Mobile app development has revolutionised the digital world and has become a global phenomenon, with more than 4 million apps available in the leading app stores. However, the language barrier is a significant factor that hinders mobile apps’ reach and potential revenue. That’s where app localisation comes into play. App localisation is the process of adapting the app functionality to cater to the preferences and culture of a specific region or country. It breaks the language barrier and helps create a connection between the app and its users, ultimately leading to increased user engagement and revenue.

In this guide, we will dive deeper into the importance of app localisation in mobile app development. We’ll explore the different types of mobile app localisation and how each plays a vital role in creating a seamless user experience. Additionally, we will provide practical tips on conducting app localisation effectively, including the importance of thorough research, choosing the right localisation tools, and testing your app before launching it in a new market. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or business owner, this guide will help you understand the importance of app localisation and how to leverage it to reach a wider audience and boost your app’s revenue.

What is App Localisation?

App localisation refers to customising an application to meet a particular geographic region or country’s cultural, linguistic, and functional needs. It involves modifying an app’s content, design, and functionality to make it more appealing and accessible to users worldwide.

Localisation goes beyond just translating an app’s text into the target audience’s language. It involves cultural adaptation, which includes elements such as graphics, user interface, and payment methods. For instance, some cultures read from right to left, while others read from left to right. Thus, app localisation would require adapting the app’s layout and user interface to fit the reading direction of the target audience.

App localisation aims to enhance the user experience by providing an app that feels familiar and relevant to the target audience. Localisation can help to increase user engagement, retention, and revenue. When users feel more comfortable, and at ease with an app, they are more likely to use it regularly and recommend it to others.

Additionally, app localisation is essential for global businesses seeking to expand their reach and enter new markets. Localising their apps allows companies to establish a strong presence in different regions, build brand loyalty, and increase revenue. Overall, app localisation is a necessary process for developers, businesses, and users, as it helps to bridge the cultural and linguistic gap between different regions and countries.

The Power of Localisation: Why Your App Needs It to Succeed Globally

Here are some reasons why app localisation is crucial for your app’s success:

1. Boost Your Revenue: App localisation enables businesses to reach new markets, increase user acquisition, and boost revenue. Studies show that users are more likely to purchase and engage with an app that is available in their language and caters to their cultural preferences.
2. Enhance User Experience: Localisation enhances the user experience by providing content, graphics, and user interfaces relevant to the target audience, which leads to higher user satisfaction, engagement, and retention rates.
3. Gain a Competitive Advantage: Localised apps have a competitive advantage over non-localised apps in specific regions. By providing content that resonates with local users, businesses can increase user engagement and retention and gain an edge over their competitors.
4. Establish Global Brand Presence: Localising an app in multiple languages and regions can establish a global brand presence and increase brand recognition, increasing user trust, loyalty, and brand advocacy.

App localisation is a powerful tool to help your app succeed in today’s global market. By adapting your app to meet your target audience’s linguistic and cultural preferences, you can boost your revenue, enhance user experience, gain a competitive advantage, and establish a solid global brand presence for your business.

Maximising Global Reach: Types of Mobile App Localisation You Need to Know

Mobile app localisation is a crucial aspect of global expansion for businesses seeking to reach wider audiences. Businesses can employ two primary types of mobile app localisation: MVP localisation and whole app localisation. Both approaches have their unique benefits, and businesses should choose the right type based on their goals, budget, and target markets.

• MVP Localisation: MVP localisation, also known as Minimum Viable Product localisation, involves translating only the essential features of an app to test its market potential in a specific region. This cost-effective approach allows businesses to minimise localisation efforts and gather feedback from users before investing in complete app localisation. MVP localisation is ideal for startups and businesses with limited resources looking to test the waters in new markets.
• Full App Localisation: Full app localisation involves translating the entire app, including its content, graphics, and user interface, to cater to the preferences and culture of a specific region. This approach suits businesses looking to establish a global brand presence and expand their reach in multiple areas. Whole app localisation ensures that the app resonates with local audiences, thus increasing the chances of user engagement and retention.

When choosing between MVP localisation and whole app localisation, businesses must consider their target markets and budget. Startups and small businesses can benefit from MVP localisation to test their market potential. Established businesses looking to expand globally should consider complete app localisation to ensure maximum reach and engagement. By choosing the right localisation approach, businesses can ensure that their app resonates with local audiences, thus enhancing user engagement and retention and ultimately driving business growth.

How to Conduct App Localisation?

To consider localisation as a requirement, an app must go through a process known as internationalisation. In its most basic form, internationalisation means that your value proposition and app are not limited to a single language to function. It would imply that you have an app that can be translated into different languages.

Adapting your app to a specific language is known as “localisation.” In the long run, app developers prioritise internationalisation as a first step to make localisation a less painful process later on.

In a nutshell, internationalisation is the process of preparing your app for localisation. It is the process of coding your app in such a way that you can easily switch the language of it.

Internationalisation of an app

Mobile app internationalisation is the process of designing and developing a mobile application to make it adaptable to different languages, cultures, and regions. The primary goal of internationalisation is to ensure that the app is easily localised and can cater to the needs of users worldwide. It involves implementing features such as supporting multiple languages, currencies, date and time formats, and accommodating various text lengths.

On the other hand, localisation is the process of adapting the app’s content and features to a specific locale or region. It includes translating the app’s content, modifying images and graphics, adjusting layouts and colours, and customising the app’s functionalities to meet the cultural and linguistic preferences of the target audience.

The main difference between mobile app internationalisation and localisation is that internationalisation focuses on making the app adaptable to different regions and languages, whereas localisation deals with customising the app to meet the specific needs of a particular locale. Therefore, internationalisation is the first step in conducting app localisation as it lays the foundation for the app to be easily localised and provides a seamless user experience worldwide.

Localisation of Keywords

Aside from knowing the exact equivalents of words in a foreign language, selecting the right keywords is critical to increasing your app download and conversion rates.

Many keyword tools provide you with unique opportunities in this regard. While localising your app, the keyword allows you to make clear decisions.

Obtaining First Users Following App Localisation

Look at your app’s direct competitor and try to steal some traffic using the keywords you researched. Also, take a close look at their top keywords. Which keywords generate the most traffic for them? You can use the Keyword Intelligence feature to determine which words to use on your keyword spot.

Design of Localised App Icons

The icon design for your app should be both global and local. Marketers have referred to that as “glocal” in recent decades. It should be new and inspiring, but everyone in your audience should find something that speaks to them.

The design of your icon has a significant impact on your target audience. As a result, you should have an icon that speaks to every customer worldwide. If you’re looking for inspiration to create your brand icon, check out Creational and other resources to help you.

Increasing Traffic to a Store in Another Country

App localisation entails more than just your app’s keywords. Entering a foreign location may necessitate more than that to increase downloads.

Localisation begins with translating the app’s language and continues with modifying all other elements (keywords, app description, app icons, images, preview video, keyword optimisation, and even the app’s name) based on your target audience.

App Localisation: Apple App Store vs Google Play Store

When it comes to app localisation, both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store have their requirements and guidelines. Here are some additional details about each platform:

1. a) App Store Localisation: Besides providing metadata, app descriptions, and screenshots in the local language, developers must also ensure that the app’s name, subtitle, and keywords are localised for each language. Furthermore, the App Store requires developers to provide localised versions of their support and contact information.
2. b) Google Play Store Localisation: Developers can use the Google Play Store’s built-in translation service to translate their app’s content into different languages. In addition to localising graphics and setting prices for other regions, developers can provide localised versions of their app’s video trailers and feature graphics.

Tips for IOS App Localisation:

1. a) Use Xcode Localisation Tools: Xcode provides built-in localisation tools that enable developers to manage localised resources, such as strings and images. This can help streamline localisation and ensure all content is translated correctly.
2. b) Localize App Store Metadata: Localise the app’s name, description, and keywords in the target language for improved visibility in the app store. This can attract more users and improve the app’s overall success.
3. c) Consider Right-to-Left Languages: For languages that are read from right to left, such as Arabic and Hebrew, developers must ensure that the app’s interface adapts accordingly. This includes ensuring that text and graphics are aligned correctly and that the overall design is culturally appropriate.
4. d) Test with Native Speakers: Testing the localised app with native speakers can help ensure the translations and cultural adaptations are accurate and appropriate. This can also help identify any potential issues or areas that need improvement.

Tips for Google Play App Localisation:

1. a) Use the Translation Service: Google Play provides a built-in translation service that enables developers to translate their app’s content into different languages. This can help ensure that all content is localised correctly and that the app is accessible to a broader audience.
2. b) Localize Graphics: Besides localising text and other content, developers should consider localising graphics such as images and icons. This can help ensure the app is visually appealing and culturally appropriate for the target audience.
3. c) Set Prices for Different Regions: Setting prices for in-app purchases and subscriptions in local currencies can help improve user engagement and revenue. This can also help make the app more accessible to users in different regions.
4. d) Optimise for ASO: App store optimisation (ASO) involves optimising the app’s metadata and in-app text for improved visibility and user engagement. This can be done by including relevant keywords and phrases specific to the target audience.

