Mobile applications have certainly become a lucrative business for several reasons. The fact that you can garner better reach, sell products, and run an entire company with just an app has given hope for every individual to invest in an application and start a service of their own.
However, it is not that easy! Did you know that behind the shimmery lights of a handful of apps earning billions of dollars, there is a sea of failed applications? As per the stats, more than 80% apps fail within the first year of their existence.
The rate of app failure is unreal, but you should keep in mind that there are thousands of apps being launched every day, which makes the competition cutthroat for survival. However, the rising competition is not exactly the reason behind this rate of mobile app failure.
So what is it? Well, that is the question we will answer in this post! In this blog, let’s take a look at 10 major causes that lead to a mobile app failure. We will also be discussing best practices so that you can implement them when planning an app of your own and make the most out of it.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; let’s start by understanding what exactly is called a failed mobile app.
What is Considered a Mobile App Fail?
The value of an app depends on multiple factors, and similarly, deciding that the app has failed also has its classifications. Generally, mobile apps are judged on metrics like ratings, downloads, and, of course, revenue.
However, not every application built needs to have higher downloads to generate revenue. Several closed-circuit apps are used in a limited region but are still considered successful. That is because it meets the unaccounted but most important metric, i.e., the impact!
How impactful is your application? Is it doing what it was designed to do? If not, then your app may be failing and may not be able to sustain itself in this competitive market.
All in all, any application that:-
- Is unable to maintain the same experience.
- Doesn’t do what it says it will do for the user.
- Fails to create a name or impact in the market.
- It is not profitable for the business to keep running.
10 Core Reasons Why Mobile Apps Fail
Now, you may be wondering why this happens to any application. Considering that the development process is the same for all applications.
Well, multiple factors contribute to a failed mobile application.
Check them out below:-
1. Entering a Dominated Niche with No Innovation
One of the key reasons why mobile apps are built is to solve a problem for the user. Think about it: stopping a cab was a problem; so they made a taxi booking app, and standing in queues for reservations at your favorite restaurants? Solved with a restaurant app.
You see, booking apps, mobile payment apps, and banking applications are some examples of applications that solve a legitimate problem for the user. Now, since there already are applications doing well in the field, any new app that offers the same functionality is no longer required.
The problem is already solved for many, and if there’s nothing additional that you can offer, your app is of no use. Always look to integrate an X-factor into your app that makes it more usable for the user.
2. Being Unsure About the Idea
You might come across a lot of ideas in your day. But not every idea is worth converting into an app. Moreover, even if you believe in an idea, it is quite important to validate your faith in it before directly spending on it.
Sure, bringing your idea to life has become significantly easier thanks to the availability of app development companies and tools. However, if you have not given the idea a second thought and are solely motivated by your first instinct, you may be making a mistake.
It happens with many entrepreneurs that as the application is rolled out, they start having doubts about the final product. They are unsure about the idea if the app will work or not. Hence, it is always recommended to discuss the idea with professionals to find all the possible solutions.
Pro Tip – Building an MVP can give you a good idea if the application will shape up as you expect or not.
3. Missing out on Thorough Research
Another core reason behind failed applications is missing out on mobile app market research. You see, entering any market is like walking into a wild jungle. ]
If you have an idea where to take the step, you may reach your beautifully scenic view, or a step in the wrong direction might lead you to the hungry lions waiting for you.
The more you research, the more you learn about the industry you want to enter, the better your final application. Apps that do not have enough research put into their execution are often the first ones to fail.
Hence, planning your application and researching the market is a must. Try to find out everything you can and more about the competition, the current market gaps, and the opportunities that you can find. This will help you break down the market properly and keep your app from running dead and failing.
4. Imbalanced Business & App Strategy
Building a mobile app for your business has to be done while keeping the core of your business in mind.
If your application’s strategy conflicts with the current business that you are running, then there may be an issue here! You need to create a balance between the functioning of your business and the app to ensure neither is compromised.
There have been many businesses that have seen massive downfalls as a result of unnecessary digital transformation.
Allocating the available resources to get the ball rolling for both your business and the new app that you have launched can be a troublesome decision, which leads to this imbalance.
Don’t forget, many businesses launch an app but are so focused on their business that they neglect the application to keep the revenue running, leading to mobile app failure for their digital platform.
Being dependent on only one, be it completely focusing on your app and neglecting the business, or vice versa, will ultimately lead to a loss of revenue.
5. Not Finding the Right Development Team
To launch an application that gets the job done, you need a solid pool of resources. There are several options available in the market, from pocket-friendly solutions to high-end app development services that you can hire and start with the development. However, it is not that easy!
The fate of your application depends on the team you hire. Some individuals/businesses often do not spend enough time evaluating the available options in the market and end up making the wrong decision of going for the one that offers the best deal.
