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What are the strongest verticals in app development besides gaming
Hello! Thanks for your question about app verticals and which are currently growing and gaining popularity for development. The short answer is that the top, currently growing app development verticals in demand are: Personalization, Workplace/Productivity, Mobile/Online Shopping, Health and Fitness, and News & Magazine. These application categories also have some of the best "app stickiness" when it comes to users using the app continuously without uninstalling it. Below you will find a deep dive of my finding.
METHODOLOGY
When researching this topic, I focused primarily on app categories/verticals in both mobile and computer app development. I utilized different statistic websites and articles to put together an overall analysis below about which verticals are currently growing the fastest and the demand for app development.
TOP MOBILE APP VERTICALS
1. Personalization Apps
Personalization absolutely dominates the app growth category as more people are using applications to personalize their phone experience and navigation as well as using these types of apps on computers in order to customize websites. These apps often focus on creating an easy-to-use program to simplify the personalization process as well as functions like web page building, creating graphics, etc.
2. Workplace & Productivity Apps
Coming in close with current growth and demand in 2016 going on to 2017 are Workplace & Productivity Apps. These applications have had a rising demand as more and more computer and mobile device based applications began to make the work day much more efficient. The demand for these apps to be developed is also very high due to increased demand by whole companies, rather than just individuals, for programs that can make complex issues easier to deal with for workers. A major player in this app development vertical as well is Shopify and similar eCommerce and Web Building sites. Shopify, for example, allows for applications to be built and sold primarily for use on their platform to make it easier for Shopify users/sellers to create the online store they desire. Examples of applications here would be apps that help someone customize their website to show an Instagram feed, create clickable images, easily format without the need for individual HTML coding, etc.
3. Shopping Apps
Mobile and Online Shopping Apps have been trending big ever since the year 2015. Applications on mobile devices allowing users to shop on their favorite sites or experience a new marketplace are huge with user and can have a long "app stickiness" life expectancy. Apps are being developed here for both mobile devices and computer interfaces ranging from sophisticated "Craigslist-style" programs to monthly box services to marketplaces like eBay and Amazon. Once again, Shopify for example also utilizes a mobile application to allow for easy management of a website and orders placed at the personalized web site.
4. Health & Fitness Apps
Health & Fitness Apps have began trending since 2014 and are still in the top categories today in terms of demand. While it has since fallen from the #1 spot, these apps are still widely developed and used by businesses and individuals alike. Many fitness companies are looking to add mobile and online apps for workout tracking and other data entry and consumers love using these apps to track their progress and monitor themselves (ex. keeping a calorie intake journal on a mobile device).
5. New & Magazine Apps
In 2015, News & Magazine Apps were massive and are still very much in demand today. With newspapers and even online news sites losing popularity, applications for different mainstream news channels & magazines along with smaller, single-person run news blogs are increasing in demand again. Individuals who are seeing success online with a news blog or website (possibly a Youtube channel as well) are looking to develop easy-access mobile applications to keep their followers informed. Beyond what is on TV, many smaller news blogs, Youtube channels, and other digital periodicals are being developed targeting the younger generation who prefer technology over utilizing a news paper or even television to know what is happening around them.
CODING HOUSES & FREELANCE DEVELOPERS
The most popular uses for these services often deal with solving technical issues and developing personal applications for small businesses. From the data I have compiled here, I can confidently state that most apps developed from these types of services largely have to do with implementing different digital abilities for small to medium businesses. Demand for app development will also continue to climb greatly as the overall app economy is projected to hit over $100 Trillion by year 2020. I can firmly conclude that Personalization and Workplace/Productivity Apps are the fastest growing verticals currently with Shopping Apps coming in at a close third with eCommerce becoming an extremely booming industry that should see a lot of quick growth in the years to come.
CONCLUSION
To wrap it up, Personalization, Workplace/Productivity, Mobile/Online Shopping, Health and Fitness, and News & Magazine are currently the fastest growing and most demanded verticals for app development. There is strong evidence that Workplace & Productivity Apps will continue to rise intensely in demand in order to make the work day much more efficient and simple. With the rise in eCommerce as well, Shopping and Peronalization Apps go hand-in-hand when it comes to the need for such apps and services.
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