Why is app localisation a must for ASO?

• App Localisation has become a crucial App Store Optimization (ASO) aspect. ASO is the process of optimising mobile applications to increase their visibility and ranking in the app store search results. App Localisation is essential for ASO because it enables app developers to reach a broader audience and improve the user experience by providing content in the user’s native language. Here are some of the reasons why App Localisation is a must for ASO:
• Improved Visibility and Ranking: When an app is localised for a specific region or language, the app’s metadata, including the app title, keywords, and descriptions, are translated into the local language. This helps the app to appear in relevant search results and improves its visibility and ranking in the app store.
• Enhanced User Experience: When an app is localised, it becomes more accessible and user-friendly for users of a different language. This improves the overall user experience and increases user retention and satisfaction. App localisation goes beyond just translating the app’s text; it also includes adapting its design and user interface to suit the local culture and preferences.
• Competitive Advantage: App localisation can give an app a significant competitive advantage in the app store. Localised apps stand out from other not localised apps, and they are more likely to be downloaded and used by users who speak the local language.

App Localisation is essential for ASO as it improves an app’s visibility and ranking in the app store, increases app downloads and revenue, enhances the user experience, and gives apps a competitive advantage. Therefore, app developers must prioritise app localisation to reach a broader audience and increase the app’s chances of success in the app store.

Creating a strategy for app localisation

The process of app localisation begins with strategy. In other words, you must have a solid plan. Your app localisation strategy should consider the following factors:

1. What markets are you planning to localise your app for?
2. What are the implications of cultural differences for your communication style?
3. Will you start with a regional launch or go global right away?
4. What is your budget for localisation?
5. What parts of your app are you going to prioritise for localisation?
6. How will you gather resources such as content, images, and videos besides code?
7. Which language service providers are you going to use?
8. What platform will you use for app localisation?
9. How will you go about performing linguistic quality assurance (LQA)?
10. How will you put your app’s localised versions to the test?
11. How will you respond to app store feedback?
12. How will you determine success?

Your app localisation strategy will differ from app to app and change as your app’s needs change. Still, it’s a good idea to incorporate localisation into your app’s life cycle by planning for it during app development and design.

App Localisation Tools

To ensure the success of your app in the global market, you need to choose the right app localisation tools and software. Here are some popular ones that can help simplify the process:

Phrase: Phrase is a cloud-based localisation software that allows developers to automate their translation workflows. It has a user-friendly interface and features a translation memory system that helps to reduce translation costs and improve the consistency of translated content. The phrase also integrates with various development tools like GitHub, Slack, and JIRA.

Lokalise: Lokalise is a cloud-based translation management platform that helps developers to streamline the app localisation process. It offers features like translation memory, glossary management, and project management. Lokalise also integrates with popular development tools like GitHub, Bitbucket, and JIRA.

Transifex: Transifex is another popular cloud-based translation management software that helps to simplify app localisation. It offers translation memory, glossary management, and a real-time translation editor. Transifex also integrates with popular development tools like GitHub, Bitbucket, and Slack.

Crowdin: Crowdin is a cloud-based localisation platform offering features like memory, machine translation, and a real-time translation editor. It also allows developers to collaborate with translators in real-time and provides integration with popular development tools like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.

Smartling: Smartling is a cloud-based translation management platform offering features like memory, machine translation, and a real-time translation editor. It also has a built-in glossary management system, allowing developers to collaborate with translators in real time. Smartling integrates with popular development tools like GitHub, Bitbucket, and JIRA.

In addition to these tools, several app localisation services are available that offer end-to-end localisation solutions, from translation to quality assurance testing. Examples of such services include Gengo, OneSky, and Appen.

The Most Common Roadblocks to Effective App Localisation

App localisation can be a complex process, and there are several common roadblocks that developers and businesses may face. Here are some of the most common roadblocks and how to overcome them:

• Lack of Planning: Lack of planning is one of the most common roadblocks to effective app localisation. This can lead to costly mistakes, delays, and even project failures. To avoid this, planning and strategising well in advance is essential. This includes considering all aspects of localisation, such as language, culture, and user preferences. Developing a detailed project plan that outlines timelines, resources, and responsibilities is crucial. This will help you stay on track and ensure you have everything you need to localise your app successfully.
• Insufficient Resources: App localisation can be expensive, and many businesses may need more resources to invest in it fully. This can be a significant roadblock to effective localisation. To overcome this, consider outsourcing the work to a professional localisation agency or using automation tools to reduce costs. A professional localisation agency can provide expertise, resources, and technology to ensure high-quality and efficient localisation. Automation tools can also help reduce costs by streamlining the localisation process, eliminating manual tasks, and reducing the risk of errors.
• Inadequate Testing: Testing is essential to app localisation, and insufficient testing can lead to errors and poor user experiences. This is a common roadblock to effective localisation. To overcome this, allocate adequate time and resources for testing. Use multiple testing methods, including in-house and beta testing with local users. This will help you identify and fix issues before launching your localised app. It’s also essential to ensure that your testing team has the necessary language and cultural expertise to identify and address localisation issues.
• Cultural Misunderstandings: Cultural misunderstandings can lead to errors in translation and adaptation, which can negatively impact the user experience. This is a common roadblock to effective app localisation. To overcome this, work with local experts or a professional localisation agency that can provide cultural insights and guidance. These experts can help you understand the cultural nuances of your target audience and ensure that your app is adapted appropriately. It’s also essential to thoroughly research your target audience’s culture and preferences to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

App Localisation Goes Beyond Translation

App Localisation Goes Beyond Translation Localising your app for global markets goes beyond simple text translation. Localisation involves adapting the app to the target audience’s culture, language, and preferences. This requires understanding the target audience’s cultural norms, local practices, and choices. Here are some factors to consider when localising your app:

User interface design: The design of your app’s interface should reflect the cultural preferences of the target audience. For example, in some cultures, red is considered a lucky colour; in others, it signifies danger. Similarly, the layout and navigation of the app should be adapted to the user’s expectations and preferences.

Content: In addition to translating text, you may need to adapt your app’s content to suit the target audience. This includes images, audio, and video content. For example, if your app features a map, you may need to change the map’s orientation to match the local perspective.

Local regulations: Depending on the target market, you may need to comply with local regulations, such as data protection laws or content restrictions. Failure to comply with local regulations can result in fines or legal action.

Local payment methods: Different regions may have different payment methods that are popular with users. You may need to adapt your payment system to support local payment methods, such as Alipay in China or Paytm in India.

Local marketing: The marketing strategy for your app should be adapted to suit the local market. This includes using local social media platforms, search engines, and advertising channels. You may also need to adjust your marketing messages to suit the local culture and preferences.

Successful App Localisation Examples for Australian Markets

Let’s take a look at some examples of apps that have successfully localised their content for Australian markets:

• Airbnb: The accommodation booking platform has localised its app to suit Australian users’ local language and preferences. For example, the app offers prices in Australian dollars, displays local properties and attractions, and features unique experiences, such as surfing lessons or wine tastings in the Hunter Valley.
• Uber: The ride-hailing app has adapted its pricing strategy to suit local markets in Australia. For example, it offers lower-priced UberX rides in some areas to compete with local ride-hailing services. It has introduced safety features such as in-app safety tools and driver screenings.
• Spotify: The music streaming app has localised its content by offering region-specific playlists featuring famous artists and songs from Australia and localised podcast content.

Expanding your app’s reach in global markets is a vital goal that will be done through app localisation. By customising your app to meet your target audience’s cultural, linguistic, and user-specific needs, you can enhance user engagement and boost downloads. However, localisation encompasses more than mere textual translation. It necessitates a thorough comprehension of your target audience’s cultural norms, customs, and preferences. With the appropriate localisation tactics and tools, you can successfully surmount the obstacles of developing an international app and realise success in global markets.

At Appomate, a leading mobile app development company, we understand the significance of app localisation and offer the right strategy and tools to help you overcome the hurdles of international app development and succeed in global markets. Contact us today to discuss your app localisation needs.

What is MVP and why every tech entrepreneur must embrace the concept of MVP to launch their app idea?

The concept of MVP is probably unfamiliar to the majority of aspiring entrepreneurs. Therefore, let us begin with the most obvious, the definition.

The American entrepreneur and author Eric Ries popularized the term “Minimum Viable Product” (MVP). In layman’s terms, a minimum viable product is one that contains only the features necessary to validate a business idea by attracting users. He referred to it as the product development cycle’s initial phase.

