Trust
is the key of
app popularity
focus on marketing and promotion of their
apps, wondering how an app can achieve
the desired success if it was not properly
promoted to consumers.
There is no doubt that the role of Arab
developers does not end when an app is
released on a known app store. It is only
the beginning as these apps are not self-
promoted. They need a large budget for
advertising to guarantee the desired pen-
etration and financial return.
Bakr Al-Tamimi, General Manager at
Emirates Content outlined the common
features in successful mobile apps name-
ly compatibility of the mobile app with the
platform it runs on so that users do not feel
the app is designed to operate on another
smartphone or tablet.
Elegant design and compatibility between
the app’s user interface and functions
render the app successful. Ease of use
also contributes to app’s popularity. When
technical complications disappear so that
users do not need guidelines on how to
use the app, that’s when an app is highly
successful.
If an app is unique, it will be popular. De-
velopers should make sure that their app
is not a copy of another app. It has to be
innovative, providing unique ideas in or-
der to impress users. It is noted that the
most successful mobile apps are the ones
easily remembered by users due to their
uniqueness.
Successful apps also encourage engage-
ment of users, who in turn help in promot-
ing the app. They are also ready-to-use.
This means that the app offers the re-
quired and expected performance at any
time and in real-time. It eliminates com-
plications, details and requirements that
might distract users away from the main
service they seek from using the app.
Reasonable price is another success fac-
tor for mobile apps.
A successful app also addresses a clearly
define group of users, focusing on their
service and transactions and completely
excludes other irrelevant users.
The value and entertainment provided by
a mobile app to its users is another key
success factor. Despite the function of the
app, users must enjoy using it every single
time.
Al-Tamimi believes that for a mobile app
to incorporate all these features is a fair-
ly easy task but at the same time needs
much effort and hard work to come togeth-
er as one app. This increases the app’s
potential success and penetration.
For Arab apps to be on the most success-
ful global apps list, Al-Tamimi states that
efforts need to be consolidated to promote
and diversify the investments and initia-
tives of international and regional orga-
nizations, public and semi-public sector
agencies and institutions, universities,
and academic and economic institutions.
The aim is to build and develop knowl-
edge incubators that aid societies towards
knowledge economy. Only then, we can
provide mobile apps that compete with
global apps.
Al-Tamimi believes that the lack of stabil-
ity in some Arab countries is a key cause
of absence of Arab apps from the most
popular apps list. He brushed away other
claims for this absence such as a non-ven-
turing Arab capital that is not concerned
with social construction and development.
He pointed out that real construction and
development must be based on full-scale
economic and political stability and secu-
rity.
Al-Tamimi indicates that the Arab com-
munity witnessed knowledge investments
that could have achieved the desired
transition towards knowledge economies.
However, the destruction resulting from
wars annulled progress in that field. He
cited the example of Kuwait-based Sakhr
Software Company, which was doing very
well until the invasion of Kuwait took its toll
on the company.
Transition to knowl-
edge economy sets
the atmosphere for
providing interna-
tional apps
Bakr Al Tamimi
Reportage
