Can You Create the Perfect App?

It’s every app developer and CTOs dream: the perfect app. The app that delivers a seamless customer experience, is bug-free, well presented, and well downloaded. The app that topples the competition and brings in huge revenue. But…. does this app exist? Is the perfect app even possible?

The reality is that a lot of factors can hold CTOs back from releasing app perfection. From budget restrictions and tight deadlines to ideas that don’t quite meet the mark, trying to release an app people love can seem like a minefield. At Global App Testing, we have worked with leading app-first companies from across the world, and have learnt a few things along the way about key pain points, and key solutions. We also decided to speak to experts in the app industry about their opinions on ‘the perfect app’. Is it possible and if so, how can you create it? Let’s jump straight in!

Can you create a perfect app?

Was it well planned?

A study by Capers Jones found that 85% of software bugs are introduced in the design and build stages of development, sometimes even before a line of code is written. Planning, therefore, is crucial to delivering a quality app, but meticulous planning is also crucial to creating a viable release cycle and a product that customers actually want.

Nidhi Joshi, Business Consultant at iFour Technolab Pvt Ltd shared their systematic approach for developing any mobile application: 

“We are using the following systematic approach for developing any mobile application:

1. Identify a problem that can be resolved by the app
2. Design mock-ups of application
3. Identify a better approach to develop a Native, Web or Hybrid app.
4. Implementing ideas into an application using the agile methodology.
5. Integrate or incorporate an appropriate analytics tool.
6. Beta test the application for effective goals.
7. Deployment of the Mobile application.
8. Invade metrics to know user behaviour.
9. Upgrade the application with new features.” 

By ensuring an app is well thought out before a line of code is written, you can reduce the likelihood of software bugs and increase the likelihood of app retention. Following pre-determined steps will also help you develop a detailed timescale for your release cycle. 

“Does it solve a problem?

Customers aren’t going to be interested in an app they don’t need. Even if the problem your app solves is ‘boredom’, it needs to be doing something that customers actually want to keep coming back to. “To create a successful mobile application, the first thing you need to keep in mind is identifying a problem that can be resolved by your app,” says Sanjay Patoliya, Director of Teclogiq. “Decide the features of your app. The app should provide the customer with tangible benefits like reducing costs via productivity enhancements.”

Let’s take Monzo. The app solves the customer problem of managing money. No one is perfect with tracking their finances, so Monzo created an instant, easy to use app which allows users to segment their income. Monzo is a success because there is a customer want, and need for it. Solving a problem is a sure-fire way to start on the route to perfection. 

“You need to have a problem-solving approach before making an app. The need for your app or what can it do for your users should be weighed. Then we should come to the factual issues like checking the platforms and devices it can support, designing a clear cut and smooth UI/UX, experimenting with a prototype”

- Alan Hartstein, Editor, TechUnderworld

“Is it well tested?”

According to AppsFlyer, 1 in every 2 apps installed are uninstalled within 30 days. This means your app has a very limited time period to impress users before they might abandon it in favour of something else. A buggy app, with a clunky UX won’t do much to impress users. But, by delivering a well-tested app that provides customers with a seamless experience, you can safeguard your product from deterring its users. 

“A perfect app is born from multiple iterations of comprehensive user research, rigorous QA/testing, and great engineering. If your app is bug-free (or close to it), designed correctly, and meets your user’s demands - it is indeed a perfect app."

- Shayan Javadi of Solfej.

A great idea needs great execution, and to execute an app brilliantly, you need a structured QA strategy. By catching bugs before your users do, you can ensure they don’t impact your customers to the extent that they abandon your app. Find out more about how to create the ultimate QA strategy here. 

“The most successful apps focus on delivering one core, clutter-free solution without any glitches. If an app is able to do that, then with the right marketing, it comes pretty close to being perfect.

- Tapan Patel, Third Rock Techkno

Does it have great reviews?

According to App Radar, 50% of consumers won’t download an app with a 3-star rating. That means you might lose half of your potential customers before they have even opened your app. 

It’s the same as if you saw a restaurant on TripAdvisor with 1 star and scathing reviews: it wouldn’t be your first choice to go and have your dinner. So why would a customer download an app with a 2-star rating and some pretty negative comments?

“The perfect mobile app would be an app that only gets perfect ratings on the App Store and Google Play,” says Gregory Golinski of YourParkingSpace. We know that perfect ratings are improbable, but a strong 5, or even 4-star rating will be enough to tempt customers into at least giving your app a go. After all, your app can’t be perfect if no one is using it!

Find out how to improve your app store rating here.

“Does it have a high ROI?”

ROI drives a key portion of decisions for every business. That means a perfect ROI is music to the ears of any CTO and CEO alike.  And if the ROI on your app is low, you might want to take a look at what might be causing your customers to stop engaging with your app. 

“To create the perfect mobile app, we ask clients what they expect in terms of revenue and user acquisition, what users need to be able to do with the app, and what investment makes sense for their companies. Focus on return on investment by developing the critical features you need to get revenue trickling in. Prioritise ROI above developing your dream features or spending money on ads for mass user acquisition.” - Brett Wharton, Owner and CEO of Nexus Marketing.

Is the perfect app possible?

“There is a saying that goes, "No plan survives contact with the enemy." When it comes to app development the saying would be, "No software survives the users." You can make a perfect mobile application and spend every waking moment of every day refining it to perfection; shortly after some random person will break it in 15 minutes.” 

 

- Alexander M. Kehoe, Co-Founder & Operations Director, Caveni Digital Solutions

So, the question is: can you build the ‘perfect app’? To put it quite simply… no. Absolute perfection is near impossible in a world where everybody is human, and mistakes do happen! But, based on our expert feedback, we think that by planning meticulously, solving a problem, and testing well, you will be close to creating a ‘near perfect’ app. But, in striving for perfection, ensure you are not blindsided by it. Perfectionism should not hold us back, and prevent us from exploring new avenues and making mistakes. Some mistakes can lead to innovation that takes your app to the next level. 

Why not aim for perfection, and settle for something exceptional. That’s the way you are going to create an app your customers love.