Universities across the world today leverage the latest technology to deliver the best teaching and learning experience.

One way of doing this is by harnessing the power of internet technology. This is in recognition of the fact that most of their target population spends most of its time online.

Students today rely on the internet for virtually everything from games, latest news, assignment help on platforms such as Mypaperwriter.com, and much more.

To easily connect with their students, universities have had to up their game in adopting new technology.

Mobile applications have become the easiest way to improve service delivery, improve communication at higher institutions, and do a lot more.

The use of apps now goes beyond admissions and information. The apps can track potential talents, collect career data, place students in the right jobs, boost safety, among other applications.

But how do you develop a great mobile app for university students? This post looks at some of the factors you should consider for such a large project.

1. Identify a Need

Why do you think your institution needs an app? What’s the problem you have identified that needs a solution? The best projects always start with a need, and it is by solving such a need that they succeed.

Don’t create an app just because other universities in your city have done so. Instead, look keenly at your operations and pinpoint areas where an app can streamline school processes.

2. Pinpoint Your Goal

Now that you have established the need for a mobile app, you have to set the goals for the project. The best mobile app development projects should be guided by clear-cut goals.

While there might be a need for a university mobile app (and of course there is), it’s only by identifying the goals. For instance, is this app to improve traffic flow, boost learning during vacation, and identify dining areas or what are the goals?

3. Identify an App Development Team

Developing a university app requires a lot of input from stakeholders. Before you go further, create a small consultative team to brainstorm on the idea.

Your team should include people representing different areas of the university. They don’t have to be specialists in app development but they will add value to the project.

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4. Carry out surveys

The greatest mistake you can make when building a mobile app that will affect thousands of people is failing to get input from the ground.

Your college might indeed need a taxi-hailing app, but what do the students and the staff think about it? There are many ways to carry out research and get an opinion from campus. This information will come handy in the design of your app.

5. Application Target Users

Who are the application target users? Do you think they will appreciate the app? Many universities have awesome apps which no one uses.  One of the main reasons for such problems is the failure to consider the target users.

While the app might look great in your mind, it might not have the same impact on the target user’s life. When you have a clear vision regarding who is to use the app, you increase the success ratio of your app.

6. Do Your Research

Research is a make or break phase in app development. You need to look at what others have done in your field.

Many universities have unique mobile apps and this is a perfect place to start. Look at a broad range of apps and identify strengths and weaknesses.

7. Consider Available Resources

The good thing about universities is the diversity of resources. For instance, some colleges have used student projects like apps and saved a lot of money.

Now that finances might be a problem, start exploring such options and others like app making competitions, using free app builders, and other innovative methods.

8. Get to Work

At this point, you have collected views on your app and you have an idea of what it might look like. You should start with an app design from your students or a professional app developer.

You have to find the right approach for developing an app, be it a Native app, Web app, or a Hybrid app.

Consider the UI design, where you will host your app, usability, analytics tool, conformity to platform design standards.

All these considerations will help you make an app prototype. At this point, remember to secure your app against unauthorized access.

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9. Test your University App

You are in luck because most of your target users are mostly online, and it’s easy to find willing testers for the app.

Make sure the testers fit into your target audience and let them try the app and identify any glitches.

Through Beta testing, you get quality feedback about your app, learn more about your audience, identify areas that need tweaks, and much more.

10. Launch it and Promote

After making tweaks to the app, you can now launch it. It’s advisable to promote the university app heavily among the target users and incentivize downloads and usage.

The university community must feel a sense of ownership if the app is to become a success. After the launch, continue capturing the critical metrics that can help you upgrade your app and increase downloads.

Final Thoughts

Internet users spend most of their online time on apps. These users include college students, and this is an excellent reason to build an app.

A mobile app can help streamline your university operations, build engagement levels, improve feedback, cut costs in service delivery, among other benefits. Use these simple steps to get started on your mobile app project.