The Importance of Mobile Apps for Businesses
It's no secret that, in a world that is rapidly adapting accessible, user-friendly technology on an unparalleled scale, the importance of having a mobile app for your business is now more vital and critical than ever before, and in some cases it can even be a make-or-break affair for companies that are hesitant or too slow to take advantage of this ever-expanding trend.
What was once a practice used solely by the big name brands, such as Bank of America and Walmart, is now becoming more commonplace in regard to small and mid-sized businesses starting to take advantage of the many benefits that
mobile application development currently offers. We live in an entrepreneurial age and it goes without saying that the competition these days is harsh and tough, especially considering the rapidly evolving and dynamic environment that business owners now find themselves in. With all that being said, there are still plenty of people that are overlooking the importance of mobile apps, which in turn leaves a grand opportunity for those of us whom are willing to seize this moment and, in doing so, not only build up a stronger brand, better marketing opportunities and relations with customers, but also leap far ahead of competitors while doing so.
Data shows that the average American spends over two hours per day on their mobile devices. It is not unusual to see dozens of people a day using their smart phones in almost every aspect of daily life, no matter what part of the world you're in. Of course, the entirety of that usage is not time spent dedicated solely to using apps, but statistics show that it is already a large percentage of total usage and, as people continue to become more tech-savvy and dependent on technology, this statistic is undoubtedly going to prove to grow and increase further into the future.
The benefits of having a mobile app can help literally any kind of business regardless of what niche the company specializes in, there are no discriminations and the few obstacles that do exist can easily be overcome with a little creativity and the right developers and marketers behind it. At first glance, the most obvious benefit of having a mobile app is the fact that it reinforces the brand's image whilst building customer loyalty. There are not many other useful tools thoughout the digital medium that help portray a sense of professionalism to customers in a way that is comparable to the extent of a mobile apps impression.
Admittedly, mobile app development may seem like a daunting task for people that do not already possess any prior experience. Such a relatively new method of marketing and operation often comes with some confusion in regard to businesses being unsure at first of how they want to develop their app in a way that best suits the needs of their niche. There are so many different possibilities in app development available and an almost limitless amount of paths of creation that can be followed. This may seem overwhelming at first, but in reality this is a huge advantage due to the pure flexibility that having such an 'open canvas' offers.
An existing company that has already established its worth and built a reputation through other channels has already solved half the battle, the only missing piece is finding a professional and adept team of
mobile app developers to help make any existing ideas come to fruition in the form of a functional, polished mobile app. If executed correctly, here are just a handful of the benefits that can be gained for both the business and customer:
Benefits of a mobile app for Businesses:
⦁ Building a stronger foundation for brand loyalty and reinforcing customer relationships.
⦁ Increased visibility and accessibility: customers will not only be able to find a business quicker and easier, they will also be able to access it easier which of course can prove extremely advantageous in regard to increasing conversion rates.
⦁ Enhanced social networking campaign capabilities and creation of avenues that provide lines of communication between the business and target audience. Customers can easily be notified of upcoming promotions and be made aware of new products and services.
⦁ Collection of data and new insight of analytics regarding customer behavior: This can be in the form of things such as opt-in text messages or mailing lists. As long as it's not obstructive and annoying, asking customers to provide information about themselves offers businesses a great way of learning more about their target audience and the people who are currently using their mobile application.
Benefits of a mobile app for Customers:
⦁ Easier access to a business's services and inventory.
⦁ Notifications of special events, discounts, promotions, and more. This is one of the many benefits that is great for both parties, the customer has access to great deals for products they are already interested in and, in doing so, provide the business with an increase of sales.
⦁ Instant access to contact and location information. Gone are the days of confusing and misleading directions, customers can now find businesses more conveniently than ever before.
⦁ Access to product and service catalogues allowing customers to compare prices and find the best deals for items they are in search for. Customers can plan their purchases before even entering the store.
It is now easy to see the wide range of advantages and benefits that mobile apps offer both businesses and customers. With the market growing at an increasingly rapid rate, there will prove to be many more benefits to come and existing business models will surely prove to be even more powerful in the future.