An MVP enables customer feedback on an idea or product to be gathered without depleting resources.

Building an MVP for your idea is the only way to progress in startup culture. Without one, you have to rely on trial and error and potentially waste time and money to gain any insight, let alone profit.

Let’s look at what exactly an MVP is,  and what you need to keep in mind when creating one.

What is a minimum viable product (MVP) in a startup?

Many businesses struggle with issues such as productivity, efficiency, performance, and competition.

Today, every startup company must also contend with identifying the right customer problem to solve and the appropriate market in which to sell it. And they must do this quickly and effectively.

This used to be done with extensive product management and a top-down (or waterfall) approach. Things began to change about a decade ago with the introduction of Lean startup methodology. 

In contrast to launching a fully finished product followed by waterfall product management, an MVP allows entrepreneurs to develop a prototype that helps them discover whether customers need it, find it easy, or are willing to pay for it.

However, creating an MVP isn’t easy. Understanding exactly what an MVP is and what purpose it should serve will help in avoiding common pitfalls or misunderstandings about the development path to take.

Why is an MVP necessary for your app idea?

With competition in the market becoming more fierce, having an MVP for any mobile application can be the difference between success and failure. It will help you discover whether your app idea is truly unique or not, and offers the quickest route to market as well as access to real user experience to help you evaluate your project.

Source:peerbits.com

An efficient and accurate way to get user reviews about your app

You may have had an idea for an app and spent days or months developing it. But its success can’t really be predicted. In the end, it is the users who will determine whether or not your app is a success.

However, having an MVP enables you to obtain feedback on your app idea in the quickest and most accurate way possible, meaning you’ll only need to implement the features that users have asked for, and fix those they’ve had issues with.

The MVP is regarded as the “heart” of the mobile application

The minimum viable product’s primary purpose is to focus exclusively on the primary concept and key app features.

As such, an MVP approach supports Lean startup ideology. The Lean startup can be defined as a business that begins with the smallest possible budget and operates within a reasonable timeframe. 

An MVP is the perfect match for this kind of business. It reduces the cost of app development by implementing only the most basic features. 

MVP facilitates the resolution of security issues

App security is critical, especially if your app includes an in-app payment feature. The MVP will assist you in identifying and resolving security flaws.

Another advantage of addressing security concerns early on is that your app will be bug-free from the start, which will increase the app’s conversion rate. It also enables seamless navigation.

Developing a new version of the app

The minimum viable product enables you to determine whether or not your app is attracting user attention in the market.

If you haven’t received the expected feedback, or haven’t been able to attract users to your app, it’s time to redesign the product and look for ways to improve it.

A few popular apps with outstanding MVP succes

If you do your research well, you’ll come across numerous examples of successful MVP launches that resulted in massive app popularity. Consider a few of these:

Uber

Uber, the ride-sharing app, began its journey with an MVP launch. Uber’s initial version concentrated on establishing a strong connection between drivers and users, while also adding the ability to pay with a credit card.

However, it quickly grew in popularity, and today it’s a billion-dollar business with a slew of advanced features.

Instagram

One of the most popular photo sharing apps, Instagram now has the highest user base. In its initial version, users had a limited number of filters available when sharing photos.

When Instagram launched, the market was flooded with superior photo editing apps. However, the company gradually gained momentum and added a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) that enabled users to edit and share photos concurrently.

Facebook

The story of Facebook, the social media giant, is fascinating. Mark Zuckerberg initially restricted access to the social media platform to Harvard University students. Later the service was expanded to other colleges and universities, and eventually the world.

Facebook’s initial version featured a single profile page with the ability to send friend requests and messages. However, it’s now completely transformed with the addition of new features on a regular basis. One of these features was the  now extremely popular direct message capability.

4 simple steps to create and launch your app’s MVP

• Work out which features are critical

To begin with, determine the most critical features you want to incorporate into the app to make it viable. The choice should be made very carefully following extensive research.

You need to determine whether your idea is truly viable. You must also decide when to launch the MVP application. All of these points should be discussed with your development team.

2. Product design and development

Once you’ve established that your app idea is viable, you can focus on designing and developing the app, utilising the appropriate set of technologies to optimise the app’s performance. 

It’s a good idea to use Agile development methodology because it’s adaptable and allows for continuous testing of the application.

The app development company hired to complete the job must provide the app’s MVP. And very often, the difference between a successful launch and a successful run is in the details, not the big picture. 

At Appomate, our unique SeeitB4UBuildIt (SBUB) process acts as a mini-incubator for your app idea. We help you see your idea in action prior to launch in order to identify its strengths, risks, challenges, and opportunities.

• Distribute the product to potential customers

After the design and development phases are complete, you move on to the next stage. Now’s the time to reveal the product and distribute it to potential users and find out whether the app provides value to its users.

You can also choose a specific user group to target for review and feedback after releasing the MVP. 

• Leave room for improvement

No app is perfect, which is why it’s critical to leave some room for improvement after receiving valuable user feedback. You may need to make changes to the UI or UX designs, add value to existing features, and improve security, among other things. This phase takes the most time but is essential to the success of your app.

Conclusion

Your mobile app idea may be unique, and may very well disrupt the app market. But before that occurs, it’s essential to invest in an MVP to save time and money. Ask yourself these questions: 

• What is my concept? 
• Who is my intended audience?
• What features does my app need to have?

Once these questions are answered, a software development team can help you initiate the process.

With a good MVP, you can keep errors to a minimum and start making money from your app sooner.

10 smart ways to fund your app idea in Australia

Startup ecosystems are on the rise from locations all over the world. Many entrepreneurs have been able to build profitable businesses from small towns by getting funded through angel investors and venture capitalists.

The same is not yet true for Australia where a significant portion of startups either relocate or pivot their teams towards India or Silicon Valley to get the initial funding they need to grow their business.

But here’s the good news: there’s now a growing interest in early-stage investments in Australia as more companies look to invest in interesting ideas. Venture capital firms that previously only looked at software as a service (SaaS) startups, are now showing an interest in other product-oriented companies as well. 

“Most Australian startup founders aren’t aware of the potential benefits of seed funding. Even the ones who are aware, see seed investment as a last resort,”Seed funding is not easy to get in Australia, but it can definitely give your business a head start.”

In this article, we look at 10 ways Australian entrepreneurs can raise funds for their startup idea.

1. Bootstrapping 

Although this might seem counter-intuitive, bootstrapping is perhaps the best method for getting early-stage funds because it forces you to focus on revenue generation.

“Bootstrapping can be tough, but focusing on generating revenue from day one makes good business sense,” 

BlackStar has bootstrapped its entire operation over the last 12 years without any external funding. “And we are very happy with this decision because starting out with zero money means that every dollar we earn goes back into our business.”

 Also many entrepreneurs don’t realise how difficult it can be to start a small business. They tend to underestimate the amount of work needed before their companies start seeing profits and overestimate the amount of money they’ll make through investments.

Running your own business is much harder than many people think, especially if you are doing it alone, You need to be committed and patient because it takes time to establish your company.

2. Fundraise from friends & family

There are many sayings about making money, but the old ones are often the best. The same holds true for funding your startup – if you can get other people to fund it, it’s probably the quickest way to get an early injection of capital into your venture. Crowdfunding sites have made this easier than ever before. KickStarter, one of the most well-known crowdfunding sites in Australia, hosted around 26,000 projects and raised over $690 million since 2009.

A major advantage of this method is that there isn’t an expectation on you to give up equity, nor is there any need for documentation or financials (although they may provide useful information). You can also get valuable feedback from people in your network.

3. Seek government funding programs

The Federal Government has a number of grant schemes in place to support entrepreneurs and startup companies in Australia. These include R&D grants, Commercialisation Australia Program grants, Enterprise Connect grants, HR & More grants and Mentoring for Investment grants. There are also other state and territory government programs that can give you a leg up. Do your research and find out what’s available to support early-stage companies in the industry you’re involved with.

4. Seek equity crowdfunding

Equity crowdfunding is a relatively new concept; it only became legal in Australia on 1 January 2015, but has been taking off since then. The idea behind it is that anyone can invest small amounts of money into a startup business for an equity stake, as opposed to traditional models which required large investments from wealthy individuals or institutions. One example of equity crowdfunding in Australia is CrowdfundUP, who launched their product late last year after working closely with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). On their website they claim that in the next five years there could be up to $500 million in equity crowdfunding deals.

However, some of the challenges associated with using a crowdfunding platform include: 

• You need to build and market the campaign yourself. 
• Campaigns tend to be more successful when they offer rewards such as preorders or discounts. 
• It’s not easy communicating with your audience on crowdfunding platforms – engagement is low compared to social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter.

