5 Must-Follow Mobile App Development Lessons From Instagram

Varsha Thakur
SiteSonic
Published in
3 min readJun 29, 2018

There’s hardly anyone on the planet, especially teenagers, who don’t have the Instagram app downloaded on their smartphones. Instagram rocks when it comes to retention and user engagement. The app keeps upgrading itself based on user inputs and evolving digital landscape.

But, what’s the secret of the app’s mind-blowing success? Let’s explore here -

Solve User’s Problem

Instagram users needed an app to make their photos look more professional and attractive, and share them on social media platforms. The Instagram mobile app features 20 filters that allow users to edit and improve their images easily.

The app solved this problem or fulfilled this requirement seamlessly. So, if you’re planning to develop an app, make sure it solves the problem of potential users. Develop an app free from security issues. It will help improve user retention and engagement rate with your app.

Keep Introducing New Features

Instagram has already reached the billion-dollar zenith. The app may keep making millions just with its current features, but it keeps adding new features to the app to make it even more interesting.

Consider the latest video feature, which enables users to create a 15-second entertaining video with minimum download time. Thirteen new filters are designed specifically for videos.

Next is the Cinema feature for image stabilization! You can convert any footage into a professional looking video within a minute.

These new features made Instagram stand out in the competition surrounding photo apps.

Being an app developer, you should constantly study your audience and keep upgrading your app to meet the demands of modern app users.

Work Latest Device Features in Your App

When the Instagram mobile app launched in October 2010, mobile devices were getting popular among people for taking photographs. Smartphone companies were manufacturing devices with better resolution and both, rear- and front-facing cameras. But, selfie sticks were not around at that time.

Instagram thought mindfully and positioned itself at the intersection of the technology and user behavior by using the latest device features.

So, if you are also developing a mobile app, make sure it is fully compatible with the latest features of smartphone.

Keep it Simple and Clear

A great mobile app is one that understands and works according to its users’ behavior. They focus on a single thing and do it excellently. Forcing people to navigate throughout levels of the menu will make them revolt.

That’s the reason most of the people delete a mobile app within 30 days after installing it. However, Instagram keeps things simple and clear. It does only one thing — image sharing.

Get a Website for Your App

The Instagram mobile app has a website also. However, it doesn’t allow people to upload images on the website, but they can view their images on the app website.

The idea of developing an app website is to concentrate on its core audience and improve the user experience.

So, if you are looking to develop a mobile app that’ll take your business to the next level, keep these lessons in your mind.

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