Developing a mobile app for business? Factors to look at, before doing so

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Top 5 Mobile App Development Trends For 2023

Small screens are driving the World. Mobile Phones have transformed to “Smart Phones'' with the passing of time and amplifying tech innovations. Previously only simple applications like calculators, calendars, notes, and the like were embedded inside a phone, but now there are more elaborate applications that affect the enhancement of human life in all aspects. Mobile Applications of today are more interactive and packed with values. Since the Digital Revolution began, companies have found profit, bottling their values and services into compact mobile applications that can cover any Human interests from Education, Entertainment, Health, Wellness, E-commerce, Dating, Banking, and much more. The list keeps going on as mobile applications keep revamping with new Technology trends. 5 Latest trends that will be affecting Mobile App Development in 20235GInternet connectivity initiated the global digital revolution. It served as a base that linked people with Mobile and Web Applications and expanded their scope.The 5th generation of internet connectivity has been a trending subject of tech news, as this innovation is finally being released globally. 5G has enormous power to shift the trends of mobile application development. It is expected to be about a 100 times faster than today’s 4G internet connectivity, thus providing high bandwidth, high connection density, and extremely low latency. It will affect the precision of geolocation services and also extend the battery life of smartphones.This innovation will affect the enhancement of functionality of Mobile Applications as it provides a beneficial base to run them and sharpen other existing tech services that support Mobile Apps.5G subscriptions are predicted to reach 1,900 million by 2024. (Statista; Liftoff, 2020) and 20% of the world’s population will be using the 5G network by 2025 (Statista; Liftoff, 2020)Progressive Web Apps and On-demand AppsProgressive applications are Websites that behave like Applications. These are a hybrid between Websites and Apps and are more efficient than traditional Apps.These apps can be accessed by any web browser and save time by removing the installation process. They are fast, reliable, and engage more users, serving as a perfect base for businesses to launch their ideas into the Market. Packed with features but lightweight at the same time, they can run on weaker internet servers, save storage, and have a short loading time. These apps are generating more benefits for E-commerce businesses. On-demand Applications have gained a popular status in the current lifestyle of people around the Globe. These applications connect customers with different service providers and act as mediators between small businesses and their potential clients. The Number of On-demand Applications is predicted to increase with the upcoming years.Edge ComputingData in the current age is the most important driving factor behind all businesses. Edge Computing is the updated form of the Cloud, and instead of Centralizing data, unlike Cloud, this framework brings the Applications close to the data sources.Processing of data at the edge can generate business benefits like improving bandwidth and response time and enhancing insights, which in the long run can deliver unique Human experiences. The most important aspect of Edge is the assurance of security while transporting and processing Sensitive Data. Due to an increased risk of Cyber breaches, the inevitable demand for Data Security is well satisfied by Edge Computing. Applications that are backed up by robust Edge Computing services have the ability to drive and operate heavy IoT innovations, like self-driving cars and Automated Home Appliances. Cloud-based applications are more convenient to use, manageable, scaleable, and increase client reach. The market value of mobile edge computing is expected to reach $2.8 billion in 2027. (Meticulous Research, 2021)IoTs and Responsive DesignsWith the invention of the Internet, the world became a connected place. After connecting people, the Internet now aims to connect devices and ‘things’. Internet of Things or “IoTs” are objects with facilities like sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect them with the Internet and help them exchange Data with other devices.IoTs are mostly operated by Mobile Applications. Their unique no-touch interface can be controlled directly by smartphones. This Market is amplifying in its scope determining the future of mobile apps and is estimated to reach $1.6 trillion by 2025. - apexon.comAnother result of technology innovation is the wide manufacturing of wearable devices like smartwatches and smart glasses. Wearable Devices are prominently adopting wellness applications that monitor the overall health of the user hence newer scope of mobile Application design and development are rising.A transformation of structure of the existing device framework has also affected application development. With new foldable devices emerging, an app needs to be designed in a way that it can function with full potentiality in all types of interfaces. A responsive design