Enhancing User Acquisition and Retention Strategies

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There’s no doubt that a central tactic for driving mobile app success is achieving user acquisition, engagement and retention. However, without an effective acquisition and retention strategy that keeps active users around, higher rates of downloads won’t yield any lifetime business value.

Mobile app engagement and retention are two critical metrics that give a clear and accurate insight into the success of any mobile app. Lower app retention and engagement rates are a sure-fire recipe for disaster.

App developers, brands, and enterprises must know that achieving sufficient app engagement and retention is difficult. For instance, Statista reports that only 32% of mobile users will return to a mobile app ten times or more after downloading. What’s even surprising is that a whopping 25% of users will abandon an app after one-time use.

Enhancing user acquisition, engagement and retention leads to an active user group that drives leads and sustains growth. The following tips for increasing user acquisition and retention will help you reduce your app churn rate and help your enterprise see the desired ROI and the results it anticipates from your app investment.

Let’s delve right in!

  1.   Efficient Onboarding

While it may seem simple to welcome users to your app, not all apps kick-start an efficient onboarding process. Therefore, it’s advisable to make your onboarding process as simple and as efficient as possible to initiate user acquisition and retention. The more difficult it is to use an app, the more likely new and existing users will abandon it.

Some of the ways to simplify the user onboarding process include:

  • Cut down the number of steps required to set up a new account — and capture multiple registration platforms (Facebook, Google, Twitter, and others)
  • Educate users throughout the onboarding process to launch the app’s functionality, but don’t overload users instantly.
  • Teach and educate through actions and pointers to show the main gestures in the app’s functionality.

An efficient onboarding process equals faster and easier user acquisition and engagement.

  1.   Track Data Early Enough

To accurately evaluate and measure data and improvements, you need to start tracking your app’s data early enough. Early data collection and tracking will give you what you need to evaluate performance. It will also help you fast-track which features and strategies affect engagement and retention.

  1.   Push Notifications Right Away!

Users who experience personalized brand interaction are reportedly more likely to return to a mobile app for ten or more sessions. To put it simply, if you walk into a retail outlet and you aren’t acknowledged, you’d most likely feel disgruntled. Consider app experience the same way.

An app interaction can be as simple as sending a push notification, thus providing valuable information as users leverage the app. Successful mobile applications use this approach to shape the customer’s journey. They’re strategic and thoughtful in how they access and engage new users. For instance, giving relevant retail deals based on user patterns and geo-location are clever approaches to promoting app retention.

  1.   Offer an Incentive Program

If your business model allows you to offer loyalty or a reward program, it’s vital to capitalize on this opportunity. Not only do reward and loyalty programs incentivize users towards the app, but they also make users feel recognized and part of the brand.

Realize that apps that utilize in-app purchases as a monetization approach, especially the quick router set-up (QRS) applications, offer time-sensitive discounts. However, freemium mobile apps can be incentivized with usage-based discounts instead of monetary benefits.

  1.   In-app Messages

The more disposed your app experience is with your users’ needs and preferences, the more likely users will continue using the product. Brands utilizing in-app messaging to communicate with users will see a retention rate within a month.

In-app notifications denote notifications that don’t demand immediate action or response but are altogether crucial in the customer’s engagement journey. These messages can capture notifications or warnings about version upgrades, app issues, or payment failures. Therefore, remember that not every notification you see is relevant to every user. Fragmenting your audience ensures the information you convey is relevant to their needs and expectations.

Contact NS804 to discover how your app can respond to new user acquisition, engagement and retention needs.

 

The Future of Enterprise Mobile App Development

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Enterprise mobile app is a sophisticated software system designed, deployed, and maintained to deal with routine business operations. The app is developed according to the company’s global strategy and makes certain app functions available on mobile devices to streamline business tasks and enterprise operations.

Enterprise mobile app development focuses on developing apps for employees to address their immediate needs and streamline business processes. Thus, these apps serve their core purpose in making your company’s operations results-oriented and focused. The app performs several other crucial but mundane tasks, including tracking sales, invoicing, and inventory tracking.

The future of enterprise mobile app development is bright. Today, enterprise mobile apps are experiencing an upsurge with the rapid adoption of mobile strategies by companies. Small, medium-sized, and large organizations alike are adopting high-end mobile strategies to optimize offline and online marketplaces.

Organizations are also using mobile applications to manage their employees and routine operations remotely. Enterprise mobile app development has become an integral part of every business – from designing and deploying marketing campaigns to managing routine operations. Mobile apps are further leveraged to engage small communities in social platforms to create brand visibility and strengthen brand value.

