A new generation of mobile devices is enabling developers to get their designs to scale more quickly, and the new breed of architecture is creating opportunities for design that takes advantage of that.
From the minimalist, low-cost hardware to the high-end, the possibilities are endless.
But how do you get the most out of the hardware?
Here are a few key steps you can take to optimize your designs.1.
Consider how much you’re spending on hardware.
The hardware you purchase for your project may not have the capabilities you need, but you may want to consider the additional expense of the components, such as the batteries, cameras, and other components.
If you’re making a mobile app, a big factor is how much hardware you’ll need to create the app, including software that interacts with the phone’s hardware.
If the hardware is too expensive for you, consider the other costs associated with the app.
For instance, if you have a desktop version of the app that you’re selling on your website, consider how much it would cost to create that app for the iPhone or iPad, the desktop version, and add a desktop app on top of it.
For smaller projects, it may be easier to take the plunge and buy a smaller version of your app.2.
Consider your user experience goals.
How do you want the app to feel?
Is the app’s interface focused on what you’re looking for, or do you think of it as a standalone piece of software that users can download and install?
It’s important to understand the goals your users are going for when designing the app before you start.
If your users want to learn how to code, for example, you can use a design tool to develop an interactive learning app that helps them learn and use your app in a way that’s familiar and easy to understand.3.
Consider user feedback.
If users are interested in your app, it’s important that you respond to their questions.
Your app can have a “touch to launch” experience that lets users interact with your app even if they don’t have an iPhone or tablet.
The goal of this experience is to get them to take their phone out of their pocket and touch it.
It’s not enough for your app to show users a “show me more” button; the user must also be able to press the “show more” action on the screen.
If this doesn’t work, your app may not be a great fit for them.4.
Consider what other features you need for the app and what the users might not be interested in.
If they don, then you may not want to build the app at all.
For example, if the user’s primary use is to use the app for video calls, the video calling features are not important for your mobile app.
If it’s a web application, users will likely not be using the app in the traditional way.
If an app is focused on entertainment or social sharing, users might also not be willing to engage with the content you provide them, so consider other features that might make sense for the users’ use.5.
Consider the potential revenue of your product.
Many apps have multiple parts that each offer different benefits to the user.
For a more specific example, the ability to share videos and music, as well as social media posts, can all help your users get more out of your mobile device.
But if your app only has one benefit, such an ability may not make sense.
If possible, consider a different benefit from the main app.6.
Consider whether you need to buy or lease your hardware.
You can sell the hardware and make money off the sales of your software, but that may not work for every app.
To maximize your revenue, consider selling the hardware as well, but only after the user has been with the application for a limited amount of time.
For mobile apps that support mobile payments, you’ll likely need to purchase the hardware first, then lease it back to the app developer, or use a third-party vendor like Amazon or eBay to sell the software.
For more complicated apps, such a lease can also be more costly than buying the hardware, but in some cases it can make sense to sell your hardware for more money than you pay to lease it.7.
Consider pricing your app before the end of the first year.
Some people may have a strong need for a mobile application that works on their phone.
Others may want an app that works across devices and may not need to be able use a smartphone to complete the project.
If pricing your mobile application before the first release is an option, consider whether it makes sense for you.
If a high price tag means you’ll have to build an expensive app that won’t be a hit for your users, consider lowering your price.
The end goal is that your app becomes more appealing to users, but it may also give you a leg up in marketing the app or getting more attention in search engine results.8. Consider
