10 Must-Have Usability Features for a Successful Mobile App

Did you know that 5.07 billion people or 63.5 percent of the global population are internet users? A whopping 92.1 percent of these users access the internet via their mobile phones. This makes perfect sense because mobile phones are more affordable and portable than desktop computers, laptops, and even tablets.

These amazing stats on mobile phone usage brought about the birth of mobile app development catering to various demographics and purposes. Developers continuously introduce new app features that, in simple terms, make modern life a lot easier. There are apps for social networking, time management or productivity, budgeting, health and lifestyle, gaming, etc.

But not all apps are created equal. Some are downloaded millions of times while most remain in obscurity. There are those that started at the top of app stores but eventually lost users because of frequent technical issues or their failure to keep up with the competition.

Must-have mobile app usability features

What makes a successful mobile app? Know some of the usability features that are non-negotiable for any mobile app, regardless of its purpose or target audience. The following is a list of the most important features.

1. Ease of use

This is perhaps the most important feature of any mobile app. If users can’t figure out how to use your app, they will quickly delete it and move on to something else. Make sure all functions and buttons are easy to find and navigate, and that the overall interface is simple and clutter-free.

It’s recommended that you or your developers run an app usability test which involves identifying and resolving issues and bugs before the coding stage. Fix problems before launching your app. Make a good first impression!

2. Functionality

Your app should do what it’s supposed to do, without any glitches or crashes. Test it extensively before releasing it to make sure everything works properly. Also, doesn’t hurt to really dig deep into your user stories to identify scenarios that you might have missed out on.

If you don’t have a big in-house testing team, you can use testing software such as TestFlight for iOS apps. Beta Family, on the other hand, is great for beta testing both your iOS and Android app.

3. Compatibility

Your app should be compatible with as many devices as possible in order to reach the widest possible audience. Make sure to test it on a variety of platforms and devices before releasing it to the public.

Apps for foldable devices are one of the hottest mobile app development trends for 2023. When creating an app for foldable devices, it’s essential to have a healthy screen ratio because the device shifts screen size between being unfolded and folded. The unfolded ratio should be set for landscape viewing, whereas the folded ratio should be a very high and long screen size.

4. Robustness

Nothing could be more frustrating than an app that crashes while playing a game or browsing your news feeds.

Your app should be able to handle heavy usage without crashing or slowing down. Make sure to test it under different conditions and with different types of data before releasing it.

Another test of app robustness is the data caching ability of an app. Strive to develop an app that could save as much data on the device as possible, making it usable even without an internet connection.

5. Security

User data is extremely vulnerable on mobile devices, so your app must be built with security in mind. At the start of the mobile app development process, it’s imperative to know the app development best practices for customer data privacy, securing your data to protect your users and company.

Make sure you’re writing a secure code, encrypting all data, using only the authorized application programming interface (API), and using high-level authentication.

6. Fast loading time

Similar to page speed optimization, the app should load quickly, even on slower networks. If it takes too long to open, users will likely get frustrated and ignore it— worse, delete the app completely.

7. Clear instructions

If the app has special features or functions, it’s important to provide clear instructions on how to use them. Otherwise, users will be lost and may not return.

8. Search option

A search option is essential in every app to ensure it’s user-friendly. Your app may be simple for tech-savvy users, but that may not be the case for others. A search option will help ensure that users can easily navigate the app and find what they need.

9. Feedback system

Satisfied users will stay with you while discontented ones will eventually look for better alternatives. Hence, getting user feedback and having them as metrics for the next changes of your app is crucial in mobile app development.

Listen to your app users so you would know how to respond to their needs. Set up a responsive feedback system in your app that allows users to easily report bugs, suggest new app features or provide criticisms.

10. Battery-saving feature

Apps that consume a lot of battery life can turn off users. No matter how wonderful an app is, if the battery drain is so significant that the users have to recharge frequently, then those features go to the wayside.

You must account for battery-preservation techniques and methods that ensure a prolonged experience and sustained battery life for your app users.

Key takeaways

Mobile apps have become an important part of modern living. These help us connect with family and friends, complete our tasks, monitor our health, and manage our finances, among others. But with countless apps being developed every day, how do you ensure that yours shall be one of the successful ones?

• Prioritize usability regardless of the purpose and target audience of your mobile app. Put your users at the center of your app development.
• Test, test, test. Testing at various stages of the app development can prevent technical issues after launch. Make the best first impression among your users.
• Consider working with experienced app developers from a reputable digital marketing company. These specialists have the expertise and technologies to build successful apps.

Need help in developing the next hottest mobile app? We’re built to assist you with that so shoot us a message, leave a comment or reach out to our Facebook, X, or LinkedIn accounts.

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