So, what indicators mark the future of enterprise mobile app development? Let’s dive right in.

  1.   Transaction control and additional payment features

Transaction control and additional payment features are especially valuable for retailers involved with e-commerce payment systems. Having an enterprise mobile app focused exclusively on money management can help you cut spending and improve your money management. The evolving role of enterprise mobile apps in routine money management tasks has made it a frontrunner in the contemporary business landscape.

  1.   Improved data management

Enterprise mobile apps help enterprises to improve their operations related to data processing, analysis, adjustment, and data verification. Routine data management can have a big difference in the overall business efficiency and can positively improve the bottom line. Mobile applications also record users’ data such as product interaction information (likes, loves, impressions, etc), user attitudes, and comments. This data provides actionable insight and improves business decision-making on different fronts like product design, marketing, pricing, and product positioning.

  1.   Eliminating paperwork and the human factor

Human error is to blame for 90% of the workplace and occupational hazards, can cost money, interrupt workplace productivity and create a loss of time. Knowing the different sources of human error can help you learn how best to prevent them. Enterprise mobile applications reduce the amount of paperwork and automate routine tasks. In addition, these apps enable employees and workers to focus on complex problems and mission-critical enterprise operations.

A New Dawn for Enterprise Mobile App Development

Enterprise mobile applications are doing wonders in the contemporary business domain and across various sectors: manufacturing, retail, finance, telecommunication, and logistics. With automation, transaction control, improved data management, and supply chain control, enterprises cannot help but leverage the revamped capabilities of these apps. In addition, enterprise mobile apps are automating employee onboarding and certification processes, and client support.

With NS804, we guide you through deploying the best-of-class enterprise mobile app that responds accordingly to your business and market needs. NS804 expertise and experience in mobile app development help businesses transcend contemporary operational challenges, including invoicing, customer relationship management, accounting, and enterprise resource planning.

Contact NS804 for time-to-value solutions in enterprise mobile app development.

The Basics Of Shopify App Development With Python

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With its ever-growing popularity, Python has become the programming language of choice for many developers globally. We only have to peek at the TIOBE Index to find the language at the top of the list as of November 2021. An impressive feat considering Python has to compete with industry stalwarts such as C++, Java, and JavaScript.

But why has Python risen to the top and made it the talk of the town? Well, it’s an accessible language that even newcomers can learn in a matter of months. Python’s also incredibly versatile, allowing developers to work on machine learning (ML) projects and web apps. Furthermore, it’s a good choice for those that want to develop a Shopify app.

Why Shopify Matters

One e-commerce solution that has gained traction over the past seven years is Shopify. It’s an online store builder that allows merchants to set up digital storefronts with relative ease. Instead of dealing with the complexities of developing and hosting e-commerce websites, many merchants opt for Shopify’s more hassle-free approach. It shares many similarities to WordPress and WooCommerce, including an integrated blogging component, a store for professionally-made themes, and extensive SEO and analytics features. 

And, it seems that all the convenience that Shopify brings to the table is paying off. As of October 2021, over 3.7 million live websites use Shopify, with close to 70% of these sites registered in the United States. But what does this mean for e-commerce developers? Firstly, they can offer their services to merchants that don’t have the time or inclination to build their stores. And secondly, they can develop apps for these merchants, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

The Types Of Apps Shopify Allows 

There are essentially three types of apps that developers can create for the Shopify ecosystem:

  • Custom app – A bespoke solution requested by a single merchant
  • Private app – A bespoke solution with distinct requirements not met by a custom app
  • Public app – An application suitable for distribution to masses of merchants

Furthermore, developers can choose whether to create embedded or standalone apps. Embedded apps present the following advantages:

  • Easily accessible on both desktop and mobile.
  • They utilize Shopify’s standard user interface (UI).
  • Merchants get to use these apps in a familiar environment. 
  • Access to device hardware, such as the camera and Near-Field Communication (NFC).

In most cases, developers should opt for embedded instead of standalone apps for several reasons. Standalone apps require their own user interface, web domain and can’t access extensions.

App Development With Python

The building blocks of Shopify consist of a wide variety of tech stacks. And during its early stages of development, Ruby (Ruby on Rails) played an integral role. Nowadays, developers may opt from several supported languages, including Python, to build their apps. 

