Currently, there is an alarming reality of mobile app failures. In fact, did you know that 70% of mobile apps fail within the first year? This amounts to millions of mobile applications and of course, these failures occur despite all efforts and strategies of sustainability.
According to statistics from Appinventiv, over 60% of mobile failures occur as a result of “poor execution, ineffective app ideas or inability to monetize via app.” According to Multiqos’s claim, over 80% of published mobile apps witness high drops in the Google Play Store within the first 12 months.
The consequence of all these app failures lead to monetary losses amounting to thousands of dollars, a waste of time, resources and of course, reputations.
Therefore, it is crucial that if you are developing a mobile app, be prepared for challenges that may even lead to the failure of your product. Also, have it in mind that things may not go as planned but most importantly, try as much as you can to avoid the possibility of your mobile app failure.
This blog will explore the top 7 mobile app failures to serve as a guide to help you understand these pitfalls, how to avoid mobile app failures and ultimately building a successful app.
Let us take a look at the top 7 mobile app failures and why they failed.
1. Ignoring User Needs and Regulations Lead to App Failures: A Case with Quibi
Mobile apps without strong foundation are bound to fail. This is because weak foundations lead to delays in development and a final output with low quality.
Essentially speaking, any mobile app with low and disappointing quality as a final product have in one way of the other, at some point, and continuously, neglect the end demands/requirements.
In the end, it will be a case whereby a bad product creates highly unhappy users which will negatively impact the success of the product.
Let us explore with a typical example; Quibi.
Quibi is generally a mobile app that is built for live streaming auctions with products like artifacts, fine arts and collectibles. While its idea is impressive, the development team neglected the importance of trade regulations. They breached trade regulations and that led to their product’s downfall.
Like most famous app failures, Quibi only enjoyed a lifespan of 6 months in 2020. The failure started from an accusation from a publication, accusing them of a breach in trade regulations.
The report says Quibi was demonstrating some disturbing unethical behaviours. The report went viral and the more its users came across the allegation, the more the rise of issues of trust. This cost the Quibi and its team a lost in value.
Lessons to Learn from Quibi’s Mobile App Failure
- As you create your app, ensure to hire a professional team.
- You need a team that understand the place of regulatory bodies and how best to conform to their laws. This is a very crucial part of mobile app development services that must never be overlooked.
- Also, ensure you offer your users very satisfying experience, one that is free from unethical conduct. Do everything that you can to earn and sustain their trust.
2. Poor Expectation Management and Market Research Brings Mobile App Failures: The Case of Google Wave
Another popular reason for mobile app failures is when the development team and other stakeholders get carried by user expectations.
In most cases, teams who feel their mobile apps have high anticipation do not bother about conducting proper research about their users and their needs.
They may even not cover the development of every critical area of the app before releasing to the public. Early releases happen to catch up with the hype and gain success from it.
However, such poor management of expectations and market research has led to many app failures.
Let us explore with one of the top 7 mobile app failure; Google Wave.
Google Wave was backed by the might Google team but only enjoyed a lifespan of 1 year. The real-time messaging platform development team got carried away by insights from data showing how highly anticipated people are about its release and launched too early.
Sadly, it took them only about a year before the app crashed.
Lessons to Learn from the Google Wave Mobile App Failure
- You cannot be too famous to fail. In other words, having a solid team does not guarantee the success of your app.
- Have a team that know how to manage user expectations. Do not get carried away by the buzz and hype out there.
- Take your time to go through all the important process of mobile app development so that you can produce a great app.
- Have a proper mobile app development roll out plan
- Learn about the importance of mobile app development brief and how you can build a solid foundation for success.
3. Adaptability to Change at the Wrong Time Leads to Mobile App Failure: The Case with Vine
Vine was created as a social media app with short video sharing app features and functionalities. It allowed users to easily create and share up to 6 seconds of video clips.
When it launched, everyone loves the idea. The buzz around Vine grew so much that Twitter saw it as a complementing tool to its platform. To this end, Twitter purchased the short video app.
Vine was however put out of the market by strong competitors like Snapchat and Instagram who were always rolling out better features. These two short video app giants had longer short video allowance for their users. They also had the biggest celebrities and influencers promoting their apps.
Vine saw the gap and made an effort to close it by extending its short video length but that was not enough.
Lessons to Learn from the Vine’s Mobile App Failure
- As you build and launch your mobile app solution, there will always be strong competitors who do not care about your brand. If they can put you out of business, they will, without even blinking or stopping to think.
- Have a sustainability plan and be ready to adapt to change. Embrace change with a positive mindset and be timely about the implementations.
