2017 is the year of Angel Investment!

 

The New Year is the time when people are motivated to do new things and are enthusiastic to chase their dreams.

GoodWorkLabs CEO, Vishwas Mudagal also decided to do something new in 2017 – to become an Angel Investor.

Read on to know more about his plans:

Every year, we tend to start a new journey. Some are conscious, deliberate and well-planned, and some are uncharted, unplanned, or just plain reckless.

Some of these plans become successful, some valuable learning, some great experiences, some sour incidents and some just fleeting time that we forget. But put them together, they define who you are currently and who you are about to become.

User Engagement is important for your Mobile App

Mobile app developers put in a lot of focused energy on design, development, and testing of a new mobile app.

However, what comes next is often ignored. Right from deployment to cranking up the visibility of the app, there are several crucial steps that can drive your app’s success on the app stores. And this is an area that cannot be ignored by any business.

Why?

Because stats have shown that app user engagement forms a big chunk of digital sales and any dip in user engagement over a mobile app has the power to diminish the revenue potential of your business. Flurry says that users spend 90% of their time on apps rather than mobile web. Also with 8.8 downloads per month on average, the popularity of mobile apps will only increase as we move to 2017.

This is why it becomes absolutely vital to keep a high level of user engagement and sustain it throughout the customer’s journey on the mobile app.

 

How to increase User Engagement on your App?

 

1. App store listing 

While most of the action around user engagement happens within the app, the user’s first interaction happens outside i.e. on the app store when he/ she downloads the app. This is the first stage where you have to get it right. This can be done by answering a few important questions like

• Why will users download your app
• What problems will your app solve for them
• What is different on the app that will not be present on your website.

2. App user on-boarding 

Once the initial handshake is done, you need to ensure a smooth on-boarding. So instead of showing screenshots of the app interface, it will be better to have a step by step guide on getting the maximum benefit out your app.

3. The power of gamification 

By gamifying your app, you are making sure to take user engagement to the next level. The sense of competition, rewards, and incentives will only ensure that the user comes repeatedly to the app.

4. Push notification 

With push notifications, you app enjoys memory continuity even though the app access rates may go down. While this works naturally for apps like Whatsapp, it takes some ingenuity to incorporate into other types of apps. So, Musx sends out a weekly compilation of top 10 songs as notification to users.

5. User feedback 

An engaged user will know that he/ she can give feedback easily and it will be heard by the developer agency. Giving easy access to a ‘contact Us’ button, or FAQ will ensure that users do not go on the app store page and post their poor feedback there. To enhance user engagement further, you can set up automated response mentioning the expected turnaround of resolution too.

Which of these points will form a part of your next mobile app user engagement boost campaigns?

Do write to us and let us know your comments.

Technology Trends of 2017

Latest developments in the tech landscape and current growth of disruptive technologies have created quite a buzz. It’s highly surprising and amazing to find such innovative technologies and tech integrations around us. With a little device in your handbags or pocket, you gain the opportunity to communicate and retrieve crucial information in a hundred different ways.

Every year, there’s something new and innovative round the corner which leaves you amazed. You might wonder what’s coming next and marvel at the way how tech advancements can make your life easier than ever!

As we head towards the end of 2016 and look forward to the arrival of 2017, it’s high time to catch a glimpse of the latest technology trends of 2017.

Here is what the entire world is expecting!

1. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

With the discovery of Oculus Rift and numerous VR apps, VR and AR technologies have become highly popular in the business arena. Pokemon Go recorded a whopping 100 million downloads thus reflecting the unmatched popularity of AR technologies. If 2016 marked the emergence of VR and AR, the following year would witness its growth and development. 2017 is expected to bring some great news for both Virtual and Augmented Reality.

2. Machine Learning

When it boils down to tracking the growth of Machine learning, you will come across numerous instances. From enhancing Google’s search algorithm to ensuring successful customer retention, machine learning has delivered impactful performances. In 2017, potential users might witness the widespread use of this technology in consumer application development.

3. IoT and smart homes

With market giants like Amazon, Google, and Apple trying their best to create uniform user experiences, the amalgamation of Internet-of-Things and smart home technology is inevitable. The time isn’t far when you will be living in a connected world. Innumerable products, millions of devices, and thousands of appliances will come together to offer seamless experiences to users. IoT has been one of the top tech trends in 2016, and the following year seems to ensure a bright future for it!

4. Big data analytics

Large volumes of unused business data can turn out to be highly crucial resources for your dream venture. Big data analytics emerges as the key to understanding consumer behaviors and better business planning. From business marketing campaigns to medical treatments, big data analytics will ensure effective execution of business processes.

Big data and Business Intelligence have been there for a long time. In the following year, you will witness the use of big data analytics in the qualitative growth of business.

5. Business automation

By 2017, business process automation will turn into the biggest mainstay. From product development stages to consumer interactions, business automation will revolutionize various processes across diverse business environments.

