Mobile App Development

How Millennials Shape the Future of Mobile App Development

The millennial generation – roughly born between 1981 to 1996 – comprise a large part of the population today. As a matter of fact, research shows that millennials are now major contributors to the workforce, which gives them a greater command of consumerism and purchasing power in society. By extension, this ability to purchase affects the effectivity of mobile marketing and mobile app development.

With the majority of millennials relying more on their mobile devices and gadgets – from working from home to communicating digitally with peers and superior – it cannot be denied that the future of development and design must evolve to accommodate the needs of this market.

To keep up with the changing needs of the times, mobile app developers must find effective ways of reaching out to millennials. After all, in many ways, the ideas and needs of this generation are already deeply rooted in the way a mobile app is designed to perform. With this generation considered as the driving force behind numerous applications and programs on the market today, it comes as no surprise that these individuals are attracted to technologies and innovations that allow them fast and easy access to information.

Below are the ways millennials shape the future of mobile app design and development today.

Varying Expectations in System Designs

Studies reveal that this specific group of people often let their consumer buying behavior and expectations influence their decision-making position. In the same way, users from the same age group reveal that they have increased expectations from the technologies and programs they purchase.

As an audience that has been exposed to the increasing height and demand for technology, these individuals have a different set of standards and varying expectations when it comes to the applications they use. These individuals want a faster and seamless user experience; therefore, they are less tolerant of poorly designed programs and even less accommodating for poor user experiences.

Aside from this, millennials also expect to be in control over their in-app usage, only relying on customer assistance when the need arises. This means that both mobile and online programs should be designed in a simpler and more accessible manner, providing a flawless experience for all users. For companies and businesses to reach this specific target market, they should also adjust their application designs through the help of app developers in Fort Lauderdale.

Different Approach to Consuming Content

Millennials are much more comfortable in consuming content in a variety of ways – from reading a physical newspaper or magazine to reading about this on their smartphones and tablets. However, living an on-demand lifestyle, this generation tends to prefer content in a more convenient and on-the-go manner.

Rather than leaving consumers to fend for themselves, businesses and developers alike must leverage their services and offerings to meet not only the expectations of these people but also to successfully close the gap between their target market.

Having grown up in a world which has, for the most part, offered instant and abundant information with the help of technology, it is imperative that this group gains real-time access to the type of content and information they need at all times. With their current social, political, and economic environments providing avenues to achieve immediate and accurate content, so must applications follow in their wake.

Efficient and Systematic Lifestyle

People from this generation are often called entitled and impatient. However, it is important to bear in mind that these individuals have almost always gained access to what they want or need with the help of technology. This is perhaps the reason why this particular generation is consumed by the need for efficiency and organization.

For example, applications such as iTunes and Kindle allow users prompt access to music and books with the touch of a finger. This eliminates the need to go to brick and mortar establishments to purchase their needs, thus offering consumers a more convenient, efficient, and systematic approach that perfectly complements their fast-paced lifestyle.

As self-proclaimed digital natives, millennials are attracted to designs that offer them a smooth user experience, allowing them to maximize their use every time. Alongside this, mobile app development takes into account the need of these individuals – such as a simpler and easily navigable interface, sleeker and minimalist aesthetics, efficient design.

While mobile design tends to forge its own path, the process of development shows that time and time again, mobile app design changes to accommodate the needs and wants of its target audience. To meet these looming demands, users can expect applications to integrate more features that address these concerns.

While millennials may seem such a demanding audience, their advanced perceptions, and insights in the field offer brands and companies opportunities for growth and improvement. By employing a more streamlined and personal approach, businesses can foster a deeper relationship with this millennial generation.

Why Does ASO Matter for App Store Success

Post contribution by: Gummicube

Building an app is the first half of the battle, the other is marketing it – so where do you begin? From social media to press releases to deep linking, there are so many ways to market your app, but one key method is through App Store Optimization (ASO). ASO involves studying how the App Store and Play Store algorithms work, then using those insights to help your app get discovered within them.

Where Do Apps Get Discovered? 

There are several channels through which users can discover apps: through social media, news sites, inside of other apps, and of course, being featured on the App Store or Play Store. However, the majority of app discovery happens through search. In fact, 70% of app downloads happen as result of searches.

