What Is A Mobile App Development Agency?
App design and mobile development refer to the process of creating iOS and Android applications. The best app design and development companies have the tools, techniques and processes to create stunning platforms for brands and businesses across industries.
These development companies plan, execute, test and develop app designs that run the gamut in terms of functionality and complexity.
Mobile apps are growing in popularity, with more consumers turning to mobile platforms to interact and engage with brands. This, design and development agencies have also grown in demand as a result.
Top app design firms can help establish a solid and approachable brand identity for your business, convincing more users to turn to you instead of the competition. When you partner with top-rated development agencies to build an application, you align yourself as a leader and innovator in your industry.
They’re an integral resource for your brand, connecting you more fluidly with your audiences and establishing a credibility that is essential in this evolving landscape.
What Do The Best Mobile App Development Companies Do?
App Design Companies Focus On Ideas
Top mobile application development companies differentiate themselves from the lesser competition based on their ability to vet and help develop mobile app ideas. These development companies have experience, they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. As a result, their perspective in the ideation phase of a project is invaluable.
Even a great mobile app that’s been beautifully designed and developed won’t succeed if the idea at its foundation isn’t a good one. Mobile application development is different from web design and web app development. It’s different in that, while just about every business needs a website, not everyone needs a mobile application.
Users will only download and engage with apps they find genuinely entertaining or useful. This means that in order to be successful, you need to have genuinely exciting and workable ideas.
App Development Companies Are Cutting-Edge And Research-Driven
Creative web design and mobile app development move at astounding speeds. What’s relevant one day is outdated the next. What’s more, consumers have incredibly high standards about what qualifies as a positive mobile experience.
The best mobile app development companies stay on top of not only what’s happening in the current cultural moment, but what’s coming down the line in the near future. This perspective enables them to design future-thinking experiences for their clients.
Cutting edge design and development skills are a major value proposition of the best firms in the industry.
The best app design companies don’t just take an idea for a mobile app and bring it to life. They’ll also do the necessary competitive research to determine how the app compares in the marketplace.
For an app to be successful, it needs to be differentiated from the competition. True industry experts will take the time to make sure the mobile apps they design for clients fill a gap in the current marketplace, giving it the strongest possible chance of success.
The Best App Design Companies Create An Engagement Strategy & Focus On The Market
There are thousands of useful apps out there in the mobile marketplace, but most of them simply never get discovered by their intended audiences.
But the best app development companies understand that marketability is key to an app’s success. Many will offer marketing services to ensure the app is getting out in front of the right users.
App marketing helps customers discover new apps they’ll love. This boosts both discoverability and ROI in the long run. Having built the app from scratch, there are few other companies better positioned to market it than the team that helped bring it to fruition.
Getting a user to download an app is only half the battle. Encouraging them to return to it routinely is key to making sure it doesn’t get deleted as quickly as it was installed. Top-rated app agencies know this.
For a mobile app to be successful there must be something about it that encourages the user to engage on a regular basis.
If you’re collaborating with a top app development agency, they will work to ensure that the app gives users a compelling reason to return to it often. Doing so could mean adding a sticky functionality or including an area of the app that houses frequently-updated content.
Top Mobile App Design & Development Companies Provide Quality Assurance
A major part of the mobile app process at any top app design company is quality assurance (QA). The QA phase of the project entails rigorous testing of the app prototype, where every aspect of the app experience is tested for errors, bugs, and usability problems.
Before entering an agreement with an agency to build an app, make sure that a quality assurance phase is accounted for and that the agency’s QA process is clear. Failing to engage in a rigorous QA phase can result in endless usability issues which will ultimately dissuade users from engaging with the app.
But the best understand the value of this QA process and will integrate it into their overall planning. This will ensure you get the best platform possible at the end of the day.
The Top App Design Agency Services
Any professional mobile app development company should be able to take your app idea and run with it all the way through the final phases of execution. Exceptional app developers will even work with you to define and hone your idea.
Mobile development companies should also be comfortable working with you on smaller engagements as well, offering a la carte services to fit your precise needs.
But what exact services do the best app design agencies have to offer?
The Best Application Development Company Builds A Mobile App Platform With A Strong Brand Identity
Top app agencies focus on branding. They infuse this identity for businesses new and old into the apps they create and the functions they integrate.
But this means more than just the functionality the app provides. It also includes the content infused into the interface.
Strategizing and creating the content that will populate the app is another service great design agencies excel at. This strategy includes messaging, action text, videos, and more.
And this content helps to boost brand awareness and establish a more engaging identity.
App Companies Focus On Mobile App Strategies & UX Design
In-depth research on the target audience, competitive landscape, and ideal positioning is another key service of the best iOS app design agencies. The discovery and strategy phase establishes blueprints that will guide every aspect of development. And that’s essential for a successful app.
And this strategy also includes user experience design. Custom mobile app design (for iOS, Android, or both) accounts for all stages of a user’s experience with the app.
