App Redesign: A Comprehensive Guide

6th februar | 10 minutter

Introduction to App Redesign

The world of technology is dynamic – trends are replacing one another in the blink of an eye and rules are changing quickly. What was on top just a year ago seems outdated now. Navigating the highly competitive and ever-evolving landscape successfully requires flexibility. It’s imperative to keep up with the latest changes and respond to them promptly.

When it comes to software solutions, close attention to design is obligatory. This allows keeping the product engaging for users and remaining competitive in the marketplace.

A good digital product is not only about robust functionality, intuitiveness, and stability. In simple terms, these things are like a tasty candy in a wrapper. It may be the tastiest candy ever but people are unlikely to pick it if the wrapper is too simple and plain.

This works similarly with a software product. Users expect a sensational first impression. This must grab their attention and motivate them to explore your product and complete the target action.

What is the very first thing users pay attention to? It’s design. This is what impacts their further actions. It either attracts or deters customers.

Poor design can bury even the most ingenious product. You will be losing customers and money progressively. But the catastrophe is preventable. Consider app redesign.

This process involves a complete upgrade of the visual and/or functional aspects of a mobile application. Significant changes are made to the UI, UX, and often the underlying code and functionalities to enhance the overall performance, usability, and aesthetic appeal of the application.

The need for app redesign can arise from various factors, including changes in user expectations, advancements in technology, the desire to stay competitive in the market, or addressing identified issues and limitations in the existing app. Redesigning an app is not merely about changing its appearance; it often involves a strategic and comprehensive approach to improve various aspects of the application.

Reasons for app redesign

You don’t redesign just for the sake of the process. You do it to achieve some goals and get profits. But how do you know it’s the right time to rebuild your app? There are red flags that should never be ignored. Here, check out the cases pointing out the necessity of redesign:

Old-fashioned appearance. This is a common case. Trends change and so do requirements. There must always be a place for modernization and upgrades. It doesn’t mean creating a new UI/UX from scratch every time – you just should bring modifications from time to time in order to align with the current standards.
Negative feedback. If users are not satisfied with your product, it’s high time you improve it. Low ratings, users’ complaints about issues, or similar scenarios are your signs to start redesigning immediately. At this moment, getting rid of biases and staying objective is critical. Negative feedback is beneficial too. Real-life experience helps to spot things that need to be fixed. Collect user feedback and identify the areas of frustration.
Overwhelming interface and too complex navigation. People don’t want to waste their precious time figuring out how your app works. They don’t want to look for the feature they need for hours – they expect everything to be clear and simple. So it’s better to keep the design uncluttered and straightforward instead of stuffing it with all the features possible. Make it more intuitive and contribute to a flawless and engaging user experience.
Platform evolution. Mobile technology is advancing rapidly these days and it’s important to make sure your app remains functional and optimized for the new cutting-edge platforms. Ensure compatibility and seamless performance to stay ahead of the competition.
Rebranding. Sometimes design is not the only thing that should be updated. Your product might need a completely new vision and strategy. Rebranding can give it a new life and make your customers look at the product from a different angle.
Conversion drop. In order to turn a random user into your dedicated fan, you should provide them with an exceptional user experience. Poor design is quite an obstacle. If people don’t like the UI, they are unlikely to explore the product further. Bad UI = low-quality service – the stereotype is in action. Empower your robust functionality with a user-friendly and aesthetic design to engage with users and increase loyalty.

Benefits and Bottlenecks of App Redesign

Every process associated with software development and/or design comes with tangible benefits as well as certain complexities. And app redesign is not an exception.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that redesign can breathe new life into an existing product that struggles with issues. But it’s no good getting blinded by pros. If you decide to upgrade your app’s design, you have to consider the bottlenecks that must be handled properly.

To provide you with a better understanding of the process, we’ve compiled lists of the most significant advantages and most common problems of app redesign. Check them out and analyze them in order to avoid detrimental mistakes.

App redesign challenges and bottlenecks

Breaking what works. They say, if it works don’t touch it. Redesign itself means changing a solution but not necessarily rebuilding literally everything. This way you might cause even more problems than you had at the start. Sometimes it just takes slightly updating some parts. Keeping everything functional is essential.
Lack of attention to user feedback. As you develop for people, customer input must be prioritized. The goal of the redesign is to make the product more convenient for target users. You cannot address people’s pain points if you simply don’t know them.
Making design too complex. Do not overwhelm users with numerous buttons, graphics, and information that may leave them confused and frustrated. Instead, prefer a clean and uncluttered interface that is easy to navigate.
Balancing aesthetics and functionality. Making the interface visually attractive is important. But you must never do it while sacrificing usability. Ensuring flawless performance is as crucial as achieving exceptional appeal.
Introducing updates to users. At this moment, clear and quality communication is a must. Successful redesign is not only about making enhancements but also about conveying them to your audience.

