Many apps perform various functions, but they all have something in common: they all need updating. The question is, how often should it be?
This blog post answers that question. It also provides more insights on situations that call for an app update and the best tips to do it.
How Often Should I Update the Apps?
A reliable software development company exercises due diligence and prudence when updating apps. First, they won’t want to overwhelm users with several changes. Second, any app update is costly.
But to answer the question, it ranges from one to four months. To be more specific, a monthly update is ideal for minor improvements and fixes. Major ones that offer new features or redesigns can be every quarter.
These Situations Can Change Your Timetable
Keep in mind, though, that many situations may push you to issue an update even if it’s out of your timeline. These include:
- Fatal Errors: You discovered a critical software bug that causes the app to crash or, worse, makes it vulnerable to data breaches. In this case, you need to update the app ASAP and send a notification to all users.
- Security Updates: The mobile operating system releases a security patch, and you need to update the app to maintain compliance.
- New OS Versions: A new version of the mobile operating system (OS) is available. You need to update the app to make sure it’s compatible and can take advantage of the latest features.
- Changes in User Needs or Requirements: You need to add or remove features or redesign the app to meet changing user needs and requirements, such as accommodating a new payment method.
- Competitor Activity: A competitor releases a new app or updates an existing one with features that make it more appealing to users than yours. To stay ahead, update your app with at least the same features, if not more.
- Legal Compliance: You need to change the app to comply with new laws and regulations.
How to Update Your App Without Causing User Frustration
The global market size for user experience (UX) could hit over $1.3 billion by 2028, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 15% from 2021 to the end of the forecast period.
In other words, consumers demand UX, and they’re willing to reward businesses that can provide it. An app can help you achieve that when it’s updated regularly.
But too much of a good thing can be bad. How do you create balance without disappointing or annoying your users? Here are some tips:
1. Communicate with Your Users
Before you release an update, let your users know what to expect to avoid catching them off-guard. It will also help them become more receptive to the changes.
You can do this through push notifications, emails, or in-app messages. Keep the message short and personal. State the most important details, such as what’s new, what’s different, and what’s improved.
You can also include a link to a landing page with more information. If the update addresses a bug, thank them for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
2. Time Your Updates
Schedule your updates during periods when users are less likely to be using the app. For example, if you have a lot of users in Europe, release the update during their nighttime. That way, they can install it while they sleep and won’t be interrupted while using the app during the day.
You can also update the app when you know most of your users will be offline, such as during the weekend. Just make sure to give them enough time to update before they need to use the app again.
3. Give Them an Option to Update Later
Some users might not be ready to install the update right away. They may be in the middle of something important or don’t have enough storage space on their devices. To accommodate them, give them the option to update later.
You can do this by showing a pop-up notification that they can dismiss and come back to later. Make sure not to be too pushy about it, though. You don’t want to force them to update the app if they’re not ready.
4. Keep the Update Size Small
The size of an update can be a deciding factor for some users. They may not have enough storage space on their devices or may be using a slow Internet connection. To avoid frustrating them, keep the update size as small as possible.
You can do this by compressing the files or removing unnecessary ones. You should also make sure that the app itself is not too big. The larger the app, the longer it will take to download, and the more likely users are to abandon it.
5. Test the Update Before Releasing It
Test the update before releasing it to catch any bugs or errors and fix them before they cause any problems. Release the update to a small group of users first, such as beta testers. Get their feedback and ensure they can use the app without any issues.
Once you’re confident that the update is ready, you can release it to all of your users.
Conclusion
Updating your app regularly is essential if you want to keep your users happy and engaged. But you need to do it in a way that doesn’t frustrate or annoy them. Following these tips strikes the perfect balance and makes sure your users are always happy.
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