Why do developers update apps? Let’s take a look at the most common reasons publishers update an app as they’re trying to build an engaging one.
Adding or removing features
Adding or removing features are significant app updates and possibly the most important part of the app development process. Adding a feature is usually based on user feedback. Likewise, removing features is a common practice as it happens that people don’t like or use a particular feature or it doesn’t work as well as expected.
Bug fixing
Bug fixes are probably the most common types of app updates. These updates don’t change the structure of an app. Bug fixes are just ways of making sure the app performs optimally and doesn’t crush while used broadly.
Security update
It’s usually an imperative change, as security is people’s first concern when it comes to mobile apps. Everyone wants their data to be kept private so any security problem must be immediately removed.
Major update
A major update means a brand new version of the app is released, with a significant number of new features or changes. The big question is this: should you release a major update or a whole new app? Both strategies have their advantages and disadvantages.
If you already have a popular app, a new one might not have the same success as your first.
In-app purchase
This strategy is very common with games. Developers release additional levels for purchase, thus extending the game.
When not to update an app?
Each month we can see some examples of great app updates and then some of pretty gone wrong ones.
People hate it when developers update apps only to make them worse, even unusable. An update shows the developer is actively working on the app, but sometimes there’s just no need to update, as users like the app the way it is.
Why – for example, changing the user interface for the sake of a refreshed look if that’s exactly the feature that made the app useful and popular in the first place?
Some users own many devices, each with several apps. It can get frustrating and troublesome going through app updates all the time.
Next time you’re thinking of updating an app, just ask yourself: is this update really necessary? Will users care about it? Will the result be a significant increasing in revenue and download boost?
The app market is becoming incredibly competitive. There’s no use investing in an app only to see it lost in the cluttered app world due to some clumsy, unrequited update that made it much less friendly and relevant.