Advantages

Better visibility and competitive advantage. A redesigned app can give a competitive edge by incorporating the latest design trends, features, and technologies, making it more appealing to users in a crowded market.
Growing user base. A more user-friendly and feature-rich app is likely to retain existing users and attract new ones, contributing to overall user retention and acquisition.
Unparalleled user experience. Refining your product and adding new innovative features will surely take user experience to the next level thus leading to increased user satisfaction and engagement.
Taking conversion rate up. Improvements in UI/UX and the introduction of new features can positively impact conversion rates, leading to increased user interactions, subscriptions, or purchases.
Reaching business objectives. App redesign can be a strategic move driving considerable business advantages and impacting an enterprise’s bottom line. A refined design may result in higher revenue, user acquisition rates, and user retention rates.
Improved performance. Redesigning may involve optimizing the underlying code and addressing performance issues, resulting in a faster and more responsive app.
Addressing user concerns. User feedback and reviews can be valuable sources of insights. App redesign allows developers to address user concerns and implement features requested by the user community.

Steps to Redesign an App

Redesigning an app can seem intimidating at first but applying a systematic approach and making the process iterative will ensure big gains such as improved user interface, user experience, and overall functionality.

So where do you start? Clear objectives. It’s pivotal to form a complete vision of what, how, and why you do. Provide proof to back up each of your decisions. Make sure every team member understands the ultimate goal and knows their role in the upcoming process.

When it comes to the main parts, it is broken down into 4 smaller phases.

UX audit

First and foremost, gather as much data as you can to reveal all the flaws in your current design.

A comprehensive UX audit is required for the following reasons:

It helps to identify critical UX issues, analyze user interactions, and single out features that people find highly beneficial.
It determines the target audience’s preferences, pain points, and behavior patterns.
It helps to explore the product’s strengths and weaknesses in order to make suggestions for further improvements.

A UX audit is followed by deep market analysis, user research, and heuristic analysis which is focused precisely on the app’s usability. Once you’re done with it, determine and approve design concepts.

Collecting and processing data

You have to dive deep into user feedback and sort out all the reviews to deliver an updated user-friendly solution. At this stage, the active involvement of data analysts is crucial.

This phase of app redesign includes the following steps:

User research. This is important to figure out what features customers value and expectations they have.
Product design. This is done based on previously collected user input while paying close attention to the sharpest issues of the existing design. A data-driven approach is the best way to achieve splendid usability, engagement, and customer satisfaction.
Usability testing. This includes analysis of user interactions to adequately assess the effectiveness of design updates.

Redesign

Here comes the culmination. At this stage, a prototype is created and tested, wireframes are developed to outline the basic layout and structure and focus on the placement of key elements, navigation, and overall content flow. Finally, all the defined changes are implemented.

Testing and continuous iterations

Thorough testing must take place to ensure the new features and design changes work seamlessly. It is also obligatory to assess compatibility, performance, and security before the product goes live. Before the release, make sure the new version is compatible with various platforms, meets all the requirements, and caters to the users’ needs.

And does the work stop once the app is launched? No. Keep an eye on the performance and collect user input regularly to make timely enhancements and ensure the app remains relevant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the dynamic nature of the technology landscape poses a strong necessity for constant adaptation and responsiveness to the evolving needs of users and the market. App redesign emerges as a strategic imperative for staying competitive and addressing the ever-changing users’ expectations.

The need for app redesign may arise from various factors such as outdated appearance, negative feedback, overwhelming interface, platform evolution, or the necessity for rebranding.

Recognizing the red flags and understanding when to embark on the redesign journey is crucial. Whether it’s aligning with current standards, addressing user concerns, simplifying navigation, adapting to new platforms, or undergoing a complete rebrand, the decision to redesign should be driven by a clear understanding of user needs and market dynamics.

In essence, app redesign is not just about changing the look – it’s a comprehensive strategy to improve performance, usability, and overall appeal. By following a well-defined process, businesses can breathe new life into their products, ensuring they remain relevant, competitive, and aligned with the ever-evolving requirements.