Mobile apps are, undeniably, big business. The market is expected to reach a staggering $188.9billion by 2020, which means businesses and entrepreneurs alike should focus on creating and maintaining their very own app to extend their customer reach and service.
App development is continuously evolving and changing to keep up with current trends. What’s more, as smartphones increase in power, and 5G networks are rolled out across the world, apps will become even more part of daily life.
There is a vast variety of apps available, which cover every aspect of living, from alarm clocks and job searching to social networking and shopping. It’s a realm with fierce competition, so what can app developers and businesses do to keep up? Below are four of the latest trends you need to be aware of in 2019.
1. A Rise in Wearable Devices
Wearable devices are set to see a surge in popularity in 2019. While they are most famously known for their contribution to the fitness industry, with Fitbit being one such example, this technology is set to infiltrate many more sectors. Apple Watch, while once was seen as a failure, has nonetheless paved the way for many more varieties of wearable technology. Apple Watch achieved $1billion in revenue in its first quarter on the market, which has sparked the recent trend in smartwatches being evolved further. Due to the “Apple effect,” the wearable tech industry is predicted to treble in 2019 and continue to expand in the next five years, as stated in the CCS Insight report.
What it means for app developers is there will be a growing need for engaging, easy-to-navigate apps which accompany the wearable devices. These apps need to offer seamless integration, as on the most well-loved features of the Apple Watch is how simple and straightforward is it to read text messages on the watch and then reply via your iPhone. Users of wearable tech expect the devices to enhance and make their lives more accessible. For times when they cannot use their smartphone, perhaps they are in a meeting, smartwatches bridge the gap between reading a message quickly and being able to respond.
2. In-App Advertising
Consumers have met in-app advertising with wariness. The news of WhatsApp (owned by Facebook) beginning to incorporate in-app advertising was not a welcome development to many users. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story of in-app advertising. The top iOS apps downloaded in 2018 reported using 35% more ad platforms than ever before, which suggests this form of marketing isn’t as unpopular as the news would suggest. In-app advertising is predicted to grow in popularity by businesses in 2019. The global ap spend is only set to continue to rise an incredible 50% on last year’s spend. What’s more, it doesn’t have to be invasive for the users. WhatsApp, for example, allows users to opt out of sharing personal data which forms the basis of their unique adverts in their app.
It cannot be denied that in-app advertising is a highly effective way to reach your target audience. After all, if they already have your app, you can safely assume they are interested in your products or services. However, in-app advertising needs to be approached delicately. Businesses need to be aware of the overall reception of ads in their apps. To do so, consider asking for feedback.
3. Incorporating Chatbots
Communication is one of the most integral aspects of customer service. If a customer cannot get an answer from your company promptly, they will take their business elsewhere, and you will lose out on a valuable sale. It’s for this reason why app developers need to focus on creating a seamless experience for every customer on their app.
Chatbots are one of the latest technology businesses are harnessing on their websites to ensure every customer is responded to quickly. With more enterprises building their own app, in 2019, chatbots will become more prevalent there too. It is predicted by eMarketer that more than a quarter of the world will use messaging apps by the end of 2019, so now is the ideal time to embrace chatbots on your app. Chatbots are an essential part of any business’s marketing strategy. They are vital virtual assistants who, due to the advancement in AI technology, don’t require extensive coding knowledge to integrate into a mobile app.
However, it’s not only consumers you need to focus on communicating clearly with. B2B customers and employees are crucial aspects too. Luckily, the developers at BuildFire have an extensive portfolio of helping businesses connect with B2B consumers and employees seamlessly with their custom app design and creation.
4. Mobile Wallets
For those users who do not wish to input debit or credit card details every time they make a purchase online, mobile wallets, such as PayPal, offered an attractive solution. In the past couple of years, this trend has continued to grow, especially with alternative payment methods including Bitcoin has become more mainstream. The modern consumer wants more choice when it comes to paying for goods, which is something businesses across the world need to pay attention to. Mobile wallets, however, are not only for online and in-app payments. Apple Pay has introduced mobile wallets to the high street. Consumers can now use their smartphones to pay for items within a store. It’s an incredibly quick and easy process.
In 2019, consumers will strive for seamless payment integration for every aspect of their shopping journey. Whether they are within physical stores or shopping online, the number of customers opting to use cash rather than card is drastically declining. For app developers, this is an exciting advancement and one which needs capitalizing on. By enabling mobile wallets on your app, you open up a world of possibilities to users around the globe. One of the main draws of Bitcoin is it is a decentralized, global currency; there are no conversion rates to work out, so consumers do not have to worry about how much a product or service will cost in their currency.
To Conclude
Mobile apps are only set to continue to grow in popularity. For businesses, they are an excellent way of ensuring a seamless customer journey from viewing products to purchasing. By taking note of the above trends for app development in 2019, you can ensure your business is ahead of the game.