But to speed up development, it’s best to use Python with a web framework such as Flask. Flask will make it easy to interface with Shopify and allow your app to listen to calls and webhooks. Furthermore, it can store access tokens within the ‘server.py’ file. But it’s best to implement a dedicated database, as it’s a more robust solution. 

Both Python and Flask are lightweight and easy to work with, meaning that it won’t take long to create impressive apps. Moreover, Shopify’s documentation is detailed and well-written, allowing developers to deal with any roadblocks that may appear.

In Conclusion

Shopify is an excellent e-commerce solution for merchants that want to set up successful online stores. And with tools such as Python and Flask, developing apps for Shopify’s ecosystem becomes a lot easier. Contact us today to learn how NS804 can help you create phenomenal apps for Shopify and beyond.  

App Development: Why Building A Prototype Is Beneficial

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Your team may be sitting on the fence about whether or not to build a prototype. And it’s worth considering if you have ideas that you need to test out. Moreover, in today’s Agile environments, rapid application development (RAD) is commonplace. So, if you want to hit the ground running with your next project, building a prototype could be a wise choice.

Benefits Of Software Prototyping

One of the most efficient and quickest ways to get an app up and running is through prototyping. Think of a prototype as the first draft of how the finished product will end up. It will showcase the core idea of your app with the bare minimum engineering and functionality. Now, that may not sound very interesting, but it could achieve the following goals for your team: 

  • Reassuring stakeholders – Investors and other stakeholders in your enterprise may require assurance that your upcoming project is feasible. A mockup of your app may not always be convincing, but a working prototype can potentially win them over.
  • Gaining Insight – Even at this early stage, your prototype will receive both positive and negative feedback. And this feedback is invaluable, as it will help you finetune your app long before its official release date.
  • Improving Workflow – Software prototyping is a great way to improve workflow. You’ll make use of modern rapid application development tools and methodologies, which will help you get future apps out the door faster.

Tools To Help You Build A Prototype Faster

Software prototyping should save you time. So, there’s no reason to commit to writing thousands of lines of code to get your ideas across. Luckily, there are plenty of excellent rapid application development tools in the marketplace to help you out with this. 

  • Bolt – It’s a visual scripting plugin for Unity, allowing mobile game & AR/VR developers to conceptualize without writing any code.
  • Fluid UI – Aimed at mobile and web developers, Fluid UI makes it child’s play to create visually impressive user interfaces (UIs) in minutes.
  • Justinmind – Create prototypes and wireframes in record time, with quick and easy deployment to Android, iOS, and the web.
  • Principle – Principle is a powerful and flexible tool that brings animation and interactive UIs to the forefront.
  • Xojo – With its beginner-friendly programming language, built-in native controls, and drag and drop system for creating UIs, Xojo makes software prototyping easy.

Why A Prototype Is Not A Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

It’s all too easy to mistake a prototype for an MVP, as they share many similarities. But there are a few key points that we need to discuss. Primarily, a prototype’s purpose is to pitch an idea to company stakeholders and investors. Secondly, its creation should take up the least amount of development time and company resources possible. And thirdly, the prototype is only meant to receive a reaction from stakeholders and investors and not end-users, and whether it’s a project that should receive the greenlight. 

After its approval, the project will move past the prototyping phase as either an MVP or a full-fledged app. With the MVP, you’ll actively test the product and the reaction of the end-users. Moreover, their feedback will determine whether or not they’re the right audience for your app and its feasibility.

The Bottom Line

While it’s not always necessary to build a prototype, there are times when it’s a sensible choice. If you’re excited about moving forward with an idea but are unsure if it merits development, then you’ll need to reach out to company stakeholders. And there’s no better way to do this than with a prototype. Contact us today to learn how NS804 can help you conceptualize and develop phenomenal apps.

How Much Does It Cost To Make An Online Dating App

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Whether we like to admit it or not, most of us have used a dating app at some point. After all, it’s one of the most convenient ways to meet people for possible romantic encounters. People that we would most likely never meet or dare to chat up in a social setting. 

But for many, particularly younger users, these apps aren’t strictly for dating. Millennials and those in their late teens love using apps such as Tinder for casual hookups. As of January 2021, Tinder garnered 6.44 million downloads by mostly male users in 196 countries. And while many of these users seek sexual intimacy with no strings attached from a Tinder match, 13.6% have ended up engaged or married.

Of course, Tinder isn’t the only game in town. Regardless of its popularity, it simply can’t fulfill the needs of every target user. Someone looking for a serious relationship won’t use this particular dating app, given how it incentivizes casual relationships. And this is great because it opens up opportunities for alternatives. Below, we’ll take a deeper look at this market segment and reveal the cost of development.

