Key considerations when designing an app

Apps are arguably the most popular product in software development right now. More and more companies and individuals are seeing the value in having their own bespoke apps on the market to connect with their customers.

The best way to have an app created is to work with a software development company that offers bespoke development services. That way, proper care and consideration of what product should be created and how it should be created can be taken.

There are key considerations that need to be taken into account when designing an app. In order to create an app that succeeds on the market and meets the business goals attached, certain aspects must be considered carefully.

Let’s talk about what these considerations when designing an app might be in this blog.

1. Feasibility

Before any work in designing an app takes place, feasibility must be considered. If an app isn’t feasible, there is no point in a software development company taking the time to design, develop, and implement it.

Considerations within app feasibility include…

Technical feasibility: Is it technically and physically possible to make the app?
Economic feasibility: Does the project make financial sense?
Legal feasibility: Are there legal limitations involved with this project and how much of an issue will they be?
Operational feasibility: Will the project be manageable and possible for the development company involved?
Scheduling feasibility: Can the product in mind be developed and released within the proposed deadline?

If all of these considerations can be passed without too much concern, the project can proceed. If not, there will need to be a pause until the issues can be figured out.

2. Purpose

When designing an app, both the client and the development team will need to consider the purpose of the app. What purpose does it serve within the current market? What does it intend to do? What user problem does it solve?

Being clear about an app’s purpose and intention helps to structure the project. Every decision made within the project should take this purpose into consideration. Without an overall strategy, it is very easy for the work to become misdirected and confusing.

If the purpose isn’t clear, more time will need to be spent in the first stage of the software development life cycle, defining requirements and needs, before any further work in design and development can take place.

3. Intended device(s)

Designing apps as a particular form of software requires consideration of the app’s intended device. Will it be for tablet users? Mobiles? If so, which models – Apple or Android?

What device the app is intended to be used on will make a big difference in how it is designed and developed. Consideration needs to be taken regarding platforms and devices right at the beginning of the SDLC so that everything created matches up with how the app intends to be used.

4. Target demographic

Apps must be designed with the intended user in mind. The target demographic will be a consideration that affects many decisions and design choices throughout the project.

Is it a young demographic that will appreciate seamless third-party social media integration? Is it an older demographic that will appreciate simple features and accessible formats?

Everything in the app should be designed with the end user in mind.

5. Accessibility

Accessibility is a very important consideration when designing an app. Aspects such as layout, user flow, colour coding and contrast, audio and visual material accessibility for age and disability, and the general UI of the app are key considerations in the app design process.

Apps need to be usable and accessible to a large audience or they won’t have a good reception upon release. If people can’t use the app comfortably, they will stop using it and opt for a more accessible alternative.

All types of people need to be considered in this process.

6. Security

Apps will come with specific security considerations for the development team. User data needs to be protected throughout use. The app infrastructure needs to be robust and secure too. With app development, this can be different than that of website security, for example, so careful consideration of how structure and security go together will be important here.

7. Competition

Finally, it is important that competition within the app market is considered. Is there an app similar to the one designed out there already? Is there a gap in the market to be capitalised upon? Is there a competitor product you could directly improve upon and offer an alternative?

It is important to know what is out there so that you can avoid overlap and offer an effective alternative to gaps and failures. If you want your app to succeed, you need to be aware you are in a tough market and respond with a direct strategy.

App development is a tricky game. But when key considerations are dealt with appropriately, it gets a lot easier and becomes a lot more successful.