5. Treat your startup like a consultancy

Seed money is often hard to come by at the beginning, but you don’t necessarily need it if your startup begins as a consultancy business – people will pay you simply to give advice and formulate a plan for them. Start small and show potential clients that if they hire you for this service, then they can avoid wasting time and money on their project. Once you have some momentum going with one client, others will start looking into hiring you as well.

6. Seek investment from angel networks or incubators

Angels are high-net-worth individuals who find investing in early-stage startups attractive due to the amount of potential for growth. Although they’re generally willing to take more risks than most people, angel investors are looking for strong ideas with a strong team behind them. You can find angel networks by contacting organisations with an interest in your area or industry, or you can seek out incubators who have already begun investing in early-stage companies. However, it’s important to know that like crowdfunding, in the eyes of the law you are still seen as a shareholder and so there is risk attached to this method.

7. Seek assistance from innovation & science agencies

Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) is an organisation that focuses on identifying and building relationships between Australian entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators. IISA can refer entrepreneurs to sources of funding such as grants and angel investors once they have determined if their idea has potential or not. They provide advice on regulatory requirements for any new product or service, and help determine growth potential. Most importantly, IISA is a free service. You can find out more about this on their website.

8. Seek investment from venture capitalists

Venture capitalists look at potential opportunities and see whether they can get into a new market before anyone else does. The difference between them and angels is that VC investments tend to be larger ($1 million minimum), but there are greater risks involved and also higher returns. This means that VC firms are often not suitable for early-stage startups but are worth approaching once you’ve reached the proof of concept stage.

9. Seek investment from your customers

Use discounts to incentivise your customers to buy into your idea early. You could give them a discount or give them a small percentage of equity. The advantage of this approach is that you don’t have to worry about giving away too much equity because you can simply refund their cash if your idea doesn’t materialise.

You may want to consider launching a crowdfunding campaign instead of applying for a grant or running a beta-test round. There are many sites where companies can crowdfund from backers and investors, such as Kickstarter, mentioned above, or Pozible These options give you the ability to raise money at a faster pace than traditional funding models.

10. Get a mentor

Having someone on your side who understands your business is vital when you’re getting started, especially if they have successfully navigated the startup process before. Find someone who has relevant experience in your industry and nurture the relationship by keeping them updated on all aspects of your startup. If you can’t find anyone through networking or online, consider spending some of that seed money on coaching sessions. Even one hour a week talking about how you run your company could help accelerate your progress when starting out. There are also various websites (such as www.mentormate.com) that match mentors with mentees.

To sum up…

There are multiple ways of getting seed funding for your startup, all with different levels of risk and return. The best option depends on the type of idea you have. 

The moral of the article is that it’s definitely worth seeking funding from various sources. The more avenues you explore, the more likely you’ll be to fund your startup.

And if you’d like to book a one-on-one coaching session with an expert who’s helped multiple startups get off the ground, get in touch with us today.

7 smart ways to raise money for your mobile app startup in 2021

Every mobile application startup begins with an idea and then goes through an app development phase to make their idea a reality. But how much fuel there is to power the development process is determined by the amount of money raised before development even begins. 

There are two ways to raise money for your idea: by being an independent developer (thereby doing the work yourself) or by raising capital for your mobile app startup. If you’re considering fundraising, this article will talk you through the best ways to do it.

Let’s get started.

Why is app funding important?

Nearly 94% of startups fail within their first year. One of the most frequently cited reasons is a lack of financing. As money is the foundation of any business, the journey from concept to revenue-generating startup requires cash. This is why it’s essential that every entrepreneur asks them self, “How can I finance my startup?”

Let’s look at some of the simplest ways you can raise money for your startup.

1.Prepare a great elevator pitch for your app idea

You need a great pitch to effectively communicate your mobile app’s features to a potential investor. The best way to think of it, is to imagine you and your investor are travelling in an elevator and that you have a limited amount of time to convey your app’s central idea. Within the first 90 seconds, you must be able to sell them on your product.

Spend time on honing your app pitch and keeping it brief but informative. This technique should be used not only on the pitch you use when meeting people, but applied to everything you write, including emails. And make sure you include information on the mobile application platforms through which you intend to launch your new app, as well as your strategy for app development.

2.Develop and fine-tuning your app concept

Investors will initially want to see your value proposition. A key part of this is identifying an “uncontested” market for your application. This will prove you understand your competitive landscape and know how to find the proper market for your digital product. You should become familiar with how other apps address the same issues that yours does. It’s also smart to investigate alternative products in your market, particularly ones that are not app-centric. 

At this stage, it’s critical to decide on a mobile app development platform and a mobile app design methodology. The app development process should begin with determining what problem your app will answer or how it will differentiate itself from other mobile applications.

3.Create a strong and clear brand for your application

To make your app idea stand out, it needs to have a distinct personality. Branding your app gives you a more authentic appearance, which lays the groundwork for brand loyalty and investor trust. Creating a domain name, logo, and landing page for your app demonstrates your commitment to growing your product. It also demonstrates to investors that you are committed to seeing your app idea succeed.

4.Identify investors

You need to find investors who are interested in digital products and are prepared to invest early in your mobile app startup. Look for possible investors among family and friends as well as angel investors and early-stage venture capital firms. 

To be successful, you should focus on strengthening your communication and bargaining abilities using the advice listed earlier. You absolutely want to avoid sending generic emails to those who have little interest in the mobile business. Conduct careful research and construct an investor email that is authentic, valuable, and speaks specifically to your target.

In some instances, you’ll need an go-between to help connect you with seed-stage investors interested in digital apps. 

Our team at Appomate, can help connect you with proven and enthusiastic investors and investment groups.

5.Make an app demo  

You can take your pitch to the next level by including an app demo, which is more engaging than an early prototype. Giving investors a visual representation of your app idea will boost your chances of getting funding. 

You can create a high-fidelity user interface for your app demo using technologies like Adobe XD. Other prototype platforms such as Invision are also relatively easy to use. 

However if you don’t feel 100% capable of mocking something up yourself, enlisting the help of the best mobile application user interface designer you can find will push your pitch to the next level. 

Appomate has a unique process called SBUB (See-it-Before-U-Build-it) that helps you to create an app demo that will have the look and feel of your finished app idea.

6.Apply for grants

What better way to fund your startup than with money donated based on the strength of your idea? Getting a grant to assist your new startup isn’t always easy, but exciting grant programs do exist. Grant programs are available for various types of enterprises and segments of the population, so it’s worth researching:

• Federal government assistance programs 
• Grant programs administered by state and local governments
• Private foundations

Grants are available for various types of enterprises and segments of the population. Veterans, women, single mothers, and other minority groups can apply for small business funding.

The Australian government also offers 45% funding for apps that aim to improve our economy.

 If you develop an eligible app with Appomate, we can help you secure a rebate.

7.Create a pitch deck for investors

Rather than business proposals, the majority of entrepreneurs today use pitch decks to attract investors to fund their app concepts. The general rule is that your pitch deck should be clear and concise. It should include a strategy for acquiring mobile app users as well as an estimate for app development costs.

The most effective strategy to develop a pitch deck for investors is to draw inspiration from businesses that have successfully raised capital using this method. Take notes and be inspired by the finest startup pitch decks.  The key to successful mobile application development projects begins with the creation of an effective pitch deck.

Final thoughts 

It’s a fact of investment that you’ll receive more “no” responses than “yes.” Don’t get discouraged but instead try to understand why. Don’t be afraid to kindly ask for feedback on how to enhance your pitch or app idea. It could help you ahead of your next presentation.

Remember, every failure teaches you something important, and the best course of action is to cultivate an attitude of constant improvement.

For personalised help on how to get backers for your app idea, or to find out how we can connect you with potential investors, reach out to Appomate for a free chat.

Top 6 questions to ask your mobile app developer 

You’ve got an idea for a mobile application. You consider the potential benefits of mobile and web-based applications including a more accessible client base, increased revenue, increased niche authority, and a more focused user experience. Everything you read is telling you that there’s never been a better time to launch an app business.

But to get started you’ll need investment, enterprise, and the right app company to create the app. The process of hiring the right app developer can be time-consuming, but finding the right team could be the difference between your app succeeding or failing.

What to ask when hiring an app developer

It can be difficult to know what questions to ask when hiring app developers, but a good place to start is to learn about their experience, skills, portfolio, and vision. 

Here are some key questions to ask when hiring an app developer.

1.Have you helped in the growth of any startups?

Contributing to the growth of a startup requires a different set of skills than developing apps for established businesses and clients. App development companies must take on a much larger coaching and leadership role to assist startups in navigating the development process and beyond.

At Appomate, our extensive work with entrepreneurs and startups has given us a deep insight into how startups function and what they need to succeed. We’ve helped many startup clients transform their initial ideas into a profitable business.

2.Tell me about your success stories with mobile applications

Proven success with previous developments is an excellent indicator of a company’s ability to develop mobile experiences that users respond to. Trusting your idea to a developer who lacks this experience may result in complications during the development process and, ultimately, a waste of your money.

