Mobile apps epidemy is here, knocking at every businesses door, but does it work same for all businesses? How essential native mobile application is for your small or midsize business and what are the advantages of a mobile app for business? This article gives some answers to these questions.
The world we live in is rapidly changing year after a year, and websites that used to be the progress indicators, are now gradually going to dogs as something vintage and a bit out-of-date. Therefore, the next turn tech evolution is about to take is all in forms of mobile applications.
9 years ago there were apps for iOS and Android phones only; 6 years ago the apps for tablets have joined in for a turn; and now almost every gadget we use (might be a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, even a washing machine) has an application running on it. Every statistics you look at suggests that apps have really gone viral since that time - as we buy what Statista claims to come true in 2021:
Despite all the data gathered, business owners are still carefully calculating the profit of having an app built. Why would they need an app and an effective mobile strategy is yet unclear to them. Also, there is a fast and a bit cheaper option of having a mobile-optimized website; though native app development for business and mobile version of the site are entirely different.
Applications and mobile-friendly websites are sometimes confused, as both apps and mobile websites are accessed on mobile gadgets like the one lying next to you in this very moment. To be clear, apps are an actual piece of software installed and created to run on your mobile gadget. On the contrary, mobile-optimized websites are rendered within a any browser, providing a better user experience for touch-screen devices and smaller displays.
Moreover, apps have changed many industries as we know them, bringing some of them to the new level; a few examples of which would be industries like:
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Medicine (there now applications like UpToDate, offering evidence-based opinion and treatment recommendations on over 10 000 conditions)
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Insurance (Progressive app, where you can keep coverages, discounts, ID cards, documents, and policy details)
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Financial operations ( Paytm-like apps, where you can receive and send payments to everywhere in the world)
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Agriculture (with AgriApp-like services the info about crop production, protection and all necessary agriculture is at your fingertips)
Music (Spotify, Pandora radio as a part of new “streaming” generation of services) -
Consulting (apps like Gadh, where you are getting consultations from the seasoned professional in the area)
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And most of it - on-demand services, including various deliveries, rental services, restaurant businesses and booking organizations (Zoomato, OpenTable and loads of others)
Every business owner chooses a better fit for himself - it might either be “website for all screens” or mobile app for your business, the benefits are worth being awaited for. There are some sweet perks of app development for business worth today’s investments, for the sake of tomorrow’s profit.
1.Enlarge Your Target Audience.
The insights provided by Carnival suggest that 4 out of 5 Americans prefer to shop on mobile only; the 90% of all time users go mobile is spent within apps. By making an app for your business you add your product to the list of applications users can run on their devices. If the target audience for mobile app is under 30 this is 100% a solution, as youngsters tend to be more attached to their smartphone helpers.
2. Create a Connection With Your Customers.
Suffice to say, benefits of mobile apps for small businesses features frequently allow to you interact with your audience in many more ways than a website does. No matter which type of business you do - run a restaurant or sell furniture, your customers need to approach you. A section of messaging or a support desk can improve your client-customer relationship and communication.
The also is another side of the coin - in some ways, creating an app for your business can reduce undesirable communication for users. Haven’t you ever heard your partners or friends complaining on how tired they are of talking to a certain service’s agents? The truth to be told, in modern age of “informational flood”, there always appear moments when extra communication is unwanted; when a fine message will do all the job.
A great example of users-service connection is a well-featured Uber. You request a car by a few simple clicks on the map, no OTT chit-chats attached; though, the driver-on-the-phone option is there for you in case you need it.
Read more: Cost to make a car rental mobile app
3. Increase the Loyalty Of Your Customers.
With the amount of banners, posters, flyers, booklets, price lists, video and radio ads, and many-many other ways of commercial that go unmentioned, losing a customer gets easier and easier. However, there is a way out - as people who have already installed your app are likely to stay with your company in the future.
4. Promote Your Business Freely.
Amazon, eBay and other similar services are very convenient to sell your goods at; however, apart from the commission fees there are advertising policies you ought to follow in order to get promoted there. One of the benefits of a mobile app for business is that it gives you a complete “commercial freedom” - rewards, bonuses, competitions you can run there are unlimited. In terms of increasing your brand awareness this is something that a marketer recommends.
A perfect example of with-app-promotion is McDonald’s, where they have created an app for every Mc-country specifically. The restaurant’s location, menus and contests can be easily found once you open an it on your mobile device. Seems like Mcdonald’s owners know something about market invasion…
5. Make Them Spot You.
And again, in today’s fast-paced world we all have troubles concentrating, leave alone spotting all the fresh brands appearing on the market. Humans have a tendency to get used to the things they know, and this can do a proper job for you. Once you encourage your audience to install your app, even if they do not spend money there right from the start, they will see it scrolled in the apps main menu every time they use their smartphone (85 times per day on average as research claims ) - and let the subliminal message take advantage here. It may not drive your sales at once, but it definitely will boost your business’ awareness.
6. Stay One Step Ahead Of Competitors.
McDonalds, Uber and all the other notable examples of mobile app for your business were created with one significant goal in mind - to outperform their competitors, by offering a smarter digital solution.
Another great example of competitive advantage is Loreal’s Makeup Genius - the first virtual makeup tester. In this AR app user can give a shot to new brand’s products and even try some new makeup looks.
This stands for a well-built case of outrunning current contestants - as neither Nivea, nor Garnier have a similar product up their sleeves, particularly with an augmented reality inclusion.
Apps Are For Winners.
Truth to be told, it would be a silly claim - to say that every business needs a mobile application to run. Although the points listed below are universally acknowledged, it is not the greatest idea - to paint everybody with a same brush. Within the limit of this article the primary goal was to explain why your business needs a mobile app; to engage with customers, to drive your marketing and sales up high; now it is your turn to reconsider all the facts and figures.
We will be happy to help you analyse your business perspectives in the digital world as well. Just drop us a line.