Notable Frustrations Of The Dating Game

Some people are social butterflies or move in the right social circles. Thus, they face little difficulty in finding a date and enjoying fulfilling romantic relationships. But that’s some people! The hard truth is that most people don’t have the necessary social skills, cachet, and circle of friends to open up exciting dating opportunities.

And it gets even worse! For those living in the boonies, dating opportunities could be next to zero. Without the amenities of the big city, such as bars, coffee shops, cinemas, theaters, theme parks, gymnasiums, restaurants, and nightclubs, few opportunities exist to meet people in the real world.

And what about those hard-working professionals that do live in the big city? Sadly, many of these individuals seldom have the time to use these amenities to meet people. Or when they do, they’ll be lucky to meet people that are a good match for them.

The Early Days Of Online Dating 

During the mid-90s, the first online dating websites emerged. Kiss.com and Match.com allowed online users to meet strangers and form relationships from their home or work computers. It was a convenient and safe way to initiate romantic relationships with people from similar and dissimilar backgrounds. And during the later part of the 90s, the internet quickly became inundated with a plethora of dating websites.

These websites impacted the cultural milieu considerably. And to such an extent, that 1998’s “You’ve Got Mail” movie shed some light on romantic relationships formed online. But this didn’t mean that online dating was regarded as an acceptable way to meet others. Quite the opposite, during the 90s and 2000s, there was a stigma associated with online dating. Those that used these sites were labeled as either desperate or socially inadequate. Unfortunately, some of this negative sentiment is still around today but to a lesser degree.

Why The Dating App Is A Game Changer

We need to understand that these dating sites appeared when the internet was still in its infancy. Neither the internet nor online dating played a significant role in most people’s lives, especially during the 90s. But with the advent of the smartphone and its wide adoption globally, the internet became accessible to the masses. 

From 2010 onwards, smartphone users became accustomed to downloading apps that fulfill specific needs. If they needed to do banking, they’d download their bank’s app. And if they needed to order a pizza, they’d download their local pizzeria’s app if one was available. And similarly, those that wanted to engage in some online flirting wouldn’t be left out in the cold. In 2012, Tinder launched as the ultimate matchmaking app for young singles.

Now, many blame Tinder for promoting and perpetuating the hookup culture. And this isn’t necessarily untrue. Tinder’s primary focus is to match people based on their physical attraction, determined if they swipe right on each other’s photos. Additional factors that may determine a match include age range and location, and both parties are notified if they have friends in common. 

It’s an effective system that delivers a near-endless number of matches for those seeking quick, casual relationships. At the very least, it’s speed dating on steroids, and it’s easy to pinpoint why it’s so successful. It makes finding prospective dates within a user’s location a near painless process. And while users can and do reject others by swiping left, this doesn’t stop two-way matches from materializing eventually.

Key Features Of A Dating App 

Now, let’s take a look at what makes up a dating app. We’ll use Tinder as the baseline, as it’s pretty much the gold standard as far as dating apps on Android and iOS are concerned. 

The following list briefly describes the functionality necessary to make a Tinder-like dating app:

  • Authentication – Ensure that users don’t create spam accounts by requiring them to log in with their social media accounts. Then, tighten account security by implementing the OpenID Connect protocol or OAuth 2.0 authorization framework.
  • User Interface (UI) – It’s crucial to keep your UI clean and simple. Users would rather spend their time finding new matches than trying to navigate complex UI.
  • User Experience (UX) – Tinder’s innovative swipe functionality is user-friendly and part of what makes the app so successful. Furthermore, the app employs gamification features, making it more addictive and fun to use than its competitors.
  • Matchmaking Algorithm – Tinder is nothing without its trailblazing matchmaking algorithm. Ensure that your dating app effectively matches users based on their location, recent activity, and gender preferences, at the very least.
  • Location Targeting – Utilize analytics data, Google maps, and GPS to determine user locations.
  • Text Messaging – Once users match, they’ll want to chat with each other. Therefore, a robust text messaging service built within the app is essential.
  • Push Notifications – It’s crucial to notify users about special events, successful matches, and whether others are looking at their profiles.
  • Database Backend – You’ll need a place to store user data and payment information. That’s why you’ll need to set up a database and wisely choose the technology stack that best suits your needs.

