The role of application size and download speed

Why is app size a crucial factor in a user's decision to download an app?

A user makes their decision to download an app within seconds, and one of the most important factors is the app's size.
The larger the size, the more likely they are to hesitate to download it, especially if they're on a slow data network.
In fact, many users ignore apps that exceed a certain size without even reading the details.
The smaller the app size, the higher the download rate, especially in countries with limited internet speeds.
Failure to find enough space on the phone has also become a common dilemma for users.

Designing a small app starts with writing clean and efficient code and avoiding unnecessary add-ons.
Images and videos within the app should be compressed without compromising quality.
Using lightweight libraries instead of bulky ones is an important step.
Optimization tools like App Bundle help reduce download sizes upon installation.
Resources can also be downloaded only when needed, rather than being bundled with the original version.

How does app loading speed affect a user's first impression?

A user's first impression of your app begins from the moment they click the "Install" button.
If the wait is long, the user will feel frustrated before even trying the app.
Loading speed is not just a technical factor; it's a visual and psychological experience for the user.
Every second of delay in opening an app reduces their enthusiasm and increases the likelihood of deleting it immediately.
An app that opens within seconds conveys a sense of professionalism and confidence.

To achieve optimal loading speed, you must first minimize background processes that occur upon initial launch.
Use timers to load data gradually instead of waiting for everything to load at once.
The first page that appears should be light, simple, and contain only the necessary elements.
Leverage local caching to load information quickly without fetching everything from the server.
Using a sleek and fast Splash Screen increases the sense of stability and balance.

The Relationship Between App Size and Continuity of Use

Some may think that the challenge ends once the app is downloaded, but the truth is that the journey begins there.
App size plays a significant role in how long a user will continue using it.
When a user notices that an app is taking up a large amount of space on their phone, they may consider deleting it.
Especially if they don't use it daily or if they experience device slowdowns due to the app.
This isn't limited to the original app; it also includes the size of frequent updates.

If each update consumes dozens of megabytes, users may begin to ignore updates or delete the app altogether.
It is therefore essential to reduce the size of the files downloaded with each update and use smart differential updates.
Users can also be given the option to delete unnecessary data within the app to save space.
This reflects respect for the user experience and gives them a sense of complete control.
Even popular apps like Facebook have been criticized for their large size and impact on overall performance.

How does app size affect its penetration in different markets?

When launching a new app, the primary goal is to reach the largest possible number of users in multiple locations.

However, there are technical and geographical challenges that affect this penetration, most notably the app's size.

In markets with weak infrastructure, such as some developing countries, users cannot easily download large apps.

Weak networks, expensive internet packages, and limited storage space are all factors that limit the download of large apps.

Therefore, the lighter the app, the greater its chances of penetrating these markets.

Major companies like Google and Facebook realized this early on and released lightweight versions of their core apps.

For example, Facebook Lite and Google Go were specifically designed for these user groups.

These versions consume less data, load quickly, and require less storage space.

This has helped these companies reach hundreds of millions of new users.

If you aspire to widespread penetration, you must take into account the varying connectivity and storage conditions around the world.