UAE consumers among the most demanding globally for seamless app experiences

Cisco AppDynamics recently released its 2023 App Attention Index report, highlighting UAE consumers’ remarkably high expectations for seamless digital experiences.

The report reveals that 71 per cent of UAE consumers are notably less forgiving of poor digital experiences compared to the global average of 64 per cent.

Rising expectations and changing attitudes

Key findings from the research indicate a significant shift in consumer behavior and expectations:

Increased expectations: 71 per cent of UAE consumers, as opposed to 62 per cent globally, express that their expectations for digital experiences have significantly risen over the past two years since the pandemic’s peak.

Demand for excellence: A staggering 74 per cent of respondents now seek only the best applications and digital services, expecting a seamless experience as standard, compared to 66% per cent globally.

Impact of performance issues: 80 per cent of UAE respondents stopped using or deleted applications due to performance issues. Moreover, 65 per cent feel that such issues indicate a lack of respect from the offending brand, significantly impacting their perception.

Control over applications: A significant 80 per cent of respondents in the UAE, 18 percentage points higher than the global average, are looking to control or limit the number of applications they use or have on their devices.

App management: 77 per cent express an eagerness to eliminate applications they don’t find valuable or use enough. Additionally, 64 per cent have deleted more applications than they’ve installed, showing a trend of selective application adoption.

Emergence of the “App Generation”

The report unveils a new cohort termed “The Application Generation,” consisting of individuals aged 18-34.

This group, on average, uses 41 different applications and digital services each month compared to 30 for those aged 35 and above.

Moreover, they display a higher level of discernment regarding application quality, with 77 per cent claiming to be more mindful about the applications they install on their devices.

The findings underscore the evolving landscape of consumer expectations and behaviors in the digital realm, emphasising the critical need for businesses to prioritise seamless app experiences to meet the increasingly discerning demands of consumers in the UAE and globally.