thus needs to be followed while creating and shaping Mobile Applications. Technology Innovations  With all these factors influencing Mobile App development, a new series of fresh technologies have also been shaping the future of Smartphone Apps. Beacon Technology This technology was initiated in 2013, but just recently, it has been recognized as a strong potential tool for marketing. Beacons are small wireless transmitters that send signals to other smart devices by using low-energy BlueTooth technology. These signals contain data that can be turned into actions after being received and read by the smart devices. This technology carries a huge scope to improve geolocation and marketing services. Applications that incorporate the Beacon technology have a greater chance to increase user interaction and ultimately enhance the user experience of the related brand.   The market value of Beacon technology is predicted to reach $55,554 million by 2026, Worldwide. (Statista, 2020)Machine LearningFrom virtual voice assistants to chatbots and driverless Ubers, Artificial Intelligence has undergone a lot of development. It is considered to be an essential tool in developing seamless Mobile Applications, minimizing development time, and cutting down human programming errors.It can perform a wide series of tasks like analyzing data and creating design deliverables, UX designers use AI to improve the UX design process and enhance the user experience.Here is how Artificial Intelligence shapes Application Development- Data analysis - Power algorithms are constantly analyzing huge amounts of data and using the trends to predict what the User is looking for in a particular application. AI makes it easier to narrowly target users across extensive channels. Chatbots and virtual assistants - These AI assets make it easier to find information and resources quickly and efficiently, through human-like conversations. Chatbots have become an integral part of most online business presence, thus providing dynamic customer experiences.Virtual RealityVirtual Reality and Augmented Realities are the trendiest subjects of tech enhancement. These two technologies are redefining the nature of Reality. Applications, mostly E-commerce apps have been using them to deliver a more unique user experience. Newer experiences can be created by implementing these technologies that help in generating more application users. With everyone carrying a Smartphone in their pockets, Companies have diverted their market to the Digital Space which is perceivable by anyone holding these small screens. Mobile Applications have gained enormous popularity and are the virtual platforms of Global enterprises. Thus with changing trends, mobile applications whether it's Android or ios are likely to change in order to create newer experiences and adjust to new user requirements. Technology innovations are driving Mobile applications, influencing their Performance and Designs. BlockchainBlockchain is termed to be the most secure technology for Data protection and hence it can be operated into a number of applications from Healthcare to Banking. Its unique approach to decentralization of data removes most risks of Data breaches and thus the Applications that deal with a lot of sensitive data flow can implement the Blockchain Technology to avail maximum security. Want to know more about Mobile Application development like for e-commerce , food delivery, grocery, and more? Connect with Sundew.

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Brand Positioning Strategy: A Guide to Set Your Business Apart

Efficient brand positioning strategy is the secret sauce behind every successful brand.Sure, a great product can attract a loyal fanbase. But when that same product is tied to a well-positioned brand, its success can skyrocket, sometimes a hundredfold!We see it all the time - customers gravitate toward household names over brands still trying to break through in a crowded marketplace.Think of Netflix, Shopify, Zoom, or Stripe—brands that began as startups and grew into industry giants through strategic, consistent brand positioning. Or take industry leaders you consume from, like Coca-Cola, Apple, Nike, and Spotify. What do they all have in common? A crystal-clear brand identity that tells a story, connects emotionally, and resonates universally.But with the term "branding" tossed around so often, you might wonder: Are these just buzzwords? Do they actually hold weight? And more importantly, how can you carve out your own path, not to become “the next Apple or Nike,” but to establish your own big-name brand?So, whether you’re dreaming of starting your own business, just beginning your journey, or scaling up and refining your strategy, this guide is for you. Stick around - you won’t want to miss it!Why Is Technology Key to Brand Strategy and Positioning?In a world where first impressions happen online, technology is the key to getting your brand noticed.But with so many options, where do you start? Here are the top contenders worth your attention and your money!Data AnalyticsAdvancements in data analytics power strategic decisions by providing deeper, more actionable insights with:Predictive Analytics: Businesses can anticipate customer behavior, optimize marketing strategies, and