App categories are essential to consider before beginning the app development process. Due to the transformation that current global circumstances have had – both in the short-term and long-term – it is necessary for business owners and entrepreneurs to be mindful of such changes. Certain businesses, which did not traditionally necessitate the need for mobile app development in the past, may now expect consumers to leave if there is no accessible solution their customers can use. Furthermore, to gain a competitive advantage, other entrepreneurs may search for the optimal types of apps in different areas of their operations.
We collected this guide to provide insight into which apps are proven to generate profit and could be successful in the future.
#1: Super apps
Gartner recently issued their 2023 trends report, emphasizing specific technology trends that may be highly beneficial for the following year. And among other types of apps, Gartner focuses on super apps, stating that these offer numerous advantages compared to more traditional mobile applications. Super apps provide customers, partners, and employees with a tailored mobile experience by delivering a set of core features and access to different mini-applications. These mini-apps are like the ‘Swiss army knife’ of applications, possessing various features that together create a powerful toolset. Thus, embracing super apps might provide a remarkable level of added value to your business while delighting your users.
#2: On-demand apps
In this day of digital convenience, people seek out a timely way to receive services from home, including food delivery, taxi booking, coaching, etc. So many businesses need to be equipped to adapt to changing customer needs and trends. Therefore, an on-demand app’s role is to link the customer and business by allowing them to access services directly from their smartphone. Uber, Airbnb, Rover, and TaskRabbit are famous examples of on-demand apps.
This type of app bridges the gap between consumer demands and business services, thus helping to provide customers with the best possible experience. What makes on-demand services so desirable to users is their ability to streamline almost any task, from ordering food to taking classes. And, as demand for these services increases, so will the level of investment that entrepreneurs are willing to make into the development of new and innovative on-demand applications.
The ever-growing market for on-demand mobile apps is projected to reach a staggering $335 billion by 2025, and users are shelling out a staggering average of $57.6 billion annually. With so much investment from entrepreneurs, there is evident great potential for such service apps in the coming years.
#3: Mobile entertainment apps
Entertainment apps comprise all sorts of programs that are available on mobile devices and offer a form of fun-related interactive activity. This kind of system serves as a tool for content creators, musicians, and marketers that enables them to make money.
There are numerous kinds of entertainment apps, but the three most commonly seen are social media apps, music apps, and gaming apps. Some of the world-known examples include Spotify, Youtube, and Netflix.
The coronavirus pandemic has clearly shown the immense value of entertainment. One of the recently published analyses of the most-used applications in the Apple App Store placed the top five positions firmly in the hands of entertainment applications. So if you are wondering if entertainment apps are worthy of investment, the answer is definitely positive.
#4: Instant apps
Google Play Instant, or Android Instant Apps, provides an alternate option for downloading and installing applications. Instant Apps host only pieces of the application, allowing users to enjoy the functions without taking up too much storage.
When users come across the app in the Google Play Store, they can try it out by clicking on a “Try Now” button, which then triggers Google Play to automatically send out the files needed to run the app’s functions. This eliminates the need to download or install anything, and users can have a preview experience without waiting. So there’s no wonder why such apps are rocking right now.
And there are more advantages on offer. One of them is their ease of testability. Secondly, it is easier for users to learn about new applications and evaluate them quickly. In addition, users are less likely to provide negative feedback since the app requires less effort to be installed or uninstalled.
#5: Food and grocery delivery apps
The demand for food delivery apps is continuing to soar. Statistics suggest digital orders and deliveries have grown three times faster than dine-in sales since 2014. Meanwhile, Statista reported that the ‘platform-to-consumer’ delivery market is projected to reach US$96.8 million worldwide by 2024. This number is expected to rise even more due to the effect of the pandemic.
As the demand for contactless delivery is growing during the pandemic, we have seen popular delivery apps like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and DoorDash, rapidly scaling their operations. Moreover, the grocery delivery app Instacart mentioned that it had achieved its 2022 goals just after three weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown.
And despite a highly competitive landscape, a fresh start-up can also make its place in the market by introducing a unique idea and developing advanced features in its app. You can capitalize on the shortcomings of other existing apps and attract customers by presenting them with superior service. This way, you can succeed in this golden era of food delivery.
How to do so? Make sure to find a reliable technology partner with relevant experience to consult you on your desired solution, validate its idea, and then proceed with MVP development for its real-life testing on users.