UX design includes user journeys and the visual design of the app — both of which excellent app development agencies succeed in.
Top App Designers Create Award-Winning Mobile Applications & Web Development Platforms That Increase Revenue
The technical development of an app for iPhone or Android is important. It requires expertise from the best app development companies. This development includes a phase of testing, launch on the App Store and/or Google Play and post-launch bug fixes.
Some top development companies may also offer further web-based services including web design and web development.
It’s one thing to have a functioning app, but it’s also essential that this app matches the overall online experience that comes from a website. These professional agencies can create a cohesive system from app to web and that will boost your credibility.
The Best Mobile App Developers Provide Technical Support
Ongoing maintenance, support, and iteration to keep the app optimized and running smoothly is essential for a successful app.
You can’t just create an app and hope for the best. It will need constant upkeep. You will need to fix bugs and make adjustments.
Efficient mobile app design companies continue to run diagnostics on launched apps to make sure everything is running at peak potential.
Why Your Brand Needs A Reputable Mobile App Design Company
The world is moving towards a mobile-first mindset. So your brand needs to jump on the bandwagon or get left behind.
There are a number of opportunities provided by app design. The development agencies in the table above have the tools and resources to create these platforms that will put you on the path to success.
App design and development agencies have an extensive service offering and have the ability to radically transform your brand, your identity, and your place in the competitive market. Enlist their expertise for your next project.
How To Choose A Mobile App Development Company That Suits Your Brand's Goals
Once you come up with your own plan for a mobile app, the next thing you need to do is decide on the kind of talent you want creating your platform.
Leading app design and development agencies are full of professional experts that are excited and passionate about the development work that they do. And they know what goes into creating a successful app.
But not all app design companies are the same. And it’s important that you do thorough research before deciding on a specific development and design company to work with.
Keep these questions and considerations in mind when scouting out the perfect app developers and app designers.
29 Questions To Ask Before Hiring The Best App Designers & App Developers
What Areas Of Expertise Do The Top Mobile App Developers Specialize In & Can They Share Success Stories?
App design and app development are completely different, even though they help create the same product. You might find the most reputable app agency around, but you must make sure they specialize in the skills you need to bring your product to life.
Well-respected app design and development firms have plenty of success stories to share with potential clients. These previous projects showcase the actual expertise of an agency and their in-house experts.
Top iOS app development firms detail the problems solved, how long the project took to execute, and how the final mobile app improved the business.
Research each potential app design agency’s portfolio on your own. Then ask them specific questions about their experience to ensure they have business-building substance behind their beautiful designs.
- What are some similar projects you have worked on? What was the end result?
- Tell us about some of your favorite design or development projects. Why were they so enjoyable and why do you think they were successful?
- Share a project that didn’t produce the results you had hoped for. Why was that project challenging, what would you have done differently, and what have you learned to future projects?
- Do you have experience in our industry? How did you get it?
- Do you have experience achieving a similar business goal?
- Do you specialize in design or development?
- How long has the agency worked on both types of projects?
- How big is each department within the agency?
- Is there one area clients seem to gravitate towards in terms of your services?
- Do you offer any other design, development, or digital services outside of apps?
What Phone App Development Experts Will Be Working On My Team & What Is Their Experience?
The professionals working on your mobile app are far more important than the design agency at large. These are the experts who will be trusted with creating an on-brand product that is user-friendly, simple to navigate, and engaging to use.
Don’t just trust a top agency’s reputation. Instead, dive into each particular team member, and request the right agency employees to make your project a smashing success.
- Who will be working on this project?
- What will their role be?
- How dedicated to our project will they be? Will they be working on other projects?
What is their experience?
- What similar projects have they worked on? What were their role and the overall outcome of the project?
What Is The Mobile Development Company’s Process?
The best iOS and Android app design and development agencies adhere to a strict timeline and creative process. They highlight important mobile app features, then execute them in an appropriate period.
Clients should feel confident in the app design agency’s ability to conduct research, communicate information, and make sure they are finalizing the deliverables you need on time.
The following questions will help you determine if a great agency can back up their strong work with excellent organization.
- How will the team determine the features and app qualities that are important to our users?
- How will the designers and developers strike a balance between creative design and technical logistics?
- How will you determine the project timeline?
- How do you plan to keep to project on track?
- Will we have a project manager?
- How Much Do The Top App Development Companies’ Services Cost?
Fostering a professional partnership with a great design and development agency is complicated. One of the smartest things you as a client can do is to create a signed, legally binding contract.
Although this hiring step is time-consuming, detailing the price range your project will fall in, the deliverables you will be provided, and the outcomes you can expect will make the entire collaboration process smooth and positive. Plus, top app agencies will have no problem telling you their price structure and signing contracts.
- What is the minimum cost of your services?
- Are your prices per hour, per month, per project, or per results?
- What costs and deliverables are outlined in our contract?