allocate resources more effectively.Sentiment Analysis: By monitoring consumer sentiment across digital platforms, companies can fine-tune messaging, address concerns, and align with audience expectations.Artificial IntelligenceAI has infiltrated every area of business processes, and branding is no exception. Businesses can automate and optimize the following key aspects of branding using AI:Design & Visual Identity: AI-powered tools simplify the creation of logos and graphics, ensuring unique, audience-aligned visuals that strengthen brand recognition.Customer Engagement: AI-driven chatbots provide personalized support, improving customer interactions and fostering deeper brand loyalty.Content Creation: AI algorithms generate targeted content that resonates with specific audiences, helping brands maintain relevance in an increasingly saturated digital world.AR & VR Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) offer immersive experiences that drive emotional connections that should form a primary basis for any brand positioning strategy. Companies can utilize these technologies for:Interactive Product Demonstrations: Brands use AR and VR to showcase products dynamically, allowing customers to explore features and benefits before purchasing.Experiential Branding: Companies create virtual experiences that immerse customers in their brand story. For example, Coca-Cola has leveraged VR to offer virtual tours of its bottling facilities, enhancing transparency and consumer trust.Elements of a Successful Brand Positioning StrategyThe importance of brand strategy and positioning lies in creating a distinct, meaningful space for your business in people’s minds. When done right, it ensures that everyone who interacts with your brand immediately understands what it stands for and why it matters.It’s a strategic process built upon seven key elements that work together to shape consumer perceptions, establish a unique identity, and create long-term loyalty. Market CategoryChoosing the right market category, or even creating a new one, defines where your products or services compete. A strategic category choice helps businesses stand out, reduce competition, and establish authority in a specialized space.Target AudienceUnderstanding your ideal customers, their demographics, preferences, and problems enables brands to craft tailored messaging and solutions that address their specific needs. Businesses can do so by utilizing: AI-powered customer segmentation toolsBehavioral analytics and predictive modelingSentiment analysis through NLP toolsUnique Selling Proposition (USP)Your USP highlights what sets your solutions apart from competitors. Whether it's a distinctive product feature or a unique service benefit, a clear and compelling USP communicates the value your business brings to the table.Brand DifferentiationDifferentiation ensures your business stands out by emphasizing aspects such as quality, experience, pricing, or innovation. Strong differentiation creates a competitive advantage and enhances brand recognition.Businesses can use market intelligence platforms like SEMrush to understand where they stand with respect to their competitors. Resultantly, they can develop data-backed differentiation strategies that can help them stand out in the crowd.Brand PersonalityA brand's personality sets the base for the overall brand positioning strategy as it defines its character and emotional appeal. Whether it's bold and adventurous or refined and sophisticated, a well-crafted personality helps build deeper connections with consumers.Some useful technologies here would be:Social listening tools and AI-driven insightsMeasuring Net Promoter Score (NPS) through analyticsBrand IdentityThe brand identity encompasses: Visual elements - logo, colors, typographyCommunication style - tone of voice, messagingThese consistently represent the brand across all touchpoints, ensuring recognition and trust.Pricing StrategyPricing plays a significant role in positioning by reflecting the company’s perceived value. Whether the focus is on affordability, premium quality, or exclusivity, a well-planned pricing strategy reinforces the desired brand image.What Are the Five Types of Brand Positioning Strategy?Think if we had a Maslow’s Hierarchy, but for branding essentials. Here are the three pillars of successful brand strategy and positioning - Customer, Company, and Competition. By focusing on these three C’s as the foundation, businesses can establish a strong positioning strategy that meets customer demands. This approach also helps them leverage their strengths and stay ahead of the competition. Here are five types of brand positioning strategies that can help you carve out a unique space and connect with your target audience effectively:Value-Based PositioningShowcasing your product as the most cost-effective option or offering unmatched value for the price. This approach appeals to budget-conscious consumers who seek maximum benefits without breaking the bank.Quality-Based PositioningEmphasizing superior craftsmanship, premium materials, and exceptional performance to attract customers who prioritize excellence over price. Brands leveraging this strategy often highlight durability, sustainability, and high ROI.Benefit-Based