- Have a great business plan and a strong business strategy in place.
- Put your leadership in place and up to per if you want a successful mobile app
- Invest in your management and staff for effective and efficient communication and customer service experience
Learning from the Downfalls: Strategies to Avoid Mobile App Failures
Now that we have discussed the pitfalls of mobile app failures, let us look at the effective ways to avoid app failures.
· Prioritize User Experience to Avoid App Failures
One of the ways to avoid app failures is to ensure your app has the best user experience. For best results, implement app testing by a professional QA team.
QA team ensure that your mobile app work as they should. They focus on carrying out different tests and experiments of the products. They also check for bugs, and recommend best fixes.
More importantly, “the QA team and developers can use A/B testing to design products optimized for their users.” With this, you can get a good product, optimised for user experience.
· Conduct Thorough Market Research and understand your target audience to to Avoid App Failures
Some mobile app failures happened because the team did not do their homework.
They underestimated the power of quality research and had to pay for it with their app failures.
We recommend that you hire a professional team to handle your app development. At Prometteur, we know the place of thorough research and the need to understand who the ideal users are. This helps us to create user friendly and acceptable apps.
· Avoid App Failures by Setting Realistic Budgets and Timelines
when you are creating a mobile app, ensure to make everything clear and well planned out. For example, set timelines that are realistic and do not keep the budget above your means.
For example, avoid building extremely expensive mobile apps if you are using it for your start up. We recommend you go for cheaper app development and you can slowly increase the features, functions and complexities as your business expands.
Another thing is, do not rush the process. Take your time, do good research, communicate freely and understand your customers. Also, set your app development timelines to accommodate changes and unforeseen circumstances leading to delays.
· Build a Strong Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
At the initial stage of launching your product, do not include all the features and functionalities. Roll them out in sperate release phases.
This will allow your users to access only the core features at first, test how they work and then give you real time feedbacks. Also, you will be able to gather these data, analyse them and then fix any issues as well as recommend the recommendations.
When you are sure of meeting user requirements, release the app again, but this time, with its full features and functionalities.
· Implement Effective Marketing Strategies
Do not allow yourself to be carried away by the market demands, hype and social media buzz for your product. the mistake some great app development teams have made is to think they are too big to fail.
So, as you create that mobile app, also design and implement effective marketing strategies. Channel everything towards both the users and your goals.
· Embrace Continuous Improvement
One of the reasons why you should hire a professional team is to enjoy post launch maintenance and technical support. Remember, some technical aspects of mobile apps are meant to be continuous, especially when it has to do with testing and technical support.
You can implement continuous testing after analysing your data from user feedbacks. Focus on the most important and urgent needs/recommendations for best results.
Try not to delay in upgrading your app features and functionalities.
· Hire a professional team with expertise in mobile app development
For the best mobile app development services, to avoid mobile app failures and to get no hidden cost of developing your app, go for a professional team.
Professional app developers also offer security testing services and post launch technical services. This minimises the chances for your mobile apps to fail and keep it going as it should.
Conclusion
The importance of mobile app development cannot be underemphasized, neither can it be over flogged. However, not every app solution turns out to be successful as many challenges and situations are leading to their downfalls.
Use the recommendations in this guide to prevent mobile app failures and create happy customers.
Need to hire a professional team for a successful mobile app development solution? Contact us now.
- Put your leadership in place and up to per if you want a successful mobile app
- Invest in your management and staff for effective and efficient communication and customer service experience
Learning from the Downfalls: Strategies to Avoid Mobile App Failures
Now that we have discussed the pitfalls of mobile app failures, let us look at the effective ways to avoid app failures.
· Prioritize User Experience to Avoid App Failures
One of the ways to avoid app failures is to ensure your app has the best user experience. For best results, implement app testing by a professional QA team.
QA team ensure that your mobile app work as they should. They focus on carrying out different tests and experiments of the products. They also check for bugs, and recommend best fixes.
More importantly, “the QA team and developers can use A/B testing to design products optimized for their users.” With this, you can get a good product, optimised for user experience.
· Conduct Thorough Market Research and understand your target audience to to Avoid App Failures
Some mobile app failures happened because the team did not do their homework.
They underestimated the power of quality research and had to pay for it with their app failures.
We recommend that you hire a professional team to handle your app development. At Prometteur, we know the place of thorough research and the need to understand who the ideal users are. This helps us to create user friendly and acceptable apps.
· Avoid App Failures by Setting Realistic Budgets and Timelines
when you are creating a mobile app, ensure to make everything clear and well planned out. For example, set timelines that are realistic and do not keep the budget above your means.
