15 Tips For Ensuring Your Mobile App Stays Fresh And Relevant

As consumer use of smartphones and tablets has continued to grow in recent years, many businesses have developed and launched mobile apps. As with any technology, though, a “set it up and forget it” approach doesn’t work. Mobile apps continue to add functionality, and users expect a more robust experience than they used to. Further, research into how users interact with apps has brought changes in philosophy when it comes to design, ergonomics and more.

Businesses need to continually maintain their mobile apps to keep up with trends, new tech and changes in their own operations. So how can you ensure your app is relevant, interesting and helpful for the long term? 

Below, 15 industry experts from Forbes Technology Council share tips for ensuring your mobile app stays fresh and valuable for users.

1. Consider the future use of the app.

I always recommend thinking through the future use of an app, not just the urgent need to develop it. This helps build a long-term vision for the tool from the outset. Pair that with one of the great future-proof solutions out there, and you’ll be avoiding some of the most common problems. - Andreas Sulejewski, Neptune Software

2. Pare down desktop functionality and build OS-native versions.

Keep the app simple, but don’t let it become antiquated. People expect apps to be fast, intuitive and easy to use. They don’t need them to perfectly mirror desktop functionality. Pare down the functionality so you’re not cramming buttons in the app, and then hire mobile developers to build native versions on iOS and Android. It’s an up-front cost that saves you from the pain of integrating new trends into Web views. - Aidan McCarty, Unum ID

3. Develop a cross-platform app.

React Native is a mobile application framework that allows companies to develop apps for different operating systems, including Android, iOS, Mac OS, the Web and Windows. If a business does not need to have native apps to utilize native features, React Native can be an optimal framework for building and maintaining cross-platform mobile apps. - Ahmad (Al) Fares, Celitech - Cellular Data Platform

4. Establish a UAT group.

Create a user acceptance testing group that consists of thought leaders in your organization and a small external group from outside your organization. Give them alpha or beta access and listen to critical feedback. Be ready to pivot your strategy based on the consumer feedback prior to launch, then constantly maintain a UAT group for gap analysis and assessment. - Amanda Dorenberg, COMMB

5. Optimize based on behavioral analytics.

These days, customers have a lot of apps to choose from, so you need to offer a highly personalized experience built on behavioral analytics to drive adoption and retention. Another strategy that’s always impactful is to reduce the number of clicks and touches needed so the user’s journey is as quick and satisfying as possible. - Vivek Ahuja, Sofbang LLC

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6. Monitor and test all new releases.

You can maintain your apps by constantly monitoring and testing them. As bug fixes and new releases are made available, new vulnerabilities can be introduced if a test environment is not present for monitoring and checking. - Calvin Rhodes, IP-Plus Consulting, Inc.

7. Utilize A/B testing to ensure it’s meeting users’ needs.

The pivotal step is to validate the true needs of customers through a design anthropology study. Once those needs are identified and the app is operational, it’s vital to constantly monitor user activities and behaviors utilizing A/B testing to ensure that the mobile app delivers the desired output. - Chamira Jayasinghe, Arimac Lanka Pvt Ltd.

8. Trust the platform provider and delegate the upkeep to them.

Since the platform provider is in the business of mobile tech, they will have greater insight into what’s changing and what’s slated to change. After all, a mobile app is one of the crucial pillars of the customer experience, regardless of the industry. In this dynamic ecosystem, businesses need a reliable platform partner who can shift gears with agility when necessary. - Deepak Garg, Smart Energy Water

9. Ensure your app has accessibility features.

Accessibility has become a must-have feature for mobile apps. Whether your product is for the workplace or everyday consumer use, tech leaders must reassess usability with inclusion in mind. Consider options such as closed captioning, voice-over services, text resizing and other assistive technology. - John Machado, UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)

10. Measure user experience and read reviews.

Closely measuring user experience is key to making changes and keeping up with trends. Unless you read the reviews detailing what users are going through and make the needed upgrades, all your effort will result in stagnant growth. - Bhavna Juneja, Infinity, a Stamford Technology Company

11. Evaluate the features of top apps.

Take the time to review top apps both in your industry and outside your industry. This enables you to be a fast follower within your own app of successfully implemented capabilities in your industry. You’ll also be a first mover, bringing successful app capabilities from other industries into your own when you fine-tune those features to meet your industry’s needs. Create an internal communication platform to suggest ideas and reward good ones. - John Walsh, Red Summit Global

12. Hold focus groups with new and experienced users.

Analyzing data on usage is important to understand what is working and what is not in the user experience and why it is happening. But nothing beats user focus groups to understand why users are experiencing frustration or excitement. We have learned some of our most valuable lessons on how to improve UX from live focus groups with new and experienced users across all our app platforms. - Alan Barnard, Goldratt Research Labs LLC

13. Hire a DevSecOps team.

Keeping mobile app libraries up to date is an important component of maintaining security. Often, libraries are attacked and unpatched because developer tools do not retrieve the latest version. Having an experienced DevSecOps team can help to ensure these patches are investigated and applied. App developers should invest in technology that can help prevent library attacks, such as app shielding. - Will LaSala, OneSpan

14. Utilize an API-centric architecture.

Separate the application logic and backend functionality so you have an API-centric architecture when designing and developing an application. APIs enable a lot of freedom for mobile application developers to focus on the user experience by reducing the complexity in fetching backend data and processes. Also, extend the ability to introduce applications by internal and external groups. - Asanka Abeysinghe, WSO2, Inc.

15. Implement agile app development processes.

Adopt an agile development process and methodology within the organization that focuses on daily scrums based on actual end-user data and engagement with the app. The processing of user experiences in real time and the ability to respond and make technical changes quickly through an agile development process is critical to successful app management and user engagement. - Craig Powell, Motus, LLC