Allowing the users of your app to sync their accounts across all of their devices is an invaluable perk. For you, it can make the design process a bit more complicated, but well worth it in the end.
Allowing the users of your app to sync their accounts across all of their devices is an invaluable perk. For you,
it can make the design process a bit more complicated, but well worth it in the end. In addition, allowing users to access your app across multiple devices also requires that it be relevant. In other words, if you have an app that users have no desire to access on their laptop or smartphone, then there really is no point in offering such capabilities. To help you make the decision of whether allow your app to be accessible across multiple devices, here are a couple things to consider.
What Kind of App Do You Have
The type of app that you are offering has a lot to do with whether it can, or even should, be accessed across multiple devices. Say, for instance, you have a social media app that is connected to its full website, which serves as a primary method of online social interaction. Because your enterprise started through a full website, there really is no need for an app accessible on laptop or desktop computers. With that said, users may find it easier to use an app on their smartphones or tablet devices. For such reason, you design apps only for those devices and nothing else. Furthermore, these are the types of things you should undoubtedly consider when making your app accessible across multiple devices. More specifically, you should consider the type of app that you have and the demand for its use, especially on particular devices.
Furthermore, lets say, for instance, you offer a cloud-based memory storage application to users looking to safely and securely store and access their files across all of their devices. As part of your mobile enterprise you also offer a photo-sharing app. When deciding whether to offer apps compatible with a broad range of devices, it is important for you to think about how people will use your apps and on which devices.
In the case of your cloud-based storage app, you will likely want to make it compatible with devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and other options that allow users to transfer, share and store files across all of their devices. Conversely, for your photo-sharing app, you may only wish to offer an app compatible with smartphones and tablets, as those are the devices that people will use your app most frequently on. In other words, people are more likely to use a cloud-based memory storage app on their laptop and all other mobile devices opposed to using a photo-sharing app in such a broad way. Apps such as Instagram follow this recipe by only offering apps for users on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, not on laptops or desktop computers. On the other hand, the app, Dropbox, allows users to use its service even on their laptop or desktop computer, so they can essentially use their files on any device that has the app.
Conclusion
Offering your app on different types of devices so users can take full advantage of its service should be your ultimate goal. But, at the same time, you should ensure not to take the time and money to make an app on a device that no one will actually use. In this regard, it is best to be smart, and stay relevant with your mobile offerings.
