Several Questions You Need to Ask Before Begin App Development

Before venturing down the path of mobile app development, there are a number of questions you should first ask yourself to ensure the development of your app has a clear sense of direction. From nailing down the purpose of your app through to choosing which devices to develop for, we explore four important questions you ought to be asking.

What is the purpose of your app?

It's absolutely essential to know what you want the purpose of your app to be before you begin the app development process - after all, how can your app be successful unless it achieves a useful purpose? This can be something as simple as to provide customers with an easy way to browse product's. As a part of this, you'll also want to think about the functions you want your app to include, such as GPS functionality, Facebook connectivity or a payment gateway.

What will its unique selling point be?

To ensure your app finds success, it's important for it to have a unique selling point. This is an element of your app that is truly unique, meaning mobile users won't be able to find it elsewhere. Whether you choose to implement innovative features that competitor apps don't have, or focus on providing content that's more relevant and informative, delivering something your competitors currently are not is a sure way of achieving success.

Mobile website or native app?

Another question that requires careful consideration is if you want your app idea to be implemented into a native mobile app or whether it can simply be accommodated within a responsive or mobile web site. Mobile web sites can be viewed from multiple devices, making them a more universal choice. However, many consider native apps to be more convenient, as they don't require navigation to a site.

Which device are you going to develop for?

With every day that goes by, there are numerous new devices cropping up. In addition to mobile phones including iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry, there are now a range of tablets that also need to be taken into consideration. So how do you decide which ones to target? If you already have an existing website, it's recommended to look at analytics to determine what device the majority of your visitors are using. This can often give you a rough idea of the most popular platforms and devices, helping you to make the best choice.

Need help? Let Appz Provide Assistance

If you require assistance developing an app or mobile website, get in touch with the expert team at Appz today. Our experienced iPhone and Android app developers can help you answer all of the above questions, ensuring the app development process will have a strong foundation. Call us now on 1300 233 444, or visit our website to obtain a free quote.

Source:- http://prwire.com.au/pr/54462/mobile-app-development-4-questions-you-need-to-ask-before-you-begin

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Top Games By All Time Worldwide Revenue

Every day iPhone and Android app developers the world over are trying to create the next big thing in mobile app development. They're all trying to come up with the next Candy Crush or Tinder and hopefully make a tidy little sum from their creation.

So what are the most popular apps for iPhones and iPads? App analytics company App Annie has released a report detailing the most downloaded and highest grossing apps for Apple's iOS devices since they began collating this information back in July 2010. Games have been separated from other apps and appear as their own category. Let's take a look at which apps have enjoyed the most traction over the years and determine what app developers might be able to take away from this information.

Most downloaded iOS games worldwide (July '10 - July '15)

1. Candy Crush Saga
2. Fruit Ninja
3. Angry Birds
4. Subway Surfers
5. Despicable Me
6. Clash of Clans
7. Temple Run
8. Angry Birds Rio
9. Temple Run 2
10. Words With Friends

Not a lot of surprises in there, with 9 out of the 10 games targeted towards the casual game player. Game sessions can be quick and don't require a lot of time investment from players. But if there's an addictive element that can hook them into playing repeatedly and can encourage their friends to download and play with them, that's always a good thing.

Top Games by all time Worldwide Revenue

1. Clash of Clans
2. Candy Crush Saga
3. Puzzle and Dragons
4. Game of War - Fire Age
5. Monster Strike
6. Hay Day
7. Boom Beach
8. Slotomania
9. Big Fish Casino
10. The Simpsons: Tapped Out

You'll notice there are not too many games in this list that appear in the first; in fact just the first two. A couple of casino based games appear in this list, while The Simpsons: Tapped Out is one that requires an ongoing commitment from players involves several in-app purchases and has a narrative that runs throughout and develops over time.

Top Apps by All-Time Worldwide Downloads

1. Facebook
2. Facebook Messenger
3. YouTube
4. Instagram
5. Skype
6. WhatsApp Messenger
7. Find my iPhone
8. Google Maps
9. Twitter
10. iTunes U

Facebook, Google and Apple pretty much have this market locked down. No surprises there.

