What Are The Most Popular Apps in Australia and What Can We Learn From Them?

As we have discussed in a previous GYA blog article, apps are popular digital tool used by entrepreneurs and business owners to kickstart or enhance their business model. Over the past decade, apps have consistently increased in popularity. There are more than two million apps currently available for download on the Apple App Store – and downloads are taking place across the globe every second. Strategic app development is a hugely trending topic!

We’re sure that you have pages of apps already downloaded on your digital devices, and you probably use them multiple times every day. There’s no denying that apps have become a critical part of how we live our day-to-day lives. But, what apps are the most popular, and why?

Different data researchers have slightly varying information on what apps are most popular in Australia – the differing response is a result of how each researcher is gathering their information and whether they consider popularity to be measured by downloads or usage. According to several websites, the following apps are some of the most downloaded and used in Australia for July 2020:

1. TikTok
2. Instagram
3. Messenger
4. Google Maps
5. Woolworths Rewards
6. Spotify
7. COVIDSafe
8. YouTube
9. Snapchat
10. Facebook
11. ZOOM
12. Netflix
13. WhatsApp Messenger
14. Uber Eats
15. Gmail
16. Pinterest
17. Menulog
18. Shop: delivery and order tracker
19. Google Home
20. Disney+

As you can see from the above list, there are many different types of apps that have made the list of most popular. Some of them are social media platforms, some offer practical support/information, and some are entertainment-type applications. Although different, they all make their users’ lives easier or better in some way.

If you really want to get a feel for an effective app, we recommend that you download TikTok, Woolworths Rewards, and Spotify, and then have a browse through each platform. You will immediately notice that these applications are simple to navigate through and have excellent functionality. That’s why they are so loved by the public. TikTok, in particular, is renowned for engaging its users and providing rotating entertainment that is addictive. Woolworths Rewards and Spotify are more-so known for having a simple layout and quick-loading design. While you traverse the apps, you are bound to notice other aspects that make for a pleasant user experience.

How can you make a successful app?

Now that we know what the most popular apps are, it’s important that we analyse them and gain an understanding of why they have been so successful. We don’t want to copy another app – not only is that breaching copyright laws, but the public wouldn’t have any reason to download your app when there is already a perfectly good option (with a longer history) readily available.

We just want to understand what factors and attributes have allowed the apps to trend in Australia. By interpreting these elements, we can identify what the public wants from an app, and then incorporate these ideas into an app of our own. Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself when you are brainstorming app ideas.

• Is it useful for the public?

The most important factor that will enable an app to be successful is whether it is useful for the public or not. When re-reading the list of most popular apps in Australia, you will realise that every one of them has a purpose and function in society. Google Maps, for example, is assisting people to navigate between destinations. ZOOM is helping people to communicate via video conferencing. Uber Eats and MenuLog ensure people can browse and order food online, then get it delivered to their door.

If you want to develop a successful app, you need to think of an app idea that is going to provide genuine benefit to the public. It needs to make the user’s life easier or better in some way. Remember that you need to present an app that is attractive (to get downloads), and then ensure it works well and offers something positive to the user (to get ongoing users). Before creating an app, you need to ask yourself if it is something you would personally download. If not, why would anybody else want to download it?

• Does it function well?

All the aforementioned apps have excellent functionality. If you have ever downloaded one of them, you will have seen that they are easy to use, have fast loading speeds, and provide an enjoyable experience to the user. Messenger is a perfect example – you can send a message to a group of friends and (assuming everyone has their phones turned on) they will receive it instantly. There can be millions of people using the Messenger app across the globe, but there is never a delay in messages being sent. Impressive!

On the flip side, when an app performs poorly, it is frustrating and upsetting for the user. They will eventually stop using the app and find an alternative. If you have lost their interest once, it will be hard to rebuild that relationship with the user. Therefore, it’s important to get your app in top-notch shape before it is published to the public.

• Do you have the resources to maintain and update it?

To hit the ground running, you will need some initial capital. Developing an app doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive project, by committing some time and money will ensure that you can achieve something extraordinary. We suggest getting in touch with some local app developers to get a quote. Bear in mind that the cheapest option isn’t always going to be the best.

