Like the rest of the world, South Africa has seen significant growth in the adoption of smartphones. In fact, one government study indicated that more than 71% of all internet access within the country for 2011 came from smartphones, not desktop PCs or laptop computers. With the rise of tablet computers, the market has grown even further. Mobile app development in South Africa offers companies and individuals a way to tap into this growth and benefit.
High Adoption Rates Mean Better Penetration
South Africa’s growing adoption rates of mobile technology mean one thing – greater penetration, visibility and demand for mobile apps. This demand is seen across the board, as well, on all platforms, including:
- Apple
- Android
- Microsoft
However, there are some considerations you’ll need to make if you’re looking to have an app developed on your behalf.
The Need for Specialization in Mobile Development
First, understand that accurate mobile app development for South Africa business needs requires more than just web development skills. While some skills do translate, they’re not enough to create complex, stable apps. Instead, it’s essential that you look for a development firm that specializes in creating mobile apps for all platforms. By working with a specialist, you ensure that you benefit from:
- Cutting edge design skills
- A stable app that offers end users a good experience
- Advanced functionality for better user satisfaction
- Cross-platform development for better user adoption and profitability
Marketing after Development Is also Essential
Designing and coding a great app is not enough – you have to be able to market that app if you really want to see success. Moreover, mobile app development in South Africa should occur both before and after launch in order to build and maintain a buzz surrounding the app, encourage high levels of new user adoption and ensure good rankings in app stores.
The problem is that many app development companies focus solely on coding, on design or on marketing, but not necessarily all of these elements. This means that finding the right development firm that can offer end-to-end service is essential. Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with a needlessly complicated piecemeal situation that could have been avoided.
Hallmarks of a Worthy Partner
Partnering with a mobile app developer in South Africa should not be a headache. You must simply bear a few things in mind when comparing different service providers. First, ensure that the company has a lengthy history. While there’s nothing “wrong” with a startup company, working with a firm that has years of experience under their collective belt provides peace of mind. Of course, you should also look for feedback from previous clients in regards to the quality of the app developed, whether the project was completed on time and budget, and their overall satisfaction with the company as a whole.
Tammy Martin is a writer for CDI Design, a company offering mobile app development in South Africa.