- What outcomes can we expect from the project? Will this be detailed and agreed upon within the contract? Why or why not?
- Can our legal time look over the proposed contract and suggest edits?
How To Choose The Best App Development Companies
Partner With Top Mobile App Development Companies That Understand The Importance of Brand Identity
Top app designers and developers are experienced in assimilating development processes, trends, and design elements to unique brands. This is critical for success.
A consistent and cohesive brand identity across all channels improves recognition, facilitates better user experience, and ultimately increases conversions and revenue.
77 percent of marketers say that proper branding is crucial for long-term business growth.
This identity encompasses your logo, color palette, copywriting and messaging, and overall experience. All of these elements are included in your mobile app.
It’s important to find the best iOS app design agency that can seamlessly integrate the many aspects of your visual identity into your new mobile app design.
Choose An App Company That Offers Project Transparency & Partnership
Strong organization, clear communication, and a detailed timeline are the hallmarks of a great app design and development agency. By sharing their overall process, team structure, programs they use and more, an agency is telling you that they are confident in their method and trust you as clients.
The best iOS app development agencies will be forthcoming about their creative and logistical process. Don’t waste your time with a firm that hides information or acts secretive with the trajectory and timeline of a project. Invest in an agency that values you as an equal professional partner, and keeps you in the loop from start to finish.
It’s important to find a mobile application development company that will work closely with your company in a partnership. A company that dictates to you or cuts you out of the process entirely is bad news for the outcome of the project.
Top mobile app development companies are invested in the success of their client projects. They seek to develop long-term relationships with the business they work with. This type of arrangement ensures that both the client and the agency have a hand in guiding the project and that both teams maintain accountability every step of the way.
Select A Mobile App Agency With Experienced Team Members
Reputable mobile app firms have access to the best designers and developers in the world, which puts the fate of your product in capable hands. These professionals are in tune with the latest design trends, ensuring they produce a state-of-the-art app design that still maintains high functionality.
Before you hire a specific agency, take the time to learn about their individual team members. Understand their work experience, successful projects, and even their overall design aesthetic.
The best designers will engage your target demographic by transforming their style to match your brand. They won’t do it by creating a mobile product that fits their personal mold.
Yes, design and technology are at the center of the app development process. But they aren’t the whole story. What about strategy, branding, marketing, and content? Developing a successful app requires all of these things.
That’s why top iPhone app development agencies work in interdisciplinary teams. Bringing a range of different skills and perspectives to the table reduces the risk that a team will develop tunnel vision.
It also helps ensure the best outcomes for every mobile application build. You can expect leading app development companies to emphasize an interdisciplinary approach, and to assign dynamic teams to every build. Depending on your needs, you may also need to look for a cross-platform app development company that can handle both iOS and Android development.
New York-based development company Fuzz knows the value of an integrated team approach:
“Cross-disciplinary product teams collaborate with our client partners to define the goals and tactics for each two-week sprint."
Find App Making Companies That Set Clear Goals & Achieve Results
Great app design and development companies also provide strong goal-setting, project management. They keep each and every team member focused on the important objectives. These goals and their results are imperative to your brand’s overarching success.
For example, if you spend thousands of dollars on a mobile app, only to give users a digital platform with poor usability, subpar functions, and constantly-crashing features, you’ll amass negative feedback and alienate many consumers.
52 percent of consumers say a poor user experience makes them unlikely to engage with a brand in the future.
Therefore it’s imperative that you find a top design and development agency that can help you determine actionable objectives that your users will appreciate. Then actually deliver them.
Why You Should Invest In The Best Mobile App Development Company
App design and development is a service that is growing in importance for brands and businesses. More consumers are utilizing mobile devices to perform transactions and engage with brands. An app is the most fluidly way to facilitate this interaction.
The best app development agencies understand the importance of a seamless user experience and want to build your brand with the help of the apps they create. But it is still important that you perform an extensive vetting process. This will ensure that the talent you’re partnering with is truly worth it.
Top App Design & Development Companies
Professional App Developers Help You Decide Which Devices To Build An App For To Meet Your Goals
When you're choosing the right app development company to partner with, one of the first questions you might ask your company is:
Are we designing a mobile app for Apple, Android, or both?
And it turns out that it's an extremely important question. Apple is consistently one of the most valuable companies in the world -- and for good reason. In 2017, Apple sold nearly 217 million iPhones alone.
On the flip side, Android is owned by superstar tech company Google. Plus, they have 85% of the mobile device market share.
So, how can you choose the right target audience AND app design and development agency to build your new digital platform?
The good news is you shouldn't have to choose -- so long as you hire a top-rated firm. The best web designers and web developers are well-versed in building customized mobile apps for each operating system.
However, it's in your best interests to understand the different approaches they have to take.
iOS App Design and Android App Design: The Major Differences & Similarities
An iPhone App Design Company Builds Beautifully Animated Apps With Objective-C or Swift
iOS app development companies speak wither Objective-C or Swift, which are two different programming languages -- although they are compatible with one another.
