions. This can be anything from entering data and marketing offers to poorly designed navigation menus.  

Break down tasks manageable bits

If a task contains multiple steps and actions to perform, it’s best to divide it into sub-tasks. This makes it seem like they are progressing and notice how much they have left to do.

A great example is a step-by-step checkout flow that you’d find in an e-commerce app. The same principle can be applied during the sign-up page. 

Also, ensure that data is saved at each step, so if the user switches off the app and decides to return later, they wouldn’t have to rewrite everything.

Familiar screens

Familiar screens are pages that we all see across many applications—for example, getting started and new screens. The user knows how to proceed because they have done it many times before. No learning curve is involved and makes the process easier. 

Furthermore, follow what other great apps have done in terms of the user interface. Make a panel at the left or right of the screen that opens to show more pages, profiles, and settings. Most apps use this formula because it works well.

Visual aesthetics

Perhaps the most critical factor is how the application looks because this can change how users perceive the content. The color coordination should work well and not stand out unless intended. The app should have a theme throughout the pages and be limited to three colors. 

Furthermore, color can change behavior and what users think. For example, red can indicate wealth in China or passion in western countries. 

Final thoughts

Setting up your app correctly is crucial for future growth. Going through every tiny detail to make the experience easy for the consumer will help drive use-time. It’s essential to implement these tips to have the best chance of success.

So, what are you waiting for? Begin the app-building process with the tips we have mentioned. You’ll have a competitive advantage since your app will look better and provide a convenient experience. It could be the start of a new journey that results in an industry-leading app. 

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