The Perils of Rushed App Development: Lessons from Sonos’ Recent Setback

What Went Wrong at Sonos?

In 2024, Sonos launched a redesigned app aimed at enhancing its customers’ experience. Unfortunately, the app was riddled with bugs, missing essential features, and delivered a frustrating user experience. The backlash was swift and harsh, with users expressing disappointment and losing trust in the brand.

The fallout from this misstep was significant. Sonos not only suffered reputational damage but also experienced internal upheaval, with leadership changes highlighting the consequences of failing to prioritize a polished and user-friendly digital product.

Why Digital Products Must Be Done Right

At CNJ Digital, we believe that digital products, especially mobile apps, are critical touchpoints between companies and their customers. A well-designed and thoroughly tested app can elevate a brand’s image and user experience. Conversely, an unpolished app can have catastrophic consequences, as seen in Sonos’ case.

Key takeaways for companies investing in digital solutions:

1. User Experience (UX) is Everything

UX isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of a successful digital product. A seamless, intuitive user experience ensures customer satisfaction and builds loyalty. It also contributes significantly to the overall customer experience (CX) with your company. The more digitally oriented your company is—or aspires to be—the more critical UX becomes.

2. Thorough Testing is Non-Negotiable

Bugs and glitches are a natural part of development, but they must be addressed before launch. Comprehensive testing identifies potential issues and prevents a poor user experience. Cutting corners in this phase to launch faster often leads to undesirable outcomes and should always be avoided.ded.

3. Prioritize Quality Over Features

Launching with fewer features that work flawlessly is far better than overwhelming users with a buggy, feature-packed app. Quality always outweighs quantity in digital product development. Users are accustomed to regular app updates, and operating systems now automatically update apps. Releasing features gradually and frequently is better than launching one massive, infrequent update.

4. Continuous Improvement is Mandatory

A digital product’s journey doesn’t end at launch. Ongoing maintenance, updates, and feature enhancements keep it relevant, functional, and valuable to users. There are always new features and ideas to implement, improving user satisfaction. Regular updates are also a requirement from app stores—if an app isn’t updated within two years, it risks removal due to non-compliance, security vulnerabilities, and outdated performance.

How CNJ Digital Approaches Digital Products

Our philosophy is rooted in creating digital products that are not just functional but delightful to use. From rigorous discovery phases to comprehensive UX testing and continuous maintenance, we ensure that every app we develop meets the highest standards.

When companies cut corners or rush to launch without proper testing, they risk alienating their customers and tarnishing their reputation. Sonos’ app debacle is a prime example of how underestimating the importance of digital products can lead to severe consequences.

If your company is planning to develop or improve a digital product, let’s talk. Together, we can ensure your app not only meets but exceeds user expectations—because in today’s world, a great digital experience is a business necessity.

Learn more about our approach to digital product development on our service packages page.