When the development team you have hired is not the right fit or does not align with your vision, the app that you build is bound to fail. Hence, give as much time as you can, do more research, meet more people, and identify the right team to guide you towards success, rather than failure.
6. Neglecting the User Requirements
When planning a mobile app, the first thing that you need to do is understand the targeted audience.
Keep your focus on what your user is looking for, and you might end up on their smartphones. However, what leads the application to failure is neglecting the user’s needs and focusing on what you have envisioned.
If you have neglected your user base, the application is certainly not going to perform well. Many established apps have faced a similar issue where they could not meet the user requirements and had to face issues such as lost user interest.
What happens when users are no longer interested in an app? Well, you have to go back to the drawing board and spend more on the app refurbishment. For many, this is the end of their app as they can no longer afford to do the same, leading to the mobile app failing.
7. Compromising UX/UI for Gimmicks
Another reason why applications fail is the incorporation of gimmicky features that look flashy and cool but are not really of use. Things get even more serious when these gimmicks come at the cost of the user experience of your application.
The user interface and experience are key to any application. And when a user is unable to find what they are looking for in the first place, they do not even hesitate to uninstall the app.
It often seems a good idea to integrate a cool, tricky feature that makes your users’ experience interactive. However, if that interactive feature is not placed correctly, it can very well drive the user away from your application, making your app get stuck, or worse, fail.
8. Too Many or Too Few Features
Loading the app with multiple features so that your user can find everything in one place seems like a good idea, right? WRONG! Cluttering the application with too many features reduces its usability for the user, as they want an app that they can instantly open and access.
So, simply giving the exact set of features in the application seems a better option, doesn’t it?
You are WRONG AGAIN!
A user, when downloading an app, needs to have some sort of motivation to use the app. Too few features is also not a good step for your business, as it can make it difficult to sell the app.
So what to do? Well, the idea is to balance the app features and minimalism in the design, as it will make the app appear more appealing and productive. Several apps are stuck at a low user base or are on the verge of failure because of this imbalance.
9. Not Managing Expenses Realistically
Another issue that has led to multiple mobile app failures is the poor financial management of the applications.
Expenses begin from the origin of your idea, from shaping it into an app to marketing it to reach the masses; you need to set your budget and expenses realistically.
If you believe that spending X amount of money on marketing can help in garnering the attention of the users, but it is too low as per the market standards, you often end up wasting that money as it has zero impact in boosting the app’s reach.
The same goes for choosing technologies. The more new tech you integrate, the more it will cost. Not managing expenses realistically can lead to bigger problems for your business, starting with the collapse of your application.
10. Inability to Maintain the Performance of the App
Last but not least, when you have built a great app and everything is balanced, maintaining the same user experience while upgrading it regularly is another challenge that you should overcome.
App maintenance is something that not everyone pays close attention to, considering that the job is over with the release of the application.
However, if you have provided users with a great experience and it starts to decline over the years, users may lose interest. Hence, as long as you release the app, you need to find the best possible way to maintain the quality of services that you have given so far is to retain the resources that have built the app.
But the majority of the app owners do not go for that. Instead, they plan on hiring a less experienced development firm or professionals at a lower cost. However, that often compromises the app’s performance, making it difficult for the app to stay the same. This leads to the deterioration of the app.
Due to these reasons, and other specific issues such as not having a proper feedback channel, using outdated technology, and not focusing on global outreach, the mobile app failed miserably in the market. If you are planning to build an app, you should consider all these factors before making a decision.
Worried About Mobile App Failure? Nimble AppGenie Can Save the Day!
The idea behind listing these reasons is to keep you away from all of them. The more aware you become, the better decisions you take. If you are a business owner planning to enter the app market, make sure you avoid these mistakes and keep your app safe.
You can also reach out to professionals like us and get your job done. With a vast portfolio of applications, we understand how delicately one needs to handle the art of developing an app.
The experience that our professionals hold is something that makes us more and more desirable for the market, allowing us to deliver results that speak volumes.
Feel free to connect with us as we can guide you through any problem your application is facing and save it from failing.
Conclusion
Failing mobile applications have become a regular thing in today’s market. While it seems easier to talk about a failed app, it is really tough for a business to face this loss.
Hence, make sure you do not step into the trap and avoid the aforementioned causes. You can take some advice from the discussion above, or better, reach out to our professionals to guide you better.
Hope this post gives you ample insights into why mobile apps fail and what more can be done to avoid the same.
FAQs
Niketan Sharma, CTO, Nimble AppGenie, is a tech enthusiast with more than a decade of experience in delivering high-value solutions that allow a brand to penetrate the market easily. With a strong hold on mobile app development, he is actively working to help businesses identify the potential of digital transformation by sharing insightful statistics, guides & blogs.
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