Gen Z is the generation born with a silver spoon of internet. They are unaware of the pain of dial-up connections, slow internet speeds, and hanging computers and devices. Hence, the way we treated previous generations of software and app development, Gen Z cannot be treated the same way. For most of us, only a working app that suffices functionality was a must rather than focusing much on “aesthetics”. But, for Gen Z, these are the things that do matter and, as a custom app development agency, it’s our responsibility to change the way we think when we design and develop Apps.
To think, like Gen Z, we have worked on certain aspects which companies should factor in when they develop mobile apps, because almost 98% of Gen Z own a smartphone.
Do away with the traditional design patterns
Gen Z is a smart batch of the population. You might have noticed that most of the apps are now getting rid of the traditional hamburger menus that slided from the left in the apps. Instead, they are more focused towards giving the users direct access to the most required items and hiding the other items in the menus.
The app developers today are no longer using the traditional progress bars to show the processing. Its place has been taken by catchy animations while the processes are executed in the back. No one likes the traditional green progress bar. The idea here is to make the wait time as well a fun activity.
All in all, the mobile app development companies should identify such subtle items and start migrating towards a more Gen Z style of design.
Be minimalistic and simple
Gen Z is born in an era of information overload. They have all the information on their tips, hence, they appreciate the simple and minimal design. This doesn't mean they simply favor minimalism for looks. They appreciate visual layouts that are easy to use and navigate, ultimately making their experience smoother. Straightforward interfaces with clear navigation are key to grabbing and holding their attention.
Think mobile first
98% of the Gen Z population owns a mobile phone. All app development companies should think about mobile first while designing apps. Gen Z loves their phones and rarely go on the desktop or any other screen. While focusing on the mobile only, don’t forget to factor in the tablets and iPads as well. The trends over the past 5 years have changed considerably when companies are going mobile first before going to the web and other screen dimensions.
The best example here is Myntra.com, a shopping brand acquired by the Indian eCommerce giant Flipkart. Myntra has seized their web app and became a mobile only platform way back in 2015.
Moving forward, this will also evolve into an immersive-only app Vision Pro and other devices being launched every other year.
Personalisation
Gen Z likes personal touch and attention. They no longer want to be included or addressed as the masses. The app should display a touch of personalisation based on their selections, traits, and interactions. The apps should not only be personal in terms of aesthetics but functioning as well.
With the advent of AI, companies are now more inclined towards personalisations. The Apps, with the assistance of understanding AI, understand the audience on a personal level and cater specifically to each user. The best example of this is Netflix, where, based on users’ search and watch history, the shows are suggested to them. Such personalisations make the users feel wanted and heard.
Minimal Interactions
One factor of Gen Z working against them is their level of patience. Because they have quick and easy access to everything, they don’t like long routes and wait times. They want the apps to understand them with the minimum interaction possible. The less the number of interactions to perform a task, the more they like it.
As per our experience, the maximum amount of interaction Gen Z would like is by Level 3 or 2 taps, 2 clicks. Ideally, if your apps have this aspect, it's more likely to get accepted by Gen Z.
A classic example is Apple’s long press, which has been explored perfectly by the app developers. The Apps use a long press feature to bring up the quickest and most used features of respective apps in order to reduce the interactions from the users.
Be Authentic
The competition is enormous, and the generation is tech-savvy and well-aware. Being authentic is the only key to succeeding with Gen Z. They have a plethora of options available and are quick to judge and compare the apps. So, stock photography, matching colour schemes, matching design patterns are quickly understood by them.
They are quick to differentiate between what is authentic and what is fake. Be it designs, be it content, be it features, always be authentic about what you offer in your apps.
Conclusion
Today's app users, particularly Gen Z, crave a more engaging and personalized experience. To win them over, we must shed the traditional development mindset and embrace a Gen Z-centric approach. This means prioritizing intuitive design, minimalism, and mobile-first functionality. Catering to their desire for a personal touch through features like AI-powered recommendations further strengthens the bond.
By understanding these preferences, an app development company can craft applications that resonate with Gen Z, establishing a long-term engagement with the new and future generations.