How to make a splash screen for your app in 3 simple steps?
Here’s how you can create a splash screen for your app in a few easy steps:
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Enter the name of your app
Select an app category, color scheme and test device for your app
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Add features of your choice
Make a splash screen for your app in just a few minutes and customize your app
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Test your app on real devices
Once you are set, publish your app to Google Play and Apple App Store
Design an Attractive Splash Screen for an Appealing First Impression
First impressions matter, period!
Why do you think the entrance to seven-star hotels are so grand? As an app designer, it is important that you think about the first impression you are making on someone who is using it for the first time.
This is where splash screen and its design can come to your aid.
In this post we are going to talk about splash screens for both Android and iOS, reasons why we need splash screens, app splash screen generators, how to create splash screen in Android and iOS, best practices for splash screen design.
So, let’s start with the basics, first.
What is a splash screen?
A splash screen, often encountered by users as they launch an application, is a brief introductory display that usually showcases an app’s logo, brand name, or a relevant graphic. It serves as the initial visual contact a user has with an app, acting as a welcoming gesture before they transition to the main content or functionality.
While the splash screen’s duration is typically short, lasting a few seconds, its design and presentation are crucial in setting the tone for the overall user experience.
Beyond its aesthetic purpose, a splash screen can serve functional roles as well. For instance, during the few seconds when the splash screen is visible, an app might be performing essential background tasks, such as loading resources, establishing connections, or initializing data.
In this way, the splash screen masks potential waiting times, ensuring that users aren’t immediately confronted with delays or loading indicators. This approach can enhance the perception of a smooth and swift app startup.
In designing a splash screen, developers often prioritize clarity, simplicity, and brand alignment. Overcomplicating the design or displaying too much information can detract from its primary purpose.
Instead, a well-designed splash screen should be a harmonious blend of engaging visuals and quick load times, giving users both a positive first impression and a seamless entry into the application. As apps continue to evolve, the splash screen remains a pivotal element in shaping user perceptions and ensuring a polished, professional app presentation.
What is a splash page?
A splash page serves as an intermediary display that users encounter before diving into the main functionality of the application. It’s akin to a digital handshake, offering users a brief, yet impactful introduction. Unlike the splash screen, which typically showcases an app’s logo or brand momentarily during the app’s loading time, a splash page can present users with choices or crucial information.
For example, in multi-functional apps, a splash page might prompt users to select between various modes or features of the application. In apps that cater to diverse audiences, the splash page can be used to determine language preferences or offer a brief tutorial for first-time users.
Designed to be visually appealing, splash pages can incorporate animations, vibrant graphics, or succinct messages, aiming to enhance user engagement from the get-go. However, while crafting a splash page, it’s essential to strike a balance. The goal is to engage and guide users, not to hinder their app experience.
Thus, a well-designed splash page is intuitive, concise, and seamlessly integrated, ensuring that users can transition to the app’s core functions effortlessly. In the realm of app design, the splash page stands as a strategic tool, bridging user expectations with app offerings.
Why do we need an app splash screen?
There has been enough debate about using app splash screens in apps. While some people are of the opinion that it puts people off, there are others who insist that mobile app splash screens help in more ways than one.
Let’s take a look.
- Instant gratification
Patience is a precious commodity, and it is rare! No one today has the patience to wait long for an app or a website to load. In fact, according to a study by Kissmetrics, 40% people abandon a website after waiting for three seconds, if the website does not load! Three Seconds!
A splash screen gives the app users a reason to stick around.
- Set the tone
The user experience begins the moment a user opens your app. You can use your app splash screen to set the tone of the entire experience that you have designed for them. Splash screens that are designed well, acknowledge the presence of the customer, making them feel appreciated and cared for. Isn’t that a great tone to set, right at the start?
This can backfire, if you didn’t pay enough attention to the design of your app and you create a negative experience for the app users. In fact, this is something you may never come back from!
- Manage user perception and expectations
User satisfaction is of prime importance when it comes to any mobile app. Splash screens can help you maximize it beautifully by managing their perception and expectations. Using a splash screen, you can ensure that their perception of your app is above their expectations from the app.
If you manage to do this, you can ensure user satisfaction.
- Smoothen delays
Let’s face it, there are going to be delays in loading. The wait becomes a little more bearable when you have at least an idea about how long it is going to take. You may have the best app, your users may have the best device, still there may be times when a delay is unavoidable. This may be when the app is loading user data or authenticating with remote services. An app splash screen can help reduce user anxiety as they are waiting. This helps by making the wait time feel lesser and assuring them that the app is still loading.
