9 Mobile App Features That Make a User-Friendly App
A user-friendly mobile app is critical for creating a loyal customer base. However, designing such an app is easier said than done. Not only do you have to ensure it has smooth navigation, but it also includes features that keep users hooked from the beginning.
What do customers want in a mobile app? Let's find out by looking at nine nice-to-have and must-have features of a good app that would make it stand out. Let's have a look:
1. How-to Screens/ Tutorials
Not all users are equally tech-savvy. While some can quickly get along with your app, some may find it confusing. That's why you must always include how-to-screens to engage users.
Besides, a how-to-screen/tutorial in the beginning can help:
- Make users feel welcome and ensure they explore the app
- Highlight key features to showcase what your app can do with these screens.
Ensure that the how-to-screens on your app are up-to-date. The last thing a person would want is to get overwhelmed by lengthy tutorials. Also, enable the option to skip these screens if a user is not interested.
2. User-Friendly, Responsive Interface
There are over 3.8 billion smartphone users across the globe, and if you want people to accept and love your app, it must adapt to various screen sizes. Also, your app must offer a seamless experience to your customers, which you can do by:
- Using smooth navigation to guide users throughout the app
- Carefully choosing the icons and color schemes
- Using a search option to ensure users quickly find what they're looking for.
3. Multifactor Authentication
Since we're living in a time when the incidents of data breaches are on the rise, security should be at the heart of your app development. Creating an app without it would be irresponsible as you would be risking your customers' data.
Use techniques like multi-factor authentication to build security into your mobile app. Here's how you can enable multi-factor authentication on your app:
Step 1: Go to the Identity Platform MFA page in the console
Step 2: Click Enable in multi-factor authentication
Step 3: Enter the phone number on which you'll be testing your app
Step 4: Add your app's domain to the allowlist by clicking add domain
Step 5: Click on the save button.
For more details, you can refer to this tutorial.
4. Targeted Push Notifications
Targeted push notifications are the key to engaging users and making them keep coming back for more. When you implement targeted push notifications on your mobile app, there are endless possibilities. You can integrate them with behavioral insights to upsell or cross-sell to them and remind them about exciting offers from time to time. It further leads to a better customer experience and increased conversions.
While using targeted push notifications in your mobile app, ensure you're not overdoing them. Otherwise, they can frustrate users instead of engaging them.
5. Multi-Device Synchronization
Users access an app on multiple devices and platforms, and the last thing they would want is to know that they will have to fill again the form they filled out just a couple of hours back on another device. Hence, you must ensure real-time synchronization across multiple devices as it would ensure they can seamlessly work on your app, which is essential to keep users hooked.
6. Data Collection Opt-Out
Users are sensitive about their privacy and data security. Especially after incidents like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, they want to do everything they can to safeguard their data. Hence, features like user privacy and data security will be critical.
Give users more control over their data. Let them choose what they want to share and what they don't. It will ensure transparency and establish trust, which is essential for building a long-term customer relationship.
7. User Feedback
No mobile app is perfect for the first time. You'll have to move it through various iterations unless it suits the user's needs, and there is no better way to understand what a user needs than feedback. It can help you know what they want, and you can use this feedback to tweak your app accordingly.
While implementing the user feedback feature, make it as straightforward as possible. Users should be able to report bugs easily, suggest new features, or offer criticism. In return, you should acknowledge their feedback and listen to it. Doing so will keep your feet on the ground and ensure you're on the right path.
8. Scalable Text
Scalable text may look odd in the list of must-have app features, but it can help you significantly improve your app's user experience. With scalable text, not only can you help users with disability access your app without hassle, but you also give everyone the flexibility to enjoy the app the way they want. So, make sure you give it a shot.
9. Automatic Speech Recognition
Mobile apps require a user to tap and swipe on their phones. But how would a person with a disability or an injury in their hands use them? That's why you need the voice-accessibility feature in your mobile app. With it, even specially-abled or injured people can use the app without hassle.
Also, ensure that you're using automatic speech recognition as it can easily recognize the speech to text and offer a more frictionless experience, leading to a better user experience.
Conclusion
Having all these features can significantly boost app development costs. However, they're worth every penny you would spend. Still, the budget constraints are real, and it's essential to keep them in mind before you commit to including them in your app.
You can use mobile app cost calculators to gauge the app development cost. Besides, you can also talk to an app development team. They have experience in building user-friendly apps and can offer the proper guidance.
Is there anything about creating a user-friendly app you want to know? Feel free to share in the comments. I would be happy to help.