At Appomate we constantly update our understanding of what makes a truly great mobile application. 

One of our proudest accomplishments was the reduction of food-safety checks from 20 hours to 2 with the successful Safety Food Zone app we built for our client, entrepreneur Nick Liolios. 

3.How committed are you to user experience design?

App development is not solely a matter of writing code. User retention increases when your app features superior design and exceptional user experience (UX). This leads to increased revenue and stronger growth.

It’s important to find a developer with complete commitment to design thinking and a strong emphasis on UX. 

At Appomate, we’ve found that data-driven design and user experience are inextricably linked – one informs the other. We test and experiment continuously in order to collect enough data to make informed design decisions that are not based solely on ideas. One of the primary benefits of collaborating with a large team of specialists from diverse fields is the ability to share knowledge and experience across development boundaries.

4.Where can I find feedback about you from previous clients?

There are numerous ways to obtain information from previous developer clients. Don’t limit yourself to reading case studies on a website. If a developer can’t provide it directly, look for feedback from previous clients via directories such as Clutch.io and Google reviews. Take the time to thoroughly research a development company’s history and successes. This will give you a more complete picture of their capabilities.

At Appomate, we happily to provide direct contact information for our previous clients and believe every reputable developer should be able to do the same. This way, you’ll never be forced to make a critical decision based on second-hand information.

5.What types of businesses have you developed applications for?

Working with a company of a similar size to yours is an essential but frequently overlooked consideration when selecting the right mobile app developer.

A large enterprise operates very differently to a startup or small business, and these organisational differences can translate to the application development process. Larger organisations may require formal documentation, specialised project management processes, and increased meeting and update frequency. Smaller businesses might require greater budget oversight and may operate with less stringent procedures.

A mobile app developer who has worked with a business of a similar size to yours can be extremely beneficial, as they’ll probably have a better understanding of your processes and how you work. This reduces the likelihood of cultural clashes and conflicts, allowing everyone to focus on building the best app possible.

If an app developer has previously worked on enterprise projects, it’s a good indication that they’ve been thoroughly vetted and passed stringent tests. Enterprise companies have stricter reputational demands and greater financial strength, meaning they don’t take risks with their partners.

Throughout our history, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with a variety of businesses, including startup like sharetree and big enterprise like L’Oreal and Adidas.

Last but not least question is what are their company values?

You might find a best developer in the world but when their values doesn’t align with yours it would be difficult to get a win-win situation 

Our values are

Caring: We are here for 1 reason: To help you succeed. With every client, we invite a new friend into our lives. We deeply care about you and your dream. 

Daring: Building disruptive, innovative apps needs courage. We understand build something for the first time take bold commitment. We commit and back it with our actions. 

Honesty: Transparent communication is at the core of how we operate. Build something new, disruptive not only takes courage but also honesty. 

In conclusion

Knowledge and understanding are critical components of success in business. The more information you have, the more prepared you are to deal with whatever comes your way.

Gathering relevant data is a key element of your decision-making process. A collaboration with an application development company is fraught with complexities. For the process to run smoothly, the needs of both parties must be met.

A developer who is ideal for one project may not be ideal for another. Make a list of your primary concerns, concentrate on your primary objectives, and ask the questions that will enable you to make the most effective decision possible for your circumstances.

Is investing in a tech startup right for you?

These days, when someone mentions innovation, progress or inventions, they’re usually talking about the world of technology. And what makes technology investing so appealing is that anyone can get involved, not just the extremely wealthy and influential. There are various opportunities available, both big and small, and securing one is relatively simple. The main consideration is whether the risk is justified by the reward.

Investing in a technological startup

The tech industry’s vibrant startup culture is one of its many strengths. Technology startups represent significant growth opportunities for forward-thinking investors.

The size of technology startups varies considerably, from just-launched private companies to newly listed public companies. As the “startup” name implies, these are small-scale businesses that are typically in the development or early implementation stages and are looking for funding from venture capitalists and angel investors to commercialise their products.

Thanks to the help of clever investors, a number of innovative technology startups have evolved into some of the world’s most recognisable technology companies, including Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb, Snap, Snowflake, and DoorDash.

While the tech sector is extremely volatile, and investing in startups can be risky, early-stage investing can be financially rewarding if you pick the right company.

For example, someone who invested US$10,013 in 589 shares of Snap — Snapchat’s parent company — during the company’s March 2017 initial public offering (IPO), would have paid US$17 per share. By March 2021, that investment would have been worth an impressive US$36,924 — representing a 38.5% compound annual growth rate.

There are numerous tech startups to choose from in every sector of the technology market, making it difficult to determine which businesses are worth the risk. In this article, we’ll explain how to invest in technology startups and why it might be a good fit for you.

What to look for when selecting a tech startup

The harsh reality of venture capital investment in any industry is that 90% of startups fail within a decade. However, investors can mitigate this inherent risk by conducting thorough due diligence. Investors should look for companies that have a strong sense of identity, the potential to dominate a specific market niche, and a strong management team, among other things.

Due to the rapid pace of change in the technology industry, it is critical for businesses to articulate a clear vision of who they are, who they want to support, and who they intend to target as competitors. Technology is a tightly knit ecosystem, with numerous companies collaborating to create incredible end products. Without a clearly defined identity, businesses risk causing disruption — and not in a positive way.

However, tech startups require more than a strong sense of identity. They also need to have a bold vision of the impact they want to have on their target market. This potential for market leadership is critical to consider when investing in technology startups. The first and best company in a particular niche enjoys a clear competitive advantage, making it an attractive investment opportunity.

Businesses with an innovative value proposition that addresses a new market segment or an unmet need within an existing sector, have the potential to become future market leaders.

Investors should also conduct due diligence on the management team. Is the team distinguished by a breadth and depth of expertise that gives the company a competitive edge in the sector it’s pursuing? Look for management teams that comprise individuals with a track record of building successful businesses and who could apply models they’ve successfully used before within their current company. Additionally, a well-rounded team will include professionals in finance, marketing, and operations.

Grow your industry knowledge

To determine whether a startup is truly filling a valuable yet under-served niche in the sector, investors should first aim to understand the technology market.

The technology sector is focused on electronics manufacturing, mobile app development, software development, computer hardware, and products and services relating to information technology. It includes business-to-consumer (B2C) goods such as personal computers, mobile devices, wearable technology, home appliances, and TVs. Additionally, it covers business-to-business (B2B) products and services such as enterprise software, logistics system management, and the collection, protection, and analysis of critical data.

All of these B2C and B2B goods and services are important to the global economy, which explains why the technology sector is one of the most attractive investment .

Social media, blockchain, cloud computing, fintech, mobile apps, the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), medical devices, gaming, and cybersecurity have been the leading growth segments for the technology industry in recent years.

In the coming years, the cloud-based everything-as-a-service segment of the market is expected to perform particularly well. According to Deloitte’s 2021 outlook report, “global as-a-service revenue will reach US$355 billion over the next few years, fuelled by emerging business models such as content-as-a-service, artificial intelligence-as-a-service, and Internet of Things-as-a-service.”

Meanwhile, revenues in the technology industry’s AI segment are expected to reach US$100 billion by 2025, “driven by machine learning, deep learning, and conversational AI applications. Healthcare, remote work, and education may see some of the highest levels of AI adoption.”

Another multibillion-dollar market is financial technology. According to Research and Markets, this segment of the technology market will be worth approximately US$305 billion by 2025.

Additionally, autonomous vehicles, natural language processing, bioinformatics, and 3D printing are among the top emerging technologies to monitor in the near future, according to Lux Research’s Foresight 2021 report.

Why should you invest in a technology startup?

Large private equity firms and savvy investors seize the opportunity to invest in a technology startup for the following reasons;

Great ROI

Investors can sell their shares at an exponential rate of return once the technology company goes public. For example, venture capitalists can anticipate a modest 10x return on investment within 4-5 years.

Additionally, investors accrue passive income over time via dividends. Most investors can live with a modest expectation of over 15x ROI growth.

Avoid volatile stock prices

Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic could have a significant impact on the economy, driving down the stock prices of publicly traded companies.

Due to the fact that technology investments are not yet publicly traded, they are less likely to be impacted by societal events that cause market fluctuations.

For example, while the stock market suffered a general decline as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, technology startups such as Netflix and Amazon continued to grow at a rapid pace.

Capitalisation

To launch a technology startup, small amounts of money are typically required. Therefore investing in them early on can result in significant future profits should they succeed. Compared to investing in large technology companies alongside hundreds of other investors, being one of a few shareholders in a startup for the same amount of money is a much better deal. 

Diversifying your holdings

If you’re a seasoned investor, you’re already aware of what this means. It’s beneficial to have a diverse portfolio that includes both large corporations and startups. This method will assist you in balancing the risks and rewards associated with all transactions.

