With the advancement in the technology, there is something new created and developed every day and some of these inventions are quite revolutionary. One such invention is the GoLang which is a programming language that has changed the way programming were looked upon. It has created an overwhelming scenario around it because of its various attributes.

This programming language has proved itself to be a game-changer in the programming industry. It has paved new ways for the developers and the researchers to bring on new developments and innovations.

Read Also: 15 Best Programming Languages for Mobile Apps

Why Golang Is Skyrocketing in Popularity?

The 2017 TIOBE Index for Go, shows a tremendous spike in Go popularity from 2016. In fact, Golang was actually named TIOBE’s Programming Language Hall of Fame winner for 2016. This was because the programming language has seen the highest increase in ratings within a short span of a year.

Go’s rise in popularity is also evident from the Stack Overflow Survey 2017. This survey has a sample taken from 64,000 developers. The key question asked during this survey is simple:

• Most Loved Programming Language
• Most Dreaded Programming Language
• Most Wanted Programming Language

Amongst the newer programming languages, the most featured were Mozilla’s Rust, Smalltalk, Typescript, Apple’s Swift, and Google’s Go. However, striking a lucky third, Go, along with Rush and Swift made to the top five list of the ‘Most Loved Programming Languages’.

GoLang has become one of the popular languages in this era because of its simplicity but a newbie in this field might feel that the language is a bit tough to understand.

However, the learning curve of this language is pretty smooth. If you invest some time into learning this language, you can grasp it within a few weeks.

While few say that this programming language is tough to use and way too advanced of its time, but this language is changing the game in its own way.

Let’s see how it is better than the other programming languages in the market.

Abundance of Opportunities

In the past few years, the GoLang programming language has earned a lot of popularity due to its result-driven approach. The popularity has skyrocketed in recent years when the programs are understanding the language in a better way and implementing it for various developments.

There are definitely programming languages like Java and C, C++ which are ruling the industry for years and with their modern upgrades, they are better for the modern day computing and specifically for cloud-based computing.

However, the advantage of GoLang lies in the fact that it is lightweight. The other reason for its popularity is its suitability for micro-services architecture.

Two of the top applications based on this language are Google’s Kubernetes and Container Darling Docker. The language has been successful in making its impact in the field of data science as well which is the need of the hour and the hottest topic in this industry and also in other business segments.

Data science being the future of every business, GoLang is now strongly holding the ground in this segment as well with its various benefits which are highly advantageous for the data scientists.

For all the reasons, this language has taken the top spot as a programming language across different legions and developers in different parts of the world across various businesses. Products like Pachyderm is created with the use of GoLang and also Tensorflow.

Why GoLang has become an irreplaceable Programming Language in this Tech world?

The programming language has been introduced in the market in recent times but in the last few years, it has crafted a niche for itself as a result, exceptional developments have become much more possible for this.

The improvements in various software and reduction in the issues which were long-standing before the use of GoLang made the language irreplaceable in the industry.

Read Also: Everything You Need to Know About Tech Stack

This is a language that the millennial developers are using for its exceptional and efficient usage and the ample opportunities attached to it.

Now let’s see what are the features GoLang that has made it stand out language:

1) Simple and Effective

• The main feature of this programming language which is highly advanced is its simplicity.The GoLang programming language has redefined simplicity in its own way and to another level, that no one has ever been able to think of.
• While most of the advanced programming are filled with complex characteristics, the GoLangis full of simple features. The language has not taken certain features which are there in the other programming languages such as Java and C++.
• In fact, what it has is to remove features which have made this language simple and effective instead.There are no templates or generics in GoLang. The programming language is developed without this, though generics are known for hinting at the basis of various other programming languages.
• However, without this generics, GoLang is much smoother and simple to operate without any complex messages. This has made this a slightly controversial aspect of the language but it has definitely worked in favour of the language and the developers using it.In the recent version of GoLang, libraries can be added from the plug-in packages available for the programming language.
• The libraries were not there earlier and thus it is still referred to as additional features. There is no risk of mismatch of the versions as there is no separate runtime library. GoLang has been developed to generate single executables, and developers can use it by just copying the same. This feature mainly helps in container-based development projects.

2) Memory Management

This language is excellent at managing memories of the software. The programming language has been developed after a thorough analysis of all the other mainstream programming languages like Java, C++ and C, and others and incorporated all their good features in it.

3) Error handing like a pro

GoLang handles errors in a different way than the other programming languages do. This language in its unique way uses conventional functions never stops at providing the error again as the resulting return value.

4) Goroutines is the cause of its popularity

GoLang’s main feature is Goroutine which makes it this popular amongst the developers across the globe. The Goroutine has the capacity to make the experts connect the features and facilities of multicore machines in the best way possible.

5) CSP

The Concurrency model of GoLang is based on C.A.R. The idea behind this is to mislead any type of synchronization which comes via the shared memory within the threads of execution which is prone with error and is a labour-intensive job.

6) Channels

With these channels, exchanging information is really easy on Goroutine. This channel can be used for both writing and reading information. You can create a channel and pass it.

7) Go routine synchronization

It can be used for synching Goroutine groups.

Read Also: Why Should Mobile App Developers Consider Flutter

Conclusion

With the rise in Data Science implications and micro-service architecture helping in making the applications we use swifter and smooth, the need for a more advanced programming language is there.

GoLang perfectly suits this requirement of the new age developers with its cutting edge features and simplicity of use making it a top choice among developers today, globally.

The achievements of the 21st century cannot be mentioned without speaking about Artificial Intelligence technology which has predominantly played as a big root of success.

Artificial Intelligence not just makes computing smarter, but also empowers them with human-like cognition and ratiocination. AI represents stimulated human intelligence, becoming an effective and powerful way of creating brilliant robots who think in almost similar manner as humans.

Of all other industries adopting the technology, banking and finance are also greatly influenced by AI solution over the years. Injected with expert algorithm, AI machines contain features like self-learning, speech recognition, reasoning, error detection and several more.

The result is improved efficiency, cost optimization, reduced maintenance, predictive analysis and ample precision while performing banking operations.

Due to massive promises of constant evolutions and usefulness, AI has entered banking and finance sector and exceeded beyond Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa.

Read Also: Significant Impact of AI in Day to Day Life

In the following section, we explore the impact of AI in banking sector in UK.

How has AI changed the banking sector?

Banking is a work that needs perfection and has little or no space for any errors to be registered; this is why AI has been greatly incorporated in the banking sector over the years to make banking easier and to get the required job done more effectively.

Ever since the incorporation of AI in the banking sector, major impacts and influences has been registered which wasn’t the case before.

Some of the impact of AI in the banking sector includes:

1) Reducing cost

AI has greatly reduced the cost for banking sectors through low value add activities with the use of the robotic process automation [RPA]. AI has helped banks to reduce the time and resources which is constantly spent on the development of a numbers of processes.

Robotic process automation has solved so many previous challenges which are usually faced by banks like difficulties that can be seen in multiple ledgers, systems, and subsystems.

It is believed by many experts that artificial intelligence will save the banking sector an estimate of up to 1 trillion by 2030.

2) Better Management

Before AI was incorporated into the banking sector, many companies turned to bank experts for advice on how they could better maximize their profits as well as minimize their taxes.

This wasn’t always a win-win situation for both parties as most of the predictions which were given by these experts were incorrect.

Thanks to the era of artificial intelligence in banking, customers who need advice from bank experts can ask the AI program of banks about any information or question related to a company.

The banks powered AI program will provide the required information in full report, facts, and references.  This makes management more effective and reliable for both the bank and customers.

3) Building a better customer experience

The adoption of AI systems by banks has equally led to better customer services; banks are now more organized and have a clear idea on the need of their customers which has led to high customer satisfaction.

With the ability to determine the preferences and needs of customers through AI, banks can improve their services in order to attract new customers.

