The days of building mobile apps based on websites are long gone. As of 2013, we are in a time where creating a range of mobile apps without relying on a website is the norm. The screen size of smartphones is growing larger and better than ever. Today, the world of social apps is largely influenced by the rise of standalone applications. Apps like Snapchat, Vine, Instagram, and Tinder show a clear trend—focusing on standalone apps while improving the main product. It all comes down to ease of use. Mobile users particularly appreciate the straightforwardness of tasks that serve a single purpose. However, in their effort to add more features with each update, developers sometimes compromise usability on mobile devices.
The ability to attract new users is the main reason standalone apps are becoming more popular. Consider this: a new standalone product can reach a wider audience than just a new feature added to an existing app. For example, which would be more effective: a new app that enhances messaging or a new messaging feature in an existing app?
Standalone apps, with their clear sense of purpose have a distinct edge over apps trying to perform multiple functions all over the place. It is now all about making the experience so fulfilling that users will get hooked to the app.
But Do Standalone Apps Really Work?
Mobile apps are now more about change and the concept of core apps is fast fading away. It is important to capitalize on certain factors such as team strength, technology, and your target audience to leverage growth. Remember, you can either use standalone apps to leverage the core app or simply use standalone apps to accelerate your growth. It works both ways around. There are several advantages of standalone apps. While a legacy app can pride itself for a lot of users, there are several risks involved such as huge code or building the app from scratch. Standalone apps function flawlessly and are often undeterred by the decisions of legacy app users.
Here are some standalone apps that worked wonders and experienced meteoric growth viral:
Snapchat: This is a unique app that lets users take photos, record videos, add text and drawings. A perfect role model for standalone apps, Snapchat allows to email pictures and videos “termed as snaps” to only controlled list of recipients. So what is new about the idea? Users can set a time limit for how long recipients can view their Snaps. Once the time limit is up pics will be hidden from the recipient’s device and deleted from Snapchat’s servers. This app went viral just like a snap. Quick and easy are the keywords.
Vine: Hard to believe that Vine debuted less than a year ago. This app allows users to create and post short video clips which can be shared or embedded on social networking services such as Twitter. Well, both advertisers and journalists use this app to effectively showcase products or capture newsworthy events.
Facebook Messenger: One of the first mobile applications that Facebook developed and released outside the official Facebook app. This app is primarily dedicated to sending messages and texts via the world’s largest social networking site.
Are They Right for me?
You don’t just have to ape an existing concept. Knock off all the ambiguity. Always keep in mind, it all boils down to teamwork and execution of idea. You need to exploit the idea to the core and strike a perfect balance between creativity and focus. Remember, standalone apps are about how well you embrace the new concept and ultimately drive engagement and viral growth.