For example, avoid building extremely expensive mobile apps if you are using it for your start up. We recommend you go for cheaper app development and you can slowly increase the features, functions and complexities as your business expands.
Another thing is, do not rush the process. Take your time, do good research, communicate freely and understand your customers. Also, set your app development timelines to accommodate changes and unforeseen circumstances leading to delays.
· Build a Strong Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
At the initial stage of launching your product, do not include all the features and functionalities. Roll them out in sperate release phases.
This will allow your users to access only the core features at first, test how they work and then give you real time feedbacks. Also, you will be able to gather these data, analyse them and then fix any issues as well as recommend the recommendations.
When you are sure of meeting user requirements, release the app again, but this time, with its full features and functionalities.
· Implement Effective Marketing Strategies
Do not allow yourself to be carried away by the market demands, hype and social media buzz for your product. the mistake some great app development teams have made is to think they are too big to fail.
So, as you create that mobile app, also design and implement effective marketing strategies. Channel everything towards both the users and your goals.
· Embrace Continuous Improvement
One of the reasons why you should hire a professional team is to enjoy post launch maintenance and technical support. Remember, some technical aspects of mobile apps are meant to be continuous, especially when it has to do with testing and technical support.
You can implement continuous testing after analysing your data from user feedbacks. Focus on the most important and urgent needs/recommendations for best results.
Try not to delay in upgrading your app features and functionalities.
· Hire a professional team with expertise in mobile app development
For the best mobile app development services, to avoid mobile app failures and to get no hidden cost of developing your app, go for a professional team.
Professional app developers also offer security testing services and post launch technical services. This minimises the chances for your mobile apps to fail and keep it going as it should.
Conclusion
The importance of mobile app development cannot be underemphasized, neither can it be over flogged. However, not every app solution turns out to be successful as many challenges and situations are leading to their downfalls.
Use the recommendations in this guide to prevent mobile app failures and create happy customers.
Need to hire a professional team for a successful mobile app development solution? Contact us now.
- Always analyse market data and upgrade your app features and functions to fit in and stand out.
4. Lack of Business Plan Brings Mobile App Failures: The Case with Yik Yak Mobile App
A business plan helps your mobile app to have a clear path to success. It points to your short- and long-term goals and so, without one, your business is bound to fail.
A business plan will also ensure that your users and staff coordinate accordingly, without bridging laws and endulging in cyber bullying while on your platform.
This is where the Yik Yak mobile app failed. Firstly, it lacked a proper business plan so there was no direction. People got on the app and did whatever they liked; thing that were largely unethical and inappropriate for a reputable app.
For example, Yik Yak users started reported the app for enabling cyber bullying, threats and abuse. Shortly after, institutions and schools started placing ban on the use of the application.
Yik Yak only lasted four years in the market before it shut down. At this point, it has lost a significant number of users and the staff lost their jobs.
Lessons to Learn from the Yik Yak’s Mobile App Failure
- Mobile app success is influenced by several factors. Your job is to always watch out for these and make adjustments as soon as possible.
- Have a business plan for your mobile app that serves as a guide for running the app.
- User expectations can change, try and ensure your app is adaptable to their changes and that it offers flexibility.
5. Reliance on Third Parties for Funding Leads to App Failures: The Case with Quixey
As you build your mobile app, it will be best if you do not have to depend on third part companies or investors for funds. This was the case of Quixey, an app that helps in discovering trending content in other apps.
When they created their product and put it out, Alibaba showed strong interest and invested a whooping sum of $80 million.
However, Quixey management team were unable to keep up with the challenges and changing dynamics of the market. This led to loss of fund and they even had to sack their staff.
They went back to their investors and the investors rejected any more indulgence in bank rolling their activities. Following this, the company had to shut down.
Lessons to Learn from the Quixey Mobile App Failure
- Do not over rely on any funding party.
- Do not seek for debts that is bigger than your business.
- Have a realistic plan to repay your debts and make the arrangements in ways that will not lead to mobile app failures.
6. Working with Assumptions Leads to Mobile App Failures: A Case with Hailo
Before you begin your mobile app development journey, ensure to invest in quality market research. Understand your market and do not use assumptions to expand to new territories.
Doing so will surely only help you to encounter great losses and in the end, your efforts will be an exercise in futility.
Let us explore this with case of assumptions and poor marketing with Hailo uber like app.
Hailo is a taxi booking app that offers uber like services. Initially they operated in Londo and it was a success. of course, taxi business is a good business in London, more than most cities in the world.