Rapid growth

By and large, technology startups are extremely progressive and innovative. They take advantage of technology and trends, which enable them to grow and adapt quickly to changing conditions. If everything goes according to plan, your investments can yield significant returns relatively quickly.

Tax reduction

Certain governments actively support early-stage investors by offering tax breaks, rebates, and deductions. The Australian government is offering 45% cost rebates for apps that aim to improve our economy. Investing in these kinds of apps can be described as a mutually beneficial arrangement with the state, as the technology sector contributes to economic growth, and you earn profits from your startup investment and pay lower taxes as a result.

A track record of success

When it comes to stock market growth, tech startups have a track record of success. Within the last decade, technology stocks have seen an average annual dividend growth of about 25%.

Having said that, it is necessary to recognise that financial risks are inherent in investment practices.

Pre-IPO investing, in particular, exposes investors to the risk of losing money if the company is valued too low when it goes public. According to Goldman Sachs, only 24% of initial public offerings were profitable in their first year of trading in 2019.

Additionally, private companies and startups may postpone going public due to corporate governance concerns or stock market apprehension.

Wrapping up

Investing in technology startups has the potential to be highly financially lucrative.

And while investing in technology startups involves some risk (as, indeed, does investing in the stock market) the demonstrated benefits often outweigh the potential costs.

Follow our tips and consider your options carefully to identify the best technology startup to invest in, but remember that getting involved in the industry that dominates the business world could be a fruitful and potentially life-changing financial move.

7 easy ways to visualise your app idea with UI/UX tools

The use of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) tools significantly simplifies the process of developing a website or mobile application. Entrepreneurs and startups who use UI/UX technologies to rapidly validate and iterate their ideas create better human-centered design solutions. But it’s important to remember that developing a quality product requires labor, time, and money.

The most beneficial technologies help clients and designers communicate more effectively by enabling a shared context rather than divergent perspectives. The primary benefit of incorporating these technologies into the design process is that “the sooner we fail, the faster we learn.”

Use of UI/UX tools

UI design tools equip designers with the tools necessary to create precise, high-fidelity wireframes, mockups, and prototypes, as well as minimum viable products. They communicate the functionality of a design by representing the nuts and bolts.

UX design tools are centred on the user and their interaction with the product. These tools can assist in structuring the information architecture as well as the flow of an experience. Due to the more conceptual nature of this, UX tools are intended to assist designers in painting a fuller picture of how content and structure will affect the user experience.

We’re going to help you familiarise yourself with some UI and UX technologies that every entrepreneur may find useful during the design process.

Top 7 UI/UX design tools

1. InVision 

InVision’s comprehensive suite of applications provides designers with all the UI design tools necessary to create fully developed and functioning prototypes complete with dynamic features and animations.

Along with these simple-to-use UI design tools, it facilitates communication by allowing developers to share their work in progress, receive feedback, and make recorded adjustments at each stage. Another significant feature of InVision is the digital whiteboard, which enables team members to communicate their ideas, collaborate, and obtain that all-important sign-off before proceeding.

Key benefits of InVision include:

• Supports cross-platform development experience.
• Allows for easy control and status setting of projects, facilitating effective project management.
• Enables size and resolution customisation based on the device’s design. This is a helpful feature for responsive design and mobile adaptations.
• Allows entrepreneurs to save the history of design versions, which can be referred to and compared as needed.

InVision runs on:

• Web browser
• Mac OS X
• Windows

2. Axure

Axure assists with prototyping and workflow management. It has a simple interface that allows you to document as you go. This tool is driven by high fidelity, resulting in detailed prototypes.

Axure also has plenty of other features seen in popular prototype and user interface design tools. It enables functional testing and compiles all necessary information for an easy developer handoff. This, paired with an emphasis on communication, ensures that everyone involved in a project is kept informed of progress and changes in real time, making Axure an excellent choice for user interface design.

Key Axure benefits include:

• In terms of widgets and design, Axure includes fundamental geometric shapes, headers, text, and form elements.
• It is one of the best rapid prototyping tools since it enables entrepreneurs to quickly construct prototypes without having to write code.
• This tool provides basic geometric shapes, headers, texts, and form elements in terms of widgets and design.

Axure runs on:

• Mac OS X
• Windows

3. Sketch

If you’ve had any experience with user interface design, you’ve probably heard of Sketch. And there are a number of reasons why it’s one of the most revered design tools.

The ability to make universal modifications — whether through its symbol library, layer styles, or text styles, or through its fluid resizing and aligning features — saves designers time and enables them to generate consistent prototypes. It eliminates excess effort and allows designers to jump in and create. And with a variety of third-party plugins that connect seamlessly, there’s no shortage of tools available for enhancing Sketch.

Key benefits of Sketch include:

• Sketch enables users to quickly switch between design screens and all screen sizes (artboards), add animations, and create working prototypes.
• The cloud-based interface of Sketch enables users to effortlessly share prototypes and receive immediate feedback.

Sketch runs on:

• Mac OS X

4. Marvel

Marvel is an app prototyping tool that can assist both beginner and professional web and mobile app designers. Its integration with Photoshop and Sketch enables simple screen import. With the ability to build both low-fidelity and high-fidelity wireframes, interactive prototypes, and user testing, it provides everything a UI designer needs, all wrapped up in an intuitive interface.

Key Marvel benefits:

• Allows for easy uploading of picture files via third-party services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Sketch. Additionally, it supports a variety of image formats, including PSD, JPG, and GIF.
• With Marvel, you can modify images in a variety of ways, including changing the background colour and scaling them.
• Includes a tool called Handoff, which provides developers with all the HTML code and CSS styles needed to begin building.

5. Balsamiq 

Balsamiq’s user-friendly interface makes it simple for enterpreurs to produce low-fidelity wireframes. Even those having no prior knowledge with wireframing can create ones that appear professional. With functionality that is similar to sketching on a notepad or whiteboard, it’s a tool that is accessible to anyone, regardless of their skill level.

Key benefits of Balsamiq:

• Balsamiq enables users to sketch ideas on a notepad or whiteboard, providing a unique creative experience for designers or beginners.
• Hundreds of pre-built hand-written UI components allow users to concentrate on the structure and macro-level of website/app design, minimising time wasted on insignificant details.
• The Balsamiq prototyping tool enables designers to share and present their work in PNG or PDF formats.

Balsamiq runs on:

• Mac OS X
• Windows

6. FlowMapp

When creating a user experience plan, designers must pay close attention to structure, flow, and associated sitemaps.

While many programs attempt to integrate UI and UX into a single platform, FlowMapp focuses only on UX design. Creating user flows and visual sitemaps are critical components of UX design, and these are the pillars of FlowMapp’s UX design app.

Key FlowMapp benefits include:

• Facilitates collaborative work in planning UX strategy and design
• Exports in a variety of formats for online and offline use.
• Activity centre for tracking project developments over time. Maintaining engagement and communication with all stakeholders

FlowMapp runs on:

• Web browser

7. VisualSitemap

VisualSitemap generates sitemaps — the list of pages that exist within a website. It’s convenient to have a tool dedicated to this task. This application is completely automated, capable of crawling password-protected websites that have not yet gone live and exporting to Sketch. VisualSitemaps accelerates the process of developing visual sitemaps for UX designers, developers, and anybody else involved in the process.

VisualSitemap key benefits:

• Annotate any pages quickly and easily to solicit input from your team and clients.
• 100% cloud automated.
• Automatically monitor the visual changes to any website. Maintain consistency in your design from release to release.

Where to from here?

We’ve come a long way from the days when clients were shown paper mockups of mobile apps. Today, we have access to a wide range of excellent prototyping options.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all tool that we can label as a ‘winner’ among the options listed, it’s a good idea to have a look at all of them and see which feel right for you and your specific needs. As an entrepreneur, you may always feel that something is missing, but you’ll enjoy the qualities of each tool.

If you need help with prototyping your app or SaaS idea, get in touch with us at Appomate and we’ll be happy to help.

Why great UI/UX is a must for every startup and why great apps with an average look and feel can fail

In today’s information-heavy world, users want to engage with excellent technology that doesn’t increase the cognitive load of their already overworked brains. 

The same is true of websites and mobile applications; the faster and more efficient a website or mobile application is, the more successful it is in the market. That’s why so many startups and big business owners are now investing heavily in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design.

UI and UX are the two most critical components of your mobile application’s success. If you’ve developed a poorly performing app, you should consider redesigning its UI and UX. And the first step towards doing that, is understanding the fundamentals of UI/UX.

The value of mobile application UI and UX design can be quantified by the number of programs that are uninstalled on a daily basis. Let’s face it, we’ve all removed numerous mobile applications because they were unappealing, lacked the appearance and feel of a superior user experience, or performed exceptionally poorly.

