If you think that mobile apps are solely for big name brands then you are wrong.
More and more small and midsize businesses are following the mobile trend, understanding that an effective mobile strategy involves more than just a mobile-friendly website.
In fact, these days you’ll notice that many small businesses you interact with in your everyday life have their own dedicated mobile app — be it the corner coffee shop or the beauty spa downtown. These companies are ahead of the game when it comes to taking their marketing to the next level.
For some businesses, having social media accounts isn’t enough anymore. Many businesses are branching out and creating their own mobile app and increasing their mobile social media marketing. This is important, as 34 percent of internet users go online mostly using their phones, and not using some other device like a desktop or laptop computer. (Pew Research)
“In 2015, social media will increase its steadily growing hold on mobile marketing, expanding businesses reach in that very active space.”
Predicts Lisa Parkin, President of Social Climber – @LisaMParkin
The increase in smartphone users (now in excess of 1.75 billion – in fact the number of mobile phones in use now exceeds the number of toothbrushes!) only means that more businesses will consider creating their own mobile apps in the coming days. As a business owner you can’t be missing out on this growing market segment.
In case you are still not sure why anyone would want to build their own mobile app, here are the top 7 benefits of building a mobile app for your business:
1. Stand Out From the Competition
At the moment use of apps at a small business level are still rare, so by buying in early you can take a leap ahead of your competitors.
2. Increasing your visibility
The average person now spends at least 2 hours a day total on their mobile device. A staggering 83% of all smart phone users begin their day by looking at their smartphones and using different apps. Each time a user has to scan their device for the apps they’re looking for. Being in this list of apps can be an advantage to your company; our mind unconsciously does record every image and text (or well-designed app icon!) it comes across — even if it happens unnoticed. Be where your customers are; with an intelligently developed and designed mobile app you can take benefit of this opportunity.
3. Create a Direct Marketing Channel
Apps serve many functions: they can provide general info, prices, booking forms, search features, user accounts, messengers, news feeds, and much more.
One of the biggest benefits of having a mobile app is that all the information you’d like to provide to your customers – including special sales and promotions – is right at their fingertips. Through push notifications you’re getting even closer to a direct interaction, and can easily remind customers about your products and services whenever it makes sense.
4. Provide Value to Your Customers
How about digitalizing that loyalty program you have in place? Instead of sticking to the old point-collection card, make it possible for your customers to collect their rewards via your mobile app. The result? More downloads and more return customers.
5. Build Brand and Recognition
A mobile app for your business can greatly contribute to your brand awareness. The more often you can get customers involved with your app, the sooner they will be inclined to buy your product and/or service.
6. Improve Customer Engagement
No matter whether you are selling flowers or spa services, your customers need a way to reach you. With a mobile app you can have a click to call functionality, have your social media feeds direct onto your customers phone so they can easily send you messages. Making it simpler and more efficient for your customers to get in touch with your company and offering them tools to make their life easier while using your products or services can be a great reason to develop a mobile app.
7. Customer Loyalty
Last, but not least, the most important reason why you should consider building your own mobile app is customer loyalty. With all the noise out there — roadside banners, billboards, flashing signs, newspaper ads, flyers, coupons, websites, website banners, Facebook ads, and email marketing — we slowly lose our impact on customers because of the immense amount of advertising surrounding us all. It’s time to go back to making a true and sincere connection with your customers, and making them a loyal lover of your product and/or service. I am not saying a mobile app is going to save your business, but it can be a way of staying closer to your customers, and being just a “fingertip” away at all times.
A mobile app is going to be a standard component of any business in the future. The choice you make today is going set the foundation for the future of your business. It’s on you to decide whether you’d like to be one of the first.
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