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  • 8 Key Steps to Build a Successful Mobile App

    8 Key Steps to Build a Successful Mobile App

    If you’re not a developer, building a mobile application is likely to take several months and could cost anywhere from several thousand dollars to several hundred thousand. Needless to say, you’ll want to do everything you can do before you start building your app to ensure you’re on the right track.

    1. RESEARCH THE MARKET

    The first and arguably most important thing you need to do before you get started is research your idea. Fortunately, this stage doesn’t cost much and you can do most of it yourself. Start by searching the app stores, not just Apple but also Google Play, and look for competing products. There are more than 1.3 million apps in both stores, so it’s unlikely your idea will be completely unique.

    1. TALK TO POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

    Ask family and friends for their honest feedback. If you plan to sell your app, ask them if it’s something they’d be willing to pay for. If so, how much? Would they make in-app purchases? What similar products do they use now? What are all the hurdles for them to switch to your app (i.e., lost historical data, leaving a social network behind)? Would they be willing to switch anyway?

    1. CONSIDER YOUR BUSINESS MODEL

    How will your app make money? Around 90% of revenue earned in the app stores comes through in-app purchases. How does your app fit into this model? Whether you will charge people to download your app? Will the app be free but have advertising? If so, then how will that advertising fit within the overall experience? Do you intend to build an audience and later try to monetize that audience? If so, you’d probably need to raise several rounds of venture capital like Snapchat or Pinterest, for example.

    1. DEFINE YOUR VALUE PROPOSITION

    How unique is your app and what it offers? The simpler it is to explain, the easier it will be for your audience to understand it. The more unique it is, the more likely customers will seek it out after you launch. 

    1. ASSEMBLE YOUR TEAM

    In the competitive app landscape, having proven talent, both in design and development, is critical. Inorder To find a good talented designer, start by reviewing portfolios and looking for previous work that’s a visual fit with what you’re trying to achieve. 

    Design is more complex than simply the look of the app. The user experience is just as important or possibly even more important than the way it looks. Take the time to download and try out apps your potential designers have built. Are they easy to understand? Can you grasp how to use them quickly? Do they confuse you? Googles mobile App guide has tips on how to create a great user experience. 

    One of the best ways to determine the skill set of  a potential developer is to review code they’ve written. You can also ask them to work on logic and coding tasks to see how they perform. Be sure to take a look at their portfolio. Download and just play with apps they’ve built and test them out. Do they require similar skills to what you’re building? Are they fast to load and interact with? Are there any bugs? If so, ask the developer about it. There could be an explanation why, such as a new operating system has been released or the client didn’t have the budget to fix it. If you don’t have the technical expertise to review their work, try to find a friend or colleague with a computer science background to help you. If that’s not an option, you can hire an experienced project or product manager to help you recruit a great developer.

    1. SET A BUDGET

    Make sure you have a realistic budget with room to spare. It’s a good idea to allocate as much as 30% of the total for contingencies. In addition, you’ll need to set aside money to work on iterations of your app. It’s unlikely the first version of your app will be perfect, so expect to continue to refine it. After your first release, you’ll have meaningful feedback from users you can leverage for the next version. 

    1. MARKET YOUR APP

    Once you have the right app for your target market, it’s time to get the word out about it. Because the app stores have almost twice as many apps today as they did just 18 months ago, it can be challenging to get noticed. If there is a niche your product will appeal to? Start there and look to build advocates within that audience. Advocates can help you spread the word and break into larger markets. 

    1. KEEP INNOVATING

    No app is ever complete. Listen to your users and find out what they’re asking for. Keep a running wish list of features you can build when you have time. Also be sure to plan to make changes each year when there are updates to the operating systems.

    Follow these eight steps and you will definitely be on your way to app store success.

     

  • What is ecomdash?

    Powerful enterprise integrations and ecommerce apps

    Integrate your store with our leading software tool like ecom dash for inventory management, marketing, shipping, accounting and much more.

    Ecomdash was designed from the ground up to save time, improve profit margins and optimize inventory control.

    What is ecomdash?

    Ecomdash is an order fulfillment platform and inventory management that gives the user the option of managing all online sales channels via the one application. It is designed for small to mid-sized multi-channel online retailers.

    With ecomdash, users can automatically sync inventory levels across all channels and customize their inventory rules for each channel. Ecomdash integrates with eBay and Amazon, allowing users to easily list products for sale on both channels. The platform sends and receives data from online sales channels, suppliers and fulfillment centers, giving users an increased visibility over their retail operations. Users can also integrate ecomdash with major ecommerce shopping cart services, such as Shopify and Magento.

    Ecomdash provides training and support both over the phone, via email and a dedicated support site, along with video tutorials and regular blog updates to assist your user experience. The software is priced as a monthly subscription at different tiers based on the user’s volume of orders.

