Being a startup owner, an App idea just clicked into your mind. You’ve started turning your app idea into reality, using your savings to fund those early steps. But between that initial ambition and a successful app launch, many startups stumble. Why? More often than not, it’s due to a few avoidable mistakes startups make when building their first app. It includes poor planning, vague objectives, or chasing trends instead of solving real user problems.
At Silverlake Solutions, we are the witnesses to all these problems. We partner with startups leveraging their ideas alongside their ambitions to give rise to marketable, scalable digital products. Unlike other companies, we ensure our clients do not get stuck in unnecessary problems by helping them avoid common mistakes startups make when building their first App.
Top Mistakes Startups Make When Building Their First App
Developing an app for startups is like a milestone to achieve, specifically when they have limited resources. But in a rush to get into the market, there are various common mistakes startups make when building their first App.
Over 3.9 million apps are available on the Google Play Store and are still being counted continuously.
The competition is so fierce for startups that even a single mistake could lead to a huge investment loss and a loss of motivation to continue further.
We’ve outlined the biggest app development mistakes by startups to minimize their risk of failure and enhance their chance of success.
Mistake 1: Building an App on Assumptions
Many startups start turning their ideas into reality before putting efforts into validating whether users really need or want the App. It’s easy to fall in love with your own App idea and dream of bringing it to life. You envision the functionalities, create the interface in your mind and dream of thousands of downloads. But here’s a reality check.
Just because you believe the application is helpful does not mean others will. Too many startups fall into the trap of leaping into coding without ever considering whether their application addresses an actual issue or if users actually want it.
How to Solve?
Validate your App idea through the following ways to gather feedback in every way possible:
- Before you write single line of code, interviewing the actual people in your target market would be a great help. Begin by determining the root issue your App promises to address.
- Ask open-ended questions that are more than “Would you use this?” Instead, ask them how they are handling that problem now and what annoys them.
- Host user interviews to understand their pain points, daily habits, and expectations. Even five 30-minute conversations can reveal insights you’d miss in a spreadsheet.
- Analyze existing solutions by determining what apps people are already using. What do they like or dislike about them? Read app store reviews, Reddit threads, and forums.
- Use this data to either refine your idea or pivot before investing time and money into something nobody asked for.
Keep in mind that a fantastic app doesn’t start with code; it starts with clarity!
Mistake 2: Misjudging MVP & Launching a Perfect App
MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product is a simplest version of an App that consists of only basic features which are incorporated to resolve specific user problems and gather feedback. Many startups try to build a perfect app in one go instead of a minimum viable product (MVP). The race to launch every feature usually results in overwhelming timelines, budgeting issues, and an expensive full-stack team.
How to Solve?
Focusing on Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in the mobile app development process allows startups to take their vision to the market quickly and efficiently.
It helps focus on a few core features that are the target of your App to fulfill users’ primary goals and keep them updated about what’s coming next. Here’s how you can do it:
- Clarify your App’s prior problem-solving vision and prioritize only those features.
- Launch MVP initially and then gradually keep on adding features based on the feedback and analysis.
- Use wireframes and prototypes to get the visual blueprint of your App.
- Choose cost-effective stacks and tools to avoid budget burnout.
- Release a light version of your App and ask for targeted feedback.
- Share prototypes, progress demos, and user feedback with stakeholders (founders, investors, product leads, etc.)
- Track daily active users (DAU), retention rate, and feature engagement indicators post-launch to decide what to optimize next in your App.
Mistake 3: Least Effort on Branding
App development mistakes for startups also include losing grip on branding. It means you’re not getting the audience aware of what you’re bringing to them.
Branding is a powerful strategy that lets real customers turn into conversions. It is one of the best strategies for startups to implement when building their first App. Taking your first app launch day as a finishing line can be the end to your success’s beginning.
How to Solve?
Keep your MVP in a way that should be enough for users to fulfill their primary goals, and don’t let your budget run out. Put efforts into strong marketing to let your target audience recognize your brand, its features, and its effectiveness.
- Choose a specific color scheme and typography to start branding your App before launch.
- Create an eye-catching icon and memorable app name that reflects your App inner features, making it easy to search.
- Hire influencers and gain access to various campaigns to promote your App even before it goes live.
- Continue maintaining a good post-launch marketing budget to bring the audience. It could be through updates, google ads, emails, blogs, social media marketing, etc. Silverlake Solutions also offer advertising services to promote App in the best possible way.
Mistake 4: Losing on Your App’s Core Vision
When building an app as a startup, it is better to predefine its central purpose; that’s how it’s gonna work and who it helps.
Startup teams often get distracted by continuously evolving ideas and features, which lose the central purpose of the App, an overcomplicated App, a mismanaged budget, and a waste of time.
How to Solve?
Define core values and a clear vision before building your first App. When the startups have their App’s core version, it will be easier to explain to investors, users, and marketers to turn them into potential customers and teammates.
- Create a simple description of your App’s purpose while listing its core features to stay focused while preserving resources.
- Validate every feature of your mobile App against your core idea. It will help you to decide what to put ahead and what to put in the future backlog.
- Listen to the users based on their loyal feedback. Use it to evolve your App’s architecture without compromising the original vision.
Mistake 5: Budget Mismanagement
You’ll not be called a fish out of water if you’ve tight finances for your startup company. Budget is usually a problem for startups, which forces them to hire the cheapest developers and freelancers or skip important steps in the app development process. It usually ends up developing a low-quality app and budget exhaustion due to unexpected costs.
How to Solve?
To develop a high-quality App that generates revenues, you need experts, for which you need to pay a good cost. Silverlake Solutions has an experienced mobile app development team that could help you organize your budget in the best way possible. Take it as a necessity to avoid a major startup pitfall of “cheap now, expensive later.”
- Hire an experienced team of developers or UX/UI designers to build your App.
- Separate a realistic budget as a fund for unexpected startup app errors, bug fixes, updates, or continuous adaptation to OS changes.
- Furthermore, don’t forget to keep around 20-30% of your budget for post-launch branding and maintenance!
Final verdict:
Avoiding common mistakes startups make in building their first app requires consistent hard work, effective strategies, and enough budget to survive in this competitive era.
At Silverlake Solutions, we bring the strategy and support to help startups avoid common mobile app development mistakes and turn their vision into a successful digital product. From competitive market research to MVP development, we’re here to guide early startup owners to the right app building that genuinely brings the best results.
Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your idea!