Cost Of Development

Building a dating app with a core feature set that closely resembles the above can cost between $60,000 and $150,000, provided development time is between 2-5 months. However, the cost of development can exceed $150,000 and even reach $300,000 if additional features are requested and development time is between 5-10 months. Carefully consider what platform-specific features and integrations you’ll need for Android, iOS, and the web before commencing development, as these will impact development costs.

The Bottom Line

Developing an online dating app can be an exciting endeavor and one that can positively impact users. However, the online dating segment is well-established and quite competitive. That’s why it’s crucial not to cut corners and implement all the features that users have come to expect from market leaders, such as Tinder. Contact us today to learn how NS804 can help you make the kind of apps users will fall in love with!

How to Market your App

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So, you’ve finally built your app and are ready to usher it into the world? Congratulations. But unless you aggressively market your app to the right audience, it will get lost in the sea.

There are 3.48 million apps in Google Play and 3.74 million apps in the App Store. The number of mobile apps is staggering, and it’s increasing daily. So, if you sit around thinking that app users will migrate to your app, think again. Competition is fierce. That’s why it’s advisable to have an app user acquisition strategy before app launch and treat it as you would any traditional product or service launch.

This post provides a compilation of the best ways to promote your app. This list is in no specific order, and so you should pick the strategies that best fit your existing marketing plan. Start with a handful of these strategies, or test what works for you and what doesn’t.

1. Define your landing page

Provide a short and clear introduction to your app – one sentence is sufficient. You can get an example from Tinder’s landing page to get an idea of a succinct introduction. The landing page directly promotes your business goals and increases conversions. In addition, the landing page will generate data and insight and improve paid search campaigns.

2. Start a blog

Regular updates on a topic that exclusively focuses on your core product or service make you a niche expert. By blogging, you build a small community of like-minded individuals who will act as ambassadors for your app, promoting adoption and use. The blog will manage your online brand identity and trust, enable you to connect with new people, and build an audience for your app.

3. Family and friends

Look around and identify the people you surround yourself with. Are there family members, friends, or acquaintances that would enjoy using your app for whatever purposes? If yes, approach them. They are already part of your inner circle that will enable your app to grow. Now, think about the exponential potential of this inner circle. Each one of your family and friends knows about at least five people. Get this network to be part of your early adopters. This network will spread the word and build a foundation for your app’s user base.

4. Use social media

It’s advisable to use social media but do it wisely. Copy pasting a link and sharing it to multiple profiles is not enough. Be interesting. Engage your audience. Tease. Make yourself share-worthy and click-worthy. Always be creative about your intro text. Finally, ensure that different social media networks – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest – are integrated to share content across these platforms. Cross-platform sharing enhances visibility.

5. Create a video intro to your app

Creating a commercial video for your app should only be an option if you’ve proven your app’s concept, you’ve gained some traction, and you’re sure you are a winner. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on an app that has changed three times since it was launched.

6. Reach out to influencers

Marketing your app can extend beyond your usual field of influence. Oftentimes, these foreign connections and collaborations are what your company needs. Developing authentic, trustworthy, and mutually beneficial relationships with influencers will go a long way in promoting your app. Influencers are a group of people with the power to influence the buying and engagement potential of a certain group of people.

Business owners and developers reaching out to influencers and bloggers should be careful to present content that’s only relevant to the influencers and their target audience. While some marketers offer monetary compensation in exchange for the influencer’s promotion, it’s advisable to look for influencers who truly value your company and your content. Let influencers know that you are creating or have already built an app. Ask if you can get some time with them to gather feedback; this will go a long way in promoting your app.

7. Mobile website

If you have an existing website that’s fully functional and mobile-friendly, this can be one of the greatest assets in promoting your app. At one point or another, your clients or anyone interested in your services will find their way to your website. When they do, they must know that you have an app. Including your app in your site could mean sectioning off a part of your website exclusively for the app. The corner of the screen or the middle of the website would do. While this approach can bring in more downloads, we recommend leveraging an alternative approach. Instead of placing it permanently or temporarily on your site, have a pop-up page display whenever a visitor explores your site.

8. Pitch tech blogs

Pitching tech blogs is a tough marketing approach. While you think you have an awesome app launching tomorrow, some tech blogs might be less impressed. However, don’t despair. Make a small list of contacts and email them your perfect pitch, and hope for the best.

Tip: Don’t stalk the editors, they receive tons of pitches regularly, and if they’re interested in your app, they will get back.

