The growth rate of app users has been 251% (CAGR) over the last 5 years. It has outpaced the growth of the stationary internet users worldwide by an astonishing factor of 15. Stationary internet user base is still more than two times bigger than mobile app user base, but its growth rate (CAGR =16%) looks rather deplorable compared to mobile. There are 4 major implications every company has to deal with.
There are many reasons for the massive growth of the app user base. The wide range of Apps is one of the main drivers. Apps and smart mobile devices create a win-win alliance that goes beyond the software-PC alliance. Apps provide the intelligence for smart devices to be used as a tool for almost every daily activity. The mobile device provides the technological basis but more important provides the context in which the app creates value for its user. There are no other mass market devices that users carry around 24/7, that are as personal and that provide location information at all times.
Where does it all lead to? We continue our discussion on the impact the app-eco system has on the industry by highlighting 4 consequences this rapid market growth will have.
These market developments emphasize the importance of formulating a mobile strategy that is covering all app strategy dimensions from mobile use case definition, platform selection, target group prioritization, decision on the proximity to core services, selection of open or walled garden sourcing strategy to organizational implementation of mobile into the existing company structures. (Get in contact to find out more on research2guidance app strategy framework: [email protected])
Regardless of the time scale, this inevitability makes your mobile/app and web strategy in the long run more important than your PC/web strategy.
To get the stats behind these market changes, read research2guidance’s “The Smartphone App Monitor Vol. 10”, the comprehensive source of app market analysis.
We invite you to comment and tell us your thoughts on the future of the app market and its consequences for app developers and publishers.
An app user is defined as someone who has downloaded at least one app. Someone who owns a mobile device, which is capable of downloading and running a mobile app that is available in one of the more than 180 apps stores. Capable devices are smartphones, tablets, but also other devices like the iPod Touch.