Looks like 2017 is going to be a great year in terms of technology trends! But the list of innovations don’t stop with just these. We are hopeful and excited to see new technologies unfold as the new year sets in!

Lean UX Design is the way to go

What is the one key design differentiator that helps to enhance overall user experience?

What aspect help in bring the user closer to your brand over the digital ecosystem?

Yes, it is UX design that we are referring to!

Lean UX design helps to power up a range of digital products – from simple business websites to dynamic applications. Today we explore the different ways in which lean UX can propel your business past your competition.

The truth about ‘Lean’

The term ‘Lean UX’ has a unique connotation. If we take a look at the origin of this term, we will come across the concept of ‘lean ideas’ and ‘lean thinking’. The term ‘lean’ refers to streamlined business objectives and laser-like focus on identifying true business value.

Lean UX design principles aim at identifying consumer preferences. These practices will identify what appeals to your target audience thus helping you ensure unsurpassed User Experiences.

On that note, lets take a look at how lean UX design practices can add significant value additions to your business.

.1. Uncovering the crucial business requirements

Lean UX design practices will help you identify the pain points in your project. You can delve deep into the nuances of these specific problems thus solving them with lean design principles. With ‘lean’ design principles, you will have the opportunity to discover crucial business requirements. It will help you understand what works for your business and what doesn’t.

2. Customize business needs as per industry standards

No two organizations are similar in nature. Quite naturally, their processes and operations will also differ from each other. When big companies and enterprises work on application development projects, they are often unable to identify crucial requirements. Lean UX will help them identify these needs thus showing them what will work for target users. That’s a huge benefit when it comes to seeking funds for your project.

3. Breaking ideas for hypotheses

While developing a product or application with lean UX design principles, you will have the opportunity to break your ideas into small units of testable hypotheses. That’s a great way of identifying whether the product is marketable or not. Results of the hypotheses will determine the product or application development processes.

4. Determining the UI

At times, product developers have crystal clear ideas of their target users, product needs, and user stories. However, the problem lies with the UI designs. The perfect combination of Lean UX and Agile will help you identify the right User Interface designs. Quite naturally, compelling and attractive UI designs will lead to improved customer engagement.

5. Direct exposure for products

Lean UX ensures fast and swift product deliveries. Most importantly, it helps you take your products directly to your target users. Lean UX design principles show a remarkable upward movement through the ‘think-make-check’ loop. Business owners and product developers can create highly scalable products and applications.

So, if you have been wondering on how to add the “WOW” factor to your software, Lean UX design is the way to go! Nothing beats a crisp design and a fulfilling User experience to scale up your business.

Bill Gates appreciates EkStep

GoodWorkLabs has been fortunate to be a core technology, design and gaming partner of EkStep Foundation, which aims to benefit 150 million students in the next 5 years. During Bill Gate’s recent visit to India in November 2016, he had the opportunity to catch up with Nandan Nilekani, one of India’s dignified entrepreneur and innovator where he learned about the EkStep Foundation and their technology innovations in the Education industry.

 

 

In one of his recent speeches, he appreciates the pioneering efforts of EkStep in creating a Digital platform for Education.

 

The digital revolution has not yet changed education, but it will! The idea that young children can play on low cost cell phones, try out their numeric skills and play games that are helping them with their literacy is an exciting vision. The idea to provide the best content and the best lectures on a digital platform at a low cost is a very noble one.

With pioneers like EkStep who are building a technology platform to bring all of this great content in one place for young children is a huge step for Digital India. This will be the beginning of a global community who aim to bring together education software.

 

You can watch the video of Bill Gates addressing India’s top policy makers to get a wider perspective and

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFZ1bOU6Cb0&feature=youtu.be&t=26m18s [/embedyt]

 

 

Also read more about Gate’s views on Nandan’s vision of a Digital India on his blog Gates Notes.

 

More on EkStep’s giant Tech leap:

Nandan Nilekani’s EkStep Foundation is all set to democratize the learning process in India. Their aim to provide access to high quality content to children in government schools and not restrict them to the text books alone. EkStep is addressing these learning challenges by building a technology platform such as Gamified apps that will help students learn high quality content in multiple languages.

Language will no longer be a hurdle for students who wish to learn and nearly 10,000 government schools are using EkStep platform to enhance the learning levels of children.

Recently, the Maharashtra government tied up with Ekstep to collaborate and exchange e-content to enhance the learning experience of students.

 

GoodWorkLabs congratulates EkStep:

The team at GoodWorkLabs congratulates and applaudes Nandan Nilekani vision and also the team at EkStep. We have had the privilege to work with and develop a product to help revolutionize the education industry in India. We are extremely excited to see how various schools across the country embrace EkStep’s technology and fully support their vision.

 

 

 

Content Creation for Virtual Reality

If you take a look at current trends in the tech arena, VR or Virtual Reality is perhaps the ‘man of the moment.’ There has been a lot of furore and buzz around the VR technology and virtual experiences. If statistical reports are anything to go by, almost 28% of users cited high-quality content as a crucial factor for the success of VR.

