Why Designing Your Product Before Developing is Key to Its Success

As someone who has been in the design industry for years, I've come to realize that the success of an app depends less on development than usability. In fact, if you want to create a profitable and successful app, you need to prioritize user experience (UX) above everything else.

Developing a digital product with advanced technology and industry trends is great, but success ultimately depends on meeting the expectations, wants, and needs of the target audience. In fact, a technically simple solution that addresses a specific set of user needs can be much more effective and cost-efficient than a flashy product that misses the mark.

"To create a profitable and successful app, you need to prioritize user experience (UX design)"

That's why I always recommend taking a UX-first approach when developing an app. This means focusing on designing the app with users in mind, and involving the entire team from the get-go, not just the designers.

By prioritizing UX design, you can ensure that users have a positive experience and are able to easily navigate the app's resources to meet their needs. This approach is not just fast, but also cheaper in the long run, as it allows you to discuss diagrams, wireframes, and prototypes before you start coding. It's much easier to make changes at this stage, when you're working on a blank page, than when coding is complete and changes become more costly. Think of the difference between making changes on a building plan instead of having to tear down walls and rebuild.

But the benefits don't stop there. By handling design before coding during app building, you can ensure that every element in the process is properly connected. By identifying dependencies from the start, you can effectively prioritize the workload and become an efficient agile team that can do incremental releases without missing any pieces.

Starting with UI design also allows you to share your product vision with stakeholders early on, with smaller budget requirements. This reassures them that you are aligned before they commit a significant investment. And by designing low or mid-fidelity wireframes first, you can explore ideas quickly without losing too many work hours.

"UI design allows you to share your product vision with stakeholders early on"

But perhaps the most important thing to remember is that app design is a highly collaborative stage. Every perspective is important, and no opinion is dismissed. While you need development knowledge to take part in development, you do not need to be a designer to take part in design. Any team member can (and should) be a source of good ideas. That's how we do things at IT Crowd, and it's a big part of why we've been so successful.

So if you want to create an app that users will love, remember to put UX design first. By involving the entire team in the process and prioritizing user needs, you can create a profitable and successful app that will stand out in the market. A user-centered design approach will help you make sure that your app meets the needs and expectations of your target audience, and provides them with a seamless and enjoyable experience.

"UX/UI design early on can help you save time and money in the long run"

Moreover, investing in UX/UI design early on can help you save time and money in the long run. By identifying potential usability issues and refining your app's design early on, you can avoid costly redesigns and delays during development. This also helps you to stay focused on your core goals and avoid feature creep.

“Designing a successful app requires a collaborative and user-centered approach”

In summary, designing a successful app requires a collaborative and user-centered approach, with a strong focus on UX/UI design. By involving the entire team and prioritizing user needs, you can create a product that not only meets your business goals but also delights your users and sets you apart from the competition. So don't skimp on UX design – it's a crucial part of your app's success!