Choosing the Right App Builder - Features to Look Out For

Just a few years ago, the idea of building an app was deemed to be too ambitious a goal for any business. Considering the cost and time it involved, businesses would settle, at best with a mobile optimised website. But the advent of DIY iOS and Android app builders has changed the rules of the game. Taking your business mobile is no more a matter of months – All it takes is just a few minutes! It involves no coding, no wireframing and no hiring pro designers. All of this – at a far lesser price it takes in custom app development. More and more businesses are realising this and resorting to DIY app building platforms. But the important question is, what exactly should you look out for in a mobile app maker? Here are a few points to keep in mind while choosing the right app builder -

1. Easy-to-Use

What’s the point of opting for DIY app building if you can’t build your app by yourself? It’s crucial that the platform you deploy to make your first app has a smooth learning curve and allows you to build it, fast and easy, from the scratch.

2. App Customisation

When users don’t find coherence between a business and its app, it simply ticks them off! An app should reflect the brand, be it the colour palette you use, the icon, or the content therein. Choose an app builder that puts unlimited customisation at your fingertips so that you can make your own app the way you want it, to the littlest details.

3. Social APIs

Why did you want to build an app at the first place? To get more users, engage existing ones and drive more revenues. Right? But none of this can be achieved if your app isn’t socially integrated. Online app builders with social APIs will help you achieve all of this and more.

4. Push Notifications

Okay! Here’s a question – What makes mobile app a perfect marketing tool? Its ability to reach to the users through personalised push messages and targeted in-app messages. Choose a platform that allows you to schedule and send push notifications to your users.

5. App Maintenance

App maintenance is a daunting question for the businesses. Now picture this – You make an update without having to bug a pro developer or shelling out hard earned dollars. Yes, it’s possible DIY app makers. With built-in CMS, app builders let you make unlimited updates to your app.

6. App Analytics

App analytics give you a deep insight into the performance of your app – And it’s not just about the number of downloads, it’s getting a sneak peek into the users’ behavior when they are navigating in your app. App analytics reveal the ins and outs of how users are interacting with your app, helping you to direct your marketing strategy accordingly. Choose an online app maker that features robust app analytics.

7. App Simulator

With the right app maker, building an app is easy. The more challenging part of app creation is testing it in the real time once it is build. There are a few app builders that feature an app simulator letting you to test out your app on multiple devices before you launch it on the store. A simulator reflects the features and functionality as well as the look of an app. It lets you watch in real time how is it shaping when you make a change in it or update it.

8. Multiple Languages

Surveys reveal that localised apps have higher discoverability than non-localised ones. Localising your apps is a sure shot way to etch your name in the top apps on the app store. Choose an online maker that lets you make your app in multiple languages.

Okay! That was about the key features you should look out for while choosing an app builder. Apart from these, pricing is a crucial factor too. Go for something that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but at the same time offers the features you need to get your app built.

Lastly, go for cloud based iOS or Android app building platforms as they not only back up your data but also ensure app consistency on multiple devices.