Have you ever taken a course on Coursera or studied from video lectures on Khan Academy? These apps make learning so easy and fun! But, behind their easy-to-use and simple app, there is a smart app dev team that made all the right decisions. Today, the online education market is booming. Many coaching centre and ed tech startups want to create apps just like that. In 2022, the online education market was worth $399.3 billion. It is also expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2032. With so many people preferring to learn and study online today, opting for an education app development company is more important than ever.
But hiring the wrong team can ruin your chances of becoming a successful e-learning platform. So, in this blog, we will discuss with you the most common mistakes that people make when choosing an education app development company and how to avoid them. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
Why Should You Invest in Educational App Development?
COVID-19 has changed the way people used to study and learn. Firstly, students now prefer to learn from their own mobile phones and tablets from anywhere. And secondly, in this new tech era, learning a useful skill is as important as your education. That’s why apps like Coursera and Unacademy have become popular. So if you are a school or an edtech startup, building an app is a smart move!
Here’s why you should invest in building your own app:
- It gives students more control over how and when they learn
- It helps professionals upgrade their skills
- It makes test prep and courses more fun and interactive
But to make your app work like the best ones, you need the right team to build it. And that starts with avoiding these common mistakes.
Avoid These Pitfalls in Hiring for EdTech Projects
A successful app dev company doesn’t guarantee your edtech startup’s success. There are many other factors at play. You should know what you want, but also what you DON’T want.
That’s why you need to be aware of the common mistakes to avoid when hiring an education app development company for your app.
1. Not Checking the Developer’s Past Experience
One very common mistake is not looking at the company’s previous work. Just because a company has built apps before doesn’t mean they understand education apps.
What to Ask?
- Ask for examples of learning apps they’ve built before
- Check if they’ve worked with schools, coaching centers, or edtech startups
- See if their apps are available on the App Store or Google Play
An experienced education app development company will already understand what features matter, like quizzes, progress tracking, and video lessons.
2. Poor Communication
Making a great app requires clear and consistent communication between you and the dev company. If the company isn’t asking questions or sharing updates, then they aren’t building your dream app.
What to Ask?
- Make sure you can easily talk to the team
- Set regular check-ins to review progress
- Use tools like Zoom or Slack for updates
When you are building something as detailed as a virtual education app, it’s better to over-communicate than stay quiet.
3. Ignoring the Product Life Cycle
Some people plan till the launch day. But, that’s a BIG mistake. Apps require more attention after their launch. For example, if we talk about Khan Academy, it didn’t stop growing after its launch. It kept improving, adding new and advanced features to make things easier for its users.
What to Ask?
- Check if the developer offers long-term support
- Make a plan for updates and new features
- Think beyond the first version of your edtech app
Always remember that apps need regular updates to fix bugs, add features, and stay useful.
4. Choosing Price Over Skills
Of course, budget matters a lot! But going for the cheapest option often doesn’t get you your desired results. Basically, an experienced and skilled education app development company may cost more upfront. But, in the long run, it’s saving your money by avoiding big or common blunders in your edtech app.
What to Ask?
- Compare quality, not just prices
- Ask what tech tools they’ll use (like Flutter, React Native, etc.)
- Focus on value and results, not just savings
A thought for reflection: If Coursera or Unacademy had picked the cheapest team, they might not be as popular today!
5. Ignoring the UI and UX Design
Good design matters a lot in education and learning apps. Because if your app looks messy or difficult to use, people will uninstall it fast.
What to Ask?
- Keep the app clean and simple
- Use big buttons, readable fonts, and easy navigation
- Test the design with students or teachers before launch
A well-designed app makes learning more fun and keeps people coming back to your app. If they had a good experience, they will even recommend it to other people, leading to more app users!
6. Adding Too Many Features
It’s tempting to add everything at once. You may fantasize that my app should include live classes, quizzes, chat, notes, rewards, and much more. But the reality is that too many features can confuse users.
What to Ask?
- Start small with the most important features
- Add new tools slowly based on user feedback
- Remember that less is more (at least at the beginning)
Remember, the best edtech apps didn’t start with everything. They grew over time by continually improving through customer feedback and extensive research, and development.
7. Skipping App Testing
Testing your edtech app with real people is not just an extra step in the app development process. It is an absolutely crucial one because otherwise your app may crash, show errors, or be too slow.
What to Ask?
- Make a website or landing page for your application
- Check how the edtech app works with slow internet
- Fix all the bugs before launch
A successful online education platform like Khan Academy has robust testing for different aspects of the app, like content review, accessibility testing, performance testing, etc. All of this is done so that students have a smooth learning experience.
8. No App Marketing Strategy
Another common mistake that people make is that they don’t effectively promote their educational app. Even if you have a great edtech app, you won’t get downloads simply because people don’t know it exists!
What to Ask?
- Make a website or landing page for your app
- Share on social media (like LinkedIn or Instagram)
- Use app store optimization (ASO) for better visibility
Unacademy didn’t get millions of users overnight. They used YouTube to their advantage, gave free content, brought in trusted teachers, and ran smart campaigns that really motivated the students.
What’s a Smart Way to Build a Great Learning App?
Creating an education app is not a process you should rush. That’s because it’s such a detailed process that involves numerous factors. If you skip some important aspects or hire the wrong dev team, you could seriously lose so much of your time, money and energy.
So, what’s the best thing to do? Take your time, do your own competitors’ research, make a plan, and work with a trusted and reputable education app development company that really understands your goals.