Seven Ingredients for Success When Designing an Entertainment-Based App

13:21 16 November 2018

It can be said that our generation has become quite dependent on technology, not just for work but also for personal use. All you have to do is take a look at the number of people who own smart devices nowadays and it’s clear that technology has become a massive part of everyone’s lives. Technology can make your job easier, more efficient, and productive, and it can be used at home to help keep you organised, to allow you to communicate with friends and family no matter where they are, and of course, for entertainment.

Arguably one of the biggest technology trends in the past decade has been the invention of apps for mobile devices. These apps are growing more high-tech and are capable of doing more each day. Entertainment-based apps are those that are created just for sheer entertainment purposes and are easily some of the most popular apps out there. But have you ever stopped and wondered what makes an entertainment-based app successful? What is it that keeps you coming back for more?

Well, there are a number of ingredients that go into designing a successful entertainment-based app, so let’s take a look at a handful of them.

A Skilled and Experienced Mobile App Developer

One of the first ingredients for success is that the app development was done by a professional who is skilled and experienced. The thing is that anyone can create an app nowadays, there is software to help you out. However, just because anyone can create one doesn’t mean it’s going to be done well.

Professionals are aware of what works and what doesn’t, what customers are looking for, what graphics are best to use, what software is best to use, how to fix issues and bugs, and so much more. A professional can take a general concept for an app and create something engaging and incredible out of that concept.

The best thing to do before making any decisions would be to get a few different consultations. Some app developers may require you to pay for this, however there are plenty of companies available such as Appetiser who will do this for free. All you have to do is fill in your details on their website and they’ll get back to you with all of the necessary information.

A Simple Concept for Users to Grasp

Even though your most favourite app in the entertainment genre may seem really high-tech and involved, chances are that the concept is relatively simple to understand. App developers realise that even if they pack an app full of the latest graphics, sounds, and features, if it isn’t easy to understand the main concept or goal of the app, then users will give up on it real fast.

It Must Be User-Friendly at All Times

Another key ingredient actually relates to the whole simple-concept rule. The app also needs to be user-friendly at all times. This isn’t just the actual gameplay but also the menus, the controls, and the features. Users shouldn’t have to read a 10-page manual just to understand the app. If it’s that confusing and involved, again, people tend to give up on it.

Think about how many times you’ve downloaded an app that looked intriguing, only to find that it’s too confusing to figure out or play, which tends to result in you uninstalling it.

There Should Be a Unique Hook That Draws in Users

Every now and then an app is developed that feels truly unique and creative. Maybe it’s the gameplay, perhaps it’s the characters, maybe the backstory is engaging, or the graphics are ahead of everything else out there. This is what all app developers strive for, that unique hook that draws users in. This is how they can get their app trending, which then results in way more downloads.

The App Has to Work Smoothly At All Times

From a user-standpoint, there is nothing more frustrating than an app that constantly crashes, freezes up, lags, and just generally doesn't work properly. App developers have to build it right from the start, and then stay on top of maintenance and fix issues not just as they come up, but before they can become a problem and mess with the gameplay.

It Needs to Be Marketed Properly

Then there is the fact that users need to be aware of the app and be able to find it. This comes down to the marketing of the app. For some of the big apps out there today, you may have noticed they have pretty robust marketing campaigns leading up to its launch. This is, of course, to drum up interest that will result in massive download numbers.

Typically, the developer will start marketing the app well in advance of the launch date and reach out to a variety of platforms. Apps that don’t have much marketing or buzz can have a real problem getting noticed.

Be More Aware of What’s Involved

As a consumer and a customer, knowing what it takes to make an app successful from the developer’s standpoint can, in fact, help you find ones that not only meet your expectations but exceed them.