How do you design an app that not only works, but also helps people overcome their anxiety and stress? There are plenty of things to consider when designing a meditation app. Just look at the most popular ones out there, and you’ll notice they all have something in common: they’re both simple and beautiful. This meditation apps might seem like an oxymoron, but it really isn’t. The easier an app is to use, the more likely people are to stick with it, learn from it, and benefit from it over time.
Keep it simple
Meditation isn’t rocket science. In fact, it’s quite simple. Don’t get bogged down with bells and whistles; they distract from your purpose and ultimately undermine your app. Meditating is really just about taking time out of your day to relax and focus on yourself—and that’s exactly what you should put in your app.
Know your audience
There are many different types of , from guided meditations to help you relax before bedtime, to apps that give you quick in-the-moment meditations for those times when you need some me time. As with any type of software or app, think about your specific audience when designing your product; what is their motivation for using it? What problems will it solve for them? How can you make it useful and enjoyable?
Don’t underestimate the importance of audio quality
Many meditation apps rely solely on music to guide meditators. But it’s important not to underestimate how much audio quality matters—especially when you’re using it for something as personal and intimate as meditation. With headphones on, your listener is cocooned away from all external noise, so poor sound quality can be intensely jarring and distracting; while they may not notice initially, they’ll certainly become frustrated after repeated use.
Offering free content can boost retention rates
If you’re in an app business that makes money from advertising, for example, offering free content can help boost retention rates—meaning more people return to your product. A meditation app with ads could entice users by creating one or two free sessions and then encourage them to come back for more when their freebie ends. That said, it’s best not to give away too much of your content for free or customers may be less inclined to spend money later on additional sessions.
Self-care is important for designers, too
To do our best work, we need to be in good shape. It’s just as important for us to take care of ourselves as it is for our clients and employers. A great way designers can take care of themselves is through meditation—the goal being less busy-ness and more stillness, says designer Kate Bingaman-Burt. Practicing meditation regularly can help you become less stressed and more focused.
Ensure that you have an active social media presence
It’s imperative that you have an active social media presence. Your potential customers are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This means you need to be there too. Be sure your company has a presence on each platform where your target market spends time online. Ideally, they should be liking your page, tweeting about you and sharing updates with their connections via Facebook.
Make sure your design and user experience are intuitive, easy to use and smooth
The meditation app you’re working on needs to be intuitive and easy to use. Every tap should tell users exactly what they can expect when they press it. You want your app’s design and user experience to be smooth, so it will provide an immersive experience for users. You want them to think I love how simple it is! not What does that button do? or This was a terrible experience!
Connect with other like-minded apps in the niche
Before you dive into creating your app, it’s smart to check out other similar apps in its niche. Take note of what differentiates one app from another—their design, functionality, and more. This is an important step because it will inform your app’s overall look and feel. If there are already other apps in your niche, consider downloading them and taking a peek at their designs. You can learn quite a bit from seeing how other designers have approached similar problems as you!
Use email marketing creatively to convert more users into subscribers.
Email marketing has been shown over and over again to be an effective way of converting users into customers. Because it takes some time for consumers to warm up to a new brand, email is an ideal tool for helping nurture that relationship and familiarize users with your product or service. Allowing users to sign up via email not only allows you get more information about them, but also helps prevent you from losing potential customers.
Conclusion
The implementation of technology can be used as an aid in meditation; however, it should not detract from its spiritual and physical benefits. A well-designed meditation app can offer many benefits for both users and developers, so long as everyone is mindful of its potential pitfalls. Take note of these considerations when designing your own meditation app, and you’ll be sure to start off on the right foot. Hire a UI/UX design company which also deals in mobile app development, software development in order to create an amazing user interface for your app.
