Have you seen the Apple and Google app stores lately? Unless you know what you are looking for it is easy to get lost searching amongst the masses, and with over 1.5 million apps available it is easy to see why.

A spot on the top 25 list is an easy way to dramatically boost downloads and stand out in the crowd. However, obtaining and maintaining a ranking on the coveted list is much easier said than done – unless you have a massive budget or are creating the next new Snapchat.

This is where app development comes in to play. If you want more people to download or purchase your app they need to have a reason why. Whether it’s the function, design, description or user experience, there must be some element in your app that can instantly hook your target audience – and that all starts with development.

Provide Value with Visualization

Developing a mobile apps start with considering your customers’ habits, preferences and behaviors. In today’s digital world, images and videos are a major part of what users want in an app. They need to be able to see in real –time that your idea, concept or product will provide immediate value to their life. One of the best ways to do so is to show them.

Put the User in the App

Retail stores and beauty products can drastically benefit from developing and app that will allow users to snap a photo of themselves to see how they will look in a new article of clothing or with a new shade of lipstick on. This is an easy concept when it comes to app development but the end results are an app with an advantage over traditional retail and beauty-based apps.

The COVERGIRL BeautyU app is a valuable makeup app that can easily convert users into customers. A simple face scan results in product recommendations and real-time visualizations of how these products will look. Users can the app to find the perfect shade of lipstick and then can buy it instantly right through the app!

Let Users be the Designers

One of the best app development strategies to provide value through visualization is to let your users be the designers. If you are selling home décor or have a DIY business, allow users to see how the finished products will look in their life. Giving customers the chance to layout their new living room with your app or see how a new paint color will look on the outside of their home makes the concept of design more exciting than ever before.

Homestlyer Interior Design shows customers exactly how furniture, décor and home improvement ideas will look – without making any commitment to buy or use the products. Customers can try out an endless array of options, which is not only practical but is also fun! By eliminating the guesswork of how a project or product will look in your home, Homestyler gives users a reason to use the app for all home improvement tasks.

Keep Everything at Users’ Fingertips

Planning an upcoming event like a wedding or holiday party can be a major undertaking. Using your smartphone’s notes and calendar apps is one way to keep everything in one place but they really can’t do much else to help you prepare. Instead users are turning to more comprehensive apps that let them create upcoming tasks with countdowns, set reminders to get tasks accomplished and check off items once they are complete. Keeping everything for an event in one, easy to use location is an app development strategy that ensures users will benefit from coming back.

To:Day is a popular option for those who need an event planner, to-do list keeper, or anniversary reminder, all in one app. This app provides a seamless experience for users managing their daily and long-term tasks. To:Day puts all of your upcoming events in a notification center, making it simple for those who download it to stay on track. Providing the tools users would need to fully prepare for an event results in an app that is important to users.