    Here are a few of our integrations:

    Amazon.com, Ebay, Etsy, Sears, Jet.com, Walmart, Amazon FBA, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.co.jp, Amazon.de, Amazon.es, Amazon.fr, Amazon.in, Amazon.it, Rakuten, Newegg.com, GunBroker.com, Shopify, 3dcart, Zencart, Bigcommerce, WooCommerce, Magento, Endicia, Stamps.com, Fedex, UPS, DHW Express, Aftership, Vend, Shopify POS, Shopify Plus, CrazyLister, ShipStation, SPS Commerce, eBridge Connections, and QuickBooks Online.

     

  • What is Graphic Design?

    What is Graphic Design?

    DESIGN • MARKETING

    Graphic Designing is an art with a purpose. It involves a systematic and creative plan to find a solution to a problem or we can achieve certain objectives, with the use of symbols, images or even words. It is aesthetic expression of concepts and ideas and visual communication of using various graphic elements and tools.

    Elements of Graphic Design

    Graphic Designing can be used in variety of image-based designs involving photos, illustrations, symbols and logos, type-based designs, or a combination of both techniques. These graphic designs can include various combinations of the following elements.

    Lines: Straight, wavy, curved, thick, thin – when it comes to lines, the possibilities are limitless. Lines allow designers separate content in a layout or to divide a space. They also guide the eyes of the viewer, or make other elements follow a strategic path for added findability, and can also be used to get the viewer easily from point A to point B.

    Shapes: Shapes merely offer a variety of ways to fill spaces creatively, to support content and text and other forms of content, and to balance a design. Shapes and designs can be created out of nothing, using white space to give a design structure and clarity.

    Colour: Colour, or the absence of colour, is an important element of any design. With a solid understanding of colour theory, designers can amazingly influence a design and a brand, seamlessly integrating colour boldly or with brilliant subtlety.

    Type: Type can be used to transform a message from mere text to a work of art. Different fonts, combined with customized spacing, alignments, size, and colour, can add power to the point you are communicating to the world.

    Texture: Even a glossy and smooth advertisement can seem tangible with texture. It gives a good sense of a tactile surface through its visual appearance and adds a sense of depth, enhanced by the selection of appropriate paper and material.

    Tools of Graphic Design:

    Professional visual designers possess a creative mind with an artistic inclination, and so much more. Keenly the observation skills and analytical thinking are essential tools for graphic design, before they dig into their physical tool kit and touch pen to paper or stylus to tablet. Designers often employ a variety of methods to combine art as well as technology to communicate a particular message and create an impressive visual.

    Sketchpads: It is a traditional tool used to sketch out ideas; it is the quickest way to jot down the rough designs, which designers can develop further using other tools and technologies.

    Computers: Computers and laptops now occupy an essential place in every designer’s tool kit. Hardware such as tablets allow designers to expand their creative freedom and maintain that sketchpad feel.

    Software: Technology has opened new doors for realizing creative vision. Like Specialized software such as Photoshop and Illustrator can help to create illustrations, enhance photographs, stylize text, and synergize all of the pieces in incredible layouts.

    Graphic Design communicates message visually and brands with impressive business logos, enchanting brochures, newsletters with impact, and stunning posters.

     

  • Great Ways To Enhance Mobile App Security:

    GREAT WAYS TO ENHANCE MOBILE APP SECURITY:

    A constant growth in the mobile application development platforms has helped in the simplification of the entire process of application creation. With advanced methods, simpler plug-in and intuitive platforms, almost anyone can now create his/her own mobile application. However, developing a truly useful and likable application is an entirely different ball game.

    One of the most important factors in play for the application development process is the integration of safety into the interface. You want to make sure that your application is safe for the users especially when it asks them for sensitive/personal details such as account password and username.

    Use Encryption

    The use of encryption for device safety is the best way to secure your mobile application. The use of good encryption like that of 256-bit AES encryption allows you to encrypt the data transmitted from the user’s device. This encryption will make it difficult for a hacker to steal and make sense of any data.

    Rigorous Testing

    It is crucial that you follow multiple methods of software testing to make sure that you cover all the important bases. Some of the important testing methods include regression testing, exploratory testing as well as automated testing. You need to dedicate a considerable amount of your time for testing while preparing a timeline for the application development. Evidently, it is better to test on the go than dedicate a time towards the end since it helps in solving the issues faster.

    Prototyping

    Prototyping is a fantastic way to keep track of your progress. By making prototype application as you go about developing the application, you are creating restore points for the application. In case addition of a particular function or a feature fails, you can pick up the application development process from the last successful prototype.

    Use Reliable Certificates From The Device

    Make sure you develop your application for a variety of mobile devices. You must mention the name of the devices in the application description in case your application does not support a particular range of devices. The use of certificates from the device will help your application integrate its source code with the hardware architecture a little better.

    Roll-out Updates Regularly

    Minor modifications to the source code of the application on a regular basis will help you keep the chances of penetration to a minimum. You must not bug the users with constant updates, rather roll out a monthly update for the addition of functionality or removal of bugs.