9. Ask for app reviews

Besides the big tech blogs, there are tons of other app review websites. For example, Feed My App, AppStorm, 148App, and AppAdvice have solid app review systems in place, providing visibility and creating audiences for new apps. By getting your app reviewed by app review sites, you achieve two goals. First, you increase your app brand awareness because any app at the beginning of its lifecycle is not known as it needs a lot of media placement to be discovered and downloaded by users. Secondly, app reviews help an app be ranked higher in Google Play, because of multiple inbound links from review sites pointing to an app’s page on the store.

10. Contact writers in the niche

This is one of the most effective techniques of mobile app marketing. If you find people who care to write about your niche, they might want to write about your incredible solution. Again, don’t be pushy, you don’t want to burn bridges with influential writers.

Tips to Market your App

When marketing your app, it’s advisable to practice the following tips to achieve the highest conversions and downloads:

  • App Store Optimization ASO. Google Play and Apple App Store prioritize certain apps in search results based on several ranking indicators – tags, ratings, screenshots, download data, and app title. The most important ranking factor in App Store Optimization is the app’s title. When it comes to app store optimization, it’s advisable to fill all the fields with the relevant details when submitting your app to the app store.
  • Facebook Marketing. Although one of the ways of acquiring mobile app installs is through the clever use of the Facebook advertising platform, few mobile marketers are talking about this. It’s advisable for app promoters and marketers to use a combination of sponsored stories and page-promoted posts targeted to mobile new feeds. In addition, use a power editor tool like Qwaya, and combine URL posts and high-res images.
  • Promoted Tweets. Similarly, promoted tweets are another way of driving mobile app downloads when set up correctly. Start with a small budget testing off different keyword segments and scale-up on what drives the best-per-cost acquisitions.

Contact NS804 for inquiries on how to develop, deploy, and market your mobile app.

Payment API Breakdown – Cost and Security

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If you are a large merchant processing large volumes of online transactions, you might consider building your own payment API as opposed to relying on third-party solutions. Your own payment API might take a lot of work to build, but it might be worth it in the long run if you are processing big enough transaction volumes. Building a custom payment API enables you to customize it to suit your business. 

Payment API Development Process

The development process requires a lot of time and can even take longer than a year. You need to establish a relationship with a financial institution where funds will be received and stored. 

There is also a need to decide on a hosting solution for the payment API. Self-hosting is much more expensive because the data center has to be maintained in-house. Going with a reliable third party solution provider such as Amazon Web Services might be more prudent. An in-house data center, though, offers more control.

The development process might take a few months and cost anywhere between $25000 and $35000. Afterwards, there is a long and methodical process of getting certification. A PCI audit is normally due before being allowed to process card payments. These audits are recurring to give assurance of your organization’s data security measures. 

Tokenization and Certification

If you are building your own server solution, you will also need to implement tokenization for the security of customer data. Tokenization is the replacement of customers’ card numbers with tokens that are less prone to fraud. This further adds to the development time and costs. 

Once your security standards are in place, you can apply for an EMV certificate from EMVCo. EMV is an international standard and you’ll need the certificate to process payments from Visa, MasterCard, or any other card that has a chip. 

To learn more about what it takes to build a payment API, get in touch with NS804. We are an app development company helping clients bring their app ideas to life. 

Best Language To Develop Android Apps

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Mobile apps are gaining popularity due to the rapid infiltration of mobile phone devices and the growing coverage of internet connectivity. The ability of mobile applications to connect people, support instant communications, and sustain social networks is what makes mobile apps a darling to many.

So, in a nutshell, smartphone applications are an integral part of our lives. They can pass information, create connections, obtain information, or have fun. And while creating a mobile application is fun, it requires more guidance, specifically in choosing the best programming language.

  1.   Kotlin

Kotlin is the official android language declared by Google Inc. since 2019. Kotlin is a cross-platform programming language used as an alternative to Java. Kotlin is the secondary official Java language. This programming language can interoperate with Java virtual machines. The only significant difference is that Kotlin eliminates the superfluous Java features like null pointer exceptions.

  1.   Java

Since it was established 25 years ago, Java remains one of the best programming languages among android developers. Despite all the new entrants that have made their mark, Java remains a frontrunner in android development. The reason Java is the most preferred by Android developers is that it’s easy to learn and get started with. In addition, there’s wide community support which is an added advantage to newbies or novice developers.

  1.   JavaScript

JavaScript is among the world’s leading programming languages. The emergence of frameworks like Vue, Angular, jQuery, React.js, and Svelte makes JavaScript popular. Even if you’re not using React JS or Angular JS, there are many other libraries (like jQuery) that are based on JavaScript. JavaScript also happens to be a superior option for client-side validation. The best thing is that it’s a full-stack programming language, you can create back-end servers, front-end GUI, and mobile apps.

