Top 10 Principles for Creating a Successful Web App

Posted on 17 January 2011 | by Christina Quist

There’s a glut of new apps out there. Some are good, some wish they were. An expert shares what makes web apps golden.

According to author Guy Malachi, in the February edition of Website Magazine, here are 10 golden principles for a sucessful web app:

1. Useful- Duh. When I flew to South Africa this summer, I was able to choose my seats online for each flight. That is a successful app. It was useful. I knew in advance I was going to be sitting near the restroom. Hey, I get motion sickness on 12-hour flights. Getting users to return to your app, and better yet, pay for it, defines a successful app.

2. Fast-When I hear my teenage boys playing those murder-for-points video games, every now and then, someone will bellow, “Agggh! I hate lagging!” A successful app will be fast and never lag. Teenage boys don’t have patience and neither do consumers.

3. Modern and Sleek-Icons should be updated, even if it’s something minor. It lets the consumer know that there’s a creator who cares behind the app.

4. Surprise/Over deliver-Who doesn’t like it when you order an ice cream cone and the person behind the counter totally packs your cone full of ice cream; much more than expected. Make an app like that. Like an overstuffed ice cream cone.

Other principles to follow: Easy to use, send notifications, fun, great service, listen to users and update, and monetize your app. For more information, read the full article here.