Banks use the advantages that come with having AI in their disposal in order to customize products based on the needs of their customers by analyzing their behavioral patterns through the combination of information from a previous transaction, their search history, social media sites, and queries.

The most popular form of AI in banks today is the use of chatbots. Chatbots are made available by banks to provide aid to customers in order to make payments, check balances, check transfer history, check their balance as well as carry out transactions.

AI has helped banks to better understand their customers which as a result have led to the building of a more hospital atmosphere between banks and customers.

4) Fight against fraud: Ensuring more security

The banking sector has always been a victim of fraud and constantly challenged by cyber-attacks prior to the inclusion of artificial intelligence. Cybercrime is reported to be costing the global economy a massive sum of $600 billion.

This is why so many AI and machine learning solutions have been deployed in the banking sector to easily detect any form of fraud at the exact time.

The banking sector all over the world has taken a step forward to eliminate this constant threat through the adoption of automated fraud detecting solutions throughout the entire banking systems.

Anomalous detection is used in order to increase the accuracy in detection of credit card frauds and finding money laundering solutions.

It is difficult for anti-money laundering (AML) to be detected and identified, but intelligent AI-driven solutions based on data, contexts, and networks serve as a concrete solution to this problem.

In a way, these intelligent approaches also help legitimate transactional activities which are sometimes mistaken for fraudulent move to be identified as legit more often.

Read Also: 10 Best Mobile Banking Apps UK 

5) Customers can now know their future prospects and returns

Through targeted AI solution which is available in banks today, customers can get constant information on the various available updates on offers which are available.

They’ll be able to build on their current assets and also increase their returns. Customers don’t have to start right from scratch because the AI does all the required work for them.

6) Personalized Banking

Artificial intelligence truly brightens up the financial sector when it comes to providing the additional benefits and comfort to the individual users.

In banking sector, artificial intelligence provides the smart Chabot’s which enable clients with inclusive self-help solutions which reduces the workload of call centers. Several apps offer personalized financial advice and help individual users to achieve their financial goals.

7) Automation

Forward thinking industrialists takes the robotic process automation when they want to cut operational costs and the productivity.

Intelligent character recognition makes possible to automate variety of time-consuming tasks that used to take thousands of manual hours to complete the same work.

Employing robotic process automation for high frequency repetitive tasks eliminates the risks of human error for financial institutions.

Read Also: 9 Steps to Ensure Security For Mobile Banking Apps

8) Portfolio Management

Banks are focused to make customized portfolio profiles for the individual customers based on their investment limits, patterns, and their preferences.

AI helps automate the process of building precise and deeply analyzed customer portfolio that resembles the same caliber as human professionals.

9) Enhanced productivity

One of the biggest advantages of leveraging artificial intelligence in banking domain is to experience significant drop in the required manpower.

Using Artificial intelligence solutions, UK banking sector would provide a revolutionary model for delivering solutions where people can use AI-enabled software for mundane tasks so that they could spare more time to focus on the other important things.

10) Process Optimization

Automating the high volume of low-value functions in banking is one of the most outstanding attribute of AI applications in banking.

John Pierpont Morgan who was a famous and influential banker in the United States of America during the 19th and early 20th century began using bots in order to facilitate the automated processing of internal IT requests, including the attempts of employees to reset their passwords which they used for work.

This was a report which was given by McKinsey.

11) Rapid transactions

There are always a lot of customers who need to be attended to in banks; shortage of personnel’s might delay transactions which a customer might need to carry out.

With the use of AI, customers can be attended to without having to displace their selves or wait for long with the help of AI programs in banks such as Chabots.

This increases the rate in which customers are attended to which directly leads to more transactions being carried out.  This also encourage customers to carry out their required banking activities as they know that they can always maximize their time and effort without stressing up to complete a transaction.

Read Also: Everything You Need to Know About Chatbot Development

Conclusion

The banking sector is an industry that needs to be at its absolute best at all time, just a simple mistake can have unimaginable consequences.

This is why AI is being incorporated into the banking sector so that all the shortcomings which are usually faced can be negated with more efficiency. Artificial intelligence technologies clearly have a great impact on UK banking and finance service sector.

In the next 5 years, we will see more banks taking the advantage of this advanced technology to establish a system where humans and AI solutions work together to multiply operational efficiency.

As the investments in artificial intelligence will increase, it will instigate a new era of innovation, competitiveness and profitability for the existing banks, creating better, brighter opportunities for everyone.

Have you ever used masks on Snapchat, found a perfect match for you on Tinder or perhaps watched a movie recommended by Netflix? If you have done any of these before, then you’ve already had a taste of what machine learning can do to mobile apps, knowingly or unknowingly.

A report by Allied Research revealed that machine learning as a service market is predicted to reach a staggering USD 5,537 million in 2023 with an estimated CAGR of 39% between 2017 and 2023.

This is happening at breakneck speed as the number of businesses to adopt machine learning is expected to double at 64% in the next three years.

In the last few years, machine learning has been transforming our lives in multiples ways. Be it through automated surveillance systems, smart assistants like Alexa and Siri, humanoids like Sophia and self-driving cars by 2020, it is pretty much everywhere.

Making gadgets, devices and mobile apps as intelligent as humans, machine learning is a leading component of the digitization efforts being followed by businesses globally.

Read Also: Role of Blockchain in Mobile App Development

With over 90% of CIO’s in agreement with the fact that this level of automation is bound to improve the speed and accuracy of decision making processes, investing in machine learning is this current business landscape is way forward.

Machine Learning Has Infiltrated Various Sectors

Every field including health care, e-commerce, and, of course, mobile apps have found ways to implement machine learning technology in some way or the other. A report by Statista mentioned that machine learning apps attracted USD 29 billion during March 2019.

Using Machine Learning to Revamp Mobile Apps

With cognitive technology on the rise, experts are getting superior at executing jobs via being exposed to relevant data and a bunch of energy-guzzling, cloud-based computer servers that are fitted with specialised processors.

This, on the other hand, has allowed machines to gain senses. Now they are able to perceive, learn and respond as per the requirements of their present environment.

That is a tremendous transformation, indeed.

A lot can be achieved by mobile app developers with the integration of machine learning offerings across sectors. This has been made possible because of the technical competences that mobile apps bring with machine learning.

With such capabilities in place, designing smooth interfaces, improved user experiences and empowering businesses with key features, for example, exact location based suggestions or detecting chronic diseases instantly is a much more seamless process.

Personalisation is the same as the game. It is not just about creating a quality mobile app anymore. You have to do a lot more to ensure that your audience remains loyal to it. And that is exactly where machine learning can assist with some innovative renovations.

1) Personalized Experience

You can benefit from a continuous learning process with the help of machine learning as algorithms are developed to assess data collected via multiple sources such as social media activity, credit ratings that enable pop notifications directly on to the customer’s smartphones.

Users can be categorized depending on their interests. Moreover, by collecting user information, you can also determine the look of your app with the assistance of machine learning by being able to answer the following key questions:

• Who your customers are?
• What do they want?
• What they can afford?
• What hobbies, preferences, and pain points they have?
• What words they’re using to talk about your products?

By structuring your users in this manner, you can identify a more custom designed approach for each customer group and adapt the tone of your communication accordingly.

Here, machine learning allows you to offer your customers with content that is more relevant and inviting that expresses the thought that the mobile apps are actually speaking to them.

Take a look at how these mobile apps are using machine learning to personalise customer communication.

2) Advanced Search

If your goal is to optimise the search functionality in your app in order to deliver enhanced, contextual results, then Machine Learning is undoubtedly the way to go. With the right interventions, it makes the app search more intuitive.

With the application of Machine Learning algorithms, businesses are able to access customer queries and only prioritize results which have relevance to the query generated.