PositioningFocusing on the unique advantages your product provides that others don’t. Whether it’s convenience, efficiency, or innovation, this approach makes it clear why your business is the best choice to meet specific needs.Problem/Solution-Based PositioningAddressing a specific pain point your target audience faces and positioning your enterprise as the perfect solution. This strategy is powerful for building trust and directly aligning your product with customer challenges.Competitor-Based PositioningDifferentiating your business by highlighting what sets you apart from competitors—whether it's better features, superior customer service, or more competitive pricing. This approach is ideal for organizations entering a saturated market.Each of these positioning strategies offers a unique way to connect with your audience and build brand loyalty. By choosing the right strategy, you can create a compelling brand identity that resonates and stands the test of time.Steps to Develop a Technology-Enabled Brand Strategy and PositioningNow that you are familiar with the importance of brand positioning, you would naturally want to tap into the benefits of the same. Here’s how to start out.Step 1: Conduct a Comprehensive Digital AuditConduct market research to understand how customers currently perceive your company.You can do this by:Performing competitive landscape analysis to evaluate your position relative to competitors. Use tools like Google Analytics to analyze your online brand presence. Identify both direct and indirect competitors, and assess their strengths, weaknesses, and positioning.Utilizing data insights to identify gaps and opportunities in the market that your business can address. These can include unique features, customer engagement strategies, or new services.Using customer feedback, surveys, social media listening, and SWOT analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses.Step 2: Identify Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)Determine what makes your brand unique and articulate how it delivers value to your target audience.Focus on benefits that solve specific customer pain points and set you apart from the competition.Clarify your UVP to reflect the broader value your enterprise brings beyond just features or products. Highlight the pain points you solve, the benefits you provide, and emotional and functional appeal.Step 3: Define Your Target AudienceSegment your market to define the ideal customer profiles based on the following:Demographics BehaviorsNeedsPreferences Use buyer personas to understand your audience’s motivations, pain points, and purchasing decisions.Step 4: Come Up with a Clear Positioning StatementDevelop a concise brand positioning statement that outlines:Who your target audience isWhat need or problem does your business addressWhy your company offers the best solution, based on what makes you unique and the value you deliverBuilding on one of the brand positioning strategy examples we mentioned, Nike instills confidence and empowerment through high-performance, inclusive products. With the push to “just do it”, the brand inspires action and drives social change.This statement positions Nike as a company that, while focused on athletes, ignites an aspirational spirit in anyone determined to power through every challenge.Taking away from this brand positioning strategy example framework, businesses should create an external slogan that reflects their core positioning. It should be both creative and impactful to leave a lasting impression. A strong brand positioning statement should be concise, clear, and unmistakable, ensuring it resonates with the target audience without confusion.Step 5: Test Your PositioningUse focus groups, surveys, or social media polls to gather feedback on your positioning statement.Analyze feedback to understand whether your message resonates with your audience and adjust as needed.Step 6: Communicate Your PositioningIntegrate your positioning into all customer-facing materials, including website, social media, marketing campaigns, etc. You can implement AI-driven content recommendations across channels.Ensure consistent communication across all touchpoints, and train internal sales and customer service teams to align with your brand strategy and positioning.Demonstrate your positioning through actions and customer experiences, not just words.Step 7: Monitor and AdaptUse social listening and sentiment analysis to continuously identify areas for improvement and refine your brand strategy and positioning.Regularly review competitor positioning and track changes in consumer preferences to implement feedback-driven user experience innovation strategies.Set yourself apart in the marketStrong brand positioning goes beyond a catchy tagline or mission statement. It’s about how you show up everywhere. It’s about disruptive transformation.From your core values to the experiences you create, every touchpoint shapes how customers perceive you.Remember, there is no best brand positioning strategy. In a competitive market, consistency is your greatest asset. So, pick the ones that you can use to build the best-suited branding strategy.Plus, make sure your digital presence works just as hard as you do to and leave a lasting impression on your business.

