Today, it is difficult to predict exactly what the future will look like. However, suppose the current trends in mobile app development persist. In that case, it may be easier to draw some conclusions about what changes will occur by 2024, and this is the main purpose of the present paper.
Key Developments Shaping 2024
The first critical change that is expected in 2024 is the growing importance of artificial intelligence. In specific, it is anticipated that mobile apps will become smarter as AI will help designers develop programs that are capable are understanding clients’ experiences. It is possible due to special algorithms that improve personalization. According to the forecasts of Grand View Research, by 2025, the global market of AI in mobile apps will reach $118.6 billion, and it will grow fast.
Augmented Reality Takes Center Stage
Augmented reality is another technology that is likely to be increasingly used in mobile app development. In 2024, the use of AR will have become more advanced, and such apps will be more prevalent on the market. For example, it will be possible to try on a dress without visiting the shop or see how specific furniture will look in a room.
Cloud Computing and Scalability in Apps
The tendency of cloud-based apps to appear will take mobile app development on the storm in 2024. Clouding computing can allow apps to store data and run processes in the cloud instead of on devices. Such tendency can increase the effectiveness and scalability of mobile apps, providing developers with an opportunity to update and release a new feature. As proved by ResearchAndMarkets, the cloud app market will grow at a CAGR of 21% between 2020 and 2025. Thus, bolstering the clouding computing in mobile app development.
Cross-Platform Development for Wider Reach
Cross-platform app development will also define the trend in 2024. Due to the tendency of global businesses to reach out to a broader audience, the demand for the app to operate seamlessly across multiple platforms will rise continually. Development frameworks, such as React Native or Flutter, will become increasingly popular with allowing developers to create applications for both iOS and Android by using a single codebase. Statista revealed that cross-platform app development would contribute to more than 30% of all mobile app development by 2024. Thus, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Prioritizing Mobile Security
Finally, with the increasing focus on mobile security, developers will also predominantly implement security consideration in their app. As concerned with cyber threats, mobile devices are becoming more vulnerable. As for this, the main trends with the respect to this in 2024 would include data encryption, secure authentication methods, and continuous regular security updates. According to the report by the Ponemon Institute, an average cost of a data breach will reach $4.24 million in 2024. Such a tendency stresses the necessity of investing in security to protect user data and yield their trust.
Impact of 5G Technology on Mobile Apps
The mobile app trend that will have a substantial impact in 2024 is 5G technology. Its penetration into the market will provide developers with unlimited opportunities to design extremely sophisticated products because of the high speed of 5G networks and low latency. This will enable the use of higher quality streaming, real-time gaming, and improved AR. According to Ericsson’s new report, 5G subscriptions will cover as many as 3.5 billion people by 2026. This information demonstrates the fact that 5G will be widely distributed and have numerous implications for mobile apps.
Enhanced Personalization with AI and Analytics
The significant area of focus for mobile app developers will be mobile app personalization. By 2024, users will expect the app to be more personal and understand their specific needs, delivering the information and content accordingly. Using personalization based on AI and analytics, developers will be able to create mobile apps that reflect the needs and preferences of the users. According to a survey conducted by Epsilon, 80% of customers are more likely to make a purchase from a brand if it provides personalized experiences. This information is an indicator of the critical nature of customer personalization for app success.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable App Development
The trend to pay attention to is sustainable app development. With the increasing impact of environmental issues on every sphere, developers will be encouraged to make their app contributing to the saving of the planet. Thus, new apps will be designed taking into consideration the color of using battery, slow down data usage, and promotion of eco-friendly app hosts. According to Accenture’s report, 62% of customers prefer to buy from environmentally friendly brands. This means that this trend will determine the success of the app.
User-Centered Design for Optimal Experience
The main trend indicating mobile app development by 2024 will be user-centered design. In order to create applications that provide an optimal user experience, developers will have to pay more attention to creating intuitive interfaces. To accomplish this, developers will need to conduct user research and usability testing to identify user pain points and design solutions that put user needs first. According to the Nielsen Norman Group, this effort can lead to a 50% increase in user engagement. Thus, the concept of user-centered design will become more common, being a prerequisite for the development of successful applications.
Expanding No-Code Development Platforms
One more trend will concern no-code development platforms. As for 2024, these platforms will be used more often since they allow people with little or no code experience to create applications. In this way, the app development process will become more democratized. Companies will be able to create and implement mobile applications quickly through the use of well-designed visual interfaces and drag-and-drop operation. A Gartner report states that these changes will cause low-code and no-code development platforms to be used for more than 65% of all application development activities up through 2024. These innovations will give organizations an opportunity to accelerate their digital transformation, quickly adapt to the changes in the market, and thereby obtain a competitive advantage.
Evolving App Monetization Strategies
One more trend will be related to app monetization strategies. In 2024, developers will use various types of monetization such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, and advertising. App consolidation activity remains strong, and by 2025, the global app revenue is expected to exceed $270 million. However, it is evident that developers will need to pay more attention to app monetization to decide how to generate the maximum value for themselves while avoiding having a considerable negative impact on user experience.
Marketing and Analytics in App Development
Trends are such topics that are of interest to many people, especially, if these trends concern something professionally related. I will divide my analysis into two main subtypes: marketing and analytics.
Promotion Strategies for Competitive Edge
Promotion of applications is an essential part of the development and launching of an application. With the rapid growth of competition in the sphere of applications, proper marketing has become of utmost importance. It means that to advertise their product, developers will need to use social media advertising, cooperate with bloggers and stars on Instagram and other similar networking sites, and optimize their app in the AppStore and Google play market. The survey conducted by AppsFlyer showed that 60% of app marketers are planning to invest in influencer marketing in 2024. This is similar to general marketing trends and a novel approach to app promotion.
Role of Analytics in Driving User Retention
As for the analytical part, the tools provided for a mobile application analysis are crucial because they allow to monitor the app’s condition, track its metrics, and manage future updates following the data acquired during the analysis. By employing such tools, it is possible to track users’ reaction to the updates, rate of user retention, and comprehensiveness of the functions. According to Mixpanel, companies that use mobile analytics tools effectively see a 40% increase in user retention. This fact shows that tools help to have a comprehensive analysis and ensure user satisfaction.
The Future Defined by Technology, UX, and Sustainability
Technology, user experience, and sustainability are the aspects that will define all the trends as the sphere of application development will become even more reliant on the IT sphere.