To group articles, FAQs, documents, scripts, DIY videos, etc. into a knowledge graph, cognitive technology plays a vital role that allows users to browse through immediate answers via smart, self-service tools.

The data collected from modern apps includes customer search histories and related action which can later be used to identify patterns of user behaviour, help rank products and services and show only the best matching results to their queries.

Additionally, voice search technology is also a bonus app integration that streamlines the search processes further.

Take the example of Reddit that is using machine learning algorithms to allow their community users to perform advanced search operations.

3) Predicted User Behaviour

By examining a variety of user information such as age, gender, location, search requests, frequency of using the app, etc., ML technology can help businesses and marketers to grasp customer preferences.

But why is this data so important?

The data can enhance your app’s effectiveness and guide your marketing efforts in the right direction to keep your user base engaged and interested in your application.

For instance, your data shows that your app is being used more by females under 35 years in comparison to men. On the basis of this information, you can design your communication to get more male customers interested through targeted marketing campaigns.

ML technologies further assist in crafting recommendations that cater to a more individualised taste of the customer. The idea is to increase user engagement and get them to spend more time on the app.

Here are a few more examples of Machine Learning applications:

4) Relevant Ads

Machine Learning has made display advertising more targeted with messaging more personalised and accurate. The Relevancy Group released a report which states that 38% of executives are using ML as part of their overall strategy for Data Management Platform (DMP) for advertising.

Machine learning enables businesses to stop pushing products and services that have been recently bought by their customers. Drawing on individual customer’s unique purchase patterns and interests, businesses are able to generate targeted ads with the help of Machine Learning.

Being able to predict customer behaviour is a tremendous advantage that can direct promotions through a series of specific communication where the likelihood of a sale conversion is at its highest.

Coca-Cola has incorporated Machine Learning in their user image recognition technology. This helps them to recognise pictures of those products, their own or from the competition of social channels and check the conversations happening around it.

Having this information handy, it was a simple process for Coca-Cola to understand and gauge situations where their target audience is driven to converse about the brand.

This, unquestionably, is one of the best approaches to assess the conversation and serve targeted promotion. This will have an increased probability of being clicked.

Read Also: Why Should Mobile App Developers Consider Flutter

5) Improved Security

App authentication via video, audio, and voice recognition is a key functionality offered by machine learning. This enables users to authenticate app access through biometric data like fingerprint and face recognition technologies.

Along with that, machine learning also streamlines the user flow through simple log-in processes which are secure.

Malware attacks for online retailers in Asia, Europe and North America last year increased 45% resulting in a whopping USD 3.3 billion loss.

Machine Learning bans suspicious activities via prompt detection. Hence, there is no need to constantly monitor or control the app against such unidentified malware attacks.

Major banks and financial institutions across the globe are also leveraging Machine Learning technologies to analyse transactions, borrowing patterns and social media interactions to arrive at credit ratings.

6) Deep User Engagement

In comparison to all apps available in the store, mobile apps that have been enhanced using Machine Learning are found to generate more user engagement as it is able to offer a broad range of functionalities including real-time customer support. This drives more people to use this app on an everyday basis.

By assessing information, businesses are able to offer adequate support and service enabling them to make more decisions in real-time.

AI chatbots, voice assistants are intelligent digital assistants that are features which can be integrated to offer friendly and prompt support to customers. Build-in translators also provide real-time support, thus improving your overall mobile application workflow.

Snapchat is a great example of an app that has masterfully exploited machine learning and augmented reality that enables its members to transform and redesign images using filters.

Top Mobile Apps That Use Machine Learning

Take a look at some of the top apps that have used Machine Learning to their advantage:

1.Netflix

Netflix has used Machine Learning, specifically linear regression and logistic regression algorithms to create customised content lists for its users. Tracking user behaviour and monitoring the shows that are being watched by Netflix users are some of the data that goes into Machine Learning algorithms.

Hence, when users open the app, they are able to browse through recommended content lists that have been specially curated keeping their individual user preferences in mind.

2.Tinder

This is a dating application that helps you to find like-minded partners. Machine Learning technologies helps in finding the ideal match by using data like images posted and the frequency in which they are swiped. This allows the algorithm to understand and puts forward only those photos which have been observed the most.

3.Google Maps

If you are looking to find a parking slot, Machine Learning capabilities built into Google maps will help you to find a spot.

Read Also: New Technologies Trends Driving Mobile App Sector

Key Takeaways

When it comes to strengthening your business, these are some of the ways by which Machine Learning applications can make it more efficient and user friendly.

With its state of the art search functionalities and authentication that is quick and secure, using Machine Learning to revamp your mobile apps is a definite differentiator that sets your app apart from the rest of the pack.

Time has brought us into an era where life without internet is slowly turning into a myth. It is not only difficult but impossible to imagine modern lifestyles without the least aid of technologies these days.

The rapid advancement of mobile technology and smart devices has replaced human involvement in almost every aspect of life. The emergence of multiple smart devices and a tendency for easy lifestyles has given birth to the idea called “smart home”.

Although this new-age concept of smart homes sounds a little confusing and complicated to the people who are not much  used to internet, efficient mobile apps have made this home automation technology easier for everyone.

Read Also: How IoT Applications Are Transforming Industries In UK

What is a Smart Home?

A smart home is another name for home automation technology. Home automation technology is a modern age wonder that allows the home owners to remotely monitor their homes and control appliances like lights, heaters and others.

Being a smart homeowner, you can connect all your smart devices with the appliances and systems of your home so that you can manage everything even if you are not at home.

“Did I switch off the kitchen lights?”, “Did I turned off the heater?” – These kinds of thoughts are enough to distract you from an important office meeting or any other important work.

But with a smart homes, you can keep all these thoughts aside and focus on your work. All you need to do is to peek into mobile apps and check the current status of your home, sitting at your office.

With several interconnected smart devices and home appliances like smart lights, smart locks, smart power outlets and others you can easily set up a smart home and save time, money and total energy consumption.

Apart from that, you can get smart entertainment appliances (audio and visual), air conditioner, washing machines, and refrigerators to smarten up your home.

It is worth mentioning that 22% of the UK households already own smart home assistant devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home in 2019. According to reports, 87% of US consumers who use smart home devices have confirmed that their life has become so much easier than before.

Research says the high demand smart devices for setting up smart homes has made the United Kingdom one of the rapidly growing and the second largest smart home market on the natural ground. According to a research report by Statista, the smart home market in the United Kingdom has reached US$3,934m this year.

And another surprising fact the same report reveals is that the UK smart home market has generated most revenue as compared on a global ratio. The global Smart home market is expected to amount to nearly 27% growth in this year.

Why Do You Need to Turn Your Home into a Smart Home?

According to market research focusing on the global forecast of 2024, the global smart home market is predicted to reach $151.4 billion by 2024. In 2018 the net worth of the overall smart home market was $76.6 billion.

The primary factor that influences the smart home market is the continuous growth of internet users. According to recent research conducted by the Office for National Statistics reveals, 91% of all UK adults use the internet regularly.

All 99% of adults aged between 16-44 years and nearly 47% of adults aged over 75 years use internet connectivity. However, making your home smart has several benefits. We have enlisted below the multiple reasons why you should think about turning your home in a smarter one.

1) Control Your Home Remotely

 

The primary benefits one can get from a smart home are smart controlling and management. Once you connect your home with all other smart devices you can control everything from outside.

In case you want to check what’s pet is doing you can simply log in to your laptop or mobile app and take a glance.

2) Time is precious

Today, time is something that you always need to save. Smart home understands your value of time and helps you in performing daily chores like drawing the curtains, turning off the lights and so on. You command and your home will follow.

3) Reduced Expenses on Bills

Managing monthly expenses is another biggest challenge that every household face. A smart home helps you in saving money by reducing monthly electricity bills. Often we forget to turn off the lights and heaters or any other electronic devices and it remains on until we come back.