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Future of dashboard. Designing a Business Intelligence Dashboard for Next-generation

The latest wave of business intelligence drives an organization to build a Business Intelligence dashboard or analytical business report. Nowadays, there is no longer a need to engage data scientists or IT specialists to create cutting-edge dashboards which are the catalyst to take effective business strategies. Designing a business intelligence dashboard may sound challenging for designers with scanty technical knowledge, but it is a speedy process.The best dashboards must be dynamic enough to keep up with the face pace of the modern business world. Creating a static business dashboard may be useful temporarily, but after certain times, variables change with the ever-growing new analytics aspects! Design an analytics platform or an up-to-date business intelligence dashboard that gives transparent information about the business operations and status of work to the employees, partners, and customers whenever they need it.Creating Business Dashboards SwiftlySearch-driven analytics allows business users to create charts and dashboards within a short period based on both simple and complex queries. Having access to search-driven analytics allows employees to answer important questions and produce custom visualizations without hassle.Users do not need coding experience. They can type into the search bar and immediately land on an answer along with an automatically generated best-fit chart.BI Dashboards Throughout the EcosystemSome companies have multiple locations around the world and it is common for businesses to employ remote workers. Many organizations work with partners spread out across the globe. It is needless to say, it is a challenge to gather everyone on the same page.Embedded BI dashboards keep everyone on their toes to explore the latest data insights. Business users can instantly share in-depth analytics dashboards in communal portals. With multiple data insights on one page, millions of users stay in the loop and access the interactive visualizations required to make informed decisions.Designing a state-of-the-art Business Intelligence dashboardSuccess in today’s technology-driven world correlates to the quality of the information relating to the business, the client, the competitor, and the market as approaches to the metrics. However, IT departments no longer hold exclusive access to data. With the analytical details acquired from the information shown on BI dashboards, knowledge is empowering users to create their own, interactive reports, utilize data visualization, and spread knowledge with internal and external stakeholders.Business intelligence dashboard design consolidates charts and graphs on a single screen, providing the reader with a big picture of the situation it is assessing. BI dashboard tools don’t have a fixed, determined nature. They adapt to the needs of the people by displaying the metrics relevant to their function, industry, or platform. The Purpose of Designing a professional Business Intelligence dashboard and how businesses will be benefitted?BI dashboard helps users to make better-informed decisions by letting them gather, consolidate and analyze the data, and visualize it in a meaningful way. BI dashboards organize data cohesively through advanced intelligence tools that help you brainstorm various business strategies. With highly visual data representation and tools, you can produce charts, graphs, and other powerful visualization instruments that empower you to interpret the data and transform it into actionable insights that will benefit your business in different ways. To outline the unrivalled value of designing such a dashboard, check out the primary benefits of utilizing a BI dashboard.Trend identificationDynamic dashboards empower businesses across sectors to analyze positive trends related to business activities while isolating negative trends to improve efficiency and a dashboard will allow you to achieve this. A business analytics dashboard improves efficiency by displaying relevant real-time data, making you informed to make accurate decisions that eventually catalyze your success.100% Accurate real-time dataThe ultimate business goal is to get ahead of the competition. It is essential to have accurate data in planning, analysis, and reporting which is achieved by real-time access to data. It can provide instant insights into how your business performs on an operational level.Interactive data visualizationAs more data sources emerge, there is a requirement to compile a centralized point of access where data can be presented in an organized way with instant insight. As humans process visual data faster than written, graphics are the most preferable option to present the business standard information. Not only ordinary graphs and charts but also represent interactive business practices. It predicts outcomes and provides business users with instant, actionable insights.Self-Service FeaturesImplementing a modern self-service design to create a BI dashboard is easily the need of the hour so that the users do not need a versed technical IT skill. The dashboard offers company-wide access to invaluable data-driven insights that people can share swiftly to the contrast of the mobility that traditional data processes simply cannot match.Freedom & flexibilityThe centralized and completely portable nature of a business intelligence dashboard means that it is possible to analyze invaluable business insights from a multitude of devices 24/7. This level of flexibility increases productivity and enhances business intelligence on a consistent basis which