Both programming languages are almost exclusively used by Apple. Although they are scalable within Apple products -- which is why Apple items have such strong inter-device cohesion -- they don't operate well outside of the Apple realm.
Apple mobile applications have a few notable qualities. These include:
- Sharper, better animations
- A faster testing/QA process, which leads to a quicker market release
- A more secure operating system
An Android App Design Company Uses Java To Create User-Friend Mobile Apps
Android app development companies use the Java programming language to build their apps. The computer programming language is very flexible and scalable, which allows designers to create a consistent brand identity on a variety of platforms.
But just because Apple is newer and flashier doesn't mean they have all the winning qualities. Android mobile applications excel in, including:
Web App Development Companies Can Create A Customized Mobile App For Any Operating System
Ultimately, the best mobile app design firms will create a personalized application that suits your needs.
What's better? When you choose a full-service design and development company, you'll be able to scale your online presence down the road. That means if you didn't create an app design that was compatible on iOS and Android operating systems to start with, you'll still be able to create an on-brand experience for other devices later.
App designers and developers will analyze your business objectives, current progress, demographic and more. Then, they will help you determine the platforms that you will receive the best return on investment on.
The Best Mobile App Development Firms Add Value To Your Business's Strategic Goals
Choosing an app design and development agency is a tough process, but the pros far outweigh the cons. Having a full-functioning and comprehensive app is vital for future growth, innovation and success.
Leading mobile app agencies have a lot to offer businesses. They increase brand awareness, drive interactivity and compel users to take action.
The best iOS app development agencies understand the technical app landscape innately, and they know how to create a platform that will reach the goals brands have laid out.
Many people claim to have an idea for the next big iPhone or Android app, but very few of us are actually capable of executing those ideas. Mobile application development companies exist to help companies and entrepreneurs transform their ideas into living, breathing digital realities.
Partnering with the wrong mobile app development company, however, can be catastrophic for your project, resulting in lost capital and lost opportunity.
So, what differentiating factors can help signify that a certain app developer will be the right partner?
What Is The Best Mobile App Development Company In The USA & Beyond?
The best app design and development agencies in the U.S. and the world at large are award-winning, passionate and creative. They push boundaries and drive innovation. They change brands for the better and put businesses on a successful path to results.
But not all app design and development agencies are equal. They don’t all do the same things, have the same talent or work in the same processes.
That’s why we’ve stressed the importance of doing thorough research to find the best app design agency for you.
There is not one, singular best iOS and Android app development and design agency. The best in the world depends on what you want and what you’re looking for.
But here are some things that can help determine what makes a truly revolutionary development agency.
Top App Building Companies Have Great Client Referrals And Past Experience
Beautiful portfolios and mobile app case studies are a great stepping stone to understand the work a top-rated app design agency can produce. But if you really want to understand, search for specific client referrals and testimonials.
As outside third parties, former clients will give you a more candid inside look into this professional partnership.
Be wary of top iPhone app development firms who hesitate at giving client information. Be especially wary if they are without a strong reason.
Although there is some client privilege, most agencies who don’t have a single client reference willing to speak on their behalf likely don’t have many happy customers that they feel confident involving.
App Development Companies Have A Process That Matches Your Goals
Mobile application builds are incredibly complex projects. They have many stakeholders and an even greater number of moving parts. Being guided by a proven process is essential to seeing the project through to the end and ensuring things stay on track from kickoff to launch.
Top mobile app development companies are happy to share their process with prospective clients. They are also willing to explain the reasoning and merits of every step.
A well-organized process is what ensures that no piece of the project is overlooked or forgotten, no specification left by the wayside, and no opportunity left untapped. Specific processes are created to handle iOS app development versus Android app development. This ensures the quirks of each platform are covered.
For example, Dom and Tom is an award-winning agency committed to an effective process, stating:
“Our process begins with an in-depth Research & Planning period, wherein we lay the foundation for each engagement. We start by asking questions to establish a baseline, both to align your team with ours and to understand the problem or business goal. Then, we set the stage for creative solutions.”
The Best Mobile Application Development Company Provides A Strong Return On Investment (ROI)
Investing in mobile apps could produce a strong return on investment for businesses. This is particularly true for those with strong online presences or e-commerce shops.
Studies predict that mobile apps will generate approximately $189 billion in revenue by 2020.
Consumers growing reliance on smartphones pushes us closer to a mobile-only world. By 2019, we’re expected to see mobile devices capable of handling 5G, which is known for super-speed and strong connections. Plus, plenty of reports increasingly speculate that we’re heading to a time reliant on smartphones alone.
By developing a highly-functional mobile app that your consumers enjoy using, you’re one step closer to surpassing the competition on the way to the future. The best app development companies in the world get you there.