Top Apps by All-Time Worldwide Revenue

1. Pandora Radio
2. LINE
3. Zoosk
4. Pages
5. Spotify
6. Badoo
7. Skype
8. MLB.com at Bat
9. Grindr
10. LINE PLAY

Again, there's quite a big difference in the download and revenue lists, with Skype being the only one to appear in both. Clearly entertainment (including music and sports) and dating are the app categories that have generated the most revenue over the last five years.

If you have a killer idea for an app that you hope might land you in one of these lists and need help bringing your vision to life, get in touch with the experienced Android and iPhone app developers at Appz today. Call 1300 233 444 or get a quote online.

NOTE: Apologies to Android fans (would you therefore be called Fandroids?) for this being a very iOS-centric blog post but it was the only information I was able to get. If and when Android release similar information we'll make sure to write a blog for you guys.

Source:- http://prwire.com.au/pr/54357/the-most-popular-ios-apps-of-all-time-will-you-be-surprised-by-what-s-at-1

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Important Questions to Ask Before Developing a Mobile App

It's no secret that mobile apps are the new way forward if you're looking to boost your company's web and media presence, and allow more accessibility to customers - many large corporations and small business are reaching out to mobile app developers to help them incorporate apps into their business strategies.

If you're considering creating a mobile app, make sure you ask these important questions before you get started.

What is the Purpose of my App?

Don't be fooled by this seemingly obvious question, as it's actually central to your app's success. Whatever you create will ultimately depend on your business, its target audience and what you want to offer them. There's no point designing and launching an app just for the sake of it - it should have some connection to the core purpose of your business and offer your customers something that's valuable to them in some way.

Which Device Should I Develop For?

Determine which device and/or platform to use by conducting research on your target user's behaviour. Find out how they interact with your brand, which devices they use and whether they are Apple or Android plat formers. For example, if the majority of your customers access your website via iPhone, then it's best to focus on creating your app for Apple iPhones. However, if they're evenly split across both, you will want to think about making it accessible across platforms.

Outsourcing - Yes or No?

There are pros and cons to outsourcing. If you outsource, your app development will be in the hands of experts which will save you time, money and stress. On the other hand, having an in-house app development team means more control and direction over your project.

This choice will depend largely on your business and your budget. However, many people choose to outsource to experienced mobile app developers as they don't have the expertise themselves and their company doesn't have a dedicated development team.

Can My Business Handle The Traffic?

The end goal of developing an app is to draw in many new users, so it's essential to ensure your website and programs are updated to cope with the increased traffic. The last thing you'd want is for your new app to look impressive but fail to match up to your website, which still operates on an older system.

Designing the App - Where do I start?

When developing an app, you need to think of your users who will assess it according to its functionality and aesthetics. Ensure that your app stands out while offering a streamlined layout, ease-of-use and excellent functionality. No matter what purpose or tone your app has, these factors are universal and key to its success.

If you're looking for reliable mobile app developers for your business, the experienced team at Appz can help. Call us on 1300 233 444 or contact us online to obtain a quote today!

Source:- http://prwire.com.au/pr/54243/5-questions-to-ask-before-developing-a-mobile-app

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5 iPhone Apps That Every Foodie

With the current popularity of cooking shows like My Kitchen Rules and Master Chef, as well as the collective, unending search for the best cafes and restaurants in the city, it's safe to say that Melburnians have a profound love for food. It makes sense then, that mobile app developers have created a host of apps with the serious foodie in mind.

Whether you're a budding home cook, love eating out or simply enjoy gazing at beautiful pictures of food, you're sure to love our list of excellent apps in this category that are certain to appeal to your taste.

Foodgawker

This app is a foodie's dream. Offering over 330,000 recipes, Food gawker will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to creating something new for your next dinner party. It also features heaps of beautiful photos submitted by food bloggers from around the world, so even if you're just in the mood for some culinary eye candy, this is the app to download.

How to Cook Everything

This app functions just as its name suggests: it teaches you how to cook everything, while offering some handy features to guide you along the way. Offering 2,000 recipes and 400 how-to illustrations, each recipe comes with measurement and temperature converters and includes built-in timers through the recipe steps to help you cook with precision. It's excellent for both novice and seasoned cooks.