is one of the key ingredients of success.Top 4 Business Intelligence Dashboard Best Practices1. Be sure of your Reporting RequirementsWhen you prepare any type of management, financial, and marketing report, the first thing you need to clarify is why do you need to report, and to whom? Knowing who is your target audience will help you narrow down specific aspects of the data relevant to their needs. This data must match their expectations and technical skills. Communicating with different stakeholders gives you a consolidated idea about their reporting requirements.Once this is done, it will be easier for you to choose from lists of Key Performance Indicators (KPI), the ones that will best fit your audience best. It must be noted that the purpose of a BI dashboard is to evaluate your business reality so that the management and the users can make the right decisions at the right time. KPI is necessary to solve the data analysis questions which provide you with a framework and allow you to focus on specific data sets.Analytical: This type of dashboard is engineered to provide detailed data analysis pertaining to data trends. Analytical dashboard solutions place a particular emphasis on measuring data variables regarding time (week, month, year). It considers a multitude of different measurables for the purposes of aligning goals with a performance which are complex and highly focused.Operational: Where analytical dashboards monitor the overall health of an organization, operational dashboards focus on Key Performance Indicators. These will vary depending on the industry and audience (sales, marketing, finance, etc.), but they will monitor the real-time operations of an organization or entity. Operational dashboards will specialize in monitoring the functionality for various KPIs that exist within an entity. Tactical: A tactical dashboard is incredibly analytical and targets several key areas of a company’s internal processes. These types of dashboards offer a great deal of insight into weekly metrics and are pivotal in improving internal formulating mid-to-long-term strategies across marketing, finance, and human resources departments.2. Emphasize a well-organized visual orderOne of the most influential factors that impacts dashboard data analysis is the subconscious desire to achieve visual order. Let’s catch a quick glimpse of the elements of a well-ordered dashboard, engineered for visual success.White Space: White space is a design term referring to space within a presentation that is not allocated to any specific element. It is a space void for all images, colours, text, data, and other visible page elements. You should be keen to take advantage of listless proven benefits including enhanced design and balance, the appearance of sophistication, enhanced readability, and prioritized data elements.Use of Contrast: Contrast has its own unique properties and features which create incredible visual aesthetics applied via a change in the data colour scheme. It is likely to be focused on a “point of emphasis” element. Simple colour and design variations will cheer for a seamless information gathering process.Consistent Alignment: A good default alignment rule is to have your most informative data positioned in the upper left. Knowing what and where to place is as important as knowing what not to place. Regarding that, a second general rule is to avoid the temptation to place diagonal elements, especially those linear in nature, and add little benefit while reducing alignment significantly.3. BI dashboard design mantra: More Communication, Less ClutterCommunication is a science, and the Business Intelligence dashboard design should reflect comprehensive, concise, and fact-based communications. There is a tendency among data professionals of overburdening audiences with clutter.While its forms vary, the inherent nature of clutter will likely always remain the same. It occupies the cognitive space within the mind of the users. However, it fails to have any substantive or beneficial impact. Clutters fail to have a positive impact on an audience as it falsifies the appearance of the data as it looks more complex than its true nature.  Once you select the type of dashboard you desire to implement, you can implement a concise and effective design. While an “easy on the eyes” design scheme may appear tempting, effective communication should always top the list4. Interactive BI Dashboard Design to display crucial Business InsightsWho wants boring presentations and unintelligible analyst reports?  Nowadays, interactive dashboards are the coolest tool to present information. Interactivity is especially crucial to deliver insights in today’s digital world.How to design an interactive dashboard? Here are the must-included features-Click-to-filter to dissect dataShow or hide chartsTime interval widgetsReal-time metricsDrill-down featuresResponsiveness for mobile and webInteractive dashboard capabilities engage users as active participants instead of a captive audience. By giving users control over the data they want to collect, an interactive dashboard encourages the users to explore for themselves. Why do so many BI tools have interactive dashboards as a key feature?  Interactivity adds value and boosts engagement.ConclusionBeing an international award-winning techno-digital design & development company, we create head-turning BI dashboard designs. To ensure sustainable success, your BI dashboards must be adaptable to display analytical business insights that are crucial to ideate your strategies having relevance for the future. The digital world is in a constant state of flux, which remains adaptable to change and makes continual improvements.