Things to Look for in a Good Mobile App Analytics Tool
When it comes to creating a mobile application it is very important that you have a well planned strategy from the start. This strategy has to include a great design and solid development as well. But apart from all this, you also need to use analytics to determine how well your app is doing. As smartphones become more and more a part of our everyday lives, it is quite understandable why developers and marketers have been trying very hard to measure user behavior. So, what can you expect to get from your mobile analytics tool?
1. If you only start worrying about app analytics after your app is accepted into the app store, most probably you are already falling behind. There is a lot of data which can be analyzed while your app is still in its alpha & beta phases which will help you create a much strong and more user-friendly app on release. You could consider using a mobile analytics tool like TestFlight for help with distribution of your beta app and analysis of usage as well. Many developers get caught up with design and features during the beta phase and you will be much better off if you spend this time analyzing data instead.
2. The number of app in app stores today is quite high. This makes the term mobile apps quite vague. There are many mobile analytics providers that cater to specific app verticals. For example, if you are developing a game, you could consider using Playtomic while Localytics would be better if you were building an app loaded with content. Not every app is the same and this is true even for mobile analytics tools.
3. There are analytics providers like Distimo which offer market data. Even though some may consider their services to be a little too expensive, the data you receive is quite helpful in determining how similar apps are performing in the app store. When you have detailed market data at your fingertips, you will be able to take some well informed decisions for your app and avoid any potential mistakes in the future. This will make your app much more competitive as well.
4. Collecting user data can be quite useful. The only problem is that you need to ensure it is accurate or you may end up taking decisions that don't really help. Most analytics providers use SDK for installing their platforms and if you don't install this properly; you may find it being more counterproductive than anything else. Apart from ensuring the analytics tool is working correctly you also need to ensure that it doesn't slow down your app.
5. Lastly, it is important that you understand that there is more than mobile app analytics when it comes to tracking user data. You could check social media websites for relevant information on how your app is doing. Don't try and use mobile app analytics as a single method of tracking user data. Integrate it with other methods and you will better information that will help you make the right decision and see your app grow.