How To Appeal Your Mobile App To The 55 Years And Older Crowd

Believe it or not, the 55 years and older demographic is not only one of the most rapidly growing on social media, it is also shows a great deal of promise in the mobile app and device industries. What's more, because the senior demographic is more intellectually developed and mature compared to younger generations, they also pose even more potential to make informed decisions on the apps they will download, and which devices they will use them on. It goes without saying that the 55 and older age group can be one of, if not the most difficult to target when it comes to selling mobile apps. To help you do so, here are some quick tips on how you can better appeal your app to mobile device users over the age of 55.

Appeal To Their Intellect

Obviously, not every person over the age of 55 is going to be considered an intellectual, and even if they were, an app can only satisfy sophistication to a certain extent. Although, it is still important for you to realize that the content on an app that successfully appeals to seniors is going to be much different and likely sophisticated than that of an app meant for a younger demographic. The majority of mobile device users that are older than 55 are not likely to be enthralled by simple apps designed for simple amusement. In other words, they probably won't be as interested in an app that is most popular with teens. With that said, the demographic probably won't be as interested in more advanced apps that are complex and less intuitive either. The truth is, mobile app users over the age of 55 are usually sophisticated in the literal sense, but not necessarily in the sense of the technology they must use in order to access your mobile app.

Sophistication Without The Complexity

Mobile app users over the age of 55 likely have limited experience with mobile technology in general. While some users over 55 may have a solid knowledge of mobile apps, and subsequently posses the intuitiveness to use all mobile market offerings, the vast majority likely struggle using them, especially those that are more complex. For such reason, it should be your goal when creating apps designed for such a demographic, that you make them sophisticated in content, but not in navigation. In other words, the more simplified you make your app’s interface and navigation, the more successful you are to likely be with the 55 and older crowd. Even so, you will almost surely have trouble appealing your app to seniors. However, if you do the aforementioned, you will optimize your success with the demographic.

Conclusion

Appealing your mobile app specifically to any demographic can be difficult. When to you aim to do so to people over the age of 55, there are many things that you must consider. More specifically, you need to provide an app that will suit their sense of sophistication, and even their often very particular wants. Obviously, not everyone in the demographic will fall under such specific wants, however, it is good to consider nonetheless. What’s more, at the same time, you do not want to offer an overly complex app that they cannot use. And lastly, you should appeal your app to the 55 and older crowd’s intellect, which they have acquired over their years.