    Remote Data Wipe Feature

    This feature if enabled on the device, allows the user to erase his/her personal data from the application in case he/she loses the device.

    If you are looking for highly secure mobile app for your eCommerce, it is a must for you to get in touch with experienced mobile app development professionals who can bring a great long lasting change in your business.

     

  • ECommerce Marketing

    Want to increase your sales? Build out a website that reflects back to your buyers the personas they identify with.
    That’s step number one. But it isn’t the only step. Once you get a site up and live, you must understand:
    1. How to drive traffic
    2. How to convert that traffic
    3. How to bring people back
    4. How to measure and report
    5. How to repeat that success
    This post will teach you exactly how to do that, subsequently increasing sales, revenue and customer loyalty. Here are a few things you’ll discover.
    How to Drive Ecommerce Traffic and Convert Customers
    • What is the 10x content and why it is crucial for increasing your search rankings to drive traffic to your website?
    • How to use industry influencers to grow sales through search engine optimization.
    • The importance of mobile and social optimization (89% of smartphone usage is spent on social media apps!) for sales.
    • Why you should follow your competition’s most engaged users.
    • What Phrase Match Keywords are –– and why you’ll get more bang for your buck with them than with Brand Match or Modified Broad Match keywords.
    • Why segmenting your Google Shopping traffic can lead to significant uplift.
    • The importance of reviewing your site search report once a month and querying your own site for at least the top 20 most common searches.
    • How to use psychological triggers to increase and drive conversions.
    • Why the internet is a lot like online dating [i.e. test, iterate, test again].
    • The value of buyer personas and why you should break your analytics efforts down into multiple segments of visitors.
    • What Google Analytic’s Model Comparison Tool is, and when [also why] to use it.
    This is us leading you to the ecommerce waters – it’s now up to you to drink.
    How to Drive Traffic to Your Online Store
    In the online retail world, traffic is the foundation of your brand’s success. If you can’t drive traffic to your site, conversion and analytics (the second and third tactics) won’t matter. But, how exactly do you increase ecommerce traffic? A variety of ways. Today, we’ll be covering:
    • Search Engine Optimization: The strategy to increase net new organic (non-paid) traffic over time.
    • Social Media and Social Media Strategy: The strategy to engage with your audience on social media platforms to bring them and their friends back to your site.
    • Ad Words/PPC: The strategy of paid placement across the web to earn net new traffic and re-capture visitors who bounced.
    • Google Shopping: The strategy of using Google Shopping to earn middle and bottom of funnel traffic (i.e. high-converting traffic).
    Let’s dive in.
    1. Search engine optimization.
    In my mind, there have been three major phases in SEO.
    1. In the first phase, it was all about metadata, keyword density and basic structure. Search engines were simpler back then and easier to fool. It was possible for startups to compete with industry heavyweights.
    2. The second phase added a new emphasis on unique, quality content and inbound links. This phase gave birth to the ‘Content is King’ movement.
    3. The third phase, the current phase, is the most virtuous of all. To compete with big box chains as a small-to-mid-sized ecommerce retailer, you now have to create what experts call 10x content –– content so meaningful, unique, comprehensive and shareable that it’s ten times better than anything else someone could read on your chosen subject.
    You also have to prove to search engines that you’re a contributing, relevant and respected player in your industry community.
    Easy, right? Let’s walk through how to optimize your site to increase traffic.
    There are 4 main ways.
    1. Architecture, links, general content
    2. 10x content
    3. Community influencer status
    4. Links (again, because it’s that important)
    Architecture, Links, General Content
    Everything from the first two phases is still important.
    In fact, without solid site architecture, unique content and a paddock of quality inbound links, you can’t even get a seat at the table.
    Think about all those SEO basics as a qualifying competition you have to win to prove you deserve a chance at the Olympics –– or at even playing the game.If you fail to perfect these basics, you likely will not qualify for further consideration in the minds of the search engines.
    These are the bones of your site –– and they need to be strong.

    10 x content can take the form of:
    • User guides
    • Videos
    • Deconstructions
    • Ebooks
    • Definitive essays and/or explainers
    The list goes on and on, and is added to every day by the cleverest and the most hungry.10x content needs to have a fresh angle, a wealth of expertise and style, and obviously, overwhelming value.You’ve got to become one of those hard-charging expert innovators, and it’s not easy.That’s why athletes need coaches and successful businesspeople need mentors. It takes a community to build this kind of content and expertise.
    And, the hard truth is that if you can’t become this kind of an expert, then you probably don’t deserve to rank highly for your keywords.
    Invest in Google Ad Words and pay-per-click advertising.
    The fastest way to drive traffic to your online store — and the kind that will drive conversions — is to pay for it.
    But pay-per-click advertising is a subtle art, especially when you’re trying to compete on unequal terms with a big-box retailer.