Foodditive

If you suffer from a food allergy, Foodditive is the accompaniment you need the next time you shop at the supermarket. It enables you to check the information on certain food additives and see how they will affect you in terms of certain diet sensitivities and requirements such as gluten, vegetarian, coeliac disease, vegan and even halals.

Allergy Free Entertaining

Throwing a dinner party at home can be stressful and it can be made even more so when you have guests with certain food allergies or intolerances. Thankfully this app offers allergy-free alternatives to make things a little bit easier. Whether your guests are allergic to eggs, nuts, soy, or are gluten intolerant, this app can help by offering cooking advice, recipes and even a wine list to match your meals.

Urbanspoon

Not keen on cooking but love food? Urbanspoon is your new best friend, as it offers a list of excellent local restaurants and user reviews to help you decide where to have your next meal. Whether you're in the mood for Chinese, Indian, Italian or Japanese cuisine, Urbanspoon helps you find the best establishments around your area.

If you're looking to create the next big foodie app, get in touch with the experienced mobile app developers at Appz today! Call us on 1300 738 438 or contact us online to get a quote!

Source:- http://prwire.com.au/permalink/54179/5-excellent-iphone-apps-for-foodies

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Make Sure That Inn-App Purchases Don't Make Your Users Angry

Have you noticed in recent times just how many apps for your smart phone or tablet now have 'in-app purchases' incorporated into them? And you know what? That's completely fair enough. Mobile app development doesn't come cheap, and those apps marketed as 'free' still need to be lucrative so app developers can make more. In-app purchases give developers a way to make money from their product while still essentially keeping it 'free'. However, they can be divisive among consumers, so it's important to consider how you integrate in-app purchases to avoid angering people who use it.

But first, the basics

For those unaware, in-app purchases are the additional content, functionality, services or subscriptions that iPhone and Android app developers sell and customers can buy through the app- but they must pay for it to access it.

Content could come in the form of a downloadable eBook (no hard copies - only digital content can be sold as an in-app purchase) or additional levels or characters in a game. Additional functionality might be something like giving added strength to a character in a game, or being able to save a higher number of favourite profiles in a dating app than the standard version allows. Services offered as an in-app purchase must always exist in the digital realm, so no plumbing repairs or anything that is strictly 'real world'. Businesses might take up a something like voice transcription or 12 months of VoIP phone service. Subscriptions can also be offered, but again must be digital in nature and might include access to your favourite daily newspaper or streaming content like Netflix or Spotify.

All in-app purchases must come under one of the following purchase types; they must be either consumables (i.e. the user must purchase each time they want to use the purchase, e.g. extra ammunition for a game); non consumables (i.e. the user has lifelong access to their purchase, such as additional filters on a photo editing app, extra levels in a game); auto-renewable subscriptions (e.g. to a digital newspaper or a dating app like Tinder, where you have access to additional functions and the subscription continues until the user opts out); free subscriptions; or non-renewing subscriptions (e.g. a 12 month subscription to access to premium features on an app that expires at the end of the period).

The do's and don'ts of incorporating in-app purchases

While not every one of your customers will use in-app purchases, those who do will expect them to be engaging, user friendly and valuable to their user experience. Therefore it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure their purchase is a positive one.

• Your customer should be able to access their in-app purchase on any device registered under their name. If they pay for the premium service of Tinder or buy extra donuts for the Simpsons Tapped Out game on their smart phone, they should be able to access these things on their tablet as well. Failing to make them usable across all devices will anger your end user.
• Any credits or virtual currency you make available for purchase within your app must not be restricted by an imposed time limit. Users should be able to use their purchase at a time of their choosing, not simply have to blow them because they're under time constraints.
• Any content that users buy as an in-app purchase must be permanent and able to be kept by the customer. They should be able to delete the app at any time, reinstall it and still be able to access their additional content. The only exception of course is consumable content that expires after it has been used and must be bought again when the customer wants it.
• In-app purchases can only be used within the app in which they were bought - users cannot, for example, transfer virtual currency bought in one game to another.