These are just a few of the determining factors when it comes to what makes a truly exceptional app design and development agency. For more specific examples, check out our extensive list of top app design and development agencies above.
How A Top App Development Agency Adds Value To A Business's Digital Goals
App Creation Companies Utilize Direct Marketing To Sell Products & Services
Apps differ from mobile websites and traditional online destinations. That’s because you aren’t competing with other platforms and web pages. Once you convince a user to download your brand’s app and enter it, your risk of them jumping to a new website significantly decreases.
And your ability to deliver information straight to them increases, resulting in effective direct marketing. The best app agencies offer these multiple opportunities.
This lack of immediate competition allows you to market precisely to your consumers within the app. You can do this through clear-cut messaging and calls to action.
But remember, there are many types of mobile apps — including in-browser applications and native. Plus, don’t drop your traditional desktop website (yet).
Not every customer will have a device that is compatible with your app, so it’s in your best interest to provide a user-friendly outlet for everyone. Leading mobile app design agencies give you a more straightforward path to market to audiences.
A Mobile App Development Firm Increases Customer Engagement
Well-developed and designed mobile apps give the power to consumers. This enables them to interact with a brand from the palm of their hand and with the click of a button.
A strong attention to user experience encourages users to engage with a brand on a more frequent basis and with stronger loyalty. Top app development agencies provide apps with the necessary features to foster this engagement.
There are several top app design features that increase user engagement. These include 24/7/365 chatbot assistance, embedded contact information, interactive maps, seamless reminders that automatically integrate with your native calendar, simple and intuitive navigation, and more.
What’s better? Consumers prefer mobile apps instead of mobile websites because of their customer-centric designs.
61 percent of consumers hold higher opinions of businesses with strong mobile experiences.
An Android App Development Company Or iPhone App Development Company Increases Brand Awareness
Great app design and development agencies work with brands to create stunning mobile experiences. These experiences foster trust and fill a void for consumers.
This additional branded platform reinforces a business’s morals, products, services and general expertise. It makes the company as a whole more valuable for consumers in the market.
Visibility and recognition is the key to capturing new consumers and transforming them into returning customers. Consistent and regular branding is shown to increase awareness and overall trust in a company, resulting in brand loyalty and higher revenue.
80 percent of consumers ignore web page ads. They even say they diminish their trust in an overall website.
In a mobile app, consumers are free from pesky ads and are able to concentrate on the information a brand wants to communicate. Enlisting the help of these successful mobile app design companies will help you increase this awareness and pinpoint new customers for future business opportunities.
Mobile Development Companies Use Consumer Data To Perfect Their Designs
Developing a new mobile app is the perfect opportunity to gather new and useful information about your customers. Through brand-new onboarding processes, gamified interfaces, and even permitted access to other apps such as contacts and calendars, businesses open up a wealth of information by created a user-friendly app.
Top app developers can help brands create a seamless experience for users using that data. Companies can harness that user data to improve various digital marketing efforts, such as targeted ads and email and marketing automation campaigns.
They can also tailor better products and services to consumers. This new connection to customers provides long-term growth benefits to any business.
5 Highly Impactful Features of the Best App Designs
Decluttered Interface
It takes about 50 milliseconds for a user to make a first impression on your web design — this goes for mobile design as well. So, you don’t have very much time to make an impact on your audience. But one thing you need to stay away from is a cluttered interface. Clutter and chaos lead to confusion, dissatisfaction and irritation.
A decluttered interface leads to increased functionality and ease-of-use. This means fewer complaints, more downloads and happier customers. Your app can experience increased usability too with a few simple techniques — shortening and simplifying copy, removing unnecessary imagery and graphics, keeping the design elements simple and keeping in mind the singular goal and purpose of the app apparent at all times.
An app that excels at simplicity and ease is Brainsparker. This app was created for the purpose of providing meaningful and efficient motivation to its users. And from onboarding to the final stages of use, this app is nothing but clean, simple and easy. Bright colors, bold text and a clean interface guide users through their journey to inspiration and motivation. There’s no hassle or clutter causing chaos, and no anxiety to dampen the iOS and Android app experience.
Self-Evident Navigation
Users want ease. They don’t want to do work — they want the work done for them. And eight out of 10 customers say they stop engaging with mobile content if the images don’t load properly or display well. That means that your mobile navigation needs to be simple, easy and self-evident.
Easy navigation throughout an in-app experience is imperative. You don’t download an app that makes your life harder or more complicated than it needs to be. You download an app to make your life easier.
An app that excels in simplicity and self-evident navigation is the Cash App. This peer-to-peer mobile payment app is simple, elegant and easy to use. After a simplified onboarding process, users are able to quickly and effectively send and receive payments. The interface is extremely intuitive and the UX is highly user-friendly. This obvious and self-evident app experience takes the work out of sending and receiving money like never before.
