Mobile App Performance Optimization: Best Practices for Delivering High-Performing Apps

Mobile apps have become an integral part of every business, whether it’s a startup or SME. This has been emphasized by Thomas Husson, Vice President, and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, “Mobile is becoming not only the new digital hub but also the bridge to the physical world. That’s why mobile will affect more than just your digital operations – it will transform your entire business.”

However, delivering high-performing apps has become an increasingly challenging task for businesses.

It’s due to the growing complexities of mobile app development, the rise in user expectations, and the cut-throat competition in the market.

According to a study by Business of Apps, a study on global retention rates revealed that the average retention rate for 31 mobile app categories was 25.3% on the first day, which declined to a meager 5.7% by the 30th day.

This means that if your app is not performing up to the mark, there is a high probability of users uninstalling it within the first few days.

To overcome such challenges, businesses need to look for custom mobile app development services and adopt best practices for mobile app performance optimization. In this article, we will explore some of these best practices and discuss how they can help deliver high-performing apps.

5 Best Practices for Delivering High-Performing Mobile Apps

Poor app performance can result in negative reviews, app uninstalls, and ultimately, loss of customers. Therefore, it is essential to optimize mobile app performance. In this article, we will discuss seven mobile app performance optimization best practices that businesses can implement to deliver high-performing apps.

1.    Optimize App Architecture

The app architecture is closely related to the app’s startup time and overall performance. A well-architected app is easier to maintain and update, allowing developers to make changes quickly and efficiently. This, in turn, can lead to better performance, as bugs and performance issues can be addressed more effectively.

App startup time is a critical factor in user engagement. Users expect apps to launch quickly, and any delay can lead to user frustration and abandonment. A study by Google found that 53% of users abandon an app if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load.

Best Approach: One of the most popular approaches to optimizing app architecture is the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern.

MVC pattern divides the app into 3 components: model (data), view (UI), and controller (mediator). By optimizing each component independently, developers can create a better-performing app.

2.    Optimize App Code

When an app is launched, the device loads all the app’s necessary resources, such as images, scripts, and stylesheets, through HTTP requests. The more HTTP requests an app makes, the longer it will take for the app to load. Therefore, reducing the number of HTTP requests by optimizing code is an effective way to improve app performance.

Minimizing code complexity can optimize app performance by simplifying the code and removing unnecessary functions, which reduces load time and improves overall performance.

Caching can also significantly improve app performance by reducing the time it takes to load data. According to a report by Google, apps that implement caching can reduce network data usage by up to 90%. This reduction in data usage translates to faster load times, which can improve user engagement.

3.    Reduce App Size

According to a report by Google, apps that are larger than 150MB have a much lower install rate than smaller apps.

App size is a critical factor in app performance. The larger the app size, the longer it takes to download and install, which can deter users from downloading the app.

To reduce app size, developers can use techniques like code stripping, resource optimization, and image compression. Code stripping involves removing code that is not necessary for the app to function properly. Resource optimization involves compressing and optimizing resources like images and audio files.

For example, the popular messaging app, WhatsApp, reduced its app size by implementing image compression. This optimization helped WhatsApp reduce the time it takes to send and receive messages, resulting in a better user experience.

4.    Optimize Memory Usage

Optimizing memory usage is crucial for improving app performance, especially on devices with limited memory. Poor memory management can cause the app to crash or slow down, resulting in a poor user experience.

Developers can optimize memory usage in the following ways:

• Minimize memory leaks to optimize memory usage and improve app performance.
• Reduce the use of global variables to avoid memory bloat and optimize memory usage.
• Implement lazy loading to load data only when it’s needed, reducing memory usage and improving app performance.

For example, the popular mobile game, Candy Crush Saga, optimized memory usage by minimizing memory leaks and reducing the use of global variables. This optimization helped Candy Crush Saga reduce the app’s memory footprint, resulting in a better user experience.

5.    Test App Performance

According to a survey conducted by Techbeacon, 80% of users will attempt to use a problematic app three times or less before uninstalling it.

This underscores the importance of testing app performance and ensuring that the app provides a positive user experience.

Testing app performance can help identify issues such as slow loading times, unresponsive interfaces, and crashes that can negatively impact user experience.

Unit testing involves testing individual units of code to ensure that they work as intended. Integration testing involves testing how different units of code work together. Performance testing involves testing the app’s performance under different conditions, such as heavy loads or low connectivity.

By conducting thorough testing at different stages of the app development process, developers can identify and address performance issues before the app is released to users. This can lead to a better user experience, increased user retention, and ultimately, the success of the app.

6.    Design for Performance

Designing for performance is essential for delivering a high-performing app. Designing for performance involves optimizing user experience, minimizing data usage, and reducing latency. There are several design best practices that businesses can adopt to design for performance, including:

• Using optimized images and graphics
• Minimizing the use of animations and transitions
• Using lazy loading to reduce data usage
• Designing for low network connectivity
• By designing for performance, businesses can deliver a high-performing app that meets users’ expectations and increases user engagement.

For example, the popular e-commerce app, Amazon, designs for performance by using optimized images and graphics and minimizing the use of animations and transitions. This optimization helps Amazon deliver a fast and responsive app that provides a seamless user experience.

7.    Update the App Regularly

Updating the app regularly is essential for delivering a high-performing app. Regular updates can help fix bugs, improve app performance, and introduce new features that can improve user engagement.

For example, the popular social media app, Facebook, updates its app regularly to improve app performance and introduce new features. This optimization has helped Facebook maintain a large user base and increase user engagement.

By updating the app regularly, businesses can ensure that the app stays relevant and meets users’ expectations. Regular updates can also help businesses stay ahead of the competition and retain their user base.

Conclusion

Ensuring high performance is crucial for mobile apps to remain competitive and retain users. With the ever-evolving technologies and changing user expectations, it is essential to adopt the best practices for mobile app performance optimization.

A trusted software development company can help you achieve optimal performance and deliver seamless user experiences. Implementing strategies such as efficient coding, responsive design, and regular testing can significantly improve app performance.

By prioritizing performance optimization, you can not only enhance your app’s usability but also increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Don’t overlook the importance of mobile app performance optimization, and partner with a trusted software development company for the best results.