Top 10 Software Development Trends for 2023

Software development has become one of the most exciting and dynamic sectors of the tech industry, and it’s easy to see why: apps are dominating social life and business, whether they are web apps, mobile apps, video games, online stores, enterprise tools or almost anything else you can think of—there’s software for it.

All of these things are made possible through software development, and given the importance of the market, it’s no surprise that businesses are investing in custom software development to build digital products that are tailored to their specific needs. But the market is also continuously evolving, adopting new software development technologies, methods, and features that become the next big thing. When considering what kind of software you want for your business, it’s worth taking a look at upcoming tech trends so that you stay ahead of the curve and future-proof your product.

Here’s a rundown of the top 10 software development trends to keep an eye on for 2023:

1. Mobile-First Development

Over 62% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, with the vast majority of internet users accessing the web via their smartphones. This has made mobile app development a priority for many businesses, as it provides a better user experience for smartphone users. But it also means that web app development is shifting toward a mobile-first design paradigm, in which websites are being built with the mobile version in mind, having a user interface constructed with a touchscreen-friendly design.

2. Mobile Commerce

Related to the above, companies are looking to capitalize on all that smartphone web traffic by shifting the priorities of e-commerce to consider the mobile shopper first. The online store of the future should be more than just a website, even a mobile-focused one. Mobile e-commerce apps are capable of much more, using on-device and user data to make personalized recommendations, store credentials, send push notifications, and more.

3. Cross-Platform Apps

Software platforms refer to operating systems such as Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, etc. Traditionally, an app had to be developed for only one platform at a time, as it was costly and difficult to code for multiple platforms. However, modern software development tools allow for cross-platform development, in which an app can be developed in a single programming language with minor tweaks and executables to run on different platforms. This speeds up development time, allows you to reach more customers, and offers a consistent user experience across different platforms, building a better brand identity.

4. Voice Search

Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have popularized search for things via voice, especially on smartphones. As a result, it’s become imperative that companies consider how well their products can be discovered via voice search as well as a traditional text input on search engines, optimizing their apps for this purpose.

5. AI and NLP

Natural language processing (NLP) is a field within artificial intelligence that trains AI to respond effectively to human language (voice and text). This is used to automate many services that previously needed direct human interaction, such as customer support. Using this technique, chatbots can be used to field inquiries that would have previously been an FAQ page or booking menu, driving customer engagement.

6. Wearable Tech

Wearables include things like smartwatches, fitness trackers, AR glasses, and even specialized healthcare devices. Developers are working on creating better software for the next generation of wearables, using techniques such as edge computing to make them more versatile and less dependent on a connection to a smartphone.

7. Better Cybersecurity

Every now and then, a high-profile data breach makes the news, and users are urged to change their online passwords. Incidents like this can severely damage the hacked company’s reputation, and yet, leveraging user data to personalize an app is a hugely important part of modern digital services. This is why current software development should always involve strict cybersecurity measures, including robust testing and sophisticated user authentication.

8. Extended Reality (XR)

Extended reality (XR) covers technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), both of which are becoming more accessible to the consumer market via AR apps for smartphones, VR gaming, and enterprise apps, and the emerging trend of a Web3 metaverse based on blockchain technology. To take advantage of this, companies are incorporating spatial and graphical capabilities into their new apps for XR features.

9. Low-Code or No-Code Dev Tools

Low-code and no-code platforms are tools that allow people with little experience in software development to build user flows with basic programming training. These platforms contribute to speeding up many development tasks and lowering the entry barrier.

10. On-Demand Apps

The on-demand industry includes services like video streaming, food delivery, transport, freelance services, and more. It enables instant access to what you want via a few taps on an app. The current trend is to make on-demand apps even more personalized and better able to anticipate and satisfy user needs.

Future-Proof Your Software

As you can see from the list, modern software development leverages multiple emerging technologies to improve the current user experience. Businesses should consider engaging with these trends today in order to stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

AccelOne’s US-Nearshore Software development team has a proven track record of developing powerful software solutions incorporating the latest technologies. To learn more about how we can help create the best software solution for your business, contact us online or call 800.863.6814.