Legible Text
Ninety-five percent of the information found on the web is a written language. That means that it’s typed out, readable text. And when it comes to mobile app design, written text and typography still dominates as the way most information is absorbed. That means that your typography needs to be legible and readable — otherwise, it’s useless.
Too much text can jam up a screen and cause confusion. Text written in obscure and outdated fonts can have a similar effect of confusion and irritation on the user’s end. When you optimize your typography, you’re in turn optimizing your entire user experience. If they can’t read or understand what you’re typing out, they are just going to turn away.
An app with bold, legible text is Drops— a language learning app that teaches its users how to speak a new language in just five minutes a day. For starters, this app keeps text to a minimum, ensuring that users can get an equal balance of text and image to absorb the information at hand. This makes the experience cleaner and easy to follow — and considering this is an app that helps you learn new languages, easy is something you’re looking for. Navigation is simple, the text is minimal — and most importantly, it’s easy to read and understand.
Interaction Feedback
Users want answers, and they want them fast. They want constant collaboration and intuitive feedback that can streamline their app experience. Up-to-the-second feedback while using the app, then, is vital for a fluid user experience. Thirty-five percent of consumers want to see more companies utilizing this chatbot technology, and 21 percent find chat box features as the easiest way to interact.
Artificial intelligence tools like live chatbots are in this season, with 27 percent of consumers interested in seeing these AR capabilities expand. These services allow for real-time feedback that developers can use to improve app functionality. They also make it easier for app users to play around with an app and get the most out of the platform.
One app that is killing the interaction feedback game is Mezi, a full service, personal travel assistant app that handles 60 percent of its interactions via a chatbot. With Mezi, the chatbot helps users plan the perfect getaway — whether it’s a long weekend away or a full-month excursion. And this intuitive AI bot learns the more you use it, understanding your interests and personality to help cater each experience to you personally. The bot also allows for real-time feedback throughout the booking process so the app can continue to grow and evolve.
Minimize Typing
The more information and steps you make a user perform, the more chances you’re giving them to quit the process entirely. Especially on a small screen like a smartphone or tablet, you’re causing the user to strain themselves to comply with your demands. This can put unnecessary stress and anxiety on your users.
Users don’t want to exert more effort. So try minimizing this with input fields and defaults that users can quickly and easily clock through without the added work of typing it with their thumbs like the mobile app Curator does. This will make for more organic and fluid interaction with the user interface.
It might seem oxymoronic that we’ve chosen an app that allows you to create mood boards as an app that excels at minimizing typing, but you’d be surprised. Throughout the onboarding process, users have to do nothing but read a few words against bright and exciting backdrops. And the information they absorb is little but extremely effective. From there, users can create mood boards with little copy and little effort. They can type out phrases, look up concepts, and play with images and animations to let their creativity show. This app makes it extremely easy and requires little excess typing for users to get the full and impactful experience.
5 Amazingly Inspiring App Designs
City Intro Animations
“The advancement of common-use technology, combined with the knowledge available in cognitive science literature, could provide designers with extraordinary possibilities to fully exploit emotions' potential for user experience.”
This quote comes from a study on the impact of design on emotional stimuli. Since emotions impact decision-making capabilities, this study went about analyzing the ways in which design can elicit a given emotion. It found that by modifying interface aesthetics and promoting positive interactions, design can make a noticeable impact on user emotions.
City Intro Animation is an inspiring example of how movement, color and familiar imagery can strike a chord for users. The movement is fluid, the colors are soft and romantic and the cities displayed hit a nerve and fill you with emotion — whether its happiness, nostalgia or excitement.
Fitsy
Having trust in a brand plays a vital role in whether or not a consumer will interact with a brand and its content. And according to research, it’s clear that the overall UX design and UI design played a major impact on whether or not a user found the brand trustworthy.
Trust is vital to impactful experiences and emotional engagement. You can’t inspire your audience and engage your users if they don’t trust your content or your brand. And in order to build this trust, you need a fluid app and interactive UI design — on both Android and iPhone devices.
Fitsy is a fitness tracker app with stunning chatbot features that aim to inspire and spur users to action. The AI bot can help you make decisions on your workouts and health regimen based on your own personal stats. This is extremely emotionally engaging, as it created a dialogue between the technology and the user.
Monthly Data Reports
What goes into creating trust between your brand and its audience? A good, responsive design according to this study:
“Website quality perceptions build initial trust because consumers tend to judge the goodness of the vendor behind the site based on how good the site looks to them.”
As we’ve stated, trust is a valuable marker for consumers when deciding whether or not to go through with a purchase and interact with your brand and its content. And this same trust is necessary to consider during mobile app development and creation. If your mobile app UI design is disjointed, unresponsive or alarming, your audience will be quick to hit delete.
A great example of an app design feature that promotes trust is this monthly data report animation. With its smooth scrolling effects, exciting and cool color scheme and bold, clear typography, users are hit with an immediate sense of calmness and ease.
