How Did the Pandemic Revolutionize the App Industry?
We hate to look back, especially at such hard times as the pandemic. The pandemic had severe global repercussions, ranging from distancing to complete lockdowns, as well as health and economic consequences. All of this wasn’t so easy to deal with, given that it was very sudden and novel. As tough as the situation was, it also had a bright side. The way people were able to innovate and adapt in all fields in such a short time was impressive and really made our lives easier. One of the industries that, frankly, had its fair share of advantages during the pandemic is the app industry. During the pandemic, apps had an astonishing impact on people from all around the world. They filled numerous voids left by the pandemic. In this article, we’ll break down how the app industry bloomed during the pandemic and the apps that helped during that time.
The App Industry Pre-Pandemic
Before the pandemic, the app industry was already a thriving and profitable business, boasting some of the most popular apps that had taken the world by storm. People were already using social media and gaming apps. These apps had managed to capture the attention of both the young and the old. Despite the success of these apps, many had yet to live up to their full potential. They were looking for ways to tap into new markets and expand their user base. Also, there were full categories of apps left unveiled with a very limited user base. The revenue of the app industry pre-pandemic was also very hopeful. It generated about $255 million, with gaming apps being the most profitable category. App downloads were also on the rise, reaching 200 billion downloads in 2019.
The App Industry Post-Pandemic
Fast forward to the beginning of a new, worrying era. At first, things weren’t clear for all industries. However, it was very clear to developers and the app industry in general. Since day one, the demand has been growing tremendously for apps. This posed an exciting opportunity for developers, who had the chance to create innovative apps that would shape the industry and revolutionize the way we interact with technology. The pandemic only served to further fuel this growth as the need for digital solutions increased and the demand for new products and services grew. With the rise of the app industry, the opportunities for entrepreneurs have never been greater.
Increased Usage and Adaptations of Existing Apps
The increased demand for apps during the pandemic has led to an increased usage of existing apps as well as adaptations of them. Social media, streaming services, and video chat apps have seen the most dramatic increases in usage. Existing apps have also been adapted to fit the needs of people during this time. Developers were looking for the best way they could adapt to the new needs emerging, as users were mostly using their apps around the clock and always asking for more.
Video chat and conferencing apps like Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, which were of very limited usage, witnessed a growth reaching 627 percent in downloads. Millions of people were rushing to download such apps to help them work remotely. These app developers had no choice but to scale up their apps to be able to adjust to such usage. They also had to add new and innovative features that will mimic work environments.
Entertainment apps such as Netflix acted as a sweet escape for people at the time. For instance, Netflix went on to expand with both numbers and features. Developers worked to enhance all the services offered on the platform. In turn, Netflix reached nearly 200 million subscribers and had a 23% growth rate in revenue.
Communication apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Discord also got to be part of the wave of an increasing number of users and heavy usage. Discord, which was mainly a communication channel limited to gaming communities, saw the greatest increase in downloads and revenues. The app’s revenue went from $45 million to $130 million, an 188% growth rate. The same happened for gaming apps, especially online games where users could communicate through voice and video chats, such as Roblox and Minecraft. These apps acted like lifesavers as they helped build bridges between people despite the distance and made communication easier and possible during such hard times.
The Emergence of New Types of Apps
The case wasn’t only limited to the enhancement of existing apps but also the blooming and emergence of new apps and app categories. For instance, food delivery apps got introduced to people during the pandemic. Although some apps under this category already existing, however, it wasn’t very familiar to the majority of people. The demand for traditional food delivery and restaurant alternatives increased. That’s when it was time for apps like Door Dash, Grub Hub, and Uber Eats to shine. The food delivery app market saw the largest growth in many years in 2020.
Health and wellness apps were the stars of the show, as people got to discover healthcare apps for the first time. These apps provided a broad range of services that could meet all healthcare needs, including online doctor consultation and drug prescription, a COVID-19 symptoms tracker, and mental health support. Fitness apps also had a place in the picture, as people used them to stay physically fit during the lockdown while also helping to combat boredom. It was the perfect way to keep healthy and active while also providing an enjoyable activity in the comfort of one's own home.
One of the consequences of the lockdown was the shutdown of schools and universities and the suspension of education all over the world. Developers had to act on the spur of the moment to find an alternative and enable students to resume virtually. E-learning apps proved their efficiency and effectiveness during this time. Apps like Google classroom and Schoology helped to imitate real-life educational experiences for students. Also, local universities and students started developing their own apps where they could provide everything for their own students.
The true icons of the new apps that appeared during the pandemic were mobile payment and banking apps. With the pandemic and the rise of contactless payments, many mobile payment apps were developed and saw an instant surge in usage. People were able to pay for goods and services and send money without having to interact with anyone. This was a great development, as it allowed people to be safe and secure in their financial transactions. Furthermore, mobile banking apps also made it easier for people to manage their finances without having to go to the bank. This meant that people had more control over their money and were able to make smarter financial decisions.
Impact of the Pandemic on the Future of the App Industry
The impact of the pandemic on the app industry has been nothing short of revolutionary. There has been an explosion in app downloads and usage. As people have become more reliant on their devices to stay connected and informed about the latest news. Furthermore, developers have had to rapidly adjust to the changing needs of their users. Many have taken the opportunity to innovate and create new features that are tailored to their customer base. As a result, the app industry is continuing to evolve and expand, given the ongoing technological progress. This has created a whole new set of opportunities in the app industry, and it has allowed developers to reach more users than ever before. And it will be interesting to see what the future holds.
It is clear that the pandemic has ushered in a new era of app development. The industry is only going to continue to grow and improve in the coming years. With the continued advancement of technology, developers will be able to create even more sophisticated and user-friendly apps and the industry will be able to reach an even wider audience. As more and more people become dependent on their devices, the app industry will only continue to flourish.
The pandemic has had a profound effect on the app industry. App developers have had to adapt to the changing demands of their users. They had to prove their ability to act immediately to sudden changes. They were successful in accomplishing so. In addition to adapting, they unleashed their innovative abilities to create new markets and app categories. In turn, leading to an increase in app downloads and usage. At the same time, the pandemic has also led to a more competitive market but still not a saturated market. App developers strive to meet the needs of their users with new ones emerging each day.
You can easily now be a part of the market and compete among the most popular apps on the market with nandbox. Nandbox is a no-code app builder that effortlessly allows you to develop a native, fully functional app in no time and at an affordable cost. nandbox offers a prominent drag-and-drop app builder with a vast collection of features to integrate. You can now unleash your innovation and help fill new market needs. Waste no time and try the nandbox app builder now!