These days mobile apps can do just about anything, from playing games to monitoring residential security to mobile banking. But with the latest incorporation of this technology in the commercial sector, businesses are beginning to reap the rewards.
Ask any business owner, “How do you define success?” The answers typically revolve around economic sustainability and brand recognition. But a true entrepreneur will not be satisfied with merely an increase in sales or a loyal consumer base. He will strive to improve the efficiency of his business and find ways to keep in touch with the target audience.
The Role of Mobile Apps
This is where mobile apps are beneficial. They facilitate accessing information about customers as well as enhance communication and interaction with them. In fact, mobile apps are effective marketing channels and so promote the active engagement of businesses with their customers. Small- and medium-sized enterprises are now adopting this method to take their marketing strategies to the next level, thereby staying ahead of the competition.
But before you begin investing in an app for your business, it’s important to decide whether you should develop a mobile app or a mobile website. A mobile website is a mobile version of your business website that allows users to browse your site while a mobile app is an extension of your brand. It aims to provide a more engaging, personalized, and experience-driven environment, all of which are vital for producing a cohesive customer journey. Though both help boosts product visibility and sales, they are different in many ways. So it may be wiser to consult a mobile app design agency for advice.
The agency can guide you in selecting and designing an app that best suits your business needs. Though you may initially launch a free app with essential features to attract a wider target audience, you have the option to monetize the app later with an upgraded version.
Why Should I Invest in a Mobile App for my Business?
Consumer behavior is continuously changing, so entrepreneurs need to adjust their strategies to stay in stride with the latest trends. The number of yearly downloads is expected to double to about 284 billion between 2016 and 2020. More customers are interacting with brands through mobile apps. In order to remain successful, businesses need to be where the customers are.
The top reasons why businesses are investing in building an app is to improve customer service and increase ROI(Return On Investment). More and more companies are now creating mobile apps. While mobile websites can increase traffic to your site, apps focus on customer relationships and retention. Apps are helping companies gain a competitive edge. They have the power to leverage your business by building a strong presence in the online world.
Consider the following ways that your app will help your business.
1. Builds brand awareness
Customers interact with a brand regularly through apps. This promotes awareness and communication, which allows customer trust and loyalty to grow. These components create an environment where customers are more likely to make a purchase. That is why mobile apps are considered to be useful marketing tools. In hindsight, your app must possess those traits and features that will make customers keep coming back for repeat experiences. But above all, apps that perform well rank higher in Google SERPs.
2. Increases accessibility
It’s difficult for business owners to target all their customers at the same time. Apps build a rapport between a business and its clients, allowing all customers to be reached at the same time, no matter where they are. Business owners can send push notifications to everyone regardless of the device they have. This encourages and reminds customers to visit the app to avail of offers or discounts, possibly ending in a purchase.
3. More customer engagement
The more a customer interacts with your brand, the more inclined they will be to complete transactions, and the better it is for your business. And mobile apps do just that. Apps facilitate effortless browsing, interaction, and shopping, often by personalizing content. Current and potential customers are prompted and guided towards brand engagement. Businesses are aware that competition is fierce, and customers will drift off to other vendors. So they aim at remaining connected to them- in a non-intrusive manner.
4. Increased sales
This is what you’ve all been waiting to hear. Mobile apps make the shopping experience more convenient and straightforward. And greater interaction through apps creates more opportunities for sales- and ultimately, more revenue.
Additionally, apps can be monetized through in-app advertising and in-app purchasing to increase revenue further. However, the quality of services you provide must justify the cost that customers will have to pay.
5. Encourages brand loyalty
With the sheer number of businesses offering similar products and services, it is crucial to building a sincere connection with your customers. Apps enhance a user’s experience by making the interaction more personalized, convenient, and intuitive. This creates a better image of your brand as well as fosters trust and loyalty, both of which can boost sales by more than 20%. In fact, implementing a loyalty program is one of the best ways to encourage brand loyalty. Business owners can add value to the customer’s experience by rewarding them with points on completing a purchase or offering tailored promotions.
6. Better customer service
Who doesn’t love getting pampered? So it’s not surprising that 64% of consumers expect companies to respond and interact with them in real-time. Mobile apps are more efficient in communicating with their customers. They provide an instant and easy way to contact and associate with your brand, making it ideal for customer service and support. That is why messaging and help desk features are recommended for online businesses.
7. More information about the customer base
Information about user preferences is the key to success. If companies want to retain customers, they need to understand and remember their choices. And this is what customers are expecting from business today. More than 70% of people anticipate the personalized experience. Apps not only customize experiences by making suggestions based on previous activities, but they also collect and analyze user profiles so that companies can engage better with their customers.
8. Additional marketing tool
Through the use of push notifications, businesses can directly interact with customers. They communicate and remind customers about products that are currently available as well as promotional offers that they can avail.
9. Maintain a competitive edge
In today’s business world, visual communication is an important aspect of the trade. Apps help your brand stand out in the crowd by making your presence known to a wider audience. Moreover, it’s an effective way to incorporate consumer demands with what your brand is offering. And it’s one way to stay ahead of those who have not yet developed apps for their business.
Final thoughts
The incorporation of mobile apps in business is rapidly increasing. The evolving functionalities of mobile devices and our dependence on smartphones is changing the way companies are operating. Users are demanding access to information at high speeds alongside an uncompromisable user experience. Apps not only meet these expectations, but they also allow consumers to stay connected with your brand. Business owners must now embrace the latest trends as apps are bringing numerous advantages to the trade that should not be overlooked.
Editorial Staff
Muhammad Abdullah
