Applications for our smartphones and tablets are slowly taking over as the go to tools to accomplish some our most quotidian of goals. Need a hot date spot? Just whip out your smartphone and you can be sure that there will not only be an app to give you suggestions in your area based on GPS tracking, but also a multitude of customers reviews and even some tips and tricks on how to get the best table. In fact, anything you can possibly think of, there is probably an app. However, what goes into the development of an app is another entirely different set of circumstances. There are billions of applications and while there is a wide open market for new ones, developing them poses a number of different challenges. Here are 5 common challenges mobile app developers face.

1. The number one challenge is that there are just too many applications. For every one application, there are probably 40 just like it. Some will only set you back a dollar, some a little more and some might even be free, but no matter what, the competition is thick. Developers are not only up against 40 or more apps just like the one they are developing, but just as many, or more, that are in the process of being developed. Making your app rise to the top makes app development a little like a race to the moon. Only the amount of downloads your application receives will tell who gets there first.
2. Another challenge is that applications take a lot of technical manpower. You might be thinking: hey this little app doesn’t look so hard. However, there is a lot that goes into the making of many of your favorite applications. Developing one alone is an enormous challenge, especially if you expect it to get a lot of downloads. Sometimes it is required to have a team working on an app – day in and day out, for multiple days or weeks.
3. Application developers also might find it hard to figure out what their demographic or niche is. With so many applications for so many different parts of our lives, it can be a challenge to find out which market is most lacking for a particular type of application. It can take months of dedicated brainstorming and market analysis, which can be expensive and time consuming.
4. Developers also have the challenge of making sure their application works across all browsers and platforms. It can be easy to make it available for only one type of phone, but what about cheap unlocked cell phones or devices that might be on the fringes of market popularity. One of the best ways to get the most downloads is to make your app universally available.
5. Lastly, another big challenge is to find the best way to price your app. Do you make it free? Do you charge the typical 99 cents? If you don’t charge for the app you will undoubtedly have to rely on advertisers or investors to make money for your services. However, you could risk alienating people with intrusive advertisements. And if you do charge you could limit the amount of downloads, because of people not willing to pay the download price. Your best bet is to go with both options and if the advertisements get too intrusive they can always buy the app, which is free of advertisements once purchased. Whatever you do, find the best way to make everyone happy.