Searches from Mobile have overtaken those done by desktop, and Google, the world’s biggest search engine, acknowledged this fact and introduced the highly plausible Mobile first Indexing system. Google catalogs vast amounts of information on the World Wide Web and then prepares a ranking formulation for different search queries and keywords. This is called indexing. Previously, this was done with Google viewing each web page or information as a desktop user. But now it sees them through the lens of a mobile user. Nothing on the mobile platform would benefit from it more than apps.
Apps are one of the most preferred options for users when it comes to mobile, accumulating more than 268 billion downloads by 2017, as they provide a higher degree of micro-interactions, personalization, and navigability than websites. But previously, they were just restricted to app stores, but now Google allows you to index your app and lets it appear on the search engine rankings, which would considerably boost the amount of apps people interact with.
This is a tantalizing opportunity for every business out there to augment and grow its business by providing an app to go with its website. But for your apps to either get discovered on the SERPs or more installs, you would need to have a great User Experience (UX) more than anything else. Users, as well as Google rankings, penalize your app success if you don’t have the greatest of UX. Here are 3 powerful ways to improve your App UX and optimize for the mobile first index:
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1) Make for a great onboarding experience:
The screen of a mobile is definitely smaller. Even the smallest of additions can take up a significant amount of space. So choose your options wisely, making it easier for the user to navigate the app at the start. Keep it minimal and only address important information. But that too in a seamless manner. For e.g. the app requires the person’s email address after which there is a verification process. Make sure that the transition from the app to the person’s email inbox and back to the app is smooth. Otherwise, the user might leave the app never to return again. Concentrate only on creating value and demonstrating the great functionality of your app at the first experience, while keeping other tasks for later.
2) Focus on Swipes not clicks:
It’s not just about the clicks; it’s about the swipes, pinches, and twitches that make the mobile platform so endearing to people the world over. Otherwise, what difference does it make that you are using a desktop or a mobile? Finger gestures are optimized as navigational tools within apps. This not only allows for greater functionality and increased navigability; they also serve to make the app feel at one with the user.
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3) Do away with anything that might annoy the user:
- Firstly, Stop with the irritating notifications! Phones are constantly updating the user about things related to a certain app can be annoying to the hilt. For example, like how the eCommerce app on your phone just got 10 new pairs of ladies heels. Or that your game now has 4 extra characters that the user can buy. Notifications are part of the holistic experience about apps. Making sure that the user has discretion overturning them off or stop seeing them for a while is highly important to augment the app UX.
- Secondly, make the search option, your best option! The user would only like your app if it can access something within it that it presumably likes. For that to happen, the search options need to as great as possible. Meaningless search returns are highly annoying to the user. No one is going to go through each of the entries individually. The search should be smart and powered by relevant and customizable categories that improve the results. It should give the user what it wants.
- Thirdly, make an extra effort on the App Icon. While every other thing might be great about your app, the App Icon is the first thing that your user will see when it is choosing which app to open amongst a plethora of other apps installed on its mobile. It’s the first hook and the first place where you win the competition for user attention with other apps. So you need to make it count. For websites and brands, we strive to make the best logos. But scant attention goes into making the app icon great. App development companies need to realize and understand the importance of App icons as important facets of developing the perfect App UX.

Final Words
This article is writen by Henry Kingston. He is a passionate blogger who loves to write on everything that's trending. He is a complete tech geek and when he isn't writing he is busy traveling with his family. Henry has joined hands with various authoritative blogs and is currently associated with PNC Logos, a custom logo design company.