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Websites, storefronts, and phone lines have one thing in common: they are no longer enough to keep up with your customers’ needs. So, what do you need to make your business stand out and succeed?
You’ve probably felt the push for businesses and brands in 2016 to develop a mobile presence. After all, with the average person spending nearly three hours on their phones a day, getting some mobile screen time has proven to be a profitable and powerful investment. As a result, 42% of companies have increased their spending on mobile development. What questions should you be asking yourself before taking the leap to build a mobile app?
Do your customers need your product/service to be available anytime, anywhere?
As phone technology becomes more powerful, the advantages of personal computers over mobile devices are rapidly disappearing. Google puts a map of the entire world in your pocket, while Uber gets you almost anywhere in the world. But even if you’re not a mobile-first business, you can benefit from placing your business into the hands of your users in the same way. The ability to access the apps we want and services we need any time of the day has quickly grown into an expectation. A mobile app allows you to be there for your customers when they need you.
Do your competitors have a mobile app?
Yes? Then they may be onto something you’re not. Don’t worry though. Just as every business has its niches, your app can have features that deliver a distinct interface and user experience to your customers and give you plenty of opportunities to make your business stand out.
No? Then you already have a head start just by running through these questions. This is your chance to distinguish yourself in a climate where customers are spoiled by choice. You can be sure that customers are going to take notice of the ease of access and in-depth support you’re providing them with. A mobile app is a surefire way to give you an edge over your competitors.
Is it expensive to build a mobile app?
Running a business keeps you busy and learning to code or hiring coders to develop your app can be time-consuming, frustrating, and expensive. Luckily, the surge in mobile app development has pushed companies like Mobile Roadie to create an “app building platform for everyone.” What does that mean? Mobile Roadie has developed a system that requires little coding but packs a punch with a plethora of features like push notifications, geofencing, community boards, photo galleries, and e-commerce interfaces. You can get a high quality app at a fraction of the price which companies were paying when mobile apps first broke onto the scene.
Do you need to reach a wider audience and generate more customer loyalty?
When you have your own mobile app, you appeal to more users. Of course, your users will mainly consist of those who are constantly on the move and require portable access but you also open the door to a new user segment, those more comfortable using their PCs. Problems arise at different intersections of life (often away from a computer) so having a mobile app better anticipates your customers needs. Being able to connect to reliable customer support with the tap of a mobile app is something your customers will thank you for.
How will push notifications help deliver your product/service?
Okay, so your brand isn’t trying to “sell” anything. The good news is the potential of a mobile app extends far beyond e-commerce. Push notifications, or messages that you can send to all of your users that deliver pertinent information and bypass their lock screen, has over a 50% open rate when compared to emails. These messages can be anything from a timed contest announcement, nudging users to reach the optimal amount of daily exercise, displaying emergency information, or just to letting your customers know when their driver has arrived. These notifications provide engagement with your users and let them know that you’re thinking about their convenience even when they forget.
Could your business and employees benefit from automating daily processes?
Mobile enterprise apps can address your side of the business too. Employee productivity has been proven to improve by 30% when previously complex/tedious functions are automated with an app. This frees up time for your business to focus on other tasks which ultimately means your team will have more time for your customers. Companies have reported an:
- Increase in sales/revenue
- Improvement in customer service
- Better access to internal databases
- Reduction of other operational expenses (paperwork, manpower)
More and more businesses are recognizing that having an accessible port of call for new and existing customers means creating a mobile app. There are 258 million people with smartphones in the U.S. alone and having your business only a few finger taps away could make a world of difference for your product.
If you asked yourself if you need an app and the answer is yes, it’s time to begin thinking about what goes in the app. Read the next article in our “How-To” series and make sure you have these 5 things to start building your app.