Regardless of how well you developed your app in the first place, all apps will require maintenance and updates at some point. As the number of users increases, and things evolve in the digital world, you will need to update your app so that it continues to meet customer/client demand. Apps that were considered to be admirable five years ago are now considered to be old-fashioned.

The best Sydney app development and digital marketing companies won’t just build the app for you and then leave you to fend for yourself. They will be ready and available to assist you whenever you require an app update or regular maintenance. At Generate Your Audience, our app development team stays atop the latest trends and tricks so we can provide the most advanced ideas and technology for your brand.

What’s involved with developing an app?

For people who aren’t technologically minded and don’t have experience in the digital field, the idea of making an app may seem overwhelming. Even though you might really want an app, or have a brilliant idea for one, you might be thinking: Where do I begin? How is an app developed? What is the process for developing an app?

Apps don’t just fall from the sky or grow on a tree. The creation and development of a successful app requires expert knowledge and skill. Before you begin trying to develop an app of your own, there are a few things you should know. While your eyes may be set on the final product, it’s important to bear in mind the process needed to get to that point.

First of all, making a great app won’t happen overnight. Think of Facebook as an example. Although it is currently one of the most used applications in the world, the platform has been continually expanding and evolving for many years. The current Facebook application looks starkly different from the first version that was published – this is because the app developers have needed to continually update and enhance it to meet the requests of users. Even today, there are some imperfections that the Facebook team are continuing to work on.

Another thing to note is that none of the highly successful apps currently on the market where made by one individual person. You should use expert resources to assist with every stage of the app development. We can continue to use Facebook as an example of this. The Facebook company employs more than 40,000 staff. Not all of these employees would be working directly on the app, however a substantial amount of them would be.

Don’t worry – we aren’t saying that you need thousands of employees to make an app possible. We are just trying to make it clear that this isn’t an endeavour you should try to accomplish alone. Unless you are an expert app developer yourself, it is important that you engage with a knowledgeable team who can help to build an effective app.

Lastly, the creation of a great app is merely one thing contributing to its success. Even if you have a high-quality app that beats all others in terms of functionality and practicality, it won’t become popular unless you promote it. Marketing is an enormous factor contributing to app success. The new COVIDSafe app is a great example of this. The Australian Government needed to extensively advertise and promote the app through a variety of marketing channels to encourage downloads. Because they had a large budget for advertising, they were able to generate great awareness for the tool, and the effective campaign persuaded a large number of downloads.

As we mentioned earlier in this article, there are more than two million apps competing against one another on the Apple App Store. To make yours stand out amongst the bunch, you need to have a strong marketing campaign that extends the reach of your brand and ensures the public hears about your application. Some of the effective ways you can advertise your app include: social media advertising, content marketing, SEO campaigns, and Google advertising. You may need a digital marketing company in Australia to help with this promotion and publicity, as they will understand the most appropriate channels for engaging your particular audience.

What is the best app development company in Sydney?

If you want to develop a quality app that will act as a foundation for a start-up, or supplement the current work of your business, you should engage with a team of expert app developers in Sydney. There are multiple app development companies that offer affordable app development and excellent client service to ensure your satisfaction. In fact, GYA is one of them!

At Generate Your Audience, we are proud to have expanded our digital marketing services to include a specialisedapp development team in Sydney who are experts in creating high-performing apps. We have assisted hundreds of local businesses to establish and publish successful apps.

Our mobile app development process is completed in four essential stages: design, development, testing and publishing. The design phase focuses on brainstorming and drafting ideas. You will be consulted heavily throughout this phase. Once you are content with the ideas and drafted design, the development stage will begin. This is largely up to the IT team and developers to build the app from scratch, but they will continue to check in with you and update you on the progress being made. When the development is complete, testing and trialling the app is critical. By thoroughly testing the app, we can identify if there are any errors or problems that require addressing. When noticed, they will be fixed by our team. From there, it’s a matter of publishing and promoting your app to the public!

We ensure to immerse you in every stage of the app development process. It’s your app, after all, so you should get a say in how the final product looks and works. You will have ample opportunity to express your concerns, comments and desires.

If you would like to get in touch with one of our friendly team members to start discussing ideas or learn more about the app development process, contact us today. We’ve already helped numerous businesses and entrepreneurs create effective apps, so we can’t wait to start a new and exciting project with you. There’s no limit to what we can achieve!