GET YOUR OWN APP FOR YOUR BUSINESS
If you think that mobile
apps are solely for big name brands like Walmart and Bank of
America, 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.
In case you are still
not sure why anyone would want to build their own mobile platform,
here are the top seven benefits of going down this path sooner
rather than later.
1. Be
Visible to Customers at All Times
Statistics show that the average American
spends more than two hours a day
on his or her mobile device. While probably only a handful of
applications make up the bulk of this total usage, it doesn’t change
the fact that each user has to unlock, scroll, and scan their device
for the apps they’re looking for. Being “in the way” can be an
advantage to your company, as our mind unconsciously does record
every image and text (or well-designed app icon) it comes across -
even if it happens unnoticed.
2.
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.
3. Provide Value to Your
Customers
Talking about on-hand
information, 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.
4.
Build Brand and Recognition
A
mobile app for your business can greatly contribute to your brand
awareness. Let’s break this topic down into two aspects, the
combination of which will make your app a true winner:
-
Brand.
A
mobile app is like a blank billboard sign. You can do what you
want with it; you can make it stylish, hip, functional,
shocking, or informative. But what you really want to do is
create an app that has features your customers will love, while
at the same time is well branded and beautifully designed.
-
Recognition.
The more often you can get customers
involved with your app, the sooner they will be inclined to buy
your product and/or service. In advertising this is called the “effective
frequency.” As a rule of thumb,
hearing and/or seeing your brand approximately 20 times is what
will get you truly noticed.
5. Improve Customer
Engagement
·
No matter
whether you are selling flowers or spa services, your customers need
a way to reach you. Having a messaging (or help desk) feature within
your app can really make a difference in the way you communicate
with your customers. Think about it: OpenTable, for example, built
its entire business model around this principle. Instead of calling
a restaurant for a table, you can book it with less than five clicks
on their platform. Think about it: How many customers would prefer
to communicate with you via text than via phone?
6. Stand Out From the
Competition
·
These days
mobile apps at the small business level are still rare, and this is
where you can take a big leap ahead of your competitors. Be the
first in your neighborhood to offer a mobile app to your customers.
They’ll be astonished by your forward-thinking approach!
7. Cultivate 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.
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