After months of blood, sweat, tears, and endless lines of code, you’ve done it: built your first Android app. It's getting downloads, positive reviews are rolling in, and you feel a sense of accomplishment. But the truth is, if you want to make your new app a success, the hard work is only beginning. 

Maintaining an Android app requires ongoing effort. A “build it and leave it” approach will only lead to user frustration, negative reviews, and app abandonment. 

The good news is that keeping your app afloat doesn't have to drain your bank account. Below, the Monedata team has put together some guidance that shouldn’t break the bank.

Get your priorities in order

It's easy to get caught up in feature creep and want to be an app for everyone and everything. But rather than getting carried away, prioritise bug fixes, performance improvements, and features directly addressing user feedback. We recommend using analytics to identify areas causing the most frustration and tackle those first.

It’s also sensible to leverage the fantastic world of open-source libraries for everyday app functionalities. This saves development time and reduces the code you need to maintain. Just be sure to choose well-maintained libraries with active communities and favour tools and software supported by Google and other app development heavyweights. 

Keep the development process tight

If you want to save time and money, embrace agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban. These promote iterative development, allowing you to prioritise tasks, deliver features quickly, and get valuable user feedback early. Ultimately, it’s about reducing wasted time and effort. Automating your testing process can also be a sensible idea, freeing you from repetitive tasks and allowing you to catch regressions before they reach users.

We also suggest using a version control system like Git for code management. Doing so means you’ll be able to track changes, revert to previous versions if needed, and collaborate effectively if you have a development team, eliminating endless back-and-forth calls. 

Use free and low-cost resources

Need to develop a new tool or feature but don’t know how? Learn! Numerous free and paid online courses are available to learn new skills or brush up on existing ones. Platforms like Udacity, Coursera, and edX offer excellent resources for Android development, and many are free. You should also engage in online developer communities like Stack Overflow or the official Android Developer forums to find solutions to problems and learn from others.

We recommend using free analytics tools like Google Firebase Analytics to understand user behaviour and track important app metrics. This data helps you prioritise features and identify areas for improvement - after all, your users will tell you what they like and don’t like!

When it comes to paying for services, shop around. Cloud platforms like Google Cloud Platform or Amazon Web Services can offer cost-effective solutions for specific needs, such as backend infrastructure or data storage. You only have to pay for the resources you use.

When it comes to marketing or graphic design, depending on the complexity of the task, you could consider hiring freelance developers for specific needs. While agencies might offer a wider range of expertise, freelancers can be a more cost-effective option for smaller projects.

Think about retention 

A good app will keep users around for a long time. Maintaining a consistent update schedule demonstrates your commitment to the app and encourages users to stay engaged. Focus on bug fixes, performance improvements, and minor feature updates that keep the app fresh.

You should also communicate with your users through in-app notifications or blog posts. Inform them about new features and upcoming updates and address any common concerns. Finally, consider implementing engagement strategies like loyalty programs, gamification elements, or exclusive content for active users. This encourages continued app usage.

By implementing these tips and staying creative, you can ensure your Android app continues to delight users and achieve long-term success. If you’re looking for new ways to monetise your software, reach out to the team at Monedata to see how we could help you!