What an app developer needs to watch out for?
Even though India is not yet a ‘DIY country‘, the mobile apps market is growing at a fast clip. Here are some useful tips for the newbie entrepreneur
November 02, 2012 / 16:51 IST
Nikita Peer
Here’s some good news, bad news and exciting news for app users and developers. And since we’re optimists, we’ll start with the good stuff!Did you know that there are 9,000 app-development companies in India? And, according to a NASSCOM report, most of these companies were launched during the last three years. An analysis of consumption trends also reveals some interesting facts. The report states that consumer apps with a good user base are doing well in ad-based models. Also popular are social networking apps which enable sending and receiving messages, creating closed user groups, uploading pictures, audio and video content and updating personal statuses from handsets.App companies developing enterprise applications, which are used by corporate firms and other businesses, are also showing healthy growth as their workforce gets increasingly mobile. But the fastest-growing segment is the mobile apps market, especially apps that integrate with television, in-car navigation and entertainment, shopping, commerce and banking. In fact, the mobile apps industry, which grew at 22.6 per cent last year in India, is projected to cross Rs 1,804 crore in 2012. India is also the third-fastest growing mobile app market in the world, with the US and Europe leading. Since India has more mobile phone users than PC and laptop users, the future of apps is very bright. The Challenges
So what’s the bad news? Well, despite the large number of app-development start-ups in India, there are many challenges that are holding back app consumption. Experts say that lack of efficient 3G infrastructure and paucity of WiFi hotspots is restricting the sector vis-à-vis countries like the US and the UK.“Awareness is a major issue at the consumer level. India is not yet a DIY market. It is a do-it-for-me market. People here are not used to doing things themselves. For instance, when you buy a TV, someone delivers it and then fixes it up. In India, people don’t really understand the concept of software download and install,” points out Arun Menon, Founder, Onward Mobility.He also says online payment is popular overseas as “people are more the DIY kind”. “The online model suits emerged markets whereas India needs an offline model as well. This model will help customers also because they can be instructed on the app, and how to install and use it.”So, for entrepreneurs bitten by the app bug, is it the right time to launch a start-up? Sure! The DIY culture will eventually catch up even with India, and app companies will exploit this trend. Here are some pointers for those who are ready to take the plunge.Focus on expanding user base: Regardless of the domain of the app, user experience is the key. “A start-up must acquire as many customers as possible without worrying about revenue. Viral concepts can allow the user base to grow. Your app must get enough comments/feedback,” believes Jinen Dedhia, Managing Director, Deltecs Infotech Pvt. Ltd.Keep rectifying your mistakes: An app takes at least one or two years to go viral. Use that time to elicit feedback to upgrade your app. “The best part about the app industry is that it can be upgraded, unlike the software industry. So an app start-up can constantly source feedback from its customer and upgrade. Once you manage to offer a top-class user experience by rectifying errors, your user base will expand further and your app will go viral,” says P R Rajendran, Founder and CEO, Nextwave Multimedia Pvt Ltd, which has gained global recognition for an app called Comic Head, one of the top 5 app recognised by NASSCOM.Make sure your app has a huge market: According to Kamal Ajitsaria, Co-Founder, InterMediapp Technology Solutions Ltd, a start-up must target an app which has a huge market because investors are primarily looking at the growth potential of your app in addition to your execution capability.You can send your feedback on smementor@moneycontrol.com or simply post comments below
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