  1.   C++

C++ can be used for android mobile app development using the android native development kit NDK. However, an app cannot be created using C++ and the NDK kit is used to implement parts of the app in C++ native code. While C++ is useful for android mobile app development in some cases, it’s difficult to set up and less flexible. It can also lead to more bugs because of increased complexity. So, it’s advisable to use Java as compared to C++ because it doesn’t provide more gain to offset the efforts required.

  1.   Python

Python can be used for native android app development. However, Android doesn’t support native python development. Using python for native android app development can be done using various tools that convert python applications into Android packages that run on android devices. Python is a great programming language for android app development because it’s easy to read, learn and write. Python leads to improved productivity, is free and open-source, and has vast library support.

NS804 – Simplifying Android App Development

NS804 is a trusted service provider with proven excellence in android and IOS app development. With a rising demand for mobile applications, individuals, businesses, and organizations are using mobile applications to optimize their business processes – marketing, sales, brand positioning, and outreach. So, if you’re searching for superior android app development – look no further.

Contact NS804 for inquiries on mobile app development.

What You Need Before Developing An Android App

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Developing an android app requires a deep understanding of design and programming. When approaching a new technology or project, it’s advisable to break it down into pieces. If you’re an experienced website developer, many of the techniques (and tools) involved in Android app development will be synonymous with things you already know.

Building mobile apps requires the mastery of more nuanced concepts. Mobile devices have simpler processors, smaller screens, and in the case of android devices, different manufacturers. Developers should keep their codes flexible and account for various user-interface scenarios. So, what does it take to become a qualified or expert android developer?

Here’s what you need before developing your android app.

  1.   Java

Java is the best programming language that underscores Android mobile app development. For those who have gained their programming experiences from languages like Ruby and JavaScript, there can be a learning curve when using the Java programming language for the first time. Like Ruby and JavaScript, Java is object-oriented; but it’s stricter about processing different data types. Developers need to be careful with their codes by defining the different data types, using, and allocating scarce memory resources.

  1.   XML Understanding

XML is a language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is human-readable and machine-readable. XML was created as a standard approach to encode data for internet-based mobile applications. The XML is a structured mark-up language that shares many features with HTML including; angled brackets, tag types, and the deep nesting of elements. In short, XML allows information to be conveyed between devices in a manner that can be understood easily.

  1.   Android Software Development Kit SDK

The software development kit SDK may conjure up images of a briefcase packed up with all sorts of spy tools. But in essence, it’s a fancy name for a set of pre-packaged codes. Android SDK is a module of Java code that extends developers access to mobile devices functions and capabilities like accelerometer and camera. One key element of the Android SDK is a library called Gradle. So, let’s say you want to integrate a social media platform like Facebook with your application. To do this, you’d download a code library from Facebook, then tell Gradle you’re using this code so that when your application compiles, your code remains well-organized.

  1.   Android Studio

The integrated development environment for Android developers is the Android Studio. Android Studio is designed on top of the well-respected IntelliJ IDE and comes with great out-of-the-box support for many of the most common software development kits.

Android studio also entails many features and capabilities that developers expect of a fully-fledged IDE environment. For instance, the code completion feature makes auto-complete suggestions as you type. Code debuggers help you review your code to identify sources of error.

  1.   APIs

As an android developer, you will want to interact with many other services. For instance, you may want your users to access a calendar or events sessions from a third-party service provider – or even check the stock market. An android app development company usually offers APIs and will show you exactly how to query them for data in a consistent, secure way. While you’re free to interact with an existing API, Google makes it easy to connect to their APIs using android apps. For instance, you can use Google APIs to monitor the geo-location of your users.

  1.   Database

If your app handles huge amounts of data, most likely the data won’t stay on the device for long. Instead, your app will most likely interact with a database living outside your phone. Cloud services like Parse and Firebase provide simple APIs to host data in the cloud and make it available across different devices. These cloud platforms provide Java libraries to plug in your app, making it easy to cache data on the user’s device.

This synching of data between remote database and local storage is vital if you want your users to use the app while they’re offline. So, before developing an Android app, ensure to have adequate storage. That is achieved by outsourcing cloud services that provide a simple API to secure your app’s data.

How To Become a Better Android Developer?

Becoming an Android developer is easy but being an expert developer who stands from the crowd is difficult. It takes a great deal of passion, dedication, and perseverance to become great at design and programming. So, what do you need to become a better Android developer?