As such, if a developer wants to maximize their app’s discoverability, they’ll want to focus on visibility within keyword search results. While social buzz and getting featured are great, it’s essential to not overlook organic.

How to Get Discovered in Search 

For an app to get found in searches, it will need to include the right keywords in its metadata. Metadata includes the text fields such as the title, subtitle and keyword bank on iOS, or the title, short description and long description on Google Play.

A keyword is any term that a user may be using when searching for an app on the stores. By targeting the right keywords, an app can increase its chances of being discovered by the right audience. The stores crawl the metadata and determine what keywords and phrases an app is relevant for- without declaring and targeting the right keywords, an app has lower chances of discoverability.

In order to maximize your optimization efforts, you’ll want to use ASO software to help identify the best keywords for your app.

Turning Impressions into Installs

While keywords are vital to ASO, ranking for a keyword does not automatically guarantee installs. The messaging and creative presentation within the app’s store listing play a major role in its ASO strategy.

An app’s screenshots should communicate important features and offerings in seconds. Since users only spend a few moments reviewing an app’s listing before deciding if they want to install it, these seconds can be vital.

As with keyword research, it’s important to understand what creative elements drive conversions in an app’s category. This can include the fonts and colors used, the features highlighted, or even the screenshot orientation – choosing portrait or landscape mode is more than just an aesthetic decision.

Understanding what works and what doesn’t work for creative sets can help successful apps stand out. Those that succeed are those that research trends / best practices and run tests to find creative elements that attract users the best.

Conclusion

Building an app is a challenge, but getting it discovered is another one altogether. By incorporating App Store Optimization into an app’s marketing strategy, app developers and marketers can increase the app’s chances of getting discovered and installed.

When looking at all the available channels at one’s disposal, it’s clear that organic searches within the App Store and Play Store provide the most user attention. To optimize for that, it’s important to target relevant keywords in the app’s metadata so that the stores’ algorithms can index the app for them.

Additionally, it’s just as important to use well-designed creatives. Using engaging, communicative creative elements can help convert users that discover your app. 

When it comes to app store success, ASO is a key driver in it. Not utilizing ASO means leaving large amounts of opportunity on the table. By following the necessary steps and practices, one can be sure they’re doing all they can to get their app discovered. ASO can help an app grow and reach new users in the App Store and Play Store by optimizing its reach and performance on the most popular channel for user discovery and acquisition. For these reasons, App Store Optimization can make a big difference in an app’s success.

Core Mobile App Development Featured in 2019 Clutch Report on Top B2B companies in Florida

Since our founding in 2013, Core Mobile App Development has been providing web development, design and SEO services to
companies all around the country. Our team of experts is highly specialized in the latest UX skills, programming languages and
development methods to help your business expand and reach your goals. Originally located exclusively in Florida cities, we
have expanded to Georgia and Silicon Valley locations. We are excited to announce we have been awarded a spot in Clutch’s
2019 report as one of the top mobile app developers and B2B companies in Florida.

To see the full list of award winners, visit the announcement on Clutch’s website. Companies are organized according to their state, grouped into one of four categories based on the services they offer, and listed by Clutch rank.

Clutch is a unique ratings and reviews startup located in Washington, DC. The team at Clutch has developed a methodology to select the top B2B service providers in a wide variety of industries and locations. After careful analysis of industry data and conducting in-depth client interviews, Clutch is able to award each firm with a score. We were awarded with a 4.8 score.
We would like to thank our clients for their valuable feedback and for taking part in the comprehensive reviews process. Below is a client testimonial from one of our most recent development projects.

“Share your vision with the Core Mobile team and then just trust in their skills. They provide valuable advice not only in app development, but in website direction and marketing strategy as well,” said an Executive Director, Stroke Awareness Foundation.

Additionally, we have earned a recognition on Clutch’s sister-sites, The Manifest and Visual Objects. The Manifest is a business news platform with the goal of informing potential buyers of the marketplace with their state of tech news, how to guides and industry rankings. Here, we are listed as among the top software developers in the Orlando area. Visual Objects is designed to
showcase the creative efforts of firms by not only ranking companies, but listing their portfolio as well. We can be found here listed as one of the top developers.

