Apps can help people in all sorts of ways. No matter what it is you’re looking for–dating, recipes, or finding a parking spot–to quote one of Apple’s trademarked slogans –“there’s an app for that.”

Nowadays, there is usually more than one app with the same function. The crowded app industry turns the app marketplace into an extremely competitive environment.

People want an app for a specific purpose, but now that there are more options for them to choose from, developers need to figure out new methods of standing out.

One answer to this question is to ensure your app has a superb user experience.

The International Organization of Standardization defines user experience as “a person’s perceptions and responses resulting from the use and/or anticipated use of a product, system or service.”

In other words, the experience encompasses every step that the user interacts with any aspect of your company. It’s important to note that it doesn’t stop just because the person is finished using your app.

On your quest to provide users with the best possible experience, make sure their data is secure. Use these three tips to have a great user experience without compromising security.

Personalize Your App

Customization has always been a unique way to attract customers. Now, people expect the same from their apps. Relevant communication can also help your app. A survey by HubSpot found that personalized calls-to-action improved the customer conversion rate by 202%.

Providing these kinds of custom experiences on a large scale means that your company will have to collect data on your users. It’s a straight trade. If people think that the benefits of letting you collect information outweigh its drawbacks, they’ll allow it.

Collected data will open many doors towards newer and exciting marketing opportunities and let you send personalized notifications, messages, and offers. Sunshine is a weather app that collects data based on responses to how daily weather makes its users feel, remembering situations that make them feel too hot or cold. The app then sends users customized forecasts each morning.

While data collection can help mobile app development companies create personalized app experiences, your app needs to show users that it will be worth it.

Always Ask Permission

Data privacy has been a controversial topic in recent years. Companies insist on collecting data, but sometimes they end up selling the information or not being secure enough to keep out hackers.

The Facebook leak caused many headaches for both the company and its user base. Users need to have a reason to trust your app with their data so it improves their overall experience. Almost half of people (42%) agree to share location data because it is more convenient.

Personalization can’t occur without data collection. Strive for a balance between both user experience and privacy.

Information collected from your users should be used to improve their experience within your app. Collecting data for the purpose of selling it to other companies doesn’t help your consumers and could cause trouble.

If customers find out you are selling their data without their permission, their experience may be entirely ruined, no matter how positive it had been leading up to that point.

Make sure to always ask for permission before collecting user data. Keep users notified that you have their information and how you’re using it. An open line of communication helps people feel more in control.

Treating your users as people by asking their permission indicates that you value their relationship.

Update Features and Security

As your users’ needs evolve, your app should follow suit.

Keep your app relevant by offering your users new features that will improve their experiences.

Many apps require users to download the newest update to improve security. Because data security is part of the user experience, keeping the app up to date is important to protect their information.

Unfortunately, some users won’t see security as enough motivation to update their app. They might think because the app has been safe up to this point, there is no need to update security measures.

Adding newer, more attractive features in addition to the security update can motivate users to choose to update rather than ignore it.

When Apple releases a new iPhone update, they send users notifications constantly. If the messages are ignored for too long, users will find that some features don’t work as well anymore because the phone is no longer compatible with certain apps.

Users download the update to fix the features and then also have the benefit of added security.

Consistent updates are a necessary measure to keep your data secure. Make sure to offer users incentives to download updates and keep users safe.

Conclusion

An engaging app will continue to try and improve its user experience by collecting data.

Data collection will allow you to provide a more personal and customized experience for your users, but you must ask their permission to gather it.

Security is an essential part of the user experience and it cannot be overlooked. Bundling new features with security updates will give users a reason to keep your app updated and help you keep their information more secure.

If you are trying to find the best balance between personalization and security on your app, try contacting one of these top mobile app development companies.