With 78% share Android dominated the global mobile operating system market in the first quarter of 2015. But iOS is still hugely popular among mobile developers across the world despite having a lesser market share than Android. Apple’s mobile operating system helps developers to get higher returns and revenue by monetizing iOS applications. That is why; most of the new apps come to iOS much before being available for Android users.

But the iOS app developers still need to consider several factors to get higher returns. They need to focus on the quality and performance of the mobile app, in addition to including out-of-box features. However, often iOS developers commit a number of mistakes that impact the quality of the application as well as time to market. That is why; it becomes essential for each iOS developer to identify and avoid these common mistakes.

10 Common Mistakes Made by iOS App Developers

1. Not Switching to Swift

In 2014, Apple unveiled a new programming language called Swift. Apple recently revealed its plan to make Swift open source, and announced Swift 2 with a number of new features. So Swift comes with several features to simplify and speed up iOS app development. Also, it helps programmers to avoid common coding mistakes associated with Objective-C and other programming languages. But there are many programmers who still write iOS apps in Objective-C. The programmers can switch to Swift from Objective C to avoid common coding mistakes they made while writing iOS applications in conventional programming languages.

2. Including Excessive Features

Often developers forget the simple fact that to become popular a mobile application must be designed with out-of-box features, and not with excessive features. They include a lot of features in the application without evaluating their relevance and utility. Instead of enhancing the application’s functionality, these additional features impact user experience adversely by increasing the app loading time. That is why; each developer must evaluate and choose the features and functionality of the app based on the targeted users and expected user experience.

3. Not keeping iOS Apps Simple

Modern users prefer mobile apps over mobile web due to their simple, quick and easy-to-use features. But often developers make the iOS app complicated by not focusing on its design and features. While designing the application, programmers must decide its exact purpose and utility, and ensure that the user can accomplish the specific task without any hassle. The simple design and relevant features will make the iOS app both user-friendly and popular.

4. Using HD Images and Graphics

Many developers feel that to become popular the iOS needs to be visually appealing to users. So they often use high quality graphics and images to make the app more appealing to end users. But the high-end images and graphics make the app slow and increase its loading time. That is why; developers must focus on the format, size and resolution of the images and graphics to boost the iOS app’s visual appeal without affecting its speed and performance.

5. Ignoring the Significance of Boosting Device’s Functionality

While deciding the functionality of the iOS app, programmers forget that it must enhance the functionality of user’s iPhone or iPad. So the app need not offer features already provided by the device. The developers will use the app to accomplish additional and specific tasks in an easier and quicker way. Thus, the iOS app must have a simple and user-friendly interface along with features that boost the functionality of iPhone or iPad.

6. Not Taking Advantage of Device’s Features

Apple regularly launches new devices and updates iOS. So users can switch to the latest version of the mobile operating system to avail several new features and enhancements. The users also expect the mobile app to take advantage of various features of their devices like camera, sensor, Bluetooth and GPS. But while developing the iOS apps, many developers forget to consider the features of iPhone and iPad. The programmers can easily make the iOS app popular by allowing it to access all features of the device.

7. Not Exploring Ways to Reduce Resource Consumption

Modern users hate using resource-hungry iOS apps. They prefer apps that consume less memory, power and data. But many programmers focus only the application’s features, functionality and speed, and forget to check the resources consumed by it. It is always important for the programmers to constantly monitor the power, memory and data consumed by the mobile application. They, however, have a number of options to boost the app’s performance while reducing the resource consumption.

8. Replicating Popular Apps and Ideas

Often developers imitate popular iOS apps available at the Apple App Store. But it is always difficult for a new app to compete with existing apps that offer the same functionality. The users will always look for an app that is completely different from existing iOS applications, and comes with out-of-box features. Instead of imitating existing apps, the developers must look for features that will make the app different from and superior to these existing apps.

9. Not Performing Adequate Test Runs

Many developers feel that mobile application testing is a separate process. So they do not perform test runs repeatedly and frequently. Thus, they fail to identify and fix the defects in their code till development process is completed. Further, the delay in testing affects the new features or functionality included in the application. The developer must adopt agile development methodology to reduce time to market, and integrate development and testing processes seamlessly.

10. Not Conducting a Thorough Research

Nowadays developers have to build iOS apps within a stipulated amount of time to beat competition. So they do not find adequate time to conduct elaborate research before designing and developing the mobile application. But the initial research is essential to create apps that meet the requirements of targeted users, and deliver richer user experience. In addition to looking for innovative design and features, it is also important for the iOS app developers to focus on both competitors and end users. The initial research will further help them to promote and market the iOS app effectively.

Developers can avoid these common mistakes made by iOS app developers by accessing standard best practices. They can even consider using specialized iOS development tools to accomplish specific tasks while avoiding common coding mistakes. However, it is also important for the programmers to identify these common mistakes, and ensure that these mistakes are not repeated.