We are so thrilled to have been recognized by Clutch. None of these recognitions would be possible without the hard work of our employees. If our team could offer you web services to help you reach your goals, get in touch today!

To view our other Clutch awards, see below:

Top Considerations in Mobile App Development Projects

5 Key Considerations in Mobile App Development Projects

When investing in mobile applications, you need to consider many things before you give the green light to the project. Even as mobile apps are now crucial to boost brand presence in any business, you don’t just hire mobile app developers and create one for your business. Like any investment decision, you need to think over many things first before funding the project.

According to Nielsen, the average mobile user has installed 41 apps from just 32 on their mobile device from 2011 to 2012. This figure is expected to rise further this year. The majority of smartphone users (85%) prefer using mobile apps over mobile websites because of their convenience, speed, and user-friendliness. What’s more, apps don’t give users problems than responsive sites.

But app users have also become less tolerant of inferior applications. A Compuware survey found that 79% of app users said they would only give an app only one or two more tries if it didn’t work as they expect on the first try. Only less than one-fourth (16%) of them said they would give an application more than two chances.

With these studies, you can see that while users have a penchant for installing an application on their handheld devices, they also expect that this software delivers outstanding performance and value. Anything less is doomed for getting uninstalled.

Mobile App Development Considerations

So before hiring a professional mobile app development agency to kick off your mobile app development project, you need to consider many factors first. Here are some of them:

Concept proofing

In software development, a proof of concept refers to an activity that will determine the feasibility of an idea. This will answer the question, “Will the application be a solution to a problem that users is currently facing?”

Not all businesses need to develop and manage a mobile app. For some companies, having an online presence on social media is enough, especially when you’re still at the startup phase. Instead of focusing on developing an application that can cost you a lot of money, you may need to delay the development of the application at a future date.

To gauge the likelihood of success of your application, you must know its purpose, your budget, your business requirements, and how useful and accessible it would be once you’ve launched it,

Target Audience

Having a brilliant idea for your app is not a guarantee for success. You first need to study your audience well and understand them thoroughly. Millennials are the top smartphone users according to Nielsen.   Many of app concepts only provide a solution to a specific task or functionality rather than a particular market. If you realize that the application you’re developing caters only to a small portion of your target audience (say enhancing brand awareness), you may invest in other methods like spending more on digital marketing or social media marketing than coming up with an application that only a few would download.

Mobile platform

Part of understanding your audience is finding out whether they are iOS or Android users. If you want to develop native mobile applications, you may need to focus on a particular platform that you should focus first. Each platform has its programming language (Swift or Objective-C for iOS and Java or Kotlin for Android). While modern technologies allow developers to build (hybrid) applications using cross-platform frameworks such as Ionic, Xamarin, and others, they might not run the features that you want your users to enjoy.

Don’t get me wrong; hybrid apps can be advantageous to a certain degree such as cost efficiency and ability to run in different platforms such as PCs. But if you want a more robust application, you need to consider developing native applications

So, aside from determining whether you concentrate on iOS or Android users, you should also consult with your mobile app developers in Orlando whether native apps or hybrid apps work best for your concept, given the features of your app and your budget.

Design

To make your application engaging to your audience, you should plan for a good design that would allow your users to easily consume your content and avail your service without getting frustrated in your app’s complicated user interface. Always consult with your mobile app development team on coming up with a great design, one that has simple navigation, readable text, high-quality photos, and regular customer service feature.

Security Issues

Data breaches are now getting more and more rampant. Almost every day, you can hear news of hackers gaining access to customer data from large companies. They can penetrate the database of your users and use their information such as bank accounts, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive details for their benefit.

As a business, you don’t want to compromise the privacy and information of your customers. You need to check if the mobile app developers you’ll hire have enough knowledge and skills in protecting the data of your users, If not, you may need to find others that can provide better data protection for your customers.

Investing in mobile apps should not be done in haste. You need thorough planning to avoid developing applications that would only frustrate your customers.

 

Native vs Hybrid App Development: Which One Should You Choose?

Smartphones and tablets are practically worthless without the apps that run on them. Since the emergence of smartphones, developers are seeking ways to deliver the best types of mobile applications for users to download.