Home automation technology will help you in turning off such electric systems if you don’t feel like stepping out of your cosy blanket at night or if you have already left for work.

4) Customizing Facilities

Home automation technology comes with multiple customizing options. You can personalize all the electronic appliances as per your wish.

For example, adjusting the brightness of the lighting, turning on backdoor light at a certain time or drawing the shades automatically and others.

5) Ultimate Security

 

The most important benefit of having a smart home is security. Now home is such a place that everyone tries to keep secure and safe from the outside chaos.

Smart homes will allow you to monitor everything even remotely and keep your home safe from small local crimes and thefts.

6) Enable Home Alarms

You can also enable the home alarm to save a life in case of fire, terrorism or theft. Your smart home can send a notification to your dear ones if you seem to be in such trouble or alarm your neighbours for immediate help.

7) Relaxing Mind

 

With a smart home you can get back your peace of mind. Using home automation techniques you can check whether the doors and windows are properly shut before dozing off for the day.

Nearly 72% of US consumers who use smart home products have ensured their peace of mind due to ultimate security assurance of these devices.

8) Comfortable Home

 

Smart homes can also make your life more comfortable than before. You can sit in a corner of your couch and still perform all the necessary daily tasks. You do not need to move from one corner to the other inside your home to manage everything.

Read Also: Must-Have Features In Real Estate App Development

These above reasons are enough to tell you why you should consider smartening your home into a more comfortable, energy-efficient, secured and fully connected one.

Contribution of Mobile Apps in Shaping Your Smart Homes 

Smart home technology is a new-age concept of reshaping your homes in collaboration with high-end technology and mobile apps.

Home automation technology has simplified our lives by connecting homes with smart home mobile apps. Using a mobile app for every task is no more a trend rather it has become a necessity nowadays.

Studies reveal that nearly 194 billion apps were downloaded last year and within the time block between 2016 – 2018 the total time spent on mobile apps increased by 50% while downloading rate increased by 35%.

With this expanding growth, mobile apps are also evolving every day and they are no longer limited to paying bills, controlling finances, booking hall tickets or chatting with a friend.

Mobile apps have developed enough to supervise and control your home – smart home. Many smart homes mobile apps help you in putting everything together and make your life hassle-free.

The ways how mobile apps benefit your urban smart homes are as follows:

1) Optimized Lifestyle

In simple words, smart homes mean more simple life with high automated maintenance. Smart home mobile apps simplify and optimize your life by enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the time and cost consumption.

With smart home apps, you can even keep track of how much time you are spending on the device.

2) Reduced Household Maintenance Stress

Life is uncertain and unpredictable. You might face some urgency at work or you might fall sick suddenly. With smart devices and smart home apps, you do not need to take the stress of maintaining and cleaning your home.

There are varieties of smart home cleaning appliances available in the market that can work automatically on your command and get the work done with full efficiency.

3) Remote Access Using a Smart Home App

Smart home mobile apps will also help to get into your house remotely. Maybe you are on a long vacation with your family, you can still be connected and operate all the smart devices of your home that are connected with the mobile apps.

Anytime you can get remote access and turn on outdoor and indoor light to aware the sneakers around that you are keeping an eye on them. A smart home will take full care of the security of your home.

4) Receiving Push Notification

Smart home mobile apps can send push notifications from time to time updating the recent activities inside and around your home. In unfortunate cases like fire break out or robbery, you can get the notification on the phone if you are not around to take immediate action.

Apart from emergencies, the trivial matters like if your television is on, if your speaker is still active, if your bedroom lights are still on – you will be updated through push notification.

5) Enhanced Centralization

With the help of smart home mobile apps you can gather everything in one place. In other words, you centralize your home. These apps give you easy control to check everything even when you are travelling to another country.

Read Also: 10 Best Real Estate Apps

Final Words

The concept of a smart home has now become a trend these days. The collaboration of mobile apps and smart homes devices are together dominating the consumer market not only in the UK but in every corner of the world.

With every passing year, more and more global consumers are upgrading their homes to a smart and brainy one. As a result, the overall market for smart home is vastly expanding. As per Forbes reports, by the end of 2021 there will be more than 73 million smart homes within North America.

So in the coming years as technology reigns, we can expect to witness significant growth and mass adoption of smart homes with relevant mobile apps all over the world.

The digital world has now become more mobile as a result of smarter handsets and superior internet connectivity. Your smartphone is the gateway to the online world and often the first point of contact when it comes to getting jobs done or even asking a question.

Mobile browsing, in general, has gone up the popularity ladder. That said, mobile apps today play a vital role in the consumer’s overall digital experience. While brands may be under the impression that mobile applications cater to the needs of a very niche audience, new research shows to be false.

Mobile apps are being used by over 93% of smartphone users. So, whether you are young or old, man or woman and even children to a certain extent, if you have access to a smartphone, chances are that you will be using mobile apps, one way or another.

Why Does The Sports Industry Need Mobile Apps?

Even though the popular presumption is that sports industry is that people prefer watching matches and games on big screens from the comfort of their homes, a large chunk of the user-base has shifted to sports mobile apps in the last 5 years.

The report by Statista finds, “Mobile app verticals with the highest install and user base growth in 2018”.

Sports apps have turned out to be the third fastest -rowing app category. Sports and game apps are only behind social, messaging and taxi/ cab hailing applications.

The Flurry report stated that mobile app usage grew by almost 11% whereas overall sports app usage increased by 46% worldwide. The epicenter of growth was primarily seen in the European countries where sports app usage and their average sessions rose by 90%.

With the global sports market flourishing, the spectator segments too will evolve. Therefore, the need for mobile apps in the sports industry to be developed is  the need for the hour.

So, it would fair to think that this is the right time to enter the sports market by developing your very own custom mobile app.

Unquestionably the idea sounds like a wise investment. But before you plunge into developing the app, it would be smart to first think through all the features for your sports mobile apps that will be able to withstand market competition in the industry.

Read Also: Why You Should Invest in Video Streaming App Development

Essential Features of Sports Apps for User Engagement

To begin with, take a look at some of the must-have functionalities and features that will enable your app to remain competitive and be successful in this domain.

1. User Account

The User Account is the most basic functionality that you have should possess but if done right, you can score some valuable brownie points with it from your audience. An intuitive set of navigational features linked to the User Account along with a simple, easy to use interface is a great start.

Extract insights from the user’s navigational behavior and then customize their app’s UX as much as possible to meet their individual needs and expectations. Connect any in-app purchases to the User Account for convenient management.

2. Payment Gateway

A Payment Gateway is a must-have if you intend to monetize your application with in-app purchases. Ensure that your app meets all the compliances as outlined by the government of the UK if you a looking to design and build a solution.

However, you can also opt for ready-made platforms or payment gateways that can be quickly integrated with your mobile app.

These readily available payment gateway solutions are pre-designed to meet Payment Card Industry compliances and at times offer minor customizations to match your app’s branding.

3. Ticket Sale

When you build a sports app for fans, Ticket Sale is a huge feature because you want the fans to purchase the match tickets from your platform. With a payment gateway in place, you can offer your audience to buy match tickets without even leaving the app platform.

Include a feature for your users to monitor ticket prices, availability and stadium seating arrangements before they make their final purchase. This is a great way to monetize your application.

In case you are unable to offer a direct purchase from your platform, you can link your app with third-party sites where your target audience can reach within a few clicks. With every ticket sale, you can earn a fee or a commission.

4. Merchandising and Brand Store

While you may develop a generic sports app, you can still have a dedicated space selling branded merchandise, for example, t-shirts, jerseys, flags, caps, scarves, bottles, etc. of various sports teams.

This can be an additional source of income for your app which can be made possible once you have an integrated payment gateway.

