Mobile App Development for Businesses: Create a Product Roadmap and Digitize Your Operations 9781484294758, 9781484294765, 1484294750

Table of contents :
Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Why Does Your Business Need a Mobile App?
1.1. Why Are Mobile Apps the Future of Business?
What Is Mobile Commerce and Why Is It Crucial for Mobile Adoption?
Types of mCommerce
1.2. Reasons to Develop a Mobile App for Your Business
Allows Offline Access
Increases Brand Visibility
Improves Customer Ratings
Improves Customer Retention
Provides Personalization
Serves On-Demand More Effectively
Improves Digital Marketing
Builds Customer Loyalty
Generates More Income
1.3. Key Benefits of Mobile for Your Business
Payment Convenience
Customer Loyalty
Direct Marketing
Recognized Brand
Interaction and Engagement
Improved Social Media Presence
Enabled Geo-targeting
Directed Customer Feedback
Crucial Characteristics Your Mobile App Should Have
Problem Solver
Simple and User-Friendly
Top Performer
Available Offline and Personalized
Freemium
Updated Regularly
Built-In Metrics
Early Marketed
1.4. BONUS: The Best Apps for Small and Medium Businesses
Cloud-Based Apps
G Suite
Dropbox Business
Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft Azure
Inventory Management
Inventory Now (iOS)
Veeqo
Sortly
On Shelf
Accounting/Finance
QuickBooks
FreshBooks
Wave
Gusto
POS/Payments
Square
PayPal Here
QuickBooks GoPayment
Project Management/Organization
Trello
Asana
Basecamp
Evernote
Communication
Slack
Zoom
Skype
Other
Expensify
Mailchimp
Polaris Office
Key Takeaways
Chapter 2: How to Choose the Platform for  Your Mobile App?
2.1. Pros and Cons of Different Types of Apps
Web Apps
Advantages
Disadvantages
Native Apps
Advantages
Disadvantages
Cross-Platform Apps
Advantages
Disadvantages
Hybrid Apps
Advantages
Disadvantages
2.2. Reasons to Consider When Deciding on a Mobile App Platform
How a Custom-Built Mobile App Benefits Your Business
Follows YOUR Needs
Provides Better Personalization
Improves Productivity
Increases Profit
Scalable
More Secure
Easier for CUSTOMers
Simple Access
Why Do Native Apps Outperform?
Better Performance
Works Offline
Better Personalization
Better Customer Loyalty
More Interactive
2.3. How to Choose the Best Development Partner for Your Mobile App
1. Define Your Requirements
2. Analyze Existing Developers
3. Define Your Budget
4. Use Your Social Media
5. Visit Dedicated Websites
6. Check for Support
7. Check for an Innovative Approach
8. Check for Cost-Effectiveness
9. Check for a Technically Efficient Company
2.4. BONUS: How Long Does It Take to Develop a Mobile App?
Start with a V1.0 MVP
Key Stages in App Development
Idea!
Feature Set
Wireframing
App Development
Beta Testing
The Launch!
Maintenance
Key Takeaways
Chapter 3: Create a Mobile App Product Roadmap
3.1. Turn Your Idea into Actionable Milestones
1. Short Company Description
2. Your App Idea
3. Your Target Audience
4. Preferred Technology Stack
5. List of Features
6. List of Admin Features
7. Visual Design
8. Timeline and Budget
9. Acceptance Criteria
10. Contact Persons
3.2. How to Write a Mobile App Product Roadmap
Define Your Strategy
Define Your Readers
Measure and Update
Use Roadmapping Tools
Analyze Feedback
UnderSWOT
Roadmap Template Tools
3.3. Usability Issues to Avoid When Developing a Mobile App
Different Platforms and OSs
Landscape Mode Bypass
Too Many Steps
Never-Ending Scrolling
Poor Navigation
No Autofilled User Data
Incomplete Onboarding
Unclear Content
Unresponsive Gesturization
Lack of User Feedback
3.4. BONUS: Beware of These App Development Mistakes
No Plan or Target Audience
No Defined Platform
Last-Minute Marketing
Feature Creep
Troubling UI and Performance
Insufficient Testing
Ignoring Negative Feedback
Annoying Ads
Instant Rating
Copycat
Key Takeaways
Chapter 4: Balance of Features in Mobile Development