The rise in mobile app popularity is evident by simply looking at the latest market data reports. According to Statista, mobile phone users downloaded a total of 178.1 billion apps globally in 2017. This figure is expected to surge to 258.2 billion in 2022.

As more and more people are glued to their smartphones, companies and entrepreneurs are scrambling to establish a connection to mobile users by utilizing one of the two types of app development protocols – Native or Hybrid.

The question is which one should your company or start-up choose?

Here is a detailed walkthrough on Native and Hybrid apps as well as their pros and cons.

What are Native Apps?

Native mobile apps are created for a specific device/platform. These often times include Android, iOS, Windows, and Blackberry. Mobile app developers often use the software development kits (SDK) of certain hardware platforms, software frameworks, or operating systems. These applications are developed using the following programs:

  • Objective-C or Swift for iOS
  • Java or Kotlin for Android
  • C# or .NET for Windows Phone

Advantages of Native Apps

  • Rich user experience – App designers and developers can focus on customizing the app’s functionality to a specific platform with its language, specific elements, and set gestures. All these aspects enable developers to achieve a sense of unity and let users navigate through the interface more intuitively. Moreover, native applications can also extensively use offline mode capabilities.
  • High performance – An application created and optimized for a specific platform will have a high level of performance. Since the developers “speak” using the language of the device, they can deal with the battery and memory consumption issues to achieve the best results.
  • Better security – Native apps can take full advantage of the built-in security features of a device’s platform and operating system(OS). Moreover, native apps have the privilege of obtaining the performance enhancement updates of the OS.
  • Full functionality – Native apps have full access to databases and hardware features of a device. Moreover, their functionality will not get compromised by plugins or any other third-party programs or tools.
  • Can Run Offline – Native applications don’t need an Internet connection to run. Since they are installed within a device, they can work anywhere as long as the device is functioning properly.

Disadvantages of native apps

  • Higher development costs – The development process of a native app is complicated and requires the participation of many qualified development team members.
  • Longer development timeframe – Native apps generally need more time to be completed and launched, mainly if you’re targeting to launch apps for different platforms at the same time. You may choose simultaneous development if you need apps for Android, iOS or Windows Phone.

What are Hybrid Apps?

Hybrid apps are created as a single app but can run on different platforms, meaning this application acts like a native app but is developed using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. It is basically a web-based program stored in a native app shell connected to the device. Because of this feature, it behaves very similarly to a native app.

Just like Native apps, users can download them from a certain platform’s app store (Apple App Store for iOS and Google Play Store for Android).

Advantages of Hybrid Apps

  • Ability to work across multiple platforms –  Its capacity to run on different platforms makes it appealing to many stakeholders. Hybrid apps can run both Android and iOS, even with just one code base. Unlike native apps, there is no need to build an app for each platform.
  • Faster to build –  Creating a hybrid app is far less time-consuming compared to native ones as developers don’t have to create a separate programs for each platform.
  • Easier to adjust and update –  Because there is only a single codebase, developers do not have to work with each platform separately to make adjustments and updates of various elements. Often, the change can be applied to all platforms. Updates related to bug fixes and enhancements are better implemented in hybrid applications. Users do not need to download the latest version of your app manually through app stores to get rid of an annoying bug that has appeared for quite some time. If any problem takes place on a page loaded from the server, developers can fix that quickly, and users will get the updated or corrected version the next time they launch the app.
  • Cheaper to build –  Developers can create hybrid applications that can run on both iOS and Android in just about the same time required to build one native app for another platform. This shorter development time tends to make the final cost of the app cheaper.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Apps

  • Needs Internet connection(sometimes) –  Hybrid apps are essentially websites displayed as an app. Thus, users usually need a constant internet connection to access the full range of its features. Moreover, hybrid apps often take more time to load all their elements so some work slower. Because of this feature, hybrid applications are best suited for content-oriented apps, which are not overloaded with complex functions.
  • Limited capabilities –  Hybrid applications can rely heavily on plugins to be able to access the built-in features of a particular device. In time, these plugins get outdated or unreliable/unstable. Also, developers may need to come up with plugins on their own when there are no ready-made solutions to access a specific part of the devices functionality.
  • Slightly compressed user experience –  Because of the cross-platform operability, the user experience of hybrid applications can be less than stellar since it should run using the interface of both iOS and Android platforms. If the app focuses on Android users, the experience would be worse for iOS users and vice versa.
  • May require native app developers –  Hybrid app development still falls short in addressing a variety of functional problems for native development. You may still need a native developer as a member of your development team to create a quality product.

