Technology is more important in business now than ever before. Few, if any business owners can get past the fact that selling online is essential for success. More than that, social media marketing is sure to bring more sales than most other outlets. And, some companies are taking things further, with the production of apps to enhance the customer experience.

Of course, the apps used vary depending on the fields in which they’re used. In some cases, they’ll work alongside your products to transfer and collate information. In others, your app may be a fun game addition which provides the chance for increased income. Either way, apps are the ideal way to appeal to your customers. After all, most apps provide you with the opportunity to send notifications after installation. And, the more you interact with your customers, the more chance there is that they’ll come back to you time and again. In this sense, you could argue that apps are more important than, say, email newsletters. You won’t even need to wait for customers to open that email before they get the message.

But, if you are thinking about going down this path, it’s essential that you note how fast technology changes. Merely developing an app and sending it out into the world isn’t enough. In fact, with mobile devices updating all the time, you may find you need to produce regular updates to keep on top. As well as ensuring that your application works with new systems, which will help keep information relevant and current.

The only problem with updating is that we are creatures of habit and we like what we like. It’s no secret that many of us dread the moment our phones tell us it’s time to update. More often than not, new system releases come complete with a host of customer complaints. In some instances, these are nothing more than teething problems. Sometimes, though, they’re more long-lasting. Take the Apple iOS 11.3 update which was released in March of this year. Reportedly, there are rumors abound that this update means iPhones are no longer compatible with replacement screens. Given how many of us drop our phones on a regular basis, this would, of course, be met with some understandable outrage. It’s been reported that other problems have emerged of users losing date during these updates. As such, you shouldn’t be surprised if advancements in your app are met with some hesitation.

To keep your business on top of its game, you need to get your customers on board with an addition such as an app. If they don’t get around to updating, there could come a time when old versions stop working altogether. Also, they’ll struggle to keep up with new things you’re doing if they’re using outdated apps. So, how can you avoid the common mistakes which so many big companies make during the updating process? Read on to find out.

Listen to your customers before updating your business app

Because you assume something will benefit your customers, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will. It pays to listen to what your customers want and or ask for before developing your updates. When business owners take this approach, you can be sure that any changes you’re making will be received positively. There are a few different ways you can work toward this goal. For one, it’s worth looking at your app analytics. Here, you’ll be able to see which areas of your app get the most attention, and which don’t seem to hit the mark. It may also be worth sending out a questionnaire to gain feedback from customers after they’ve installed their updates. Provide incentives by offering money off, or bonus points within your app. Of course, make sure that you read through the feedback and keep it in mind throughout the update process.

Test and test again

Another major issue many companies overlook is that of testing. No matter how expert your team may be in app development, there’s likely going to be some issues in the early days. Testing could involve having your team test the app for a few weeks before it’s shared with customers. Or, you might want to turn to a company like Global App Testing who can send your app to their crowdsourced testers for you. Admittedly, it’s always difficult to tell how an update will function until it’s out there in your customers’ hands, however, at least taking steps like these will help you iron out as many wrinkles as possible beforehand.

Know your limits

It’s also worth noting that you need to know your limits. There’s a temptation to make updates as jam-packed and spectacular as possible. And, that might make some sense in a way, after all, the less often customers have to update, the better. Why wouldn’t you want to get it all in at one? Because if you try to do too much with an update, you’ll likely soon encounter issues. Not only could this lead to an increased risk of the app crashing, but you could also lose what your customers love about your app in the first place. What’s more, changing things around too much could mean compromising your branding, and, that’s never a good idea from a business standpoint. As such, it’s worth checking yourself before things go too far. As a general rule, you want to improve things in some incremental ways. For the most part, the purpose of these updates is to increase app compatibility with new systems. Other than improvements customers have requested, it’s worth keeping things related to updating your business app much the same. That way, there’s less chance of issues and greater chances that customers will continue enjoying your service.

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