Creating a Mobile App for Event Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide
What defines a prosperous event planning app? What functionalities must it encompass? Which technology proves superior for its development? These pivotal inquiries will find their answers in this very article.
Common requirements for such an application include features for connecting attendees, the ability to share event agendas and press releases, as well as an internal notification system. Event planning mobile apps are aimed at becoming intelligent assistants that assist in never missing an important conference, meeting, or seminar. We’ve already been utilized to entrust our timetable following to apps on our mobile devices. As per the latest data from application intelligence firm data.ai (previously App Annie), clients in over a dozen global markets are now spending four to five hours daily within mobile apps. The substantial surge in app usage underscores the increasing dependence and active engagement of users with diverse mobile applications across various geographical areas. According to the latest market forecast, based on Sensor Tower Store Intelligence data, global consumer spending on premium applications, in-application purchases, & subscriptions is projected to get $233 billion in 2026 across both Google Play & Apple’s App Store. This marks a significant 77 percent rise compared to the $132 billion consumers spent in 2021. The analysis takes into account present market trends and forecasts the enduring impacts of these trends and evolving consumer behaviors over the next five years. However, for your app to achieve success and generate revenue, it must incorporate numerous valuable features, boast a contemporary design, and offer an exceptional user experience. Let’s explore the methods for attaining this objective.
Web-based Applications vs. Native Ones
Before beginning to create an app, it’s important to determine the tech to be utilized in your decision. Will you create a native mobile application or a web-based one? Let’s define the diversity between these two types of applications.
Web-based Apps
The primary distinction between native and web apps lies in their execution: a native app operates through a virtual machine, whereas a web app runs within a browser. Consequently, a web app’s capabilities are constrained by the limitations of the browser, while a native app harnesses the full potential of the platform for which it’s developed. For instance, crafting intricate 3D models within web applications is infeasible. The selection hinges on your specific requirements and the desired complexity level for your event planning app. Thus, it’s essential to determine the appropriate type of app for event planning in order to implement the necessary functions effectively.
Native Apps
Native mobile applications are tailored for a particular platform and constitute dedicated mobile software. Their primary edge over web-based counterparts is their self-contained nature, often functioning without the need for internet connectivity to offer essential features. This becomes particularly advantageous in scenarios where numerous attendees strain a shared Wi-Fi network, potentially causing congestion. Basic functionality remains accessible anytime and anywhere.
Mobile Platform Selection
In reality, selecting a mobile platform for your event planning mobile app is often a straightforward decision. According to statistics from Device Atlas, a staggering 97% of all smartphones operate on either iOS or Android. Developing your solution for a single platform is a prudent choice when you need to test your business concept or when your target audience predominantly favors one particular platform.
When contemplating which platform to opt for when testing your business concept, consider the statistics mentioned earlier, which reveal that 83% of all mobile devices run on Android. Consequently, many startups initiate their pilot projects on Android. However, this approach may not be universally ideal. To make an informed decision, it’s crucial to understand your target audience’s preferences regarding which platform they favor. Therefore, it’s essential to incorporate an additional element into your marketing research.
Necessary Set of Functions
Once you’ve delineated all the technological aspects, the next step is to craft a well-structured design for your event planning app and compile a list of the features it will encompass. Approach this task with the same precision and diligence as you did when selecting the appropriate technology. Striking the right balance is crucial because having too few functions can be just as detrimental as including an excess of features that aren’t always necessary. An overabundance of features can make the app needlessly complex and overload the user interface.
Necessary functions for event planning applications:
- mapping;
- program preview;
- automatic updates;
- scheduling;
- sharing.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll evaluate each feature in detail.
Mapping
Creating a mapping functionality is a crucial requirement when developing a mobile event app with the aim of achieving top user ratings. This essential feature simplifies the process for smartphone users to locate event venues, making it particularly valuable for attendees traveling from other cities. It’s virtually inconceivable to have a relevant application without the integration of geolocation. To witness how we successfully incorporated this feature in a mobile app for Europe’s largest transportation company, please refer to our portfolio.