Remember to sign agreements with teams before you start listing their products on your app. With every purchase made from your app or if you choose to re-direct it to their external platforms, you can earn a fee or a commission on the same.

5. Offline Mode

Even though every app needs an active internet connection to work on your mobile device, you can still make specific features available that can work offline.

This can be watching a section of match highlights or similar videos of that nature which the user can download to watch minus an active internet link.

This can be an advantageous feature on your sports application, giving you app an edge over its immediate competitors.

6. Social Media Integration

You cannot do without social media integrations on your sports app because these apps are an irreplaceable part of the modern-day digital user.

Primarily you can use them as your point of user registration rather than making your audience fill out separate registration forms with usernames and passwords.

Plus, social media integration enables your app users to share their favorite videos, opinions, viewpoints directly on their social media accounts. On the other hand, a direct social news feed from top clubs and sports teams on your sports app can be an interactive feature on your sports app.

It can also drive up user engagement of your app with your audience spending more time on it to gather news and share them eventually.

7. Sportsmen/Sports Teams Catalogue

Have a feature section that highlights popular clubs and sports teams, their history, journey, milestone, and any updated news, statistics and player bios. Users are always hooked to apps that provide them with stories on their favorite teams and sports stars.

8. Chats & Forums

Incorporating the Chat feature will allow like minded users to take conversion to individual windows. On the other hand, have Forums will encourage users to participate collectively to discuss the latest updates in the world of sports.

You can leave engaging questions on the forums which can later be an interactive platform to share opinions, perspectives, and viewpoints.

9. News Feed

Having a live News Feed functionality on your app will drive more users to spend more time on your platform. Apart from just news, the feed can incorporate tournament timetables, league points, scores, performance on the top sports teams, players and much more.

It is strongly recommended that you enable Push Notifications on the app as that can notify your users of the latest news and updates.

10. Push Notifications

Push or SMS Notifications is a must-have feature for any sports app as it informs the users of recent news in the world of sports. Keeping them updated ensures that they keep coming back to your application again and again.

Users may forget the time and date of their favorite teams. Ensure that your Push Notification features have the functionality to notify them of these matches of the teams and any other sports events that they seem to be interested in.

11. Calendar

Enable your users to sync match dates with their Google calendar via your application. This way, even if they miss your Push Notification, the Calendar feature will give them an alarm before the match begins.

Plus, having the match dates on the calendar also allows them to plan so that they can ensure free time to watch the game.

12. Live Streaming

Live Streaming of matches and games is a make or break feature for a sports app. You can include it in your premium version where users pay a fee or a subscription to watch their favorite sports events on the app platform.

Incorporate key game-related statistics, player bios, tournament records to make the delivery more engaging and interesting.

13. On-Demand Videos and Highlights of The Match

Upload on-demand videos and match highlights to engage your users on the app. With good quality broadcasts, updated video content goes a long way in building your user base.

Ensure that the delivery is convenient and fast with limited buffering times. Add a download feature to enable your users to watch these videos offline.

14. VRS (Virtual Reality Screening)

VRS or Virtual Reality Screening is a trend that is emerging in sports viewership aimed at offering optimal user experience to heighten customer satisfaction. The option to view the game from multiple angles using a VR box suite can  grab your user’s attention.

Technology is still being refined at many levels. Once it is established, you can integrate this with your sports app and offer it to your customers as a bonus feature.

15. Sports Prediction App

Mobile apps for sports predictions or betting area thriving industry in the UK. If you have the appropriate license, you can consider including a prediction or betting feature on your sports app.

Type of Sports App

Let the need for mobile apps in the sports industry determine the type you add you wish to develop. There are two options that you can explore – dedicated apps and aggregated apps.

Dedicated Apps: These apps are usually developed by specific teams or clubs and are generally designed to engage with their fan base. You will need the support of the team or club in question along with the authorization of team sponsors and organizations to proceed with creating a dedicated sports app.

Aggregator Apps: The name itself is self-explanatory. Aggregator apps are generic and usually cover all types of popular sports, the latest news in individual sports, teams, players, tournaments, etc. These apps are more exhaustive in nature and cater to the needs of a wider audience.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop A Sports App

Assuming that you will be developing the app for both Android and iOS platforms, you need to decide whether you want to build a native or a hybrid application.

A native application is more expensive whereas a cross-platform hybrid version will be more cost-effective. That said, the functionalities on a hybrid app may be limited so do consult an expert before you choose to go ahead with this approach.

If you do not wish to splurge a ton of money, then an MVP or Minimum Viable Product is what you should consider. The benefit of creating an MVP app is that you can keep adding features and functionalities based on user feedback even after the app has been released in the market.

Your development team should ideally comprise of:

• Project Manager
• 2 or more Frontend developers
• 1-2 Backend Developers
• A UI/UX Designer
• 1-2 QA specialists

As far as the working hours are concerned, here are some estimations:

• Frontend development: 600 hours
• Design: 200 to 300 hours
• Backend development: 400 hours
• Testing and QA: 90 to 110 hours

It would be fair to assume that an app of this nature will require at least 2100 hours to develop.

Where you choose to execute your app development process will also be a big factor in your overall cost estimation.

• Ukraine and Eastern Europe: $40 to $150 per hour
• USA/ Canada: $50 to $250 per hour
• Western Europe: $30 to $170 per hour
• India: $10 to $80 per hour

It is best to outsource your app development to a credible development agency especially if you are not in the business of developing software.

The Future of Sports Apps

Digital technologies have disrupted how sports are being viewed today. With people becoming more mobile, the demand for sports apps is bound to rise as individuals want to view their favorite sporting events from any part of the globe.

Despite several sports apps already in the market, there is still room for innovation. Take a look at where the gaps are and come up with a sports app that is interesting and unique.

User-generated content is gaining more popularity nowadays. Thus, to create an app like TikTok with appealing user interface sounds great. Such apps enable users to enact their favorite actors & their famous dialogues. Besides, many people use TikTok to exhibit their various skills & creativity.

In the two years since TikTok entered the space, it has made its presence felt as a formidable competitor to the stalwarts like YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook.

With over 500 million active users from around the globe with a presence in 155 markets in 75 languages, it is the source of entertainment that keeps its audience glued to consume more.

In the first half of 2019, the global revenue of TikTok reached USD 39, with an estimated company valuation of approximately USD 75 billion. No doubt, there is much to rave about this video app.

Let’s have a look at what are things you have to keep in mind, when it comes to create an app like TikTok and also its development process and overallcost.

Why Did TikTok Succeed?

Primarily, TikTok is an innovative music and video app through which users can live stream broadcasts, record short video clips, add favourite tracks, and post the end results on their social networks.

Plus, the editing effects, filters, etc. that is provided on the application is the differentiator and adds that ‘x’ factor to the content being produced.

TikTok, apart from being just a tool to create and share videos online is quickly becoming a platform to showcase new talent that can be highlighted to a huge audience base.

This unexpected success has led to many entrepreneurs to toy with the idea to create a TikTok app clone.

Not sure where to begin? Read on to get started.

What Is The First Step That Can Help Create Your TikTok Clone App?

Before you start with your TikTok journey, you need to find out more about your target audience. It is best to begin with a profiling of your prospective userbase and classify them into:

• Demographic Profiles: Here, you can find out more on the average user age, their geographical locations, the devices through which they can access your application, etc.
• Behavioural Profiles: This is where you need to deep dive and understand buyer behaviour and the factors that can trigger them to download the application. You also need to assess what possible parameters can adversely impact this desire, for example, slow loading times, lack of security, decreasing patience, etc.

Developing a buyer persona is vital as it can help you design and create your version of the TikTok app that can appropriately cater to the needs and expectations of your target audience.

Read Also :  11 Easy steps to create a mobile app

What Are The Must-Have Features For Your Music & Video App?

