Four reasons why mobile apps fail and how to avoid them

by App My Site DIY App Builder

Failure is all too common in the app space. A Gartner study shows that only one app out of 10,000 succeed.

Fearing failure is not an option. Learning the reasons why apps generally fail is a more comprehensive solution.

This piece breaks down four key reasons your app can fail and how you can avoid them.

#1 - Lack of USP

Finding a unique app idea is nearly impossible. Even an idea that is perceived as revolutionary builds upon an existing system.

Amazon is a good example. Selling products online was not exactly a unique idea back when Amazon first came about. For generations, societies have been buying commodities.

The innovation Amazon came up with was shifting the social structure of shopping to the internet. Its success boils down to three fundamentals - fast delivery, wide product range, and low prices.

Most apps end up failing because they don’t have a unique service to offer.

Let’s assume you launch a shopping app selling trendy T-shirts.

Unless your T-shirt designs are uniquely special and unavailable on other platforms, you are essentially building a smaller and slower version of Amazon.

The USP doesn’t necessarily have to come from your app. Finding a unique hook and angle in your marketing campaign can also set you apart.

Your app will be compared to other superior platforms if it does not have a clear USP. This is why many apps end up becoming defunct.

#2 - Losing marketing funds to development

App development is the first headache businesses have to deal with. Development generally costs a lot of money as businesses try to bring the best possible app to the market.

Most companies have a limited amount of funds for launching a mobile app. Some is allocated to development and some is allocated to marketing.

In the quest to create a great app, many companies overcompensate with development. This means taking funds from future marketing budgets.

This may seem wise when you are trying to perfect your app. In the long run though, you risk falling into a trap.

Losing a part of your app marketing budget can shunt your chances of app success.

The root cause of this problem is the high cost of app development. You can nip this problem in the bud by using a mobile app builder to make an app for your business.

A mobile app builder is a cost-effective solution when compared to the expensive extravagance of custom app development.

Tools like AppMySite have come a long way in helping users create truly premium mobile apps in minutes. Businesses are no longer obligated to spend big on app development.

#3 - Botched app launch

A bad app launch is the fastest route to failure. There are many popular examples of products failing because of an ill-planned launch strategy.

What does a bad app launch entail? There are many things that can go wrong with a launch. The following points discuss the most common symptoms of a bad app launch-

· Not meeting MVP standards - MVP refers to minimum viable product. It is the standard an app must reach to attract early adopters at app launch. Companies often rush through app development when they are chasing a deadline. This spoils the whole launch as the app is not ready.

· Lack of launch planning - A launch is not just about making an app live on Google Play and App Store. You need to have a clear plan on choosing between a public rollout and a stealth launch.

· Reacting to incoming users - Most app startups have no clear idea on managing incoming users just after launch. This can lead to lack of resolution to problems related to UI/UX or serious customer issues.

A bad launch takes the wind out your sails at a vulnerable point of your app journey.

Being prepared is the best way to avoid such a situation. Determine your goals and streamline your launch strategy to avoid complications.

#4 - No plan for a crisis

Every app faces a crisis at some point. Running a business is not a walk in the park. You will face stiff challenges from time to time.

The problem is this - companies don’t have a clear crisis management playbook. This is because they cannot predict all the junctures where problems could arise in the future.

What will you do if your app fails to load because of server problems? How do you plan to manage unhappy customers? Which course of action will you take in case an app feature fails?

You need to have answers to these questions before launching an app. There is no shortage of areas where you can fail. And you will undoubtedly fail in many areas.

App companies that find success generally have a plan to deal with failure. If your well-planned marketing plan fails, you need to have a fall-back option. When a feature fails, you should have a contingency plan to keep the app functional.

In conclusion

Failure is a perennial part of the app world. For every app that succeeds, there are many others that fail.

The only real way to avoid failure is to prepare for it. This piece covers four big reasons your app can fail and the ways you can avoid them. While the points made here are not comprehensive, they still provide enough guidance on dealing with app failure.