Quick tips on how to build user-friendly apps in 2016

Photo by Microsiervos Geek Crew

App development is tricky. A study by UAB finds that the mobile app market will reach US$77 billion by 2020. That’s a booming market full of competition and challenges. Businesses have been struggling to create better experiences for mobile users. Here are some tips on how to build a great app, based on a conversation with Apple tech leaders in Singapore.

Focus on iOS 8 and iOS 9

• 92 percent of Apple mobile users have been using these versions since December 1, 2015. The other iOS versions users are mainly people who are not engaged with new mobile apps and, therefore, do not bring value to your business.

Do a litmus test

• What are the pain points you are trying to fix, from a user’s point of view?
• Design directly for native iOS and do not try and force a web app into a native app. Web apps will never work as smoothly as a native app.

Why native?

• It will auto-pick the language set in the phone.
• Camera and native phone functions just work.
• Using the Uikit, SceneKit, and multi-tasking features will allow the users to interact with your mobile app in a way that its designed by Apple.
• It is much faster than a web app.
• Mobile apps do not need an internet connection to display content as it’s cached.

Creating a great architecture

• Use Swift. It is the future.
• Use AutoLayout with the size classes to automatically adapt and resize the content based on screen size and rotation.
• Build in 64-bit as it is faster and will give you more app performance. Phones that can run iOS8 and iOS9 support it.
• Honoring people’s iOS preference in app settings, and use them in the app without asking.
• Font selection based on size and other typography options.

Ensure offline usage

• Think about what happens when you are not connected to wifi or cellular networks.
• Allow users to read cached content when offline. Show a “no internet connection” messeage for users.
• Never use a loading circle as it will lock the screen and the user won’t be able to do anything.

Designing interactions

• Create a simple workflow: don’t bury screens in too many layers.
• Ensure easy and accessible navigation.
• Contemporary transitions and animations on iPhone’s clock app is a good example to follow. No fancy 3D animations or transitions. Build everything in 2D.
• Follow user-centered design. Have a clear reason for a feature or function and you should make it intuitive, meaning people will know what will happen before they press a button. Don’t hide important features behind a button.

Visual design

• Use standard control buttons as much as possible.
• Limited custom controls will make it easier to maintain the application. You’ll be able to more quickly update the app for the next iOS version.
• Use high-resolution graphics.
• Familiar iconography is a must. Use the default thumbnail for “like” as everyone knows it, and do not start creating new icons from day one.
• Consistency in use of symbols, screen displays, and animations.
• Minimal branding: Everyone knows what app they have downloaded and launched, so there is no need to keep over-brand your app with the logo or slogan.

Other tips

• An app must have a fast start-up experience.
• An iOS mobile app doesn’t need to have splash-screens as they have no purpose at all.
• Don’t use a “spinner” when loading content, as that will lock the app when there is a bad signal. The only way to use the app is then to close and reopen the app. You don’t want this to happen.