Mobile App Testing and Development in the UK

While testing and developing mobile apps is largely similar in the US and in the UK, due to comparable technologies and many apps that reach a global audience, there are some key aspects to keep in mind when thinking about the UK’s mobile apps.

Apple Pay is set to launch in the UK in July, allowing iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch owners to use their mobile device or their smartwatch to make quick and easy payments both in stores and for online purchases.   App developers would be smart to make sure their mobile apps are developed and tested from the very beginning to integrate with Apple Pay, so customers are more likely to use these apps and easily make payments through them.

Developing and testing mobile apps correctly in the UK becomes even more important when you consider that Brits are now checking their bank balance on their mobile phones more than anywhere else (instead of going to their physical bank branch or checking their balance on a computer, for example).   This means that UK banks have an even more pressing need to correctly develop and test their mobile apps and make sure that they are completely secure.

The security question is a huge issue to think about.   According to recent research, a wide range of companies in the UK, including retailers, travel companies, banks, media and entertainment, and gambling firms have many more mobile apps owned by them or referencing their brand than they are currently aware of — many of which stem from a new kind of hacker whose goal is to compromise the organizations’ digital assets.   This in turn puts their customers at risk.   The research found that, on average, nine out of ten apps exist in unofficial stores that brands are unaware of, which leaves brand assets vulnerable to compromise.   This can be very detrimental to the customer experience of the app.   Not only do companies have to ensure that the apps are thoroughly tested from a functionality, performance and security perspective, but also that once they are released they are closely monitored to make sure the customer is getting the high quality of experience that they expect.

Developing and testing mobile apps is going to be distinctive to each country, and the UK is no exception.   Keeping in mind the mobile app landscape and current trends in the UK will help developers and enterprises ensure that their mobile app is optimized for a British audience, and will help guide them as they’re testing and developing their mobile apps.   It is forecast that there will be 43.2 million mobile app users in the UK by 2016 — so it’s now more important than ever to make sure these mobile app users are experiencing the best quality possible.

Come visit Apexon in the UK — we’ll be at the Jenkins User Conference Europe from June 23-24 and the Enterprise Apps World & Cloud World Forum June 24-25, in London.   See you there!