7 Lessons we learned from iOS development
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This document outlines 7 lessons learned from developing iOS apps. It discusses the importance of focusing on data analytics, fast iteration with a 2 week development cycle, and not staying focused while staying focused. Key lessons include building something users want to buy rather than just get interested in, effective app naming strategies, following standard design guidelines while prototyping with real code, not being afraid to charge for an app, focusing promotion efforts, designing for user retention and growth, and engaging users through multiple channels. The overall message is that analytics, fast execution, and user-focused design are critical for app success.
7 Lessons we learned from iOS development
- 1. 7 lessons we learned from iOS development Robert Mao &Haitao Li Co-Founders of PixoMobile Seattle iOS Developers Meetup 9/25/13
- 2. Who we are Robert Mao: Co Founder of PixoMobile. Former Microsoft Research guy, serial entrepreneur, worked in China, Europe and USA. ([email protected]) HaitaoLi: Co Founder of PixoMobile. Former Microsoft guy, developed Internet Explorer, Windows 7 and Windows 8. ([email protected])
- 3. Our apps - PhotosPro - Featured by Apple as “New & Noteworthy” - Widely reported by media and review sites - Peak download per day: 120K - High daily active users App link: http://pixomobile.com/photospro/
- 4. Our apps - Levitagram - Reached #2 grossing photo app in US Store - Remain on top chart since today - Widely reported by media and review sites App link: http://pixomobile.com/levitagram/
- 5. Our apps - PoshLight - Our latest app in the AppStore App link: http://pixomobile.com/poshlight/
- 6. Our apps - FaceCraft - In review, coming soon… App link: http://pixomobile.com/facecraft/
- 8. Most app developers‟ #1 headache… “No one uses my crappy little app !”
- 9. What we did it right Focus on data analytics Fast execution Not staying focused while staying focused
- 10. Data, data, data! App analytics Google Analytics Focus on the user retention User interaction path, is it as you expected? Drop off rate? Real time analytics is very valuable Crashlytics You can‟t fix every bug AppAnnie Know your number, know your competitors number even better Find hype vs reality
- 11. Fast, fast, fast! Fast iteration 2 weeks development cycle Limit everything in 2 weeks, seriously! What if the goal is too big for 2 weeks? Cut features! K.I.S.S. Is it the right thing to do?! Cut the whole thing! Can you guys seriously FINISH EVERYTHING in 2 weeks? NO. : ) YES. : ) Lack of resource is your biggest advantage to compete with big players Other things need to be fast Your code need to run fast Bug fix Customer support (User Voice)
- 12. Lesson #1 - Product Build something your users want to buy not just get interested Don‟t listen to your users (especially early adopter, professionals) … observe them K.I.S.S - Don‟t add up features. Your idea is not original (enough)… AppAnnie data AppStore reviews
- 13. Lesson #2 - Naming Which of those app name sucks less? Photos Pro PhotosPro PhotosPro: Photos App Reinvented Levitagram: levitation photography for dummies. There are so many bad named apps in the store, include some „famous‟ apps Bad naming patterns Common words Single word Meaningless word
- 14. Lesson #2 - Naming Naming strategy Name after popular app or not? Unique + meaningful Do appstore search AND web search first Our naming process Brain storm 15~20 names (eliminate obviously bad names) Vote to eliminate to ~5 names (purely personal taste) Ask „experts‟ to decide for us from name candidates Our experts: Kids Female friends
- 15. Lesson #3 - Design Icons Are app icons important? YES, very important How much does it cost ? For us: $5 ~ $29 Is it worth spending X dollars to ask someone design for it? NO. Unless you have a great designer friends/partner, or you have too much money to spend Is it worth bidding on sites like 99 designs? No, you get what you paid for : ) What makes a good App Icon? Unique Easy to remember Not ugly
- 16. Lesson #3 - Design App design K.I.S.S Try no to reinvent the wheel Try the best to follow standard UI guideline Our practice (may not work for everyone) Prototype with real code. Sketches only, no mockup, all real code. Implement multiple designs and pick the best. Reuse the design (and also the code) Don‟t listen to „experts‟, „professionals‟ or even „users‟, instead observe user behavior from analytics Experiments and analytics on everything
- 17. Lesson #4 - Pricing Don‟t be afraid to ask users to pay Always think of building a paid app even you want it to be free. Benefits of not being free You can make money You can use „free promotion‟ You can get free deals from promotion sites You can stay in top chart much longer 0.99 vs 1.99 vs 2.99 vs …
- 18. Lesson #5 - Promotion Most paid promotion are useless Paid review sites Paid „expedited‟ review sites Small but focused app review sites can be 10X more effective than big name media (use your time wisely) Don‟t promote it too early (or it‟s wasting time, money and resource) Some focused app promotion sites are extremely effective (however they are very expensive!) But we get it all FREE! If you have a great app, they will come to you! Build long term relationship with partners
- 19. Lesson #6 - Growth Retention, engagement is the key to the growth Without retention, promotion won‟t get you the growth Design a product for growth Build the viral loop
- 20. Lesson #7 – User engagement Don‟t set the user expectation too high Always under promise and over deliver Your name, description and screenshots could make a difference Review matters, esp. for paid apps Engage users from all channels User voice, email, facebook pages, instagram…
- 21. Bonus lesson Nothing happens as planned “No one uses my crappy little app !”
- 22. Thank you! Visit http://PixoMobile.com for our latest apps and updates!