Scheduling
This functionality epitomizes the core purpose of an event planning app. It serves as a fundamental feature that transforms a mobile solution into a virtual assistant. Scheduling encompasses the essential task of specifying the date and time for upcoming events by utilizing the calendar and setting precise timings. Additionally, scheduling incorporates an advanced notification system to ensure users never miss a scheduled event. Consequently, such an application necessitates an integrated calendar with customizable alerts. Certain event planning apps even offer seamless integration with Google Calendar, allowing smartphone users to plan their schedules without exiting the application.
Regular Automatic Updates
Your application has to be able to supply consumers with actual info. If an app includes characterizations of the events that have already passed, it can confuse consumers and supply them with a negative experience while utilizing your app. It must have standard automatic updates.
Social Sharing
Enabling integration with social networks empowers users to share event details, enhancing their overall experience and amplifying your event promotion efforts. Leveraging social sharing serves as a cost-effective and self-sustaining promotional tool, fostering increased user engagement and generating more positive feedback for your app.
Additional Content
To maximize the potential for success, an event planning app should also offer valuable supplementary content, such as speaker biographies and guidelines on accessing presentation materials. Traditional printed promotional materials and agendas are a thing of the past. By incorporating this information within your app, you’ll earn the gratitude of users who no longer need to lug around piles of paper and packages during an event.
Necessary Qualities
In the event-organizing industry, applications for event planning have an important impact on the way market participants organize their business & attract customers. Applications supply consumers with more flexible methods to obtain the info & newest updates about approaching events. An application itself can’t make an event more valuable & informative. Also, it improves the consumer experience by supplying attendees with a comfortable way to opt for an event, learn clear info about it, register, & help them recollect their intentions in advance.
Providing Feedbacks
We’ve already considered the significance of implementing sharing processes in event app development. However, your app should incorporate another essential “social” element that holds significance for users. Numerous events occur regularly, be it on an annual or monthly basis. Individuals attending a particular event for the first time seek insights from those who have already experienced it, wanting to discover what previous attendees think about the conference or seminar. According to the Forrester research company, 70% of U.S. adults trust brand recommendations from family or friends & 46% rely on online reviews written by other clients. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation system will make your application more valuable for attendees &, as a result, more successful.
Driving Engagement
The key to enhancing engagement lies in communication and personalization. These two elements encourage existing users to share their experiences by providing them with valuable content that they can readily share or recommend to others. Consequently, you may want to explore the possibility of integrating an efficient recommender system into your event planning app, despite the associated development costs. Regardless of the investment required to build an event app, such features will ultimately lead to a more appreciative user base.
High Interactivity
The significance of communication within event planning apps has been previously emphasized, warranting a dedicated section to ensure its prominence. Consider incorporating a feature that enables users to communicate with speakers and experts, seeking insights and answers related to their speeches and expertise directly within the application. Given the time constraints of most events, it’s unlikely that all attendees will have the opportunity to ask all their questions in person. Providing the option to do so within your app without directly approaching the speakers would be a valuable addition. We can implement high interactivity in the project for photographers & we know how important it’s for your application.
Our Experience
MeinFernbus — development of a mobile app
Our team took charge of developing the initial version of the Android app, while the MeinFernbus team assumed responsibility for subsequent development tasks. This included integrating a local payment system and crafting subsequent app iterations, including the iOS version.
The application’s core objective was to establish an additional sales channel complementing the web interface. We successfully accomplished this goal by delivering an app that fully met user requirements while avoiding unnecessary complexities, thereby maximizing the service’s advantages. During the development phase, we spearheaded the user interface (UI) design and worked closely with the MeinFernbus team to create the initial app version. Afterward, MeinFernbus assumed independent development responsibilities, culminating in a successful app launch in the market.
Bottom Line
In this article, we’ve covered the primary factors of event app development to provide you with a general roadmap that will allow you to design an effective system. As you progress to the implementation stage of your strategy, you might encounter diverse technical challenges. However, rest assured that our seasoned Stfalcon team is here to assist you in crafting a successful event-planning app with a stunning design and a comprehensive array of features. Just contact us & we’ll assist you in turning your goal into reality.
Originally published at https://stfalcon.com.
