Apps are all the rage nowadays. It’s possible that you may have a creative idea for an app. However, before you start thinking about the design, it’s worth considering a few important factors that could help to determine the success of your app. Below are just 7 important factors to consider when designing an app. 

Purpose

A successful app needs to ideally solve a problem for the user (unless it’s a game app, in which the purpose should be to make it as entertaining as possible). You should make sure that your app has a clear reason for existing and that you’re not just trying to get in on the app craze with something gimmicky. 

When making an app to support an existing business that you own, this is particularly important. There needs to be a clear reason for customers to download your app - for example, it could function as a digital loyalty card, a digital interactive menu, a digital catalogue or a means of tracking progress on the go. 

Platform

Will you design your app for iOS or Android? You can design your app for both, however it’s generally cheaper to focus on one first and see how that goes.

Both platforms use different programming languages, which could be something to factor in if you plan on coding the app yourself. Most people will hire an iOS developer or Android developer to build an app for them. There are subtle differences in design features and cost that are worth researching in order to choose the right platform. 

Budget

You should take into account your budget when designing an app. It’s possible to build a very simple app for as low as $5000. For something a little more complex, you’re looking at a price tag of over $100,000 (the most intricate and flashy apps can cost as much as $500,000 to produce).

Work out what you’re realistically willing to spend and how you will find funding. Many people take out loans or raise money through investors. 

Monetizing

Most apps are built with the intention of making a profit. At the very least, you’ll probably want to find a way of making the thousands of dollars back that you spend on your app. This involves finding a way to monetize your app.

You could rely on ad revenue to help you make money. Alternatively, you could charge users to download the app. In-app purchases are another way to make back your money - this could allow you to offer your app for free, while charging for extras. A subscription fee could also be another way of charging customers. 

Timescale

Are you willing to spend a while building and tweaking your app? Or would you prefer to launch it as soon as possible? In most cases, apps take between 12 and 20 weeks to develop. This does not include time spent doing initial research.

The timescale will have an impact on the cost and complexity of the app. Trying to produce a relatively complex app in a short period will come at a high price. Producing such an app over a much longer period could reduce this price in some cases.

USP

The USP (unique selling proposition) is the thing that makes your app unique. There are likely to be competitor apps out there with the same purpose as your own. You need to find a way of standing out from these competitors, which involves testing these apps to work out which features you think are missing.

A strong USP will help you to successfully promote your app. Without a USP, you may find that people opt for competitor apps instead of yours. 

Marketing

You need to plan a marketing strategy for promoting your app. How you do this is completely up to you, however there are few basic things you’ll want to consider. Firstly, it’s worth setting up an accompanying website so that your app feels like it's coming from an official company. Secondly, you should consider building social media pages, as these will further help to improve the legitimacy of your app.

Popular ways of marketing an app include launching PPC ads, creating in-app adverts to display on other apps, investing in ASO (App Store Optimization), encouraging positive reviews, getting reviewed by blogs/publications, launching social media ads and getting sponsorships from influencers.