- Brand Loyalty
App splash screens is a great space to establish brand loyalty. This is where you can showcase your brand property, particularly your logo or a tag line that you want the customers to associate with your app.
34% people accept that they spend more on a brand that is consistent with its messaging, while 39% say they would spend less on a brand that lacks this consistency.
However, overdoing this can backfire, because it can lead to an aversion, when you try too hard. Be careful with this one!
Best practices for mobile app splash screen design
Splash screens need not be splashy or flashy. In fact, it is a good idea to stay away from the jazz. You don’t want to annoy your customers! Think about creating a splash screen that is different, memorable, but not disruptive.
- Keep it short
I reiterate here, not many people have the patience to wait these days. For example, we know how popular videos are today, but if the loading time for video goes even 400-millisecond more than 2 seconds, people will abandon it and move on.
What I am trying to say here is that considering the attention span is getting shorter by the day and the general level of patience is pretty low, a longer splash screen is bound to drive people away from your app. you certainly don’t want that, do you?
A splash screen gives the app users a reason to stick around.
- Maintain brand identity
Like I mentioned earlier in the blog, maintaining consistency in brand messaging is important. This not only assures the app users of your authenticity, but also helps you in solidifying your brand recognition.
Brand identity can be maintained by maintaining the brand colors, including the brand logos strategically in the visual, and being consistent with the general tone and brand messaging.
- Right image format
As a best practice, it is important that you design the splash screen in the correct format. The transparent PNG format suits the purpose best. Though other formats may do the job, but the PNG format makes the entire screen look more appealing and cleaner.
- Avoid advertising
In-app advertising is a viable and popular method of app monetization. However, your splash screen is not a place to put up ads! This is going to do your app more harm than good. The splash screen is something that introduces your app and if ads are the first thing they see, can you imagine how they are going to react? They may even uninstall your app!
- Maintain size & resolution
One of the worst points to ignore is the size and resolution of the splash screen. A splash screen that doesn’t fit the screen size hampers your entire brand image. It looks unprofessional and makes your products and services seem untrustworthy. This is tricky because there are multiple screen sizes, particularly in case of Android devices that have multiple options.
- Simple but memorable
Splash screens must catch the eye and attention of the app users; hence they must be designed beautifully. Adding too many elements or text to this screen is not a great idea. If you are doing this right, your splash screen will only appear for a short while. There is no need to overload the screen. Some designers go for a color gradient, while others advocate for a combination of creative backgrounds, logo, and a bit of animation.
- Make the wait bearable
Splash screens do a pretty good job of keeping the users engaged. However, if your app is taking some time to load, it is a good idea to put in a loading indicator to let the app users know how long the wait will be. It could be a progress bar, or a short wheel animation assuring them that the app is loading.
- Bring joy
A great visual that brings forth your brand identity sparks joy in the app user. Well begun is half done. If you can induce a positive feeling or happiness right at the start, the rest of the user experience on the app is bound to go great.
How to add a splash screen to your app?
Step 1: Go to appypie.com/app-builder and click on “Create your app”
Step 2: Enter your business name and click on Next 
Step 3: Choose the category for your app
Step 4: Pick a color scheme for your app
Step 5: Select a test device
Step 6: Click on Save and Continue to check the preview of the app
Step 7: Signup to create an account with Appy Pie. If you already have an app account, you can click on login to continue. You can even login using your Google account
Step 8: This is Design Customization section. From here you can change the app color theme, fonts and colors, app layout, app elements, etc. Here we will add the app splash screen
Step 9: Scroll down to customize app elements area. Here you will see app splash screen option and default image. Click on the image to add a new splash screen
Step 10: A popup “Splash Screen” will open. Here you have three options. If you want, you can either add an image from Appy Pie, or a paid Shutterstock image or upload your own image as a splash screen
Step 11: Once you are done, click on Ok to continue
Should you use a splash screen?
The most downloaded apps in the world almost always have splash screens. Sure, their use is questioned by many including app developers, app users, and app owners alike. But that does not change the fact that they are important.
The benefits of splash screens outweigh the cost. With tools like Appy Pie, making a splash screen is a simple and easy task that takes just a few minutes. Splash screens are especially beneficial for apps that are really heavy and use a lot of processing power to run. They keep users away from loading screens in a fun and entertaining way.
Marketing research shows that apart from masking loading screens, splash screens are also a very strong way to help your brand’s image.