Designing a mobile app is no easy task. There’s a lot to consider, along with a ton of moving parts. Before you get to work creating the hot new mobile app that everyone will want to download, it’s important to do your homework. Don’t get to work until you ask your client the appropriate questions.

What To Know Before You Design an App

Ensure success for everyone by getting the right information from the start. The main goal you have as a designer is to help your clients. Asking the proper questions will help both of you not just manage expectations, but it will keep everything moving and avoid sending everyone back to the drawing board.

  1. Start by finding out their goal
  2. Delve into the kind of user experience they’d like
  3. Ask where the content will originate
  4. Get an idea about the look and feel
  5. Decide on features
  6. Finally, determine their intended ROI

The intended goal is the most important question to ask. This provides a solid understanding of the client’s goals for the app, and the scope of the product. It could be as simple as improving customer loyalty, alerting users of new products or services or just reaching a certain number of downloads. Whatever that goal may be, your job is to help the client achieve it.

Now that you’ve discussed their goal, start learning more about the type of user experience they want. Listen to concerns. Perhaps they want mobile click to call, or the ability to order pizza with a single text, much like Domino’s. Once you have a good idea of the objectives, you can start mapping out the app architecture, ie the pages and the type of content that will bring the app to life.

Once UX is agreed upon, the next step is to find out where the content is coming from. Does the client have it pre-written or will you need to write it? This can throw a wrench into your plans if you do not have access to a dedicated content writer. Based on the amount of content needed, you may need to push out the deadline for project completion.

It’s now time to start considering the client’s preferred look and feel. You’ll want to deliver a finished product that is consistent with the client’s branding. Create a few different rough designs that all employ their branding guidelines and let them choose.

You’re almost done! Start finalizing features, like instant mobile offers, or anything that is in line with their intended goal. Depending on your goals, you may also want to consider limiting access to your app to specific audiences (i.e members or customers only) or you may request that users login with social media account (like Facebook), so that you’re able to provide a more personalized experience. The level of personalization the app provides is entirely up to the client.

Finally, ask about their ideal ROI. Offer them cost-effective solutions to design their app without compromising quality or functionality. Apps are an excellent way to boost sales and increase brand awareness.

Now that the pieces are complete, you can get to work building what might become the next big app.