That reveals the current scenario quite clearly. Although VR has achieved unsurpassed popularity amongst users, it is yet to take off in the way it should.

So, what is stunting the growth and development of the VR technology?

Content is truly the king

Whether you develop business websites or create videos, high-quality content will always remain the priority. Accessible and engaging content will take the technology towards further development. It’s here that we come across an important question.

How does top-quality content catapult the VR industry to unmatched heights of success?

Let us delve deep into the discussion for an effective answer.

1) Exceptional User Experiences

The creation of realistic VR environments isn’t an easy affair. The graphic generation process should be executed perfectly thus creating realistic experiences for VR users. One of the major improvements in the VR landscape is content generation.

Quite interestingly, individual users are taking the initiative to create highly engaging content in place of reputed game development companies. With well-known companies such as Sharp developing 4K LCD screens for mobile devices, the importance of engaging content is quite clear.

2) Importance of cross-platform development

Although most of the developers consider cross-platform development to be a distant dream, that’s not what’s happening in reality. Development engines such as Unity and Unreal help you create high-quality content capable of encompassing crucial aspects in the development process. It will include aspects such as game-play, narrative, and assets, which makes game deployment easier than ever.

3) Unique gameplay navigation

HTC Vive and Oculus Rift are designed according to market trends. While designing these head-mounted displays, developers had large and spacious environments in mind. These aspects will play a highly crucial role while developing content for Virtual Reality experiences. The game-play, navigation, interaction and control are some of the significant factors.

These are some of the reasons that reflect the importance of high-quality content in the growth of the Virtual Reality industry.

On that note, let’s see what the future has in store for VR.

The future of Virtual Reality with Content

The ever-increasing accessibility of game engines will lead to the increased content creation. Individual developers and small-scale development ventures will take up content creation, thus creating unique VR experiences.

With successful content creation, production, and distribution, VR companies will have the golden opportunity to reach out to numerous clients. On the other end, developers can leverage the VR platform for monetizing app development costs.

Content creation and distribution are highly crucial aspects determining the future of the VR technology and industry.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best in future!

Chat Bots – the next big thing?

With the dramatic surge in the number of apps and ever-decreasing screen sizes, users have arrived at a crucial point of technology evolution. It’s the age of ‘OS + Apps’ paradigm, where downloading, installing, and managing applications have become tougher than ever.

 

 

In such a challenging situation, what other forms of customer interaction can replace your traditional mobile app based support system? With the saturation reached by mobile apps, which other form of communication can keep the engagement alive and yet be a cost effective solution for your company?

The answer is – Chat Bots residing within messaging applications

Messaging apps and chat bots are substituting the mobile OS big time, thus bringing a new change in the app development arena.

 

Chat Bots are the latest technology trend

Chat bots replacing mobile-app technologies isn’t a new affair. The tech arena has always undergone crucial transformations, and this happens to be one of them. Trends began right from the 90’s when browsers came as alternatives to desktop OS. Websites substituted client applications, and today we come across bots replacing mobile app OS.

It’s here that users witness the emergence of innumerable applications such as Line, WeChat, Telegram, Slack, and Facebook. You can interact with 3rd party services from within the application interface.

Developers have the opportunity to create messaging bots, which lay the foundation for a new and innovative trend.

 

How Chat Bots are like Humans:

With the ever-increasing popularity of messaging bots, users have quite a few crucial questions popping up in their minds.

What makes Chat bots so important? Let’s take a look!

• Bots can replicate human actions while writing, reading, and receiving messages
• Users can program a bot to perform automated functions
• From initiating actions to sending responses, bots can execute critical functions
• From automating functions and workflows to operations, bots can perform numerous functions.

Messaging bots have revolutionized various sectors. While e-commerce bots help you make purchases, food bots help you order food, you will also receive relevant content pieces from content bots. In a nutshell, chat bots bring us to a new age of integrated and automated operations.

They replicate human actions, and that’s what makes them special.

 

Chat Bots lead to effective messaging architecture:

Bots are finding applications in diverse operations. Quite naturally, this diversity in use cases leads to effective messaging architecture. Depending on the situations and requirements, messages should be re-structured. The NLP feature or Natural-Language-Processing capability of bots ensures successful human interactions.

 

Benefits offered by chat bots:

With the exceptional, innovative, and highly functional features of messaging bots, customer support mobile apps seem to be heading towards a farewell. Users will now have functional and interactive bots enabling effective communications and interactions.

Bots also have the opportunity to track user responses by creating customized messages. Whether it’s a simple workflow or critical transactions, bots can ensure successful mapping of these operations onto the framework.

 

Our final verdict!

There’s no denying the benefits offered by messaging bots. Apart from ensuring integrated operations, these Chat Bots de-clutter and revolutionize mobile experiences. Whether it’s knowing information or responding to something, bots will prove to be the best alternative to mobile app OS!