Bikester
Emotion is powerful. Inspirational content can make a profound impact on your audience. And studies show that emotionally compelling designs are vital to a user experience that excels.
User experience relies heavily on the emotional human-computer interaction. Promoting positive emotion through seamless feature integration, exciting colors and engaging typography is linked to motivation and fixation on the users' end.
Though fictional, the Bikester app is an exciting example of how design can elicit emotion through human and technological interaction. This app aims to make cycling more fun — a goal that, in and of itself is an emotional one. The app lets you interact with friends, gives you encouraging motivation and takes the stress out of working out. It’s a clean and clever design that certainly achieves the goal of making bicycling fun.
National Geographic
“With personality as the foundation of your designs, you can layer more emotional engagement on top.” This quote by design expert Aaron Walter lays down the foundation of good design — personality and emotionally engaging elements.
Brand identity is important across all mediums — from web design to app design and beyond. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a little human and engage on an emotional and personal level. In fact, that human piece is vital when it comes to creating a mutually beneficial relationship with your audience.
The National Geographic app is a prime example of how you can let your personality shine in order to appeal to your audience on an emotional level. We’ve all heard of National Geographic, and so we’re already familiar with its voice. But this dark, sleek and moody app gives off a much more emotional vibe than we may have been expecting. It pulls you in and allows for an emotionally engaging user experience.
2019 Mobile App Design Trends To Follow
Color Gradients
After functionality, it can be argued that color is one of the most important aspects of mobile app design. Color psychology dictates that color has a distinct impact on how we interact and what emotions we feel when it comes to a given product. Eight-five percent of consumers say that color is a determining factor when it comes to making purchases, so color trends in app design should not be ignored.
To breathe life into your flat app design, start introducing color gradients. This adds depth, movement and excitement which makes more of an overall calmer and more engaging user experience. Gradients can strengthen a design and add necessary homogeneity. They also work to direct the user's eye to the most important information available.
Sway is an app that promotes mindful meditation through interactive movements. It's a hands-on app that works as the user moves. But it's the vertical color gradients that truly bring the meditation full circle, directing users on how to move and encouraging them with a bright burst of color that seem to move along with them.
Video Integration
Every year, they say that this will be the year of video. And every year, they’re right. In 2017, 78 percent of consumers watched some form of video online every week. Daily, that percentage is 55 percent. So a majority of people are actively taking in video content every day — if you’re not jumping on that bandwagon, you’re missing out.
Video is a great medium for showcasing valuable content. It can be packed into a few minutes and shown in a vivid and engaging way. Through video, facts, ideas and histories can be provided to target audiences with ease.
One app that does a really great job at integrating video into its in-app experience it the app Elbi. This app makes donating to charities simpler and easier, allowing people to promote causes through images, video and text within the app. Videos are frequently updated and seamlessly integrated into the entire experience. This flawless integration, quick playback and engaging content are some of the apps greatest qualities, proving the power of video is real.
Increased Personalization
Chatbots and other AI technology that receives feedback from users to create a more comprehensive experience have led to some professionals seeing upwards of a 45 percentincrease in conversion rates. This may have been tested in web design, but the same principles still hold true in mobile app design. People want a personalized mobile app experience.
We see customization everywhere — whether it’s Starbucks sending out drink order recommendations or Netflix offering tv show selections based on your past watching preferences. Personalization is in, and it’s going to become an even bigger trend in mobile app design in 2018.
An app that has integrated advanced AI to learn user behavior and offer a more personalized experience is Fitness for Weight Loss. This app customizes a workout for the user based on presets the user inputs during onboarding and then learns what workouts to offer the more the user uses the app. This makes for a highly personal and engaging app workout experience from start to finish.
Augmented Reality
Recently, The New York Times offered its own augmented reality experience, letting users view the Olympics on their mobile devices. And it’s just one of many brands that are introducing the AR experience into their mobile platforms and app experiences. Pokémon Go was another app that raised the AR bar, giving people a fun and interesting way of interacting with their surroundings. In just one month, Pokémon Go saw a revenue of more than $268 million.
With VR technology, the real world and the digital world will collide. This will allow brands to have deeper, more impactful interactions with their audiences to better provide them with the product they want in the future.
Ikea Place is a solid example of an app that’s using virtual reality to enhance the user experience and give users a new way to look at interior design. This app uses augmented reality to give users a look into what Ikea furniture would look like in their own space. All users have to do is point their camera and place the furniture. This AR integration is seamless and engaging, giving users a whole new way to interact with their smartphones and the world around them.
Overlapping Layers
When it comes to giving users what they want, a fully integrated mobile experience should be at the top of your list. Eighty-three percent of mobile users say that a fluid experience across all devices and mediums is imperative for a positive user experience. This means that you need to incorporate design elements that are pleasing to the eye and make the overall journey through the app simple and streamlined.
