By Kimber Johnson
With mobile apps developed for mobile operating systems from Apple, Android, and others, you can create brand awareness and loyalty amongst a huge number of existing and potential customers. In fact, many customers now expect a business or brand to have its own dedicated mobile app. This means that it is not only becoming a necessity to gain a competitive edge over other businesses, it is becoming a necessity to avoid falling behind your competition. Having a dedicated mobile app adds to the credibility of the brand.
Keeping in mind the importance that mobile applications hold in today’s society, it is only wise to create one for your business. Here are the top reasons why you should invest in mobile application development.
1. The World has Gone Mobile
There is no denying that the world has gone mobile and there is no turning back. Consumers are using their smartphones to find local businesses. Your online branding efforts are being viewed via mobile channels. Thus, just having a website is not enough anymore. Users are turning away from the desktop browsers and relying on mobile applications. Unlike traditional websites, which overwhelm your 6 inch mobile screen, apps thrive as an intuitive purchasing and browsing alternative.
2. Mobile Apps Offer On-The-Go Marketing
With mobile applications, your existing customers can access your business anywhere and at any time in a user-friendly environment. Regular use of your app will reinforce your brand or business. This means that when they need to purchase something, chances are they will come to you. You have created a relationship with them using the app and this is tantamount to placing your business in your customers’ pockets.
3. It Can Be a Social Platform
It almost goes without mentioning that people are obsessed with social media. So you will want to be a part of their obsessions well. Integrating social features such as comments, likes, in-app messaging and so forth in your app can help your business improve its social standing. People spend a lot of time on social media, especially Facebook and Twitter. So by having a mobile application that gives them all the features they get in social media means that they’ll spend more time in your app. This way, users are able to review, share or discuss products. Remember, we are by nature social beings and mobile app development is the future of social interaction. A great example of this is Amazon.com that has essentially built its own community within its reviews area.
4. Better Service and Sales
Thankfully, mobile app development has made sales easier than ever before. It is changing the way people buy and sell products and services. It has also changed the way customers view and analyze a product before purchasing. This means that consumers have more options than ever to make informed buying decisions. With that said, it is important that you provide your client with a dedicated app, focused on providing customers with the information they are looking for. Don’t forget that better service is one of the best practices to drive more sales. Mobile apps are perfect for service and support.
5. Real-Time Rich Data Capture
A mobile application saves you from the slow process of collecting data and analyzing it. Focus groups can be expensive and time consuming. Mobile apps make it easy to capture information about customer preferences and actions on your app. This information can be used to deliver personalized content that is relevant to the individual consumer as well as for making decisions on how to improve your app based on how customers are actually using it. Make sure you give your users the option to opt-in to a data program and explain to them that it will be used to improve their customer experience. Once they have given you their trust, don’t disappoint them.
6. Apps Boost Interest
When you develop an application, it provides you an easy way to display your products or services to your existing and prospective customers. Each time they want to purchase something, they can simply use it as one-stop point to get all the information they need. And whenever you update the content, you can notify them and they can get the first glimpse of the new products or services you have on offer. This invites and tempts customers to check out your app on a regular basis.
7. Increase Customer Engagement
Engagement is exactly what you can create with your application. It ensures that your business is right in the palm of your customer’s hand. Consumers can interact with your business while in the car, in the dentist waiting room and in line at the bank. Furthermore, you can use their location and profile information to personalize your offers in order to make them more relevant and attractive.
8. Access it even in the Middle of the Night
A mobile app can be accessed from anywhere at any time. Consumers can interact with your business while on the go. For example, they can not only place additional orders but can access all account information, track recent sales and account activity. Business can also respond immediately to customer requests. This level of service takes your business to the next level in your customers’ minds.
9. A Larger, Younger Audience
Most young people went mobile a long time ago. Almost 75 percent of the millennial generation will have smartphones by the end of the year. It is hard to engage the younger generation using outdated techniques. Young people choose to rely on their mobile devices, even though they may have access to a traditional PC. Smartphones have become the new tool for chatting with friends, browsing and purchasing products and services online. To reach this audience, you need to have a mobile app.
10. Mobile Apps Are Very Convenient For Customers
Mobile applications are easier to use than websites. Apps are usually designed with primary focus on usability. In fact, apps were for the most part designed to offer the next level of usability. The benefits are even greater when businesses decide to develop a custom mobile app that allow more flexibility and can address specific customer needs. Once installed, that application will help your customers reach your support team, your services and the payment section. The professionalism you show will increase trust and recognition by your targeted audience through your app.
Conclusion
With the mobile industry thriving like it is at the moment, it is worthwhile for every business to invest in mobile app development. If your business is not mobile and not thinking about investing in mobile app development, then you are already behind your competitors. Even if your competitors are not mobile, they soon will be.