It is important that you think about the features that you wish to incorporate in your app. For new entrants, it is recommended that they opt for an MVP app that kickstarts with basic functionalities.

The architecture allows you to keep adding more advanced features even after the app has been deployed. In this way, you can assess user needs and cater to them with more accuracy.

The basic features that are must-haves for your TikTok clone are:

#1. Log In & Sign Up

Every user needs to register on the app through a sign up process. The standard process is using their mobile number or email id. Alternatively, you can also link the sign via social media handles to make it more convenient.

#2. Edit Profile

The users should be able to edit and customise their profiles as and when they need to. This means allowing them to change their profile pictures, username, information on the bio, etc.

#3. Upload Videos

The function to upload videos on the application should be quick and easy. Having a time limitation on the length of the video can make the process fast. Plus, enable upload of readymade videos with options to rotate or crop them, and even alter the playback speed.

#4. Filters & Effects

The filters and effects that can be added to videos on TikTok are factors that make the platform so unique. Other than standard attractions like features slow-mo, reverse, zoom or flash, TikTok offers effects and face filters such as cat faces, split screen or Valentine’s day filters that adds to the app’s ingenuity.

#5. Soundtracks

To make their videos a standout, users can add trendy sounds and music. They can choose to record their own voice or opt for their favourite song from the in-built TikTok music library.

#6. Duet Option

TikTok app offers its users to sing a duet with another user. All that needs doing is creating the video and then adding the hashtag #duetwithme.

Interested TikTokers will be able to view this and add their own spin through a duet with you. This feature makes the app more enjoyable to users who really like singing.

#7. Video Editing

When it is video app, then having the functionality to edit is an absolute must. Basic features such as speeding and flipping the video is standard.

You can add some advanced modes like ‘beauty’ that helps smoothen the user’s skin, etc. Have options like stickers, and funny animations as part of the editing console.

#8. Hearts & Commenting

Users can showcase their preference for specific videos that they like by using hearts. It also measures how popular the videos are.

Plus, you can also give a heart to a video and find that it has been added to your profile. Additionally, users can also comment in on specific tabs, etc.

#9. QR Code Scanner

Making the subscription process convenient and easy, the QR code scanner enables users to subscribe to user profiles by scanning their unique QR code.

#10. Geolocation

The geolocation features instantly alert users and displays of any active bloggers who are live streaming from a nearby location.

#11. Sharing

Apps like TikTok can only attain this level of success when users can share their videos. By sharing their creations on other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc. helps generate more interest in the content being produced.

#12. Alerts and Notifications

Every apps needs to keep their users posted on updates, news, trends, etc. For this, a push notification system is the ideal feature.

The functionality can be implemented through Google Cloud Messaging (Android) or Apple Push Notification Service (iOS).

#13. Settings

The settings section is a dedicated space on the app where the user can edit or change their password, make their account public or private, access the help centre, change language preferences or even block users.

#14. Admin Panel

The Admin Panel is the back-end of the application that offers several features and functions such as user management, analytics, promotions, etc. The dashboard is necessary as it enables the admin to generate data and insights in reference to the app’s performance.

These basic features are all that you need to deploy your TikTok clone app. In due course of time with a growing userbase, you can progress towards introducing more advanced features.

Take a look at the recommended list.

#15. Video Preview Before the Registration

The TikTok app has a unique video preview features which even allows unregistered users to view a collection of popular videos. While browsing is permitted, in order to comment, the user will have to ultimately sign up and register.

#16. Location-Based Content

Users can tag their current location on their videos. The data generated with location tracking ensures that users are able to view content posted by other users within the same geographical location. This is an advanced TikTok feature that makes the app quite unique.

#17. Live video Streaming

Even though TikTok does not offer a live streaming feature, this is something that you can think about when developing your version of the app.

People demand to consume content in real-time and starting a live video stream though a social app provides the prefer solution to that need.

#18. AR Filters

Filters that come enhanced with augmented reality can really take your app up a notch. Be it changing the colour of the hair, or put objects over the head, the potential of using this technology is limitless. You can consider building a dedicated AR library that users can access through the application.

#19. Real-Time Analytics

This can be in the form of a graphical representation where users can view live broadcasters within a specified geolocation. It can integrate the data with the performance of the broadcasts through the comments and hearts being generated in real-time.

What Are The Requirements To Create An App Like TikTok?

With your feature list sorted out, the next step is to get team in place who will lead the app’s development process.

You can opt for a completely in-house vertical, go for freelancers or even choose a well-known agency, domestically or internationally. The type of team you select will primarily depend on the budgets that you have allocated towards the project.

That said, the constitution of the team should be:

• Business Analyst
• Project Manager
• UI/UX designer
• Android developer
• iOS developer
• Back-end developers
• Database expert
• Delivery expert
• QA engineer

This is the minimum requirement in order to create an app like TikTok.

Now you need to concentrate on the tech stack. The recommended technology stack should comprise of:

• Kotlin for Android
• Swift for iOS
• Back-end development: Node.js
• Database: Cassandra or MongoDB or SQL or Mailchimp integration

Along with this, the app also need storage on the cloud. For this, you have a couple of options available such as Amazon S3 or Google cloud storage.

In addition to this, the other requirements include:

• Content delivery networks
• A universal operating system
• GWT for better programming productivity
• Video and audio transcoding
• Database management with Datastax
• Easy payment methods like e-wallet or PayPal
• Notifications: Google Cloud Messaging for Android and Apple Push Notification Service for iOS
• Real-time analytics: Azure stream analytics

How To Choose The Monetization Model?

Rather than leaving it for later, it is important to focus on how you will make money with your new app. Selecting the right business model is vital to ensure that you can monetize the app to its fullest potential.

Here are your options.

#1. Fundraising

With the project blueprint ready, you can raise capital through fundraising and investments. Fundraising does not just pertain to donations; it can be a premium model of generating capital for the business. For example, a group of high-end investors funded TikTok with USD 3 billion recently.

#2. In-App Purchase

Once the app is deployed, you can enable users to support live broadcasts with the help of virtual currency. This virtual currency has to be purchase with real money beforehand. You can also allow users to buy gifts on the app with their virtual currency too.

#3. Advertising

There are multiple ways of in-app advertising available. These include:

• Cost per Click: This generates revenue every time a user interacts with the ads being shown on the app
• Cost per Mile: The app makes money as advertisers are charged for every 1000 impressions of their ad being run on the platform
• Cost Per Action: The app can be monetized when the user engages in a specific action like an app install or an emailer sign up

With the business model in place, the next stage is to dig what determines the app’s final pricing.

Read Also : How to create a Video chat App

What Are The Factors That Affect the Final Price?

There are multiple factors that you need to look into when you create an app like TikTok. Elements like platform, design, application features, and a team of mobile developers together determine the app’s budgetary estimates.

#1. Platform

You can choose between the two popular platforms, that is, Android and iOS. Alternatively, you can opt to go both ways as it is key to the success of a video-music app like TikTok.

Having said that, if there are budgetary constraints then you will be left with no option but to choose between the two platforms. The road you opt to travel will basically depend on the audience you wish to target, their needs, preferences and expectations.

For example, iOS was the platform where Instagram was initially launched. Android version only came into existence one and half years later.

There is also a difference in the development time when you compare the two platforms. Experts says that the iOS versions generally tends to require 20% to 30% less time than Android. This is because more devices use Android as their operating system.

#2. Design

Design can be a capital intensive space. It is also a long drawn process as getting the interface bang on can take some time. The key is to ensure that the interface is intuitive and user-friendly. This will drive more users to the app and keep them hooked on for a longer period of time.

#3. Features

The number and type of features, their main components, level of complexity all put together is a key parameter that contributes to the overall development cost of the app. The complex the app, the more time it is going to take to build it.

#4. Development Team

There are three options in terms of development teams at your disposal. An in-house team of experts can the most expensive of the lot since all of them will be direct employees and will be on the company payroll for a long time.

