We are back from Barcelona! Last week, for the 5th year, our team participated in the Mobile World Congress. We just got back with a lot of positive remarks and feedback.

We have already talked about the general process on how to make an app, pointing specific requirements that ranged from concept to development. Today, we will take a closer look into what it takes to build an app for one specific industry — with restaurant apps on the menu!

Getting together around food is such an important part of so many cultures that restaurants are probably never going to go out of fashion. That being said, with globalisation, the competition has never been more fierce. Traditional cuisine is challenged by new eating patterns (snacking, food trucks) and new consumption habits (such as fast deliveries at any time of day). Interestingly enough (for us), technology is playing an increasingly important part in the evolution of dining behaviors.

As of March 15, 2017, the Play Store will require all published Android apps to provide a valid Privacy Policy. This rule will apply to apps requesting or handling "sensitive user or device information". Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are some precautionary measures you can take.

Interpaul Digital Agency is a French agency that we had the pleasure of meeting at App Days in Paris and were quite impressed by—with their strong focus and priority on design, it's easy to see why this agency has become a huge success. Their apps have been the envy of many GoodBarber users, and now they are letting us in on some of their secrets. 

If you are looking at creating an app for your restaurant, it's most likely that you’re already convinced a mobile presence will serve your business, through boosting sales, improving brand awareness and building loyalty. But, and we’ve said it here before, no business should create an app just to create an app. Which is why it’s crucial, for restaurants and other business owners alike, to go mobile with user experience in mind, to serve customers first, the one and only way to serve your business in return.

After an unsettling year, let’s hope 2017 will bring some extent of consolation and comfort. Think this context has nothing to do with your business? Think again.

"The potential of tourism for sustainable development is considerable." The words of former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, delivered during his World Tourism Day address in 2015, have been heard, 2017 has been designated by the UN as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

As of last year, apps officially dominate the desktop web, with 50% of our digital time spent on our smartphones. While there's no doubt that the mobile market is growing, it's becoming more of a challenge to make a dent in the market. This problematic is true across markets, but what of the tourism business in particular? What should be your strategy if you have a concept for a tourism app? As for technology, what are the tools you should consider to adapt your business to mobile and meet the expectations of today's consumers?

Next up is another uniquely named agency concentrating on the Italian and Middle Eastern markets. We were sold on their impressive website and very complete portfolio of offerings—a well rounded agency that knows how to market themselves. 

2017 is looking pretty promising in terms of what we will see in the world of tech events. We narrowed the hundreds out there down to what we feel would be the most beneficial for agencies to attend, with regards to the attendees, the topics covered, and the activities that will take place. We certainly have our eye on several of them, and hope to see you there.