3 Specific Actions You Can Use to Improve Your App

2015 NJ Mobile Developers KickoffFebruary 19, 2015

1. Make A Good First Impression2. Use Analysis Tools3. Make It Habit Forming

A. First Open IntroductionB. Account CreationC. First Time HelpD. Asking For Permissions

1. Make A Good First Impression

● Are you just pushing marketing messages? Don’t include an introduction.

● Are you just listing features? Don’t include an introduction.● IN GENERAL: is it absolutely necessary to include an app

introduction? If not, don’t include one.

1A. First Open Introduction

● Don’t require account creation if you don’t need to - ask for an email address for your mailing list if that is all you want

● Let the user use certain app features before creating an account if possible

● If up front account creation is required, explain the reason and the benefits

● Offer social sign in (Facebook / Twitter) but don’t require it● Don’t ask for too many details

1B. Account Creation

● Empty lists? Populate with helpful information instead.● Need to explain UI gestures? You might want to provide

guidance.● Need to explain how the menus work or other basic

navigation and features? Maybe your app UI needs an overhaul or it is too complex in general.

1C. First Time Help

● Ask for permissions as they are needed, not all at once● Provide context and the reason for needing permissions● Ask only for permissions that are needed

1D. Asking For Permissions

The Right Way to Ask Users for iOS Permissions:https://medium.com/@mulligan/the-right-way-to-ask-users-for-ios-permissions-96fa4eb54f2c

Making a Great First Impression With Strong Onboarding Design:https://developer.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2014/

1. Further Information

A. App Usage ToolsB. Crash Reporting ToolsC. Other Tools

2. Use Analysis Tools

2A. App Usage Tools

Tool Price iOS Android

Flurry Analytics Free X X

Universal (Google) Analytics

Free X X

Mixpanel Freemium X X

Parse Analytics Free X X

2B. Crash Reporting Tools

Tool Price iOS Android

Crashlytics Free X X

Flurry Analytics Free X X

HockeyApp Starts at $10/month X X

Crittercism Freemium X X

2C. Other Tools

● A/B Testing (Splitforce, Vessel, Hercules)● Sales & Downloads (App Annie, appfigures, MOPAPP)● App Store Optimization (MobileDevHQ, apptweak)● Push Notifications (Parse, Urban Airship, PushWoosh)

List Of App Developer Tools:http://www.apptamin.com/blog/app-developer-tools/

2. Further Information

A. Make Actions EasyB. Variable RewardsC.Investment

3. Make It Habit Forming

● The easier it is to get started, the more likely your users are to stay

● Decreasing barriers to entry over time:

HomepageBlog

FacebookTwitter

InstagramYo

3A. Make Actions Easy

● Users are motivated more for the anticipation of the reward rather than the reward itself

● Example: Facebook news feed, eBay auctions

3B. Variable Rewards

● Users perceived value of a product increases as their investment in that product increases

● Example: portfolio of Instagram pictures

3C. Investment

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal:http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products-ebook/dp/B00LMGLXTS

3. Further Information

Thanks!brett.didonato@gmail.com

@brettdidonatobrettdidonato.com