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The mobile app development landscape is rapidly evolving. Advancements in technology, consumer demands, and changing privacy and consumer protection laws are some of the factors contributing to the new mobile app development revolution.
New trends emerge each year and influence the way we create apps. Staying current with these trends is essential for businesses to create innovative, competitive, and user-friendly apps.
In this post, we’ll discuss the top 7 mobile app development trends and how your business can leverage them to stay ahead of the competition.
1. Greater Focus on UX/UI
Studies after studies have shown that consumers place greater emphasis on website navigability. HubSpot found that 88% of users are less likely to return to a website or app with poor UX.
According to the same report, 90% of users reported that they stopped using an application because it performed poorly. With staggering stats like these, it’s easy to see why web developers place greater focus on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).
And because mobile browsing has, in the past few years, surpassed desktop browsing, developers are focusing more on creating apps that provide a seamless experience for mobile users.
You can easily improve your app’s UX/UI by:
- Increasing the mobile app speed
- Implementing new designs, like buttons, updated menus, and brand colors
- Adding more white space
- Keeping the app design simple
- Improving the search feature
- Animating your transitions
The focus on UX/UI is a trend that will dominate 2023 and beyond as consumers look for applications that deliver excellent user experience.
2. VR and AR Advancements
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) continue to gain traction, offering consumers interactive and immersive experiences on all platforms.
AR, in particular, has forever changed the retail industry. Many e-commerce retailers are using AR product configurators to give shoppers a 360-degree view of the products.
Others, particularly in the fashion and beauty industry, are using AI-powered virtual try-on features to allow shoppers to explore or “try on” products digitally.
For example, the IKEA app lets you place true-to-scale 3D models of furniture in your living space. It helps you virtually furnish your home with objects from IKEA, allowing you to see what the products will look like in real life. The adoption of AR and VR in mobile applications has risen in 2023 and is set to be the future of retail.
3. Advanced Real-Time Chat Functionalities
In a digital age where everything is shifting online, forward-thinking companies are transforming business communications by incorporating real-time chat functionalities within their apps.
In-app messaging has many advantages over other marketing channels, one being that no opt-in is required. You can take advantage of the fact that your customers (app users) are in your app, and you don’t need permission to message them here.
To leverage this opportunity, app developers are using platforms like Sendbird to integrate chat, messaging, and real-time communication features. With such a platform, you can easily build your Android app with video chat and gain trust and credibility with your audience.
4. Growth of On-Demand Apps
On-demand apps are quickly becoming a major conduit between businesses and customers.
And why not?
These apps use the device’s location data to recommend nearby shops or providers for any service the app user may need.
Plus, they come complete with push notifications, GPS tracking, and a review option. In an age where shopping has increasingly moved online, these apps are making the transition seamless and convenient for users.
The on-demand apps trend gained traction during the pandemic. As the global lockdowns and stay-at-home policies restricted movement, apps for food delivery and other essential services emerged, gaining enormous popularity that is yet to fade.
5. Emphasis on Data Security and App Security
With the growing concerns over privacy and data security, app developers should prioritize implementing data protection measures that align with governing privacy laws.
In 2023, businesses must focus on safeguarding customer-sensitive data and complying with privacy regulations such as the EU’s GDPR and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Failure to comply with the governing privacy and data protection laws can lead to hefty fines, not to forget the accompanying reputational damages. To improve app security, developers are implementing tough measures, such as:
- Employing tough encryption algorithms to safeguard sensitive consumer data
- Rolling out regular updates to weed out app vulnerabilities
- Implementing MFA to improve app security
6. Rise of Chatbots
Chatbots have been around for quite a while, and their dominance isn’t slowing down in 2023.
Why? They solve customer queries in many languages. More importantly, their 24/7 access allows customers to use them regardless of time or time zone.
Over the years, chatbots in mobile apps have evolved and are offering new functionalities. AI-powered chatbots have become the standard, providing clients access to relevant website resources and answering customer queries.
Since these chatbots are driven by AI, their responses are becoming more human-like. It’s estimated that the global chatbot market size will grow at a CAGR of 24.3% from 2023 to reach $1.25 billion by 2025.
Wrapping Up
That’s it! The top mobile app development trends of 2023.
The mobile app development market is continuously evolving, and what’s trending today might not be relevant in the future. By keeping up with the latest trends, you’ll improve user experience and stay ahead of the competition.
Other mobile app development trends to watch out for include 5G support, cloud-based apps, mobile payments, and the rise of AI and machine learning in apps.