Many startups and entrepreneurs are unaware of what UI/UX design is or how critical it is to the mobile app development process. Although UI design is the most fundamental step in the development of a mobile app, its success is totally dependent on the UX and UI. 

In this blog, you’ll learn the importance of UI/UX designs and how it determines the success of your mobile app in detail.

UI: It’s all about the looks

What exactly is user interface design? UI is the process of enhancing the presentation and interactivity of a mobile application. Its focus is on appearance and how users interact with the app. Every screen, page, button or other visual element constitutes the application’s UI.

UX: Building intuitive experiences

So what is user experience design? UX is the process of enhancing the experience users have when they engage with a mobile application. Its aim is to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction. It keeps the client in mind and establishes the foundation for any application. It’s primarily concerned with wireframing an application and arranging all of its components in a way that produces the desired user flow.

Why is UI/UX design important: increased user experience and ROI

There’s no doubt that beautiful design and fantastic content motivates users to adopt your software. When your mobile or desktop app’s design is easy to understand, users are better able to navigate its functions. This results in a satisfied user, and a satisfied user will bring more users to your app. This is how an efficient UX can increase your number of users, thereby boosting your ROI.

Know your audience

Before beginning with mobile app development and UI/UX design, it’s critical to understand your clients and their pain points. This will help you work out what they need, which in turn enables you to design an app that adds value to your users’ lives. This is also how you create an app that will attract the customers you’ve prioritised. Once you have a firm grasp of your audience, it’s significantly easier to turn them into devoted consumers.

Build brand awareness

When people activate a service or make an online purchase, they’re often motivated by their trust for a particular brand. Investing in good UI/UX design naturally increases users’ engagement with your mobile application and builds their trust in the service or product you’re selling. For a start-up, entrepreneur or small business, UI and UX design is even more critical as first impressions last, and how good your app’s UI and UX design are can build or break brand awareness.

Save time and money

When you invest in a good UI/UX design, your clients will have no reason to complain about anything in your app. When you develop a strong program, you also eliminate the need for frequent upgrades and maintenance. Maintenance and improvements are costly, but with  well designed UI/UX, you save money.

Why UI/UX is critical to the success of your app

While stating that strong UI/UX design is critical to a mobile app’s success may seem self-evident, it helps to understand why. The field of mobile application development is quite competitive. The following data indicate users’ lack of tolerance for less-than-ideal experiences and their high regard for great ones.

• 95% of mobile applications are abandoned within a month.
• 79% of consumers prioritise an app’s usability.
• Within the first three days of download, the average app loses 77% of its daily active users.
• 75% of programs are downloaded once and then never used again.
• 23% of users who had a great experience with an app recommend it to ten or more people.

Even the big players fail due to poor UI/UX

Achieving high-quality UI/UX design takes time and commitment, and nobody is immune to making mistakes.

Netflix was criticised recently for its auto-play feature. Users expressed frustration with the fact that if they hovered over a movie or show on the homepage for an extended period, it would begin playing. As a result of the backlash, it’s now possible to disable the feature, but not before a new Twitter account called @stopautopreview was created.

Google is also not immune to falling short of the mark when it comes to user experience. 

Are you familiar with Google Wave, the company’s collaboration and real-time communication application? Most likely not, and there’s a reason for it. 

While many believe Google simply didn’t advertise it well, some believe it failed due to poor user experience. It was inaccessible, had a strange layout, and was difficult to operate.

The list of well known organisations that have failed miserably at UI/UX design is long. While this demonstrates that no one is immune to user experience errors, these errors may be avoided by approaching UI/UX design with the appropriate information and tools.

Apps with great UI/UX design

Everyone appreciates apps that are convenient to use, add value to their lives, and have an incredible look and feel. Take Instagram, which has consistently provided its users with wonderful features that are both interesting and attractive.

Another example is Spotify; it is simple to navigate and visually beautiful, which attracts a large number of people. Virtually every successful app is simple to use and has attractive interface design.

What UI and UX factors do you need to consider when designing a mobile application?

There are some critical components of UI/UX design that you should consider before beginning to develop your app.

• Your software should run well across all relevant platforms; consistency improves comprehension.
• Keep your design simple and uncluttered with limited input, as cluttered mobile apps are difficult to navigate.
• Maintain bug-free applications that load quickly so users don’t have to wait for the program to load.
• Keep your app’s fundamental features interactive, such as the colour palette, buttons, and icons. Work with a graphic designer to make your app more minimalistic, as the more minimalistic the design, the better.
• If you want to improve mobile app involvement, utilise high-resolution images.
• Experiment with repetitive UI designs are they’re quite engaging.
• Create a wireframe for your mobile application so that you can visualise the end product.

Why UI/UX design is important to a startups growth

Now, we’re going to discuss business.

Because UI and UX development are primarily concerned with the satisfaction and pleasure of users, they are vital to a startup’s success. 

From a business perspective, it’s important to satisfy your customers in order to build the brand’s value and reputation. 

With information technology being a competitive area, the requirement for UI/UX design services to capture consumers’ attention and generate income from the company’s products is crucial. 

If people are browsing your websites or interacting with your applications, it is your obligation and that of your UI /UX developers to efficiently navigate them to their desired destination. 

As a result, UI and UX development has become a critical component of modern web and mobile development.

Final thoughts

To create a successful mobile application, you must have a well thought out UI/UX design plan. 

Your project must begin with a firm grasp of what you’re creating and who you’re creating it for. While feedback from your end users is key, you must ensure that you’re requesting the correct information at the right time and in the appropriate setting. 

Fortunately, there are numerous tools available to assist you with everything from graphic design to wireframes and evaluation. With these resources at your disposal, you can design the next great mobile app that is visually appealing, functional and ultimately successful.

Are you in need of assistance with user experience and design? Appomate can assist you in developing a mobile app that is both visually appealing and intuitive to use. To learn more about our services and how we can assist you, contact us today.

How Agile methodology can help startups and entrepreneurs speed up their mobile app development projects.

Constant changes and quick delivery are two of the primary challenges that startups or entrepreneur’s  face today. 

The Agile Software Development Lifecycle model (SDLC) enables a more adaptive approach to software development in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing customer requirements.

The primary benefit of implementing an Agile software development life cycle is self-evident. 

The Agile methodology considers the constant changes that occur during software development processes. Teams can produce functional software more quickly and update it more frequently. There appears to be no reason not to adopt an Agile SDLC.

In this article, we’ll discuss the Agile SDLC model, how it compares to traditional SDLC models, and how to implement the best Agile practises.

How is Agile methodology defined?

The Agile methodology is a development and testing method that emphasizes continuous iteration throughout the software development lifecycle of a project. Unlike the Waterfall model, the Agile model allows for concurrent development and testing activities.

Agile software development: What is it?

Agile software development is one of the most straightforward and effective processes for translating a business vision into software solutions. Agile is a term that refers to approaches to software development that emphasise continuous planning, learning, improvement, collaboration, evolutionary development, and early delivery. It promotes adaptability to change.

The following are five advantages of Agile methodology:

• High-quality products
• Increased client satisfaction
• Increased project management control
• Reduced threats
• Increased return on investment

In traditional software development, the project manager is responsible for creating a detailed overview of anticipated requirements and adhering to them throughout the development process. It adds time to the traditional development process. 

By contrast, the Agile model requires regular check-ups throughout the cycle, meaning the project’s owner can make changes as necessary. The development process is iterative, with frequent checkpoints. If any problems arise, team members can experiment and resolve them. 

Significantly, they must complete each phase before proceeding to the next. This is the primary distinction between Agile and traditional SDLCs. 

Throughout the software development life cycle, users can monitor the status of their projects. It’s all about iterative planning, which makes it extremely easy to adapt to changing requirements.

Delivering business value early in the process also mitigates development risks. Numerous Agile SDLC approaches exist, including Scrum, Kanban, and Scrumban. All of these are directed towards a single objective – continuous improvement, adaptability, team input, and the delivery of high-quality results.

The difference between Agile & traditional models

Agile methodologies are typically less detailed than traditional methodologies. This is consistent with the Agile manifesto’s emphasis on “individuals and interaction over processes and tools.” While the Agile approach contains general guidelines, it lacks the details provided by a traditional approach. The Agile methodology will use fewer templates and less specific procedural steps.

Agile principles place a premium on delivering a working product over documentation. As a result, Agile approaches prioritise execution and spend less time on planning. Complex project management plans, detailed requirements documents, or role and responsibility documentation, all of which are critical planning documents in a traditional methodology, are omitted. 

Adaptability is a critical aspect of Agile approaches. Not only does the team examine the product as it is developed and makes feature changes, but they also examine the process. The team conducts a “lessons learned” session at the conclusion of each iteration, which is frequently referred to as a retrospective. 

