Let’s elaborate on the topic we started discussing in previous Blog named ‘Converting Web App to Native One? Important Factors to Keep in Mind – Part 1’. Once you understand why it is necessary to have a mobile app, it is the right time to start with the research phase on your existing web presence.
Talking about the factors to consider in the process to convert html5 to native app, we had previously discussed two in the arena: determining target audience and analyzing existing web presence. Going ahead with this, here’s a list of rest of the factors to consider at this stage:
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When, where and how many times will people use your app?
It is vital to determine the use cases of when and where will people use your app. Study the usage pattern of same individual on different devices. It is possible that an individual who usually access a particular website or web app at night, uses its mobile app even during the day. Understanding the unique use cases helps you to come up with an app that matches user’s requirements.
Let’s continue with the same online shopping website to understand this aspect in a better way. A working person who opened the website occasionally to shop for necessary things has now started using its mobile app frequently. He utilized downtime in office or travelling time in browsing through the latest deals and today’s special offer on the mobile app. This is a hint for developers to add ‘push notifications on latest offers’ feature for ecommerce apps.
Define your mobile app goals
You already have online presence in form of website or web app. But you are stepping ahead to convert web app to native app for some obvious reasons. So jot down these reasons as they form the goals of your mobile app. Defining goals is the first step in planning stage of any project. Only when you know what you have to achieve, you can work towards it in the intended direction.
Your app development goals should be defined to intersect with app users’ expectations. This intersection is the proof that you are on the right track of the development project. Share these goals with your development partner for a clear understanding of your project.
Decide on the functionalities of your mobile app
Which features and functionalities will your app possess? It is not necessary to include all of them as it appears on website or web app. Mobile app is meant for quick access to important tasks, which means only key functions should be included with easy to access capability.
Online shopping app need not have all features as that of website, but requires few important and basic ones such as shopping cart, access to profile, secure online payment and check out. Analytics tool is great way to determine maximum used functionalities. This data can be used while developing an app.
Conclusion
Merely replicating website into a mobile app would not pave way for good user experience. It requires serious understanding of existing website and user behavior patterns to build an app that is just perfect for mobile users.
It is vital to determine the use cases of when and where will people use your app. Study the usage pattern of same individual on different devices. It is possible that an individual who usually access a particular website or web app at night, uses its mobile app even during the day. Understanding the unique use cases helps you to come up with an app that matches user’s requirements.
Let’s continue with the same online shopping website to understand this aspect in a better way. A working person who opened the website occasionally to shop for necessary things has now started using its mobile app frequently. He utilized downtime in office or travelling time in browsing through the latest deals and today’s special offer on the mobile app. This is a hint for developers to add ‘push notifications on latest offers’ feature for ecommerce apps.
Define your mobile app goals
You already have online presence in form of website or web app. But you are stepping ahead to convert web app to native app for some obvious reasons. So jot down these reasons as they form the goals of your mobile app. Defining goals is the first step in planning stage of any project. Only when you know what you have to achieve, you can work towards it in the intended direction.
Your app development goals should be defined to intersect with app users’ expectations. This intersection is the proof that you are on the right track of the development project. Share these goals with your development partner for a clear understanding of your project.
Decide on the functionalities of your mobile app
Which features and functionalities will your app possess? It is not necessary to include all of them as it appears on website or web app. Mobile app is meant for quick access to important tasks, which means only key functions should be included with easy to access capability.
Online shopping app need not have all features as that of website, but requires few important and basic ones such as shopping cart, access to profile, secure online payment and check out. Analytics tool is great way to determine maximum used functionalities. This data can be used while developing an app.
Conclusion
Merely replicating website into a mobile app would not pave way for good user experience. It requires serious understanding of existing website and user behavior patterns to build an app that is just perfect for mobile users.