  • Get familiar with android framework internals. It’s advisable to get familiar with Android’s actual framework code. Many developers are afraid of delving right into the Android framework internals. Luckily, it’s amazing how much you can discover how things work.
  • Get over the fear of missing out. Android is quite big. You cannot learn it end-to-end in a month or three months. The more you learn, the more you understand how much you don’t know. As a beginner, it’s perfectly normal to feel that you’re missing out on learning crucial information.
  • Start reading more code. Most developers don’t take the time to read what other developers are writing. Instead, they spend more time writing the codes they already know. The best way to become an Android developer is to read the excellent codes of more experienced developers.
  • Learn more languages. It’s crucial that you learn more programming languages. You need to keep yourself updated with the industry’s happenings rather than confining your thinking to the Android space. Learning more languages and opening your mind to new possibilities will inspire new ideas, open up your perspective, and help you improve your Android development skills significantly.
  • Learn Java design patterns. Learning Java design patterns is crucial in your Android development career. Whenever you’re stuck in solving programming problems, design patterns can be lifesavers. You also need to be on the same page with other designers and programmers so that when they’re talking about using a Decorator, Factory, or Façade pattern, you instantly know what they mean.
  • Contribute to open source. If you have developed a plugin, library, or any other useful piece of code, consider open-sourcing it. There’s much to learn in the process of maintaining your projects or contributing to open source projects. Contributing to open-source is an excellent crash course in open-source development that will exponentially increase your value as a developer.
  • Make your IDE work for you. Start spending more time understanding the integrated design environment you are using: Android studio. The IDE can do much more than you think. There are many cool features hidden in the IDE that most developers don’t even consider. Make it a habit to discover new and better ways of making your tools work for you, thereby improving your productivity and workflow.

 NS804 – Kick-starting Your Android App Development 

Android app development comes with many benefits. Firstly, android app development features higher returns on investments with lower costs; the availability of the Android software development toolkit provides cost savings to individual developers. In addition, Android app development comes with faster deployment cycles, offering a competitive advantage to companies willing to have a quicker go-to-market for new ideas. Other benefits include targeting multiple platforms, versatility, scalability, security, and easy customization.

Contact NS804 for timely android app development solutions.

What Makes UberEats a Great App?

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UberEats is one of the fastest growing and most popular food delivery apps in the world. The app has been able to grow in user base in developing nations too where the home delivery service market is not as mature as first world countries. One of the main factors for this success is the manner in which the UberEats app delivers a great user experience.

Contrasting the App with Restaurants Walk-Ins

When people walk into a restaurant, they get immersed into a different environment from when they were outside. The temperature, the aroma, the background music, and the sound of activities in the kitchen all contribute to the feel of the restaurant. It’s quite tough to attempt and recreate such immersion on the app.

UberEats have managed to do this well by making restaurants a key focus on the app. When users open the app and go to the search bar, there are already suggestions of popular places to order from based on location. This is a different approach from suggesting the type of food to order. By clicking on a specific restaurant or searching for it, users can then proceed to browse that restaurant’s menu.

Photography

The photography of meals on restaurant menus is extremely important for user experience. All photography work is done by a professional. UberEats oversees the photography so that the standard of quality remains consistent. It’s important for the overall feel of the app for users. Some users may feel that photos take precedence over prices or other restaurant information. However, most users are quite happy with this interface.

Choice

Another advantage for users on UberEats is the number of choices users have in terms of food categories. While restaurants are the main way to find food choices, users can opt to browse food categories. This is especially great for people who love experimenting, thus adding more utility to the app. In addition, it’s possible to make an order on behalf of someone else and have it delivered to their location.

Easy Checkout

The success of any food delivery app is heavily dependent on the amount of convenience offered to users. Is it easier for a hungry user to get on the app and order or step from their office or home to the nearby restaurant?

To keep using the app, users must feel that it offers them a quick way to satiate their hunger. If the ordering process is too slow or complicated, they will exit the app. Uber solves this by making it easy to add items to the cart, customize orders, and check out. People can also save several payment methods on the app. The whole ordering process does not take more than a few clicks and minutes.

Order Tracking

Order tracking on food delivery apps is important in giving assurance that an order will indeed be delivered within the promised time. Once users pay on UberEats, they are redirected to a screen where they can track their order.

If your organization is seeking assistance with developing an app the delivers great user experience, contact NS804. We have extensive experience in designing and delivery great mobile applications.