The session’s objective is to conduct a review of both the product and the process. The team discusses how the project is progressing and what procedures could be improved to improve performance. For instance, the team may decide to alter the testing process or the meeting format.

Conducting lessons learned is a required step in a traditional project-closing process. As in Agile methods, one topic is a review of project management activities. However, any process changes recommended will affect future projects rather than current ones.

Even if lessons learned are conducted at the conclusion of each phase, because that phase will not be repeated for the duration of the project, the recommendations will have no effect on subsequent projects.

However, there are several widely held misconceptions about Agile project management. One myth is that an Agile approach is devoid of planning. In Agile, planning does occur, but like the development itself, it’s an iterative process.

Initially, teams develop high-level features. Each iteration begins with the creation of a more detailed plan for that iteration. While detailed plans are not developed at the start of an Agile project due to the unknowns, planning is an integral part of the process.

Similarly, to how no detailed planning documents are developed at the start of the project, no detailed requirements documents are developed. The project team collaborates closely with the customer to define the end product’s features. Only high-level information about each feature is documented during this phase; details are determined during the iteration in which the feature is developed. 

A second myth is that Agile projects are self-managing. In reality, the project manager’s role is distinct because it places a lesser emphasis on management activities such as planning or budgeting and a greater emphasis on team leadership. 

In an Agile environment, project managers are responsible for communicating the project’s vision, assisting the team, and removing impediments to progress.

What are the steps in Agile methodology?

Agile SDLC, like any other SDLC methodology, is comprised of numerous steps. Each step is designed to move the team closer to the final product and to release new software as quickly as possible.

A typical agile workflow would include:

Concept: During the first stage of the Agile SDLC, the team evaluates the overall project, providing business analysis services. This is the stage at which the team establishes or rejects a hypothesis about business benefit, estimates the duration of the project, and identifies any additional resources that may be required later in development.

Inception: After the concept stage, the inception stage occurs, during which a financial foundation is laid, and the primary team members are identified.

Iteration/Construction: This phase focuses on delivering functional software. It is developed and improved iteratively in response to iteration requirements and feedback. This phase is divided into several time periods (sprints).

Release: This process entails quality assurance testing, user testing, documentation creation, and the market release of an iteration.

Production: The ongoing maintenance of software.

Retirement: This is the final, self-explanatory phase of the agile SDLC. Here, the development team discontinues support for previously released software and notifies customers. 

Which SDLC method is more successful: traditional or Agile?

When compared with traditional software development life cycles like Waterfall, Agile frameworks emphasise collaboration and cross-functional approaches to planning, analysis, design, and delivery. This requires the cooperation of the entire team.

According to the Standish Group’s CHAOS report, Agile projects are more successful than Waterfall projects because they face fewer obstacles and experience fewer failures.

Source: Standish Group’s CHAOS report

How startups can implement an Agile SDLC to accelerate project progress

It’s not as straightforward as simply selecting the Agile SDLC model, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. Constant collaboration and feedback sharing are the primary keys to making Agile SDLC work for you.

Here are eight Agile practices to incorporate into your software development lifecycle:

1. Collaborate with your stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
2. Establish daily meetings to monitor the progress of iterations, determine what needs to be changed, and assist in moving the process forward.
3. Choose the appropriate Agile framework for your business.
4. Create a list of possible features and user stories for your product.
5. Plan the sprint after determining which components of the upcoming project should be prioritised.
6. Procure and share feedback. Share the collected feedback with the entire team prior to the next iteration stage to provide an overview of the project’s direction. Keep team members informed about customer and product-owner feedback.
7. Accept changes regardless of the stage of the project.
8. Examine your sprint, noting what worked and what did not.

Get started with Agile SDLC

The Agile software development lifecycle is designed to maximise productivity and meet the needs of customers. As a result, Agile SDLC is a viable option for start-ups because it allows for this degree of flexibility. 

However, in order for agile SDLC to work effectively, you must select the appropriate dedicated development team.

At Appomate, we use practices and techniques that allow us to take our solutions to the next level and deliver successfully.

Our team’s expertise enables us to define and recommend the optimal use of Agile practises and when to incorporate them into the lifecycle of your mobile application or testing process. 

If you have any questions, contact us via

Appomate’s website: www.appomate.com.au

Mail: info@appomate.com.au

Phone: (+61) 433 722 293

Agile teams are built to be adaptable. However, even the most seasoned Agile teams found it difficult to adapt to the changes brought about by COVID-19.

In this article, we look at how the Appomate Agile team responded without missing a beat and without losing its sense of synergy during the abrupt transition to remote work.

If you’re looking for tips on how to keep your Agile software teams productive and motivated while working remotely, read ahead.

Creating pairing rooms

Typically, virtual pairs use the latest online meeting technology and resolve connectivity issues after “stand-up”. 

This works well when all you have to focus on is your partner and your tasks, but the team connection will deteriorate over time if the entire team is working remotely. 

By creating static pairing rooms with persistent URLs, we made virtual spaces that anyone could find, similar to a traditional office huddle room.

In the office, if someone needs to ask a question of a teammate paired in a huddle room, they can drop in and have a quick conversation. The static pairing rooms allow people to quickly catch up in the same way.

Approach in brief iterations or sprints

In our team, we break down large projects into smaller tasks, which enables us to more easily notice any quick changes.

This also works for project management.

For instance, we have a daily morning “stand-up” meeting that ideally takes no more than 15 minutes.

The stand-up is our opportunity to decide which tasks to tackle that day, or to ask for assistance from our colleagues.

Working remotely enables us to quickly identify and resolve issues and avoid potential bottlenecks.

Creating a team room

It was also important to us to instil a sense of consistency and concreteness to our ceremonies.

Agile teams value their ceremonies and introducing ephemeral meetings into what should be the most predictable time of the week adds friction. 

We addressed this by creating a team room with a static URL. 

Every ceremony, from stand-up to retro, was held in the team room. 

Additionally, similar to the team’s office arrangement, the product manager worked primarily in the team room to be available for questions.

Equip your team with the right tools.

As with any new process or system, if you want your remote team to succeed with this new way of working and collaborating, you have to arm them with the necessary tools.

All remote teams at Appomate use a few fundamental tools: group chat, video, and some sort of task management system.

Because we’re working remotely, it’s also critical to invest in tools that enable collaboration among our team members — regardless of their location.

At Appomate we discovered how to utilise breakout rooms, acquired knowledge of how to use whiteboards, and learnt to draw and design collaboratively online.

Discord

As a starting point, every mobile development team should have a team chat application. They are invaluable for businesses of all sizes.

Whether you’re hosting a meeting or simply having an informal chat, Discord enables you to create multiple channels to keep things focused.

We use Discord to collaborate, ask questions, exchange files, compare notes on new releases, and much more.

It’s also a place where we can discuss anything, or simply have a vent, even about things that aren’t work-related.

Zoom

Zoom includes a plethora of useful features that make it simple for remote businesses to create and record meetings, and screen share. Plus, the audio and video quality are consistently excellent. 

Video calls can also include ‘Zoom rooms’ with up to 1,000 video participants.

At Appomate, we use Zoom to conduct video conferences with both current and prospective customers, often across different time zones. Zoom also enables us to schedule upcoming meetings and appointments.

Jira

Jira enables us to plan ahead, track progress, and manage the complexities of Agile project management quickly and easily.

For instance, each team member has access to visualised real-time data, which includes lanes marked as “in progress,” “to do,” and “completed.”

Once a task has been marked as “complete,” it can be revisited and reviewed at any time to ensure its quality.

But that’s not all Jira offers us.

We also use Jira’s “time tracker” to stay on track, accurately estimate delivery dates, and deliver software on time.

The result is improved team coordination, faster development times, and higher-quality code.

Facilitation techniques

It’s critical to employ structural approaches to communication and collaboration. At Appomate, we use techniques such as liberating structures (which promote a balance of tightly structured and looser brainstorming sessions) to help teams bring everyone into the conversation, including team members who are hesitant to participate in conference calls.

Make time for fun.

Constant video conferencing, tight deadlines, and the inconvenience of external distractions can create a stressful work environment. When working in a co-located team, you rely on others for assistance, but it’s much more difficult to receive assistance or even relax with teammates in a distributed team environment.

That’s why we make it a priority to incorporate social activities, such as virtual happy hours or team-building exercises, to reduce anxiety and provide an outlet for communication without the constraints of meeting agendas and defined outcomes.

Agile tips for remote work by role: Leaders, teams, and individuals

While distributed teams are now the norm in many organisations, they can be difficult to manage. The following are some tactical actions that leaders, teams, and individuals can take to improve their performance.

Source: smartsheet.com

These are Agile project management secrets that enable us to build a connected remote team.

We hope you’re establishing a routine for your daily work, as people worldwide adjust to these new circumstances.