Going with freelancers is possibly the most economical. That said, it can lead to the process becoming more time consuming as they will not be dedicated resources to your project.

Lastly, you can outsource it to a credible agency which is the middle path. While they may not be on the company payroll, the resources assigned to the project will be experienced in the space and will be accountable to the project throughout the development process and even after.

Take a look at mobile developers hourly rate by region:

Region	Average iOS Developer Hourly Rate	Average Android Developer Hourly Rate
North America	$110 – $250	$150 – $170
Western Europe	$37 – $175	$70
Eastern Europe	$23 – 80	$35 – $50
Australia	$35 – 150	$110
India	$23 – 80	$35 – $50

What Does The Final Cost to Create an App Like TikTok Look Like?

Combining all of the given factors, the cost to create an app like TikTok can range anywhere between $46,350 and $92,700 for one or two platforms respectively.

Here is the break-up.

Feature	Time (back-end included)	Cost
Basic features	347 hours	$17,350
Advanced features	194 hours	$9,700
Frameworks and libraries integration for back-end	30 hours	$1,500
Frameworks and libraries integration for Android / iOS	49 hours / 47 hours	$2,450 / $2,350
UI/UX design for Android / iOS	102 / 102 hours	$5,100 / $5,100
Quality assurance (for one app)	135 hours	$6,750
Project management (for one app)	70 hours	$3,500

In a nutshell,

• The total number of hours spent when developing app for a single platform is approximately 927 hours with a cost estimate of $46,350
• The total number of hours spent when developing the app for two platforms is around 1854 hours with an expense outlay of $92,700

Read Also : How to hire an app developer for your project ?

Takeaways

The masses have taken to social media with a lot of enthusiasm. TikTok app can be the right benchmark for anyone who looks to design and create something similar in the space. Knowing the app inside out, its mechanics can go a long way in making your venture profitable.

That said, the point of building something new is to ensure that you offer something to users that they have never seen before. That will be the defining point and give your app the edge that it needs.

The biggest challenge any business would ever face is to stay on top of the competition by staying relevant to customers. Other bigger challenges also include earning customer loyalty, building innovative strategies and keeping up with upcoming trends and updates of emerging technologies.

Embracing latest technological solutions is the best way to overcome all these challenges and achieve business advantages in the frenetic market.

Since technologies are injecting new advancements and trends in our lives, including them in your business marketing strategy is the only way to adapt to changing customers.

Beacons especially stand out as a beneficent for reaching existing customers with effective product marketing content and customized recommendations.

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iBeacon technology in particular shows huge potential for businesses across various industries including retail, entertainment, sports, hospitality and more in UK.

Here you will get to know how businesses can benefit most from adopting iBeacon technology in UK.

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What is iBeacon technology?

As a business owner, haven’t you ever thought of automatically sending alerts and notifications about special offers to mobile screen of people stepping into your store?

Did you ever envision a technology that pulls in data-driven analysis on all of the people inside your shop? Well, Apple’s iBeacon is here to address these business fantasies

iBeacon is Apple’s technological endeavor that revolutionizes the ways businesses interact with their customers (or vice-a-versa) by connecting with the iOS device of users.

The technology detects the presence of an iOS device of users as they appear within the detectable distance from iBeacon transmitters in UK.

in UK, Based on the Bluetooth Wireless Technology, the iBeacon implementation requires two basic elements:

• Bluetooth based iBeacon device
• An iOS device with the brand’s app

The iBeacon device works as a Broadcaster which generates and sends signals to customer’s iOS devices (receiver) soon as they come in its proximity. The receiver then responds accordingly

How does iBeacon Technology work for your business in UK?

Imagine a person strolling to the food market with an iPhone device and comes near local food outlets. In a moment or two, he sees Starbucks app generating certain alerts, suggesting directions to nearest Starbucks coffee shop in, say, 50 meters of distance. He follows the guide and appear at the coffee shop

This is when iBeacon technology detects the customer’s presence through his iPhone app. The app then shows unique suggestions and recommendations about ongoing promotional offers.

The customer feels ecstatic and is tempted to place the order and makes payment within the app.

Easy to implement and set up

In UK, setting up an iBeacon technology to start using its services is affordable and easy. You need a few iBeacon transmitters (3 to 4) that will be connected as hardware to your business app.

The process of setting up a beacon hardware is quite simple and straightforward and be wrapped up with a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier). Once this is accomplished, you can commence implementing the strategic actions, messages and tags.

Setting up an iBeacon technology to start using its services is affordable and easy. You need a few iBeacon transmitters (3 to 4) that will be connected as hardware to your business app.

The process of setting up a beacon hardware is quite simple and straightforward and be wrapped up with a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier). Once this is accomplished, you can commence implementing the strategic actions, messages and tags.

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Personalized recommendations

iBeacon majorly revolves around personalizing the ways customers choose to interact with brands. The world of mobile commerce has already experienced the power of personalization in terms of enhancing brand value and customer loyalty.

With iBeacon solutions, personalization becomes integral as the technology makes offer coupons and product recommendations quite compatible to consumer’s specific lifestyle and expectations.

Thus, beacons can help retailers send personalized, more targeted, efficacious notifications to recommend quality products for consumers to consider.

Hudson’s Bay department stores rolled out beacons at many Lord and Taylor stores across North America in 2014 with an aim to send shoppers location-specific notifications, targeted content and personalized offers.

Cost effective operations

When iBeacon and NFC are both compared for their overall cost efficiency, beacon seems to overshadow NFC. NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range communication solution whose range lasts only up to a few centimeters.

In UK, iBeacons on the other hand can stretch its power up to 50 meters, which means installing NFC in your retail shop would levy higher cost than beacon technology. As discussed, the hardware part (transmitters) used in iBeacon-enabled Broadcast device also appears economic and facilitates low-cost installation.

Improved Sales and Customer Loyalty

Integrating iBeacon technology in your device paves way for better and more relevant push notifications that lure customers into buying custom products or offers in UK. The strategy yields increase number of sales, enhanced revenues and improved level of customer loyalty.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) witnessed more than double fans in 2014 as they rolled out iBeacons in 28 ballparks and started promoting merchandise coupons and seat upgrades via MLB app.

With iBeacons located at fan entry and exit points of MLB ballparks, iPhone users could tap into their MLB app and check-in to receive special offers and personalized content

In-store engagement with data-driven retailing

Merchants can tailor the novel shopping experience for in-store customers using iBeacon apps, which eventually reflects in larger footfalls and bulk sales.

Adopting creative user engagement methods on special holiday seasons, iBeacon broadcasters can smartly lure new customers inside their stores by tracking their in-store movements with data-driven retailing.

For example, Macy’s launched beacons in nearly 800 stores partnering with Shopkick which is a location-based coupon distribution app used by leading retailers.

Macy’s found an unusual way to deliver offline data-driven retail experience in which beacon tech is implemented to track customer movements in store. Based on this data, shoppers receive notifications on special discount and recommendations.

The promise of unflawed customer experience

iBeacon not only delivers well-crafted notification suited to consumers’ private tastes, but it also supports cashless payment, a facility that enables customers to purchase anything anytime without hassle of tangible money.

Aside from this, Hotel and hospitality industry can especially benefit to a great extent when it comes to transforming customer experience.

For example, Starwood Hotels & Resorts leverages iBeacon technology in its hotels that helps concierges make greetings more natural and personal, improves check-in process and keeps housekeeping services tuned to guests’ needs.

The most exemplary guest service at the two of Starwood U.S. hotels will have guests skipping the entire check-in process, entering their room, and using keyless entrance open the room doors.

The guests have a partner app installed on their smartphone and can simply open the room by tapping or gesturing the device.

