Forget future-proofing - create an app that’s future ready
How to build an app that sticks around for the long term
The tech world is renowned for its fast pace – it wasn’t that long ago that the USB became a standard hardware device found in every workplace, home, handbag and laptop case. But today, you’ll scarcely come across one, and plenty of new devices won’t accommodate them.
As new technology comes to the fore, the adage ‘for new things to come, the old must die’ often rings true. But when investing time and money into app development, is it really possible to create a future-ready app?
The answer? Yes. Here’s what you need to consider:
Start by acknowledging reality
The environment that we do business (and life) in is constantly evolving. Google changes its algorithms, Android and IOS release updates, and rapid advancements in technology make it near impossible to rely on the status quo for more than a few months. Creating an app that’s released once and left untouched isn’t a robust plan if you acknowledge that it’s not easy to predict the future.
Forget future-proofing. Be future-ready.
It’s unrealistic to create a set-and-forget enterprise app that accommodates an unknown future. Instead, focus on creating an app that maintains relevance as much as possible and is built to evolve. Always view an app as a first iteration, not a one-off product. Here’s how to ensure yours is up to the task:
1. Owning an app is like owning a pet – You have to look after it, investing a little time and energy on a frequent basis will give you years of joy.
2. Assume your platform will be replaced and re tooled - We built apps for Nokia, these phones don’t exist anymore; then we built apps for Blackberry, they’ve gone now too. Now we make apps for iOS and Android. Every 5 years, on average, something significant comes along that changes everything. It’s either a curse or an opportunity, and the difference comes down to whether you’re prepared for it.
3. Choose proven technology over the latest and greatest – Pulling stunts with tech can be a wonderful way to get attention. Sometimes the latest is the greatest, but often it doesn’t last. If you’re operating on the edge of technology, you need to be aware that you’re running at risk. If you want to be in it for the long haul, choose proven technology that delivers stability, security and assurances around ease of maintenance.
4. Stay in close contact with your users – You need to listen to user feedback for your product to survive. That way, your app will evolve and thrive well into the future. It isn’t just the technology that changes, so too do your users.
5. Build for change – Solid, modular architecture is critical for future-proofing apps. It allows parts of the code to be adapted and changed when necessary and any problems overcome quickly and efficiently – rather than having to remake your app from scratch.
Building for change
When you don’t know what lies ahead, it’s impossible to predict the future of your app. But it is possible to build an app that stands the test of time. With over 20 years of experience in design and development, UiRev has seen the pace of change first-hand and understands the importance of building a robust app designed to stick around.
