Mobile App

Top 10 Features of a Great Mobile App

4 minute read

Top 10 Features of a Great Mobile App

What makes a mobile app user-friendly?

The most popular mobile apps attract users with well-designed features such as animated hover effects, simple drop-down menus, and clear calls to action. Some apps also provide intelligent chatbots to find information and interact with customer service or other users more privately to serve markets such as healthcare, infertility, fitness, or even retail. 

According to Google analytics, mobile usage has grown 15.27% from 2019 to 2022 compared to only 4.04% on desktop devices. The sessions that happen on mobile shows an upward trend of 10.89% whereas desktop sessions have only grown at 8.65%.

With the emergence of new technology such as 5G and changes in the behavioral pattern of users, mobile apps continue to dominate the market with the fastest and best services. The global mobile application market size is currently $154.04 billion and is now seeing a Compound Annual Growth Rate(CAGR) of 11.5% from 2020 to 2027. Increased internet penetration globally, the COVID pandemic, and affordable pricing plans have further enhanced the growth of mobile usage and applications.  The most popular mobile applications include gaming, entertainment, health care, fitness, lifestyle, social networking, travel, education, retail, e-commerce, dining & restaurant apps. 

What makes a mobile app stand out?

1. Collapsible navigation, search, and accessibility

The collapsible navigation takes the user right to the content without scrolling and moving past numerous unnecessary navigation options. Search boxes should be enabled in such a way that accounts for searches for relevant content making the content accessible. User experience design should be uncluttered with proper content and spacing. Font size must be large enough (ideally above 14px) to match accessibility guidelines and reduce eye strain. An app can provide mobile-friendly content by breaking the content into smaller sections and groups so that the app best fits the user interface requirements. Applying the best practices of UI/UX is very crucial for mobile applications.

2. Augmented Reality

App developers should keep in mind that Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the most exciting mobile app features for users. The most familiar ones for iOS and androids are the Youcam makeup, Giphy world, free ARkit, Pokeman Fo, Roar, Google lens, and many others. The combined experience of the real and the virtual world is an incredible element to discover. App service providers should give the user experience with virtual reality where the visitor finds a virtual real-world feel getting immersed in the surroundings or Augmented reality for his interactive experience with multiple sensory modalities or the mixed reality which combines the advantages of VR and AR. AR integrated apps are often the most highly rated apps in the app store.

3. Integration with social networks

Social integrations allow users to access, upload and share content from a mobile app to other social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. It makes the process of signing up, starting free trials offered through a shared post, and participating in community events easier, while also retrieving information and assisting users engaged with the app. Social networks also often collect user feedback and give users an option to report issues with the app, which in turn improves the efficiency of technical support. Ratings and reviews help new users compare and learn more about an app so they feel comfortable downloading the app. Visitors often prefer one-stop solutions for services so a one-click CTA and contact options often result in high engagement. Finally, integrating a chatbot into a mobile app can help innovative companies not miss out on opportunities to help resolve a problem or make a sale.

4. Push notifications and elimination of pop-ups

Push notifications simply alert the user of information updates on the services that they have opted in and drive engagement with them for offers and monetary benefits. While push notifications can significantly increase app engagement, the best mobile apps also eliminate unexpected pop-ups which can be difficult to close on small mobile screens.

5. Payments and QR code/Barcode scanning

This feature helps to close a purchase and increase sales and conversion. Payments should accurately check the user’s information to validate it with integrations such as Stripe or Plaid. The best apps also improve convenience and build seamless transactions by using new technology such as one-click checkout, QR codes, and barcodes integrated into the app, which speeds up the process of finding and purchasing products.

6. Cross-platform app support

This is one thing that brings universal compatibility to your app experience. When the app is developed it can ideally be launched on multiple Operating Systems (OS) such as iOS and Android and devices such as phones, tablets, and smartwatches. The ability for users to use different hardware to fulfill their needs simultaneously attracts customers. This can be efficiently applied in gaming, digital banking, mobile commerce, and more.

7. Offline applications

Offline app features allow users to have convenience in accessing app functions even in offline mode. Many apps like Amazon Kindle, Uber, and Google Maps are the best examples. This app feature provides an ease to the user when the internet connection is lost by downloading the data to the device that can be accessed anytime.

8. Apps that incorporate responsive design

A responsively designed platform helps businesses build an authoritative app that can work virtually on any device and platform. Many users will access your website as well as your mobile app before making a purchase. Therefore, your app must be easy to use, provide readable content, clear navigation, and a top-notch dynamic user experience. The breakpoints play an important role in the mobile app design and take into account tablets and smartphones. The most popular mobile breakpoints for mobile displays range from 360x640 through to 414x896 therefore you should always optimize your user experience for these screen sizes. Mobile apps designed for fingers are the most important feature. Fingers are fatter and less accurate than a mouse pointer. Therefore, your mobile design needs to account for this variance keeping in mind the touch screen interactions which include tapping, scrolling, swipes, and gestures.

9. Analytics and machine learning

Data science and its applications help to predict and forecast behavioral and demographic patterns. When an element is added to the app, it helps to add tracking to record analytics events. By tracking key metrics such as conversion and retention, you can monitor signs of progress and adoption of your mobile app features, ultimately resulting in ROI.

10. Data security and privacy

An application can win over the trust of users when it has provisions for ensuring the security of the app. Adding encryption features and security improvements to your mobile app ensures user data stays secure and private.

If you are looking to add these features into your mobile app, reach out to Alta today to see how our team of experts can help.

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