Create a greater sense of space and distinguish yourself from the competition with overlapping effects that draw users’ eyes to certain aspects of your design and lead them on a comfortable and intuitive user journey. You can overlap text, colors and image — any elements of your mobile app design to make your mobile app stand out.
An app that does a seamless job at integrating overlapping effects in a visually appealing way is Calm. This intuitive and stress-relieving app helps you sleep better through a series of meditative videos and graphics. Users can use this app to sleep better, reduce anxiety, or to guide them through peaceful meditation. And the serene overlapping text and image designs really capture this tranquil essence, making it even easier for the user to relax completely.
5 Mobile Apps With User-Friendly Interfaces
The New Yorker Today
By 2020, 6.1 billion people will be smartphone users. That means that your mobile audience is growing, and you need to make sure you’re staying up-to-date on growing trends and evolving technologies. But one thing you should never forget is having an intuitive and user-friendly mobile design.
Mobile-friendliness is a vital aspect to all design, but especially to mobile app design considering the dimensions of the screen, the limitations of movement and the large amounts of content that need to be conveyed in such a small space. Users need to be able to float from category to category or from section to section with ease and satisfaction.
The New Yorker Today understood the importance of a seamless user experience, creating a mobile app that was highly intuitive, easy to navigate and user-friendly. This app makes reading the news and staying on top of the days’ biggest headlines easy and simple. With fun and exciting swiping graphics that come as a result of a smooth upward slide of your fingers, this app is effortless for users to use.
Wishi
A recent survey found that 95 percent of users believe the following statement to be true: Good user experience just makes sense. If that sounds like common sense, that’s because it is. User experience is imperative to good overall design, and what users want more than anything else is ease.
Simplicity and personal interaction are key aspects of a highly effective, user-friendly mobile app design. They give the user a sense of comfort and trust in the product they’re using. It relieves any stress and anxieties and lets the user know that your brand is dedicated to making sure they have an experience tailored to them.
Wishi is a mobile app that offers personal style tips and advice to its users. It comprises a large community of stylists and beauty experts, and the app is dedicated to matching you with the style you’re looking for. From its bright, clean layout to its live chat features, this app puts the user first at every step of the journey, providing a user experience that is a breeze.
Trips By Lonely Planet
Content marketing is a vital aspect of most marketing strategies, and 83 percent of B2B marketers said that mobile apps were an important aspect of their strategies. And with the number of mobile users in the world growing at a rapid pace, it makes sense that marketers are moving to mobile to promote their brand through engaging and thought-provoking content.
Content is key for marketers. It’s how they promote their brand, offer helpful insights and interact with their audiences on a more personal level. On mobile, this could prove to be tricky. You need to create app content that offers valuable information in a way that will push users to want to genuinely interact with it. This means it can’t be simple, promotional content — it has to be compelling and useful.
Trips by Lonely Planet is an excellent example of how brands can provide useful content in an engaging way that adds to the user-friendliness of the overall mobile app experience. This app offers personalized travel guides from real people all over the world. They can use this platform to share their experiences through photography, video and written content. And anyone who has read through a travel guide or travel blog know that sometimes, there is an overwhelming amount of content. Luckily, however, Trips is able to provide this content in an easy-to-digest way that keeps you exploring.
Boox
Users want quick and easy access to mobile content with 91 percent of users saying that this user-friendly nature is vital to their mobile experience. That means that you have to come up with creative and innovative ways of displaying this content and getting it in front of the user in a clean and effective way.
Through design, this can be achieved by using bright, clean colors, open space and vivid imagery. You want people to be engaged, so you need the design elements of your app to be engaging — it needs to be fun, it needs to pull users in, it needs to layout content in a comprehensive and organized manner and it needs to be purposeful.
Boox is an app that has a clear-cut purpose — it lets users turn their cherished memories into tangible photo books that they can look back on fondly. This elegant and efficient app populates photos from a user’s photostream and creates a book out of these memories. Through subtle animations, engaging scrolling effects and dynamic movement, this app is a user-friendly app for amateur and professional photographers out there.
Kptn Cook
Nearly 60 percent of internet users say they won’t recommend a website that has a poorly-designed mobile experience. Users simply don’t have time to try and teach themselves how to use an app or navigate through a jarring and complicated mobile experience.
And in an increasingly mobile-first world, your brand can’t afford to be left behind. Not when mobile experiences are becoming more telling of the way a brand operates as a whole. An app needs to be responsive, engaging and provide compelling content. It needs to have an intuitive interface and walk users seamlessly through their journey.
An Android an iOS app that provides a highly intuitive and user-friendly mobile experience is Kptn Cook — an app that provides recipes to its users in a very Snapchat-esque way. Users are provided with three recipes a day from bloggers around the world. These recipes last for 24 hours, then they disappear and you get a whole new batch of recipes to try out. After a brief onboarding, simple and stunning graphics, dark colors, and vivid photography provide content to users in a way that puts them in just the right mood to start cooking — exactly what the app was created to do.
