---
title: "How to Evaluate an App"
locale: "en"
language: "en-HK"
published: "2014-08-08T03:38:17.000Z"
updated: "2026-03-19T20:31:30.784Z"
canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-an-app-241"
---

# How to Evaluate an App

Download numbers do not tell the whole story of an app’s performance. Assessing its value requires considering how the business expects to recoup its investment and whether users continue opening it and browsing its information.

## In brief

Evaluate an app against its investment objectives and continued user engagement. Downloads alone are insufficient; success depends on users opening the app after downloading it and continuing to use it.

Today, mobile apps have a wide range of uses, and even different types of events and companies [develop their own dedicated ](<https://www.accordhk.com/>)[apps](<https://www.accordhk.com/>)。

to attract potential customers and raise awareness, among other purposes. Recently, however, a magazine published an article about how app development prices are no longer what they once were.

**「App Development Contracts Face Drastic Price Cuts: From One Million Down to Fifty Thousand”**

[http://realblog.zkiz.com/greatsoup38/43624](<http://realblog.zkiz.com/greatsoup38/43624>)

In Hong Kong, app development costs are no longer as astronomically high as they once were. The article points out that, apart from competition within the industry, the main reason is “poor marketing results.” This has prompted businesses to take a more measured look at the importance of apps.

But how exactly should we assess the quality of an app?

Many people believe that “download numbers” clearly reflect the quality of an app, but download numbers do not tell the whole story. Some apps are used only a few times after being downloaded and then never opened again. Even for paid apps, 1 month after download, the proportion of users still using them falls below 5%.

Assessing the quality of an app therefore depends on how its developers or the business intend to recoup their investment in the app. The focus should go beyond download numbers and usage rates.

Simply put, the main factors to consider when assessing an app are as follows:

[![App](<https://www.accordhk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/APP-222x300.png>)](<https://www.accordhk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/APP.png>)

The factors mentioned above may not apply to every app. The key point, however, is that these factors assess an app from the perspective of a long-term initiative.

The key to a successful app is not how many people download it, but how many users open it after downloading and are willing to keep using it and browsing the information in the app.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can download numbers alone tell us whether an app is successful?

No. The article explains that some apps are used only a few times after downloading and then never opened again, so downloads do not tell the whole story.

### What should businesses consider when evaluating an app?

They should consider how they intend to recoup their investment in the app and evaluate its performance over the long term. The focus should go beyond download numbers and usage rates.

### What does the article identify as the key to a successful app?

The key is how many users open the app after downloading it and are willing to keep using it and browsing its information.

### Why were app development prices falling, according to the article?

The 2014 article cites industry competition and, primarily, poor marketing results. These factors prompted businesses to reassess the importance of apps.