Businesses have taken a steep curve to focus on Mobile applications; this is the new definition for offering better customer services. It also helps in increasing productivity and business efficiency. Across the industry, employees and businesses are driving business mobility as per survey conducted by CSS Insight. Just creating user-friendly and fancy mobile app will not end the job; there is a need to update these applications at regular intervals according to moving trends, market requirements and it should also adapt to the latest technology. This is not a one-time investment, the more dynamic the app is; higher will be the maintenance. Maintaining mobile application can cost between $750 and $20,000 according to studies conducted by Comentum. Here are some of the best practices of Mobile App maintenance that can be considered to ensure great benefits are reaped from this at the initial few years of launch. 1. Update application frequently The mobile application requires updates every now and then based on the evolving user preference, user behavior and changes in market trend. The initial launch should only focus on rolling out some of the main features of the application; the rest of the features should follow in updates and version releases. This gives a sense to users that the app is improving day-by-day and there are more benefits to be derived from the app. Along with pre-fixed updates, you can add new implications based on present market preferences at the time of updates. 2. Regular and scheduled system maintenance Just like any other software application, even a mobile application has to go through regular system maintenance. It is advisable to schedule these at regular intervals of 2-3 months. If it is something that would affect the user’s performance in the app, it is essential to keep the users informed about the same. With the help of this scheduled maintenance, you will be able to reduce the probability of ad hoc maintenance scenarios. Ensure there are sufficient time and staff allocated for this system maintenance to be completed on time. 3. Research on flexibility and scalability of your mobile app It is quite possible that during the time of your mobile app launch there were lots of users and turnover was high but gradually it might decrease or the other way around. In order to manage these situations, you must do research of the scalability and flexibility of the mobile app. If your app is focused on a niche market, it is essential to understand the niche market’s preferences before updating or revising the app. At initial phase, the high turnover could be due to users are exploring your app. But these users can be retaining only if it is able to understand and serve the recurring user requirements. 4. Offer performance boosters The last thing that your users want to face is slowness in the app. If the speed in the app starts falling, users will tend to find alternatives. Thus offer speed boosters, have high quality speedometer checks to ensure that it is user-friendly and fast. It is also important to keep in mind that when your app hits the international market, certain degree of slowness is expected. This should be managed in such a way that regular speed boosters can balance. 5. Recheck certifications Some certifications purchased will require annual or periodic review. Of course, most of the certification sites will share notifications as reminder for renewal but it is essential to not lapse these certifications while your app is up and running. For instance, iOS needs additional certification to send push notifications to its users, this requires annual renewal. Don’t keep adding certifications which are unnecessary, understand the need and get one. Else it would turn out to be a waste of money. 6. Version update to fix bugs Though you have done all great things possible to launch your app at the first go without any flaws, there is high chance of having bugs in it gradually. Version updates should be offered to the users to help fix these bugs. The more the app is getting better, users will stay close to it. Understanding the user’s needs and preference is the key to prioritize which bug has to be fixed first. When it comes to design or fixing bug, you should give preference to fixing bug rather than designing it for better look. 7. Ensuring access to help-desk for users Irrespective of how perfect your app is, it can fail at some point of time. There should always be an accessible help desk set up to address user queries at any given point of time. Whether your app is 100% live or not, there should be 24 hours help desk made available. In a dynamic app, things that look perfect today can disappear the next day. It’s never too early to start implementing this maintenance to your mobile app. Whether your app is doing great or not, consider including these maintenances and you will gradually see better response for your mobile app. Some of the core benefits of mobile app system maintenance are performance optimization, app life extension, higher ROI for your app; it supports the latest technology, performance enhancements, solves any code errors and also fixes bugs. Additional, you can get your users to review your application; this will help in getting direct user feedback for improvements and to keep the users close to your app. Market stats is another main factor to be considered before any system maintenance, moving your cards at the wrong time can turn as a bane instead of a boon. Your users will always be curious to know what comes in the next latest update. While you are ensuring to offer something unique, it is also important to keep in mind that old features should not be removed unless there absolutely no benefits to any users. Having said all these, strive to build trust and let your users know that you care for their needs and preferences.