Summary: Which one should I choose?

Native apps work best if you need applications that require full functionality, speed and security. Apps with advanced features like banks and e-commerce sites will work better if developed under the Native approach. However, if you want an app where you need to update your content frequently, such as ones for blogging, the hybrid version is better. Hybrid apps are usually the way to go for start ups due to lower costs and faster development times but it’s completely up to you in which approach will be the best for your specific project.

Sources:

https://codeburst.io/native-app-or-hybrid-app-ca08e460df9

https://clearbridgemobile.com/mobile-app-development-native-vs-web-vs-hybrid/

https://appinventiv.com/blog/seven-reasons-native-app-development-better-solution/

https://techjury.net/stats-about/mobile-vs-desktop-usage/

https://hackernoon.com/native-app-development-vs-hybrid-app-development-dd83122a738c

https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/native-or-hybrid-app-development-what-to-choose

Core Mobile Apps Named Leader for Florida App Development!

In today’s multichannel world, every business needs a strong digital presence to keep constant communication with consumers. A way to do this is by creating a unique mobile app for your business, which is where we come in. At Core Mobile App Development, we design mobile apps for B2B businesses to help increase consumer relationships in hopes to gain more clients. We are so excited to announce our high ranking among the top mobile app development companies on Clutch!

Based in Washington DC, Clutch is a B2B ratings and reviews platform dedicated to connecting small, medium, and large businesses alike to service providers that will deliver quality solutions. Their rankings are based on their unique methodology that stems from technical capabilities, market presence, and unbiased client reviews. Services listed on their site range from IT services to advertising and marketing.

Our reviews on our profile are top quality as we have received a 4.9-stars out of 5-stars! Here’s a look at a few of our most recent ones:

“They were extremely quick in turning around their deliverables while maintaining quality of work.”
VP, Lab Science Supply Company

“Share your vision with the Core Mobile team and then just trust in their skills.”
Noemi Conway, Executive Director, Stroke Awareness Foundation

In addition to our feature on Clutch, we were also mentioned on their sister-site, The Manifest. This platform publishes statistical reports and business news about trending industries which is helpful for both consumers and providers. We are excited to announce that we were named among the top mobile app developers in Miami on The Manifest! We understand that mobile apps are the future of businesses which is why we specialize in creating unique mobile apps for any type of business. Clutch just launched a new site, Visual Objects, where app developers can display their portfolio for both clients and providers to check out.

We are so happy to be working with Clutch because we appreciate their transparent review process. We’re looking forward to collecting more client feedback and growing our reputation in the development space!

CMA Named One Of The Top Developers in Atlanta and Miami!

We’re thrilled to announce our inclusion in Clutch’s “best mobile app development companies in Miami and Atlanta“.

We were also named one of the top app development companies in Orlando by The Manifest, Clutch’s sister website that primarily focuses on industry news, guides, and company lists. We’re thrilled to be a featured company on both platforms.

Thank you again to all our family, clients, and friends! Stay up-to-date with our Clutch profile here and don’t hesitate to reach out here to begin working with us on your next great idea.

10 Key Signs Your Business Needs a Mobile App

In a time where more and more individuals are spending their increased percentage of time being glued to their phones and mobile devices, it is important to create a space where they can still vital connection to the world. With the rise of smartphone addiction, Dr. Caglar Yildirim, an assistant professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the State University of New York at Oswego, feels that many people will completely cut off their social relationship and can ultimately affect how they lead their lives.

With numerous businesses popping up left and right, it becomes more critical for those in power to create avenues for interaction and discussion. Not only does this reinforce the need for relationships, but it can also improve the ways organizations conduct their day-to-day operations.

As social media influencers shed a spotlight on the importance of having their own mobile apps, maybe companies can also learn a thing or two on how they can step up their branding and customer relations.

