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If there’s one thing a mobile app user hates more than anything, it’s when the mobile app they’re using crashes out of nowhere, experiences an error, or simply doesn’t function the way it was intended to.
From the moment you release your app, you need to be sure of two things. First, you need to ensure there are no bugs or errors involved — which is achieved through an adequate testing process. Second, you need to have an effective maintenance strategy in place for when the inevitable occurs.
Without these two things, your mobile app will experience a wide range of issues and your users will react quickly by uninstalling the app from their device. By this point, you have already “turned off” the user and will likely never see them again.
As an app owner, your main responsibility is to make sure all the necessary steps and precautions are being taken before the release of your app — and even after the release! While a majority of the work is handled by the developer or team of developers, it’s important you understand what needs to be done — or rather avoided — when building an app.
To help give you a more clear idea of some of the major issues, bugs, and errors a mobile app faces before or after the release, we’re going to list some of the most common ones below. We’ll also touch base on how you can ensure your developers are working around these bugs accordingly.
Before we discuss those bugs, we should note that they will generally be categorized into three different groups — app-specific errors, platform-specific errors, and bugs relating to the actual app structure and its elements. Knowing the source is vital to finding a solution, so you should never neglect that information.
1. Random Crashes
Can you imagine releasing a mobile app to your users just to have it randomly crash while they’re using it? As a mobile app owner, it’s easily one of the most damaging and common bugs you’ll experience. In most cases, this will lead to a quick uninstall from the user — leaving you in the dark.
Random crashes can occur for several reasons including memory management, the loss of the software lifecycle, not enough testing before the release of the app, poor network connection, or simply too much code. Whatever the reason, it’s sure to make your users angry.
2. Push Notifications
If your mobile app doesn’t utilize push notifications, you’re missing out on an easy and direct communication line between yourself and the user. Not only can they be used as a marketing tool, but they act as a reminder for the user — that way they don’t forget about your app!
Of course, push notifications are only useful if they work. At some point, you might realize that your notifications aren’t being received by the user. This can be due to the notification being blocked by the operating system, an issue with the actual device being used, not being connected to the GCM, or the Time to Live expires before delivery.
3. Logging In or Signing Up
Most apps that are built today allow the user to create an account, sign up for extra features, and log-in for exclusive content. This helps the owner of the app delegate what content certain users are able to see, as well as obtain and track data about these user’s behavior.
While this is a great idea for your mobile app, it can come back to bite you if the user experiences difficulty signing in. It won’t take long for users to get angry, especially if they’re paying to use the app. It’s like buying fast food when you’re hungry, but not being able to eat it.
You’ll also want to make sure all the forms are working properly, that way users can sign up and sign in without any issues.
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4. Connection and Speed
When a user opens your app, it’s because they’re ready and willing to interact with it — that’s what you intended, isn’t it? In the mind of the user, there are only a few things that will turn them off from that moment and two of them are connection and speed.
Your user doesn’t want to wait for several seconds and even minutes to arrive at the next screen or have a certain page load. Users need an app that’s fast and seamless, which is exactly what you have to provide.
When testing your mobile app, make sure you test it in multiple different environments and ensure it remains stable. You should also ensure everything on the backend is constantly functioning at its peak.
5. Can’t Handle Interruptions
Users are going to experience a lot of outside forces when using your mobile app. They might have an incoming call, receive a text message, have a notification appear from another app, or even turn into battery saver mode automatically.
If your app can’t handle these interruptions, they’ll start to negatively affect the user experience. Your app might crash when that text message appears, even though the user wanted to continue using your app.
This can be avoided with adequate testing. Much like the connection and speed, you’ll want to test the app in multiple environments — like the ones explained above.
6. Permission Issues (camera, mic, etc.)
Depending on the functionality and features included in your mobile app, it might require the user to give it permission to use location, camera, mic, or anything else the device is capable of doing.
App permissions can enhance the user experience, but can also bring great pain when not functioning properly. In some cases, we’ve heard of applications accidentally turning cameras or videos on in the background when the user has no idea.
These types of issues can have adverse effects on your app’s reputation and need to be dealt with during app testing.
7. Page Layouts & Screen Sizes
Users are unique in various ways, one of those ways being the device they’re using. While there will generally only be a few operating systems to worry about, there are almost always going to be hundreds of different screen sizes to worry about — especially with Android users.
In addition to that, there might come a time when the user wants to change the screen orientation to enhance their experience and your app needs to accommodate that. Of course, inadequate testing might cause users to experience issues with this.
As you can see, there are a wide range of bugs and errors your app will be prone to. The best solution is prevention — and prevention starts with a quality app developer and ends with an effective testing strategy.
If you’re ready to get started with your project and want it done the right way — the first time — give us a call today. We’re ready to help!
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