Earlier, developing an app itself was so tricky. But now, things have changed, and we owe it to better app development professionals. We now have plenty of developers and companies developing apps that are in tune with the current demands of the customers.
When it comes to app development though we have evolved a great deal, there are now more significant challenges. As more players are trying to establish their mark, there are many apps in the battleground, and therefore, the focus and the actual outcome expected from the mobile apps keeps on changing.
When the app development market was in the nascent phase, concentrating on the functional aspects was the cardinal focus. But now we have thousands of apps that come with similar functionalities. This is an age where it's become important to deliver an impeccable app user experience to build a successful brand presence.
Is Focusing on the Functionality Crucial in Mobile App Development?
This is more of a rhetorical question. Every single app out there is developed for a purpose. And when it comes to testing a mobile app, a functionality test is the first one that needs to be done precisely. If the app doesn’t pass the functionality test itself, then it would not be considered suitable for other aspects.
After all, no user would like an app just because it looks nice and is easy to use but adds no value. Besides, the core aim of each app needs to be defined and should include the required functional elements when an app is released to the market. Some of the common functionality aspects to be included are:
- Subscription options and the ability to sign in/register
- Ability to play videos
- Sharing the app
- Incorporation of marketing elements, push notifications, etc.
- Capacity to gather user information and perform app analytics
Start with focusing on the functionality aspects and then enhance the functionality by adding the right user interface to give users overall impressive experience.
Ensuring a great user experience
A great user experience begins with designing an excellent user interface that supports the functionality. In general, a user downloads an app to experience its functionality. But just after installing if they don't find anything impressive, a thought of uninstalling the app will rise in their minds. This is what impacts an app success a lot. So, be cautious while using the designing and UX aspects to develop an app.
For business apps, how much the app promotes conversion rates is again dependent on the user experience. This is why user experience, which was earlier considered an additional feature is now considered an essential one.
So, what are the benefits of delivering great user experience in mobile apps?
- Establishes the brand identity
- Earning the trust of the customer segment
- Reduced rework expenses
- A competitive advantage
- Proven enhancement in conversion rates and thus increased revenue
Blending functionality and user experience:
For an app to stand out, it should be useful, intuitively designed and interactive. This is why so many challenges that have been encountered by app development professionals these days that they haven't experienced before. There are increasing expectations and higher benchmarks to be met. This is another reason why equally blending user experience and functionality is pretty crucial.
In today’s app scenario, one of the most exciting aspects is that these two crucial elements go hand in hand. When you incorporate every single functionality element, it has to be thoughtfully designed such that the purpose is actually met.
For example, having navigation control and home page buttons are essential. But what if these buttons are placed at far to reach spots? We now have a Smartphone that comes with a screen 5 inches or larger. Most use their Smartphone single-handed, and the thumb is predominantly used for the controls.
So, keep in mind the most accessible areas on a Smartphone to decide on the positioning of the buttons. Having controls in far to reach corners would mean that the app has the functionality features, but these features aren’t really easy to use.
The above scenario is a simple example of how each functionality aspect has to be incorporated to ensure perfect user experience as well. So, answering the big question, “which is more important in a mobile app, user experience or functional aspects?”
The straight answer is that one cannot exist without the other. An app without a purpose that looks great and is comfortable and an app which is pretty powerful but is difficult to use are both useless in today’s market. This is because, when we talk about an app’s user segment, there are several types of users and the app should cater to the needs of every kind of user.
Ending Note:
Offer nothing but the best User Experience and Functionality while developing the mobile app solutions for your clients because that is what matters the most in today’s competitive market and becoming a crucial factor determining the success of an app as well as customer satisfaction.
Sr. Content Strategist
Meet Manish Chandra Srivastava, the Strategic Content Architect & Marketing Guru who turns brands into legends. Armed with a Masters in Mass Communication (2015-17), Manish has dazzled giants like Collegedunia, Embibe, and Archies. His work is spotlighted on Hackernoon, Gamasutra, and Elearning Industry.
Beyond the writer’s block, Manish is often found distracted by movies, video games, AI, and other such nerdy stuff. But the point remains, If you need your brand to shine, Manish is who you need.
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