How to Ensure Successful Mobile App Development in Dubai: 6 Ways to Leverage Cultural Relevance

Hundreds and thousands of mobile apps come into existence in the UAE every year. With the growing digitalization and startup culture in the UAE, app-based startups have now become a common trend. Eventually, Mobile App Development Dubai is now a high-demand skill.

But, did you know that hardly 5% of the mobile apps launched in the UAE succeed, while others fail? Hardly 40% of the apps existing on the App Store and Play Store have daily active users, that too, only a fistful.

Emiratis love modernity blended with tradition. Certainly, a culturally relevant mobile app has 90% higher chances of succeeding. Not sure about how to make a culturally relevant app? Here are 6 tested and proven ways-

#1 Prioritise Arabic-Friendly User Interfaces 

If your target audience belongs to the UAE, then remember that the UAE has a considerable share of Arabic speakers. English is a secondary language for many countries, and the UAE is one of them.

However, dwellers are modern and English-proficient, yet Emiratis are more cultural. Eventually, Arabic is their heart and soul. So, prioritise an Arabic-friendly user interface and let your app support the Arabic language.

#2 Do Not Forget Right-to-Left Script Layout 

Furthermore, while making a mobile app Arabic-friendly, only English to Hindi translation is not enough. Positively, considering Right-to-Left text alignment must also be on your list.

Arabic language is written Right to Left, unlike the English language. Eventually, iconography also varies. So, hire a professional mobile app design & development agency in Dubai and launch a relevant app in the UAE.

Certainly, this way, you will attract more Emirati audience to your app and they will find your app user friendly enough. 

#3 Avoid Portraying Anti-Islamic Values to Maintain a Clean Image 

The culture of the UAE is a bit reserved. In the islamic culture certain activities such as alcoholism, revealing dressing, dating, violence, etc. are not considered culturally fit. However, many E-commerce and gaming apps subconsciously portray such things on the app.

This can harm your business image in the UAE. Especially, if your target audience has kids and teenagers under parental control, then you might suffer retention. So, maintain a clean image to retain the target audience for long. Experts recommend taking mobile app development services from a UAE-based business to get the right consulting. 

#4 Try to Feature Emirati Models

The easiest way to avoid image harm due to app’s content is to feature Emriati models in place of western models.

Emirati models are already aware of the cultural values and do’s and don’ts of content in the UAE. By collaborating with them, you can eliminate the risk of breaching content policy of the UAE or hurting the Islamic values. 

#5 Follow And Incorporate the UAE’s Data Protection Laws  

United Arab Emirates has different Data Protection Laws. In addition to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), your app must be compliant also with the UAE’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL).

Your app must ensure the user that the user data is hosted and remains in the UAE. It encourages the app users to trust on your app and the services. A safer user experience ensures higher retention. 

#6 Best to Have- Beta Testing Before The Launch!

To increase the chances of app success, it is best to go for beta testing before the launch. Beta testing is the process of testing the app before its launch on the small segment of the target audience.

During this phase, the segment of the target audience uses the app and provides valuable customer feedback. On the basis of the true feedback, the business can improve its app and make it better for the users.

Once, you and the segment audience are fully satisfied with the app’s functions, features, and performance, the app is launched for the complete target audience.

Beta testing ensures that a mobile app fits the taste and preferences of the users. It multiplies the chances of app success. This technique is fit for the Emirati audience. 

Don’t Feel Burdened, Consider Hiring A Leading Mobile App Development Company in Dubai 

Making an app culturally relevant might not seem easy. Especially, if you are a non-Arabic speaker and not an Emirati, understanding the concept of a culturally relevant UI UX design and app content might seem tough. However, you need not to bother!

Consult the best mobile app development company in Dubai  and share your doubts, concerns, and project requirements with its team. Leading app development companies based in the UAE have better understanding of product’s cultural relevancy.

When a business approaches an experienced app development business, it gets many ad-ons to its ideations. So, share your app requirements with an experienced team of top notch mobile application developers. A thoughtful discussion with the professionals will help you elevate your app’s cultural relevancy and make it feature rich. 

Final Thoughts

Emirati audience is culturally sensitive. They are more driven by the Islamic culture. Eventually, building a mobile app culturally relevant and fit to the audience becomes not only an ethical, but also professional obligation for a business. Cultural relevancy can boost user engagement and increase app retention leading to the ultimate success of the app. So, if you have still not planned the above explained 6 features for your app, plan it today and unlock success.

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