4.1. Learn to Outline MVP Must-Haves
Do Your Research
Prioritize Features
Choose an MVP Approach
No-Product
Product Mockup
Multi-featured MVP
MLP
Identify Success Criteria
Make a Story Map
B-M-L-I (Build-Measure-Learn-Iterate)
How to Prioritize Features for Your MVP
Distinguish User Wishes and Needs
Consider the Ratio of Feature Value to the Number of Users
Research Third-Party Services
Use Metrics to Drive Your Roadmap
Monitor Functional Customer Feedback Channels
Do Competition Analysis
Restructure Your Roadmap
Top Techniques to Prioritize Features
4.2. The Most Important Design Features
Quick-Loading Elements
Include Onboarding
Ensure Minimal User Input
Intuitive Gesturization
Make Clean UI
Transparent Permission Policy
Clear CTA (Call-to-Action) Button
Personalized User Experience (UX)
Offer a Support Option
Tips on Successful Mobile Interaction Design
Keep a Simple and Plain Flow
Match Interactions to the Platform
Apply Familiar Patterns
Declutter and Declutter
Add Gamelike Elements
Keep It Short
Check Orientation
Ask for In-Context Permission
Popular Design Trends
Doodles and Sketches
Metaverse
Design for Foldable
Dark Mode
Minimalism
Illustrations
Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR)
Voice UI and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Dynamic Color Palette and Bolder Typography
Animations
Neomorphism
Asymmetry
Storytelling
3D Graphics
Passwordless Login
4.3. What Functionalities to Include to Your Mobile App
Phase 1: Plan
Brainstorm App Features
Log In/Register
Profile
Onboarding Process
Search Filter/Categories
Home Screen
Share and Comment Options
Feedback Option
Catalogue or Product Page
Newsfeed
Posting Interface
Private Messaging Interface
Offline Capabilities
Checkout
Analytics
Battery Preservation
Push Notifications
Form a Strategy
Completely Free
One-Time Payment
Ongoing Subscription
Micro-transactional Payments
Analyze Your Competition
Phase 2: Design and Develop
Visualize Your App
Design Screens
Put the Pieces Together
Test It (Early)
Phase 3: Launch
The Best Mobile App Monetization Methods
App Monetization Models
Cost per Mile (eCPM) Model
Cost per Click (CPC) Model
Cost per Action (CPA) Model
In-App Advertising
In-App Purchasing
Subscription
The Freemium Model
Affiliate Marketing
Sponsorship
Crowdfunding
Paid Download
Email Listing
SMS Marketing
White Labeling
4.4. Why Is Early Testing the Best for Your Product Success
Bug Fixes
Security Patches/Updates
Third-Party API Updates
Application Maintenance Scaling
Facilitating New Functionality
Monitoring
Why Are Software Defect Reports Important
Mobile App Security
Secure Database
Secure Source Code
Secure Data Transmission
Perform Penetration Testing
Use Tokens for High-Level Authentication
Key Takeaways
Chapter 5: Why Are Users Essential for Your App’s Life?
5.1. How to Onboard Users to Your Mobile App
Types of Onboarding
Benefits-Oriented Onboarding
Function-Oriented Onboarding
Progressive Onboarding
Alternatives
Alternative 1: Hybrid
Alternative 2: Video
Alternative 3: Sample Data
The Best Practices for Onboarding Users to Your Mobile App
Offer Value First
Ask for Essentials Only
Make It Simple and Brief
Ensure Concise Signup
Promote Your App’s Content
Provide a “SKIP” Option
Motivate First Conversions
Use Cross-Channel Messaging
Measure Results
5.2. Methods to Collect User Feedback
Before Collecting the Feedback
#1. Specify the Objectives
#2. Select the Right Method
#3. Experiment
#4. Consider the Cost
User Feedback Methods
Ask for a Like
Ask for Rates and Reviews
In-App Net Promoter Score
Support Communities
Beta Tests
Feedback Surveys
Email and User Contact Forms
Set Clear Expectations
Organize Email Feedback
Send Personalized Responses
Usability Tests
Social Listening
Message Center
Questionnaire
Content-Rich Feedback
Other Tools
While Collecting the Feedback, Respond to User Feedback in Time!
