As of March 2017, there are a whopping 2.8 million apps in Google Play and 2.2 million in the Apple Store. It’s safe to say that the market is saturated and, with millennials turning to their phones for content 185 minutes a day, we can expect to see these figures rise. In order to stand out above the rest, it’s now more important than ever to create a stable app—we’re talking close to a 100% uptime rate.
Things happen. No matter how much we do to prepare, things still happen. Knowing how to prevent a problem before it occurs is the first step in building a successful app. To help you out with this, check out these tips.
But First, Why 100%, Not 99.9%?
At first glance, 99.9% and 100% look nearly the same, with just a .1% difference. While the small percentage may seem harmless, it’s anything but. You see, although your app is up and running 99.9% of the time, it’s down 1%. That translates to a total of 3 days a year, practically an eternity in the digital age.
Not having your consumers able to access the app for 3 days is inconvenient, not to mention frustrating. In that span of time when your app is down, you risk users deleting the app and—even worse—recommending their friends and family not to download it. As you can see from this progression, your sales will drop and you might not receive as high of a return as you anticipated. To prevent this from happening, read on to find out how you can create a more stable app.
1. Alpha Test Your App
Testing isn’t optional. In a nutshell, alpha testing is similar to beta testing but instead of real users, you’re using employees as your test subjects. In other words, think of alpha testing as beta testing but in more of a contained and “predictable” environment.
Alpha testing is less expensive than traditional beta testing, and it makes it easier to track bugs as they happen. By eliminating as many problems with alpha testing, your app will need less development down the road. From there, it’s easier to launch a successful round of beta testing.
2. Beta Test Your App
As soon as you’re done with alpha testing you need to beta test. Beta testing happens before your app hits the market. Think of it like your last line of defense against any problems. As we mentioned, beta testing is like alpha testing but with real consumers who make up your target audience.
This is where you get down to the nitty-gritty details of development. Beta testers identify flaws alpha testers missed—areas that might affect your app and turn off your target audience if not spotted and fixed. Using both alpha and beta testing should combat the most common problems before you app is introduced to regular consumers.
3. Consider Investing in Error Monitoring Software
Error monitoring software provides you with an error rate and helps you catch errors before your target audience even notices anything is up. Know that not all error monitoring software is the same; make sure you choose one with features that line up with your app’s functionality and goals. Check here for app performance monitoring that provides real-time analytics and updates.
Bonus: Go the Extra Step and Use These Tips for Your Microsite
Just like with your app, your microsite could glitch if errors aren’t caught. While it may seem like your focus should go toward ensuring your app is stable, remember that both your app and microsite represent your brand. If one or the other crashes, it affects the way your target audience views your company.
To make sure this doesn’t happen, take action using the tips above to help increase your microsite’s uptime rate and reduce the chances of a crash. There’s no such thing as too much prevention when it comes to the stability of your app.
Final Thoughts
It can’t be said enough: in a world filled with apps, you need to create the most stable app possible. Doing so will put you that much more ahead of the rest. Consumers of today know what they want, and they want it now. Just a few seconds of a single glitch go a long way in deterring future users. What other tips do you have to ensure stability? Leave a comment below.