When implemented well, in-app purchases can enhance the user experience, which keeps them coming back for more and helps bring in additional profits for you at the same time. When done badly though, whether the purchases are priced too highly; the purchasing process is too complicated or the product doesn't meet your customer's expectations, it can turn the user off your app completely. Speak to the experienced mobile app developers at Appz about how to make your product intuitive, attractive and easy to use. Call us on 1300 233 444 or get a quote online.

Source:- http://prwire.com.au/pr/53994/in-app-purchases-and-how-to-avoid-angering-your-end-user-with-them

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Mobile App Development 101: Turning an Idea into an App

So, you've just had a great idea for an app and you're ready to turn it into a reality - fantastic! However, creating a successful app requires more than just an idea. From mapping it out through to consulting with mobile app developers, here are several useful hints to help you develop your idea and grow it into a fully functional application.

Assess the competition

Before developing an idea further, it's vital to check if anyone else has previously had the same idea. After all, it's devastating to put all the time and hard work into creating an app only to find out it already exists in some shape or form. Conducting research within app stores is the best way to determine if your idea already exists. Try searching for terms and keywords relating to your idea, and if nothing comes up, congratulations - you may have stumbled upon something original. However, not all apps need to be original, so don't be discouraged if you find an app that shares your idea - as long as the competition isn't too high, you may still be able to capture a market share.

Map it out and create a mock-up

The next step of developing your idea involves fleshing it out and creating a plan. This is the stage where mind maps, storyboards and lists will come in handy. Think about the features and design you your app to have, and write them down - along with anything else you think might be important. Any piece of information you can get down will be beneficial.

Your mapping and other notes can then be used by Android or iPhone app developers to create a mock-up using wireframes. A mock-up is where everything comes together for the first time, including features, design and user experience elements. You'll be able to view a skeleton of your app, giving you the opportunity to approve it before development begins.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

If you feel lost at any stage throughout the idea development process, there's no need to stress - there are many talented mobile app developers who can help guide you through the app development process, such as the team at Appz. Hiring a professional developer will also give you access to their experience and expertise, helping you to successfully turn your idea into an app.

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Create An App That Functions Extremely Well

If you've already gone through the process of mobile app development and are now looking to launch your creation onto the app store, it's important to consider how you're going to make it visible amongst the many others available for download. If you don't know where to begin, here are several tips to help ensure your app stands out against the rest.

Pick your keywords carefully

Keyword optimisation involves analysing and selecting the words that define your application, allowing it to appear in search results when a certain keyword or phrase is searched. Unfortunately, many keywords are quite competitive, making it hard for your app to appear high in search results. If your app uses highly competitive keywords, it's recommended to find a balance by considering using less popular synonyms of these keywords, allowing your app to rank higher for these terms rather than ranking lower for something more popular.

Design an attractive, eye-catching icon

The icon of an app is often the first thing a person will notice when browsing through app search results, so it's essential to make it stand out. Your icon should be original, well-designed and aesthetically pleasing. Where possible, it should also reflect the purpose of your app. For instance, a loud, bright and colourful icon may appeal for games, while those searching for productivity apps may look for something with a clean and simple design.

Write a great app description

If your keyword selection and eye-catching icon have done their job, you should be getting many clicks on your app, leading searchers to a page with your app description and a download button. However, a person must first be persuaded by the content on the page before they decide to download. That's why it's vital to write descriptive, appealing and engaging content about your app.

Your description page also contains a space where you can upload screenshots from your app to give people an idea of what it contains. You should choose screenshots that highlight your app and make it look as appealing as possible, further swaying people to download it.

Need help getting your app up to scratch? Let Appz provide assistance

Need an app that's worthy of standing out? Appz can help. Our expert team of app developers have experience with multiple mobile platforms, including Android and iPhone. We can provide assistance and advice through all stages of mobile app development, from designing and building right through to releasing your new app into app stores. Call us today on 1300 738 438 to learn more!

Source:- http://prwire.com.au/pr/53782/how-to-make-your-app-stand-out-from-the-rest

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