In order to maximize their return on investment when it comes to connected television, companies need to optimize their applications to fully fit into the system's functionality, according to one author.

Christopher Rick, in an August 23 ReelSEO article, laid out his tips for what app developers need to include when making a smart TV application.

Mainly, he said, app developers need to understand what connected television users expect from their TV sets and about how to best provide a service using the platform. For example, he said an app should have five-way navigation options for optimal use with a remote control. In addition, the application should be made to fit a screen wider than 40 inches.

Also, television screens are viewed from greater distances than computer monitors, so text and images need to be larger. Rick said that smart TV users tend to exhibit less patience with the device, so the app must perform immediately for users. He also wrote that many connected television owners are likely to use additional screens for supplementary information, and a good app should take advantage of that.

Another aspect that app developers should keep in mind is the format for which it will be optimized. Different connected TV platforms require unique coding and have different functionality concerns, so developers should keep this in mind "to develop a consistent and ergonomic user experience across multiple devices," Rick wrote.

The importance of maximizing smart TV ROI
Understanding how to best make connected TV users happy is key as the format becomes increasingly popular for viewers and advertisers. According to an August YuMe survey, 30 percent of all households with an internet connection have some form of connected television.

In addition, the survey found that connected TV is an especially fruitful realm for advertising. Close to 90 percent of respondents said they paid attention to video ads, with about 66 percent saying they interact with ads.

"This study confirms that connected TV represents a tremendous advertising opportunity for brands looking to generate consumer awareness and meaningful interactions," Ed Haslam, YuMe's senior vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "In particular, the growth of short-form video content, and the willingness, even interest, of consumers to view advertising to view the content, speaks volumes about the opportunity here."