Developing a Viral App: What Does It Take to Stand Out?

On Apple’s app store, they offer over 2.2 million different apps for you to download. On Google Play, there are over 2.8 million.  

If you’re an app developer, you’re going to have to compete with all these other apps. Thankfully, there are ways that you can make your app stand out from the rest of them. 

You only have one shot to make your app shine—the window for success is very short. Read on to figure out how to make sure people are downloading and using your app. 

Solve Some Problem

One of the best tips when it comes to mobile app development is coming up with a way to solve a common problem they might have. 

Every successful product satisfies some consumer’s needs. When you’re coming up with an app, it’s important that you think in grand terms.

Your app should solve problems for users and help make their lives more simple and easy. You should make sure that your idea is original or at least improving on a concept of someone else’s app. 

You should have a sense of purpose and a clear mission of what your app’s purpose is. If you aren’t sure what your app is supposed to do, your consumers are likely to get lost as well. 

If it doesn’t have a specific purpose, people most likely won’t even think to use it. 

Keep It Simple

When designing your app, make sure that you keep it simple. People aren’t going to use your app if it’s going to take them forever to figure out how to use it. 

Apps that are oriented around tasks and decluttering work really well. Remember, less is always more. Users always want efficiency, so make sure you have a good core action down in your app. 

Make sure that you have a good user interface that is easy to navigate, too. Set up design guidelines and make sure you stick to them and make it consistent. 

Regardless of what function your app is supposed to serve, make sure that it’s simple and easy to use. 

Give Users Some Control

Having a viral app comes with a lot of responsibility. 

When people use your app, they will be trusting you with some of their personal information, and it’s up to you to make sure that you offer them some protection. 

While privacy is important, you should also make sure that you’re transparent. Let the users know what data your app is reading from their phones. Give the users control over what they choose to share with your app.

If consumers don’t trust the app or think it will be stealing data from them, they are more likely not to use it. They may even leave negative reviews on the app to keep other people from downloading your app as well. 

Allow Customization

While you want some consistency in your app, you also want to make sure that you leave room for consumers to be able to really make it their own. It gives them a way to still be connected to everyone else using the app, while also making it their own. 

Users like to be able to tweak the app to fit their specific needs. 

Make sure that your app lets the users change settings like font sizes, colors, privacy, and possibly even backgrounds. If a user doesn’t like something about your app, they should be able to just change it and continue using it. 

The more they can customize an app, the more they will relate to it. Which means that more people will use it and cause it to go viral. 

Offer Login Alternatives

With so many websites and apps to log in to and remember the password for, some people may tend not to download another one.

However, now that most people have social media, you can offer an option where they can log in through their social media accounts. 

Depending on what your app is, this can also be a fun way to share things from the app directly onto their other social media. 

Listen to User Feedback

Another important thing to do when designing your app is to listen to what your users are telling you.

Incorporating their feedback is a great way to improve your app while also making your customers happy.

You don’t have to listen to every piece of criticism a user gives you, but if a bunch of people are complaining that your app keeps crashing, you may need to look into it. 

It will also make the users feel listened to, which may make them more likely to refer your app to their friends and family. 

Offer Your App for Free

Lastly, you should also make sure that you offer your app for free on the store.

Most people will easily download it if they don’t have to pay anything for it. However, to sustain your app, you can offer them a premium version to unlock special additions in your app. 

Most apps are free to download, and by charging money for an app, you’re cutting out a large portion of the population who could potentially download your app. 

Make Your App Stand Out 

By following these tips, you’re sure to have a viral app trending on one of the app stores in no time! Make your app stand out from the many others by keeping these guidelines in mind.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure you check out our website for others just like it!