Mobile devices are with us all the time, we carry them everywhere. Hence, the word ‘Mobile’. However, these devices have quickly evolved i...
Mobile devices are with us all the time, we carry them everywhere. Hence, the word ‘Mobile’. However, these devices have quickly evolved into more than just a communication tool. They have become a powerful tool to promote businesses of all sizes.
Since applications can reach large groups of a targeted audience businesses are realizing the efficiency of having a mobile strategy. Especially considering that prospective customers nowadays prefer and even expect businesses to have a mobile strategy. Businesses with their own dedicated mobile app — be it a small coffee shop or a corporate powerhouse all have a huge advantage over non-mobile competitors.
In case you are still not convinced, here are the top 5 Ways a Mobile App Can Help Your Business.
#1 Complement Your Website
For those that believe that having a mobile-friendly website is a good enough mobile strategy need to remember that responsive designs aren no longer a strategy, but rather a requirement. All websites these days should be mobile-friendly and not just for SEO ranking.
The reality is that people are searching, buying, communicating, sharing and working from their phone more than ever. Therefore, a mobile-friendly website is necessary to raise business, but so is a mobile app. Mobile apps complement the capabilities of a website because even though a website attracts customers, a mobile app keeps customers.
A website requires a browser, a URL and a strong server for quick access. That’s of course considering your site has a quick loading time. On the other hand, all a mobile app needs for access is a quick touch on the device screen. Also, a website can offer information and rich content like videos and photos. But, it doesn’t have the robust functionality of two-way communication that an app offers.
This benefit is especially true for businesses that sell internet-based services or products. These kind of businesses such as eCommerce companies would benefit greatly from using a mobile app to make sales.
Check out these Tips for Developing Your Ecommerce Mobile App
#2 Give Customers Value
In addition to complementing your website, apps make it possible for you to offer more value to your clients from the comfort of their home or offices. In turn it also gives you more opportunities to reach customers and learn more about them.
Mobile apps can give you access to customer demographics and geographical locations while simultaneously giving them information about your products and services. For instance: news feeds, product specifications and features, prices, promotions and special rates.
It’s called inbound marketing, or the thank-you-economy. Create a program within the app that would provide active customers with points or coupons if they use or talk about the app through a reward system.
Through this strategy you can also get to know more about certain customers and better meet their needs. With a mobile app customers can access your products or services at anytime, from anywhere and with 24/7 support even more so. That means that no customer will be overlooked and customer service will only get better.
Plus it doesn’t hurt to let customers always have a way to recommend your business to prospective customers at all times from anywhere in the world. This brings me to my next point.
#3 Grow Brand Awareness
In the US, the average person spends over two hours a day on a smart phone. Globally, there are more than a billion smart phones. That is a lot of viewing potential that businesses can tap into. Only, if they adjust their marketing plan to match this shift from PC to mobile.
Evidently, your brand including your image, name and logo will have a higher chance of being viewed and used by the masses. The more often people interact with your app, the more they will like your products or services. This sort of advertising is called effective frequency. If customers see your brand more than 20 times, then it will be noticed.
By building stronger brand awareness you are also building trust with customers because they will get used to seeing and recognizing your brand. Instead of constantly trying to tell them what you can do, you can show customers what you can actually do with the app and give them a clear motive to trust your company.
Creating trust in your brand is key for sales because it builds loyalty. Think about this. Whenever a person needs your products/services they will instantly think of your company. If your business grows and innovates, then your customers will more than likely grow you thanks to your mobile app solutions.
It also offers a definite advantage against your competitors who are yet to adopt this business strategy. A mobile app is by far one of the greatest ways to help improve your corporate branding and overall reputation.
#4 Connect with Customers
Great customer experience is not just about being nice to a customer when they’re in your store. There’s more to it, but an app can take you to the next level, in addition to being nice to customers and faster than humans.
Now, this doesn’t mean that apps should replace workers but let’s imagine your employees are in a bad mood. A person walks in asking for help and your employees reflect their mood on their service quality. If the customer feels unwanted or neglected, then there’s a lower chance they are coming back.
However, if the person decides to use an app for self service and it functions perfectly your customer will feel satisfied with the time and effort that you saved them. Don’t think that because the customer didn’t interact with your employees that you didn’t connect with them.
Apps are a great way to connect with customers, especially when they need to contact you. If you are unattainable, you could run the risk of losing customers. A mobile app enables a stronger connection through support desks where they can post questions, comments and complaints. If you can reply to their communication personally, then your customer engagement will get even that much better.
Also, with Social Media integrations app users can share your business with their friends. Many studies have indicated that referrals are one of the most valuable marketing strategies. With all the noise of billboards, flyers, website banners, coupons, email marketing and so on of course a simple referral goes a long way.
Plus, your message runs the risk of getting lost or forgotten amidst all the ads people get bombarded with daily. Therefore, rethinking your marketing strategy with a mobile app could help make a truthful and sincere connection with clients.
#5 Boost Profits
The reason why customer experience and satisfaction are so important is because they drive sales. The more interested and pleased people become with your product/services and your business, the greater consumer demand will grow. So get ready to pile up those high demanded goods with the help of a mobile app. I digress.
Okay, so we have discussed how mobiles apps can promote a business, but an even greater benefit is that it helps boost profits because it offers an additional revenue channel. Aside from free advertising with Social Media sharing you also have the ability to send push notifications. A push notification can pop up on the screens of current customers and prospects to inform them of upcoming promotions or special events. This can urge people to make reservations, book concert tickets, buy goods and services and so on with just a few taps.
Read about how Mobile Apps Can Enhance Events
In addition to in-app ads there are other ways an app can help your business:
- Charge users when they upgrade
- Let’s users know the latest products and offers
- Helps your business stand out from the competition
- Narrow down target markets with demographics
Mobile App Development @ Iblesoft
A mobile-friendly website is a good start for attracting new mobile customers, but a mobile app could really generate profitable opportunities. Not to mention create engagement, build brand equity, expand your reach and deliver a personalized customer experience.
Either way you decide to go, it’s important to know that with the ever advancing technology of today and tomorrow a mobile app will eventually become standard for any business. However, as large businesses move fast into the mobile world, small business apps are still rare and this is where you can take a big leap ahead of the competition.
Even though there is no guarantee that a mobile app will save your business, there is a safety in knowing that you will always be close to your customers. With a mobile app you can be fingertips away at all times. You can even feel more confident about your mobile app development project with Iblesoft.
At Iblesoft we offer Mobile App Development services for those ready to develop an app. But, we also offer Mobile App Consulting services for those that still need some guidance. No matter the complexity of the app or however many questions you have, we ultimately want your business to succeed. Part of that success comes from top of the line development services that include expert UX and UI designs, testing, support and maintenance. And Iblesoft has it all.
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