Upon Collected User Feedback
Track the Right Metrics
Encourage Users for Continuous Feedback
Analyze Feedback Data and Adjust the Roadmap
Identify Sources
Organize and Categorize
Sort the Input
Unify Data
Write a Story
Validate and Share
Rinse and Repeat
5.3. How to Prioritize Feedback and Put It in Action
Collect and Consolidate Your Data
Categorize Feedback
Feedback Type
Feedback Theme
Feedback Code
Get a Quick Overview
Code the Feedback
Refine Your Coding
Analyze the Popularity of Each Code
Summarize and Share
Take Action
Automate User Feedback Analysis with Third-Party Software
Benefits of User Feedback for Your Mobile App
Locates Improvement Areas
Makes Users Feel Involved
Produces Personal Recommendation
Bad Feedback for the Better
Helps with New and Existing Users
Builds Loyalty for Your Brand
Combines Data for Better Results
Key Takeaways
Chapter 6: How to Promote Your Mobile App in the Market
6.1. The Most Important Steps for Mobile App Launch
Pre-launch Stage
1. Identify the Target Audience and Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
2. Create a Landing Page and Promo Material and Engage on Social Media Popular with Your Target Audience
3. Identify Influencers/Communities Popular to Your Target Audience
4. Prepare Launch Activities
5. Beta Launch
Launch Stage
Post-launch Stage
6.2. The Best Practices on How to Promote Your Mobile App and Brand Strategy Examples
The Best Practices to Promote Your Mobile App Successfully
Get in Touch
Reach Out to Relevant People
Build Your Landing Page
Create Teasers
Use Different Methods
Use Social Media
Start a Community
Apply for App Awards
Get Featured on Mobile App Review Sites
App Store Optimization (ASO)
Engage in Online Communication
Offers and Support
Track Analytics and Performance
Be Your App’s Ambassador
Be Prepared for Press
Brand Positioning Strategies for the App Stores
Google Play Store
iOS App Store
6.3. The Best Tools to Help You Track User Satisfaction
Tools to Track User Satisfaction
Google Analytics for Mobile Apps
Mixpanel
Localytics
CleverTap
Flurry
Apptentive
Tools to Track Your App Uninstalls
Google Play Developer Console
MoEngage
Appgain.io
AppsFlyer
CleverTap
Countly
Tools to Track User Behavior in a Mobile App
Session Recordings
Touch Heatmaps
Navigation Paths
Conversion Funnels
Action Cohorts
BONUS: Methods to Increase Your Mobile App Downloads
ASO
Free App at Launch
Crash-Free App
Referrals and Reviews
Paid Marketing
Social Media and Content
Email Marketing
Push Notifications or Alerts
Measure, Improve, and Measure Again
Key Takeaways
Chapter 7: Outsourcing to a Technical Partner
7.1. Should You Outsource Your Mobile App Development
No Required Expertise
No Tech Sector
No License for Development
No Time
No Budget
No App Maintenance Skills
No Production Risk for You
7.2. Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Mobile App Development
Hourly Rates
Overhead Costs
Recruitment Costs
Supervisory Expense Costs
Office Space and Equipment
Talent Pool
Communication
Better Delivery Time
Quality
Business Focus
7.3. Things to Consider When Choosing an Outsourcing Technical Development Partner
#1: Whom to Choose
#2:Communication
#3: Business Analysis
#4: Technical Documentation
#5: Protect Your Intellectual Property
#6: Development Methodologies
#7: Delayed QA
#8: Time Zone Differences
#9: Beware of Companies Behind Global Trends
Key Takeaways
Chapter 8: Technology Use Cases
8.1. How to Boost Your Mobile App
8.2. Technologies to Implement
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Benefits
Augmented Reality (AR)
Benefits
Gamification
Benefits
Internet of Things (IoT)
Benefits
Beacon Technology
Benefits
Blockchain Technology
Benefits
5G Technology
Benefits
8.3. The Best Mobile App Features per Different Industries
Transportation and Logistics
Features
Ecommerce and Retail
Features
Manufacturing
Features
Supply Chain and Warehousing
Features
Agriculture
Features
Hospitality and Tourism
Features
Banking and Finances
Features
BONUS: How to Promote Your Mobile Banking
Offers and Incentives
Adjust It for Everyone
Empower Your Frontline
Create a Resource Center
Run an Interactive Marketing Campaign
A Single-Feature Emphasis
Social Media for Promotion
Key Takeaways
Index