Lower Advertising Cost

Without employing dedicated service professional such as advertising agency or greetings, iBeacon apps take care of building custom notifications, welcome greetings and offers at the time of check in.

These apps will save a lot of cost rather spent on advertising efforts so that businesses can think of enhancing their existing service quality with more iBeacons inside the store.

More iBeacons translate into more efficient connectivity with customers’ app. Moreover, merchants can target more customers at times with user-controlled, non-obtrusive ad notifications, reducing the overall advertising cost.

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Conclusion

Businesses can unanimously agree that iBeacon technology seems to work wonders by shaping a distinguished method of mobile marketing and reaching customers.

With iBeacons in place, merchants can present users with interesting offers and personalized products on their iPhone device.

Retails shops especially have a lot to gain from installing iBeacon hardware since the technology drives tremendous sales to retail industry.

Businesses are most likely to see immense influence of beacon on customer engagement, retention, purchases and experience at beacon-equipped premises.

In a way the technology also guarantees a competitive advantage over those who are still unaware of its power. The possibilities you explore using iBeacon powered apps are unlimited.

It is therefore time for merchants to boost their marketing capabilities by adopting iBeacon apps in everyday engagements.

Having a great business idea is often synonymous to planning to create a great mobile application for iOS and Android devices. But the challenge is, you are not certain how to turn that one good instinct in your brain into a market-ready mobile app.

Being an entrepreneur, you might not have time enough to bring the idea to life with do-it-yourself technique available from online app building programs.

Fortunately, there is a pool of smart mobile app developers who are roaring to partner with you. You can simply pick a promising bunch and they will save you a headache of all the strategic planning, methodical approach and technical involvement in the process.

According to reports by Vision Mobile, the UK app developer market are forecast to be more than £31 billion by 2025 and the economy will be worth more than £30 billion by 2030.

Read Also: App Development Cost Design, Development, Deployment

For new players in the business, described here are 11 easy fundamental steps to create a mobile application.

1. Define realistic goals

The very first step to create a mobile application is to think of what you really want to achieve and why you wish to build the app. All you need at this stage is a pen, a paper and clear mind before you set out for a fairly complicated design and development process.

A few questions you should mull over at this point are:

• What exactly do you want your app to be like?
• What would make it appear best to users?
• How will it simplify and contribute to the life of users?
• What makes it more competitive than other established players?
• What are your thoughts on app marketing tactics?

For you to survive and flourish in the market, it is essential to define and know where you are headed.

So before engaging with a mobile app development partner, imagine a clear picture of business objectives that are:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Realistic
• Achievable

2. Sketch your plans and app structure

Now it’s time to jump from your confidence about the goals to penning down those brilliant ideas about your mobile app. Here words would essentially be translated into vivid visuals that will eventually help substantiate your dream app structure.

It may look a little wild and fantastical, but this step will include a set of clever ideas about future decisions such as app monetization or reselling.

You can prepare a sketch of whether or not you fancy flashing ads to generate revenue or there will be premium and freemium versions with certain in-app purchases. Foster a clear prospect of what exactly you want to do with your app at this stage.

3. Research

The next is research. As almost every mobile app developer would unanimously agree, there is no alternative to doing thorough research. This relates to both competitors and end users.

Even your most exemplary app idea will have some competition considering nearly 5 million apps already inundating the app stores. Explore the depth and find out all about your rival apps and their success stories.

It will help you understand what it is that makes them popular and what you need to make your app stand out and outshine.

Shift your focus to internet to know if there are copyright constraints or heavy technical challenges. This crucial step will tell you whether your idea is worth investing in.

4. Wireframe and mockups

Deemed as a skeleton of the app, Wireframe is more organized, palatable and presentable version to the original sketch you have prepared in step 2.

It is a sharp storyboard that brings your sketches to life and reflects your clear design ideas along with functional points.What makes wireframes and mockups a crucial step is its importance for the app development process.

You will find many options online for wire-framing tools with handy functionality such as:

• Axure
• Balsamiq
• Pidoco
• Adobe
• iplotz

5. Shape and strategize the Backend

The storyboard developed from step 4 will drive you straight to working on functionality of your app and quintessential components such as APIs, hosting servers, data architecture diagram.

A few readymade do-it-yourself tools may help you with preparing for the backend system. However, in case you struggle to comprehend their technical gobbledygook, its always a sensible decision to partner with professional server and data hosting services.

Its imperative in any case that you create clear and convincing diagrams of backend components regardless of app development methods since they are will direct and guide everyone working on the project.

You can revise and adjust your mockup content depending on the change of circumstances and future technical challenges.

Read Also: Reasons Why Enterprise Needs a Mobile App

6. Test the Raw Model

Engage your friends, colleagues and dear ones in the process and ask them to check the app demo and share their honest opinions. Tell them to be brutally honest and critical as they express their views and critique about the raw app model you have in your hand.

They will tell you how they felt as they navigate and interact with basic layout. Collect all of their views and deduce if there is a need to revise and improve existing design layouts or navigation paths.

The real goal for this step is to keep users in your central focus, adopt their thinking and come up with a final functional brain structure of the app before the design is prepared. Thus, Step 6 helps keep frustration at bay in the later stage.

7. Start Building it

You have the foundation of the app ready so you can just start erecting the entire building. Your team of developers will apply themselves to implementing database, servers and APIs.

While you work on the feedback you got from the early testing process and modify the app elements to include the changes, you should also sign up for online app stores.

Create an account with Play Store and App Store so that, when the app is completely ready, you can launch it in the market in time. This is done because the process itself takes a few days.

Procrastination especially needs to be avoided in case of iOS apps due to their stringent approval process.

8. Design the Look

After the backend system is implanted, it is time to execute the UI creation strategy. Designers should know how important it is to create a flawless, intuitive and responsive user interface because this is what users will see about your mobile application and interact with.

They will judge your app based on how easy it is to navigate, select and shuffle between different UI elements.

Consider the feedback from the testers and make sure the final product is something users highly expect and love. Skilled graphic designers are best solution when it comes to opting for high-resolution skins or visually aesthetic screens.

To save the hassle of making confounding choices about editors, templates and layout, it is better to hire a professional app development company with a bunch of seasoned designers.

9. Test Your App for UI Performance

In this round of testing, you will test your app more sincerely since you have a much polished version and interface in place now. At this point, your app must look aesthetically pleasing with uncompromised functioning.

Check all the functioning screens of your app for its visual appeal and examine what it feels like to be inside it.

A range of UI tests are to run on your app to ensure your app has the look and the feel that meets your expectations. Either you go for online UI testing platforms or assign the entire project down to a mobile app development specialist. They will help you with the final touch, interactions and UX design of your app.

10. Finally, the Beta Testing

You have put your app through various critical funnels to prove you have built a smooth, user-friendly app. But you still need to examine the app’s performance in a live environment.

While Android testing is simple, iOS environment has a more controlled approach. For Android app, upload your app file in an android device and test it in a live environment. You can then monitor its progress from your Android device.

iOS wants you to use a platform called TestFlight for beta-testing your app. The Beta test platform usage is governed by Apple’s strict directions and instructions. But to your advantage, you can have other testers review your app before actually taking it live.

11. Finish line: The Release

Post fruition, it is the time for climax: sharing the creation with the entire world. Hopefully your app will either solve the problem or change and simplify lives.

When it comes to distributing and marketing apps, both iOS and Android are different with Android being a little easier when compared to iOS. You can simply make it live in Google Play store without review concerns.

iOS on the contrary reviews your app before making it live and there is no guaranteed time frame for the process. One way to escape this is to publish it in Pre-Apps where people take a maiden look at new upcoming apps and review them.

Final words

Completing these 11 easy but pivotal steps to create a successful mobile application is a journey you must take as an entrepreneur. Hopefully you will find the suitable app development partner to accompany and guide you on the journey to accomplishment.