In this modern age, there is a mobile app for everything. It’s not an understatement to say that the revolution of the smartphone has changed the world as we know it, transforming the way people communicate, work, purchase and live their everyday lives. As of 2021, there are 2.89 million apps published by and available in the Google Play Store. An amazing 21 percent of millennials open an app more than 50 times a day! Clearly, the future is mobile.
A major player in the scene of mobile operating systems is Android. Originally created as an operating system for digital cameras, over 1.4 billion people now use Android devices, with 88 percent of the world’s smartphone market being owned by this mega company. The sale of Android phones exceeds the combined sales of Microsoft Windows, iOS, and macOS. Evidently, in this mobile world, Android is the strongest contender.
These figures just prove how profitable an Android mobile app can be when it is developed effectively. Developers of apps for Android mobiles are constantly testing the limits, looking for new ideas and innovations so that users have the best experience possible with the end result. If you are looking to develop a powerful Android app, what can you do to make your endeavor a success? There are various challenges that developers face, and user needs that must be met, so what should you consider when creating your own Android app? Below we have listed some great tips to help you get started.
5 Things to Consider When Creating Your Own Android App
There are lots of resources out there to help you learn more about Android app development. The truth is, as, in many subjects of learning, there is always more to know, so look out for the various resources available to help you hone your skills and expand your knowledge. The five simple tips we’ve listed below are just to get you started and get your thinking heading in the right direction so that you can continue to learn and progress as a developer.
1) Get to know the guidelines
Google is quite specific in the standards that need to be met in order to produce a successful Android app. Familiarise yourself with the design guidelines so that you create an app that fits the feel and behavior of other Android apps. This consistency ensures that users can feel at ease using new apps as they are used to the UI/UX. You’re going to have more success in marketing your app when users are comfortable with it.
2) Understand your audience
If you have a specific target audience in mind, do your research to get to know them so that you understand what they need. With this information behind you, you can design and create an app that fits those needs. You’re going to gain a great reputation with your users if you show that you care about them by asking for their opinions and taking their feedback seriously. Even if there are issues and hiccups at first, users are more likely to keep using an app when they feel like their voices are heard and changes are made to adapt accordingly. Keep listening to feedback even after your app is released so that you understand how to improve it and develop it in the future.
3) Optimise your app
You know from your own mobile use that apps that are slow, lag, or take up too much space are not going to be a great success. The speed and flow when using the app are crucial to its success so limit the number of unnecessary objects and variables to keep things running efficiently. While it may be tempting to throw everything that you know how to develop at a new app, this will slow it down considerably and users will become frustrated, eventually abandoning the app altogether. Keep things simple and you’ll keep things smooth.
4) Think about different devices
To truly make the most of the Android market, you want to develop an app that works on multiple devices, from small smartphones to larger tablets. This may be a challenge as it's nearly impossible to try out your app on every kind of device. Therefore, focus on using density-independent pixels instead of pixels. In this way, Android will automatically be able to calculate the right number of pixels and adapt them according to the size of the screen.
5) Test, test, test
Remember that you can’t test a new app enough. The biggest mistake you can make is to release a new app before testing it thoroughly. Put your app through its paces by making sure it is used by alpha testers and beta testers. Any problems or flaws can then be picked up and fixed before the full release.
Enhance Your App through Android Localisation
You can take your app to the next level by using Android localisation. This process makes your new app accessible to users of multiple languages, in various regions. By putting in the time and effort to localize your new app, you will unlock a door to a whole new world of opportunity. All the content you create, from videos to text, can be translated into the desired language and even adapted to suit the culture of the user. Adapting this process will surely broaden the horizons of your app and your whole brand, proving yourself to be a competent and effective Android app developer.
The Start of an Exciting Journey
The tips and suggestions listed in this article have merely scratched the surface of Android app development, simply the fringes of successful developing skills. Fortunately, app development today is not an exclusive task, only possible for those well-educated and experienced. It’s a skill that everyone, with some determination and research, can become fluent in. Remember to start with a purpose – who, what, and why. Who are you developing for? What can you develop for them? Why do they need what you can give them? With this purpose in mind and some research into the skills needed, you can successfully create a powerful Android app.
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