Having experience great success with their mobile app e-taxi business in London, they decided to expand to New York but without due diligence. Rather, they rode on an assumption that NewYorkers would embrace their app solution and it be as successful as their London based solution.
Unfortunately, their business in London turned out to be a flop. New York is a more difficult city to excel with such business solutions that in London. Also, New Yorker do not admire the use of taxi as much as Londoners.
Also, the Hailo would have avoided their mobile app failures in New York if they did not try to replicate their operational module in New York. For example, setting same standard for eligibility to become an Hailo driver in New York like they do in London made it look too rigid for Americans to use their services.
In the end, the company had to shut down in New York and their New York set up and Operational funding of over $100 million could not save them.
Lessons to Learn from the Hailo Mobile App Failure
- Resist any urge to work with assumption when expanding your business.
- Always priorotise carrying out quality research to understand the market dynamics before investing
- Understand that customers are different and have separate, just like the market are in different demographics.
7. Inadequate Marketing Efforts Brings Mobile App Failures: A Case with Pay By Touch
Pay By Touch were able to raise over $340 millions in funding but that could help them to avoid mobile app failures.
Their activities and failure came from issues rooted in incompetency in leadership and marketing. Their communication was also poor and customers are usually not aware of several changes or upcoming events of the business.
They manage to last for about 6 years before crashing out of the market.
Lessons to Learn from the Hailo Mobile App Failure
- Put your leadership in place and up to per if you want a successful mobile app
- Invest in your management and staff for effective and efficient communication and customer service experience
Learning from the Downfalls: Strategies to Avoid Mobile App Failures
Now that we have discussed the pitfalls of mobile app failures, let us look at the effective ways to avoid app failures.
· Prioritize User Experience to Avoid App Failures
One of the ways to avoid app failures is to ensure your app has the best user experience. For best results, implement app testing by a professional QA team.
QA team ensure that your mobile app work as they should. They focus on carrying out different tests and experiments of the products. They also check for bugs, and recommend best fixes.
More importantly, “the QA team and developers can use A/B testing to design products optimized for their users.” With this, you can get a good product, optimised for user experience.
· Conduct Thorough Market Research and understand your target audience to to Avoid App Failures
Some mobile app failures happened because the team did not do their homework.
They underestimated the power of quality research and had to pay for it with their app failures.
We recommend that you hire a professional team to handle your app development. At Prometteur, we know the place of thorough research and the need to understand who the ideal users are. This helps us to create user friendly and acceptable apps.
· Avoid App Failures by Setting Realistic Budgets and Timelines
when you are creating a mobile app, ensure to make everything clear and well planned out. For example, set timelines that are realistic and do not keep the budget above your means.
For example, avoid building extremely expensive mobile apps if you are using it for your start up. We recommend you go for cheaper app development and you can slowly increase the features, functions and complexities as your business expands.
Another thing is, do not rush the process. Take your time, do good research, communicate freely and understand your customers. Also, set your app development timelines to accommodate changes and unforeseen circumstances leading to delays.
· Build a Strong Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
At the initial stage of launching your product, do not include all the features and functionalities. Roll them out in sperate release phases.
This will allow your users to access only the core features at first, test how they work and then give you real time feedbacks. Also, you will be able to gather these data, analyse them and then fix any issues as well as recommend the recommendations.
When you are sure of meeting user requirements, release the app again, but this time, with its full features and functionalities.
· Implement Effective Marketing Strategies
Do not allow yourself to be carried away by the market demands, hype and social media buzz for your product. the mistake some great app development teams have made is to think they are too big to fail.
So, as you create that mobile app, also design and implement effective marketing strategies. Channel everything towards both the users and your goals.
· Embrace Continuous Improvement
One of the reasons why you should hire a professional team is to enjoy post launch maintenance and technical support. Remember, some technical aspects of mobile apps are meant to be continuous, especially when it has to do with testing and technical support.
You can implement continuous testing after analysing your data from user feedbacks. Focus on the most important and urgent needs/recommendations for best results.
Try not to delay in upgrading your app features and functionalities.
· Hire a professional team with expertise in mobile app development
For the best mobile app development services, to avoid mobile app failures and to get no hidden cost of developing your app, go for a professional team.
Professional app developers also offer security testing services and post launch technical services. This minimises the chances for your mobile apps to fail and keep it going as it should.
Conclusion
The importance of mobile app development cannot be underemphasized, neither can it be over flogged. However, not every app solution turns out to be successful as many challenges and situations are leading to their downfalls.
Use the recommendations in this guide to prevent mobile app failures and create happy customers.
Need to hire a professional team for a successful mobile app development solution? Contact us now.