So, whether you are small, medium or big enterprise owner, below are some signs your business needs a mobile app:

Your Competitors Have One

In a cutthroat industry, being left behind by your competitors is bad for business. As a matter of fact, Justin Smith and his study of mobile e-commerce statistics in 2018 point that at least 40% of users will go to the competitor after an awful mobile experience. When this happens, chances are, your consumers will run in the opposite direction, thereby allowing you to miss an opportunity to direct these people to what you offer.

By investing your time in designing your company’s own application, you can take pride in knowing you have your own program which perfectly reflects your brand and ideals.

Your Site Isn’t Doing Well on Its Searches

Ranking high on the Google index often equates to brand visibility in the sphere of marketing. If your website has not been ranking well in this competitive industry, you may be close to becoming obsolete. With your very own application, you can become more noticeable in the public eye, especially when you offer everything your customer could ever want.

Always Trailing Behind

Many individuals fail to realize the potential these applications could bring to organizations. More than generating profits and increasing prominence in the public, these programs allow corporations to raise awareness not only about the type of business they do but who they really are.

You Don’t Have Public Engagement

Staying relevant in the public eye is one way to generate engagement with the consumers. In many ways, building an application can be considered a PR stunt. Aside from drawing in customers around the world, this is also an effective way to build credibility in a cost-efficient way. Media practitioners, social media influencers and other brand managers who trust your brand can market your offerings, thereby getting your company the exposure it needs.

With a responsive and user-friendly application in mind, you can send out push notifications which help provide customers developments in your business. By keeping in the loop, you are creating avenues for discussion between the community.

Building Brand Recognition

As a brand looking to expand their horizons, you want to be able to create an effective program that’s stylish, sleek and has a seamless performance. More than this, you want a program that can reflect the values and ideals of your organization. By putting out a mobile app, you can provide one-of-a-kind features that will certainly get customers to identify your brand.

Enhanced User Experience

Oftentimes, the mobile app is considered a one-stop shop. From providing general information about the company to the availability of booking forms and having exclusive deals and discounts, this app is a marketing channel that provides everything a customer can look for.

Gain Customer Insight

Mobile apps have the power to let business owners know user patterns and preferences. Through the features put forward in the program, developers can gauge the behaviors customers exhibit. This knowledge allows the company to fine tune their services according to their consumers’ tastes.

Platform to Showcase Products

Let’s face it. Today, where social media networks are very much prevalent, launching products has definitely become easier. Often, introducing new offerings to the market require extensive advertising, thus taking a huge chunk away from the overall budget. With a faultless application, entrepreneurs can easily showcase their products, helping reduce marketing costs.

Stand Out from the Crowd

Many small to medium enterprises choose to forego having a mobile app. If you belong to this sector, making the jump and being the first in the field will be a revolutionary step for your business. Not only will this create a competitive edge in the industry, but it will also leave the public in awe about the way you approach your venture.

Further Business Goals

There’s no denying that the very core of your business goals includes expanding your reach and increasing your profits. What better way to do this than by creating your own mobile app, right? Doing so can help you create a more unified and strengthened identity as well as a boost in employee production and motivation.

Working with reliable and highly advanced app developers and designers is a worthy investment. If you aren’t offering a mobile app to the public, seeing the wealth of advantages these professionals bring might be worthy to consider.

Skill Set Connect Mobile App for Digital Professionals

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great day Chiang Mai Digital Nomads, My team and I will be launching a new business connections mobile app in the next few days and I wanted to take a few moments to fill you in on what it is.

The goal of the app is to allow you to create a short bio/profile that includes “what you do” (your own unique skillset). That way, people who are interested in working/hiring someone with that skill set can quickly find you and contact you directly!

The app is FREE and open to anyone looking to either A.) Promote their own skill set / business or B.) Looking to work with or hire someone based on their specific skill set.

Please OPT-IN to show your interest in the Beta release and to be notified when we Go-LIVE in a few days. Also, the first 200 people on our pre-launch list will receive Free advertising in the app when that part goes live in Phase 2!

Learn More and Opt-In Here: https://skillsetconnect.com/

We are hoping this app brings incredible value to Chiang Mai (our pilot market) and creates a community of powerful and profitable connections!

We our expansion cites include the following:

  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Ubud Bali, Indonesia
  • Canggu Bali, Indonesia
  • Saigon, Vietnam
  • Medellin, Colombia
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Kiev, Ukraine
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • More TBD