The app marketplace is massive, but as many successful apps as it may seem like there are out there, there are many more that fail.

There are numerous elements that go into developing an app, whether you’re doing it on your own or you’re working with an agency.

Some of the most important aspects of creating a successful app, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a startup or a well-established business, happen when you’re in the preparation stages.

Being prepared can help avoid potential development mistakes, and can pave the way for a smoother, more productive and more effective process.

The following are some things to keep in mind, as you’re preparing to develop an app.

Be A Problem-Solver

When you first create an idea for your app, keep in mind that all of your marketing will be centered around the idea that you’re solving a problem or filling a need for your user. Your marketing won’t be feature-centric but instead will be about benefits.

With that in mind, you have to begin by knowing what it is your targeted user wants, and what they’re not able to get elsewhere.

Begin looking at those apps you see as being your competition and identify areas where they’re not delivering what users want. Then, position your app to be the one that fills those gaps.

It doesn’t matter how great the features of an app are once it’s developed-if it doesn’t fill a need, there’s no place for it in a competitive marketplace.

Intensive Market Research

Sometimes with app development, it’s all about the big ideas, and not so much about the details, but that approach can create problems.

Before you start even working with your developer, make sure you’ve done intensive, deep market research, with the goal of being a problem-solver in mind as you do it.

You have to define your unique selling point, and you have to know who you’re targeting and why you’re a viable solution before you can start solidifying the specific features and functions of your app.

Start Creating A Marketing Strategy

A lot of entrepreneurs and companies will make the mistake of thinking they have to wait until their app is launched to start marketing.

At the same time as you’re creating your USP and doing market and customer research, you should also start building your marketing strategies. By doing an internet search with phrases like “Web App Development near me” you can narrow down your choice to one developer or an agency who can help you with developing the app suited for your business.

You want your marketing to be in-line with what you learn during your market research, and you also want to get a head-start so that you can begin building buzz for your app while it’s still in development.

Plan For the Future

Finally, there is a misconception with app development that you do it all at one time, launch it and you’re done.

The better route to take as you’re doing your planning leading up to development is to look at it as something incremental that evolves over time.

Build a strategy where you begin with developing an app that has certain core functionalities, and then be prepared to change those or grow them over time, on an as-needed basis.