According to Vox, the average American adult spends about 3 and a half hours on their smartphones a day, and that doesn’t include the Baby Boomers or Generation, Z with averages upward of 12 hours a day in some cases. With the amount of time dedicated to our phones continuing to grow, the importance of having a mobile app for your business comes into question.
Mobile apps are used for social networking, gaming, dining, shopping and many other things to make our lives easier. Because people are using apps for virtually everything, there are many benefits to having a mobile app for your business, no matter how big or small. Understanding the benefits of having a mobile app for your business can help you decide whether or not it is right for your type of business.
Here at Auburn IT, we want you to be equipped with all the technological tools and knowledge to help grow your business, including the possibility of creating an app. Here are some reasons why you should consider having an app for your business:
Visibility
The amount of time people spend on their smartphones is only increasing every year. Having a mobile app for your business is crucial to expand your reach not only to your target audiences, but to anyone utilizing a smartphone as well. Not everyone will need your app, but having one available can increase visibility in the app store. If your app’s icon has a sharp design, it has the potential to pique the curiosity of users to download it and possibly even use your app at some point.
Brand Recognition
Along with increasing your general visibility, expanding your brand can be achieved with a mobile app as well. Brand recognition can help your business when you are launching a new product or service and develop new relationships with audiences you might not have originally targeted, all through a mobile app. If your brand is consistent and distinct, you have a good chance of increasing your outreach through developing a useful app.
Customer Service
Mobile apps provide an opportunity to interact with customers easier and faster than with web formats. You can assist customers with any issues or questions they have through AI services like chatbots on the web, but because people are on their phones much more than desktop formats now, mobile apps are better tailored to your customers’ needs. Using text functions on a mobile app rather than a phone call is more efficient for the average customer as well.
Along with your business being able to help customers through your app, customers themselves can provide their input on your mobile app as well to increase engagement from their side. With a reviews and suggestions section of the app, your customers can help your business continue to improve and make your customers feel significant.
Customer Loyalty
Your customers are your livelihood. Adapting to their needs by developing a mobile app with user friendly features and easy accessibility can help increase loyalty among customers. Offering reward or loyalty programs through your app can also show customers you appreciate their business and hope they continue to use your services.
Keep Your Business Competitive
If you are in a business that requires an app to stay relevant, it is definitely time to start considering developing an app. Even if you are a smaller business that isn’t sure if an app is right for you, checking out your competition to see if they have an app is important because you want to stay ahead of the competition and make sure your business is doing everything it can to stand out.
Possible Revenue Increase
If you choose to offer products and services on your app, this is an easy way to increase revenue. The ease of purchasing on apps can help boost your sales from customers who do mostly in-app purchasing. In addition to offering your products and services on an app, you can also have advertisements within your app to help boost the amount of revenue as well. However, making sure these advertisements align with your brand is imperative.
Analytics
Mobile apps are extremely important for collecting data. This data can include the amount of downloads your app gets, amount of engagement with your app and demographic information that can all help improve your marketing strategy. Information is power in growing your business and having a mobile app can help collect just that.
Understanding what practices are best for your business to implement is key to help grow your business while staying true to your brand. Auburn IT offers an array of technological services to help your business in many ways. Contact us today to let us help determine the services that are the best fit for your business!