The average person has dozens of apps on their smart devices – downloading new ones every single month. As a business, having a branded app gives you an accessible extension of your brand that can penetrate this growing marketplace. Unfortunately, a large percentage of businesses have yet to move down the path towards mobile app development. We’re going to make a case as to why they should.
While there have been claims by some outside of the industry that mobile apps are no longer what they once were, the raw, unfiltered data tells a different story. Research shows that the average smartphone user accesses nine different apps per day and 30 unique apps per month. Furthermore, the average American smartphone user spends 2 hours and 15 minutes per day on apps.
Pessimists will look at smartphone app usage and conclude that apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat get all of the use. However, this is a misconception. Over 80 percent of app usage occurs independently of the top app. This leaves an incredible opportunity for businesses to develop their own apps and gain strongholds in the marketplace.
While most people look at apps from the user side of things, the reality is that businesses have the most to gain from them. Here are a few of the business-side benefits (and why your company should get in on the movement):
The direction of the consumer marketplace is clearly mobile. Any time you can intersect your target audience in a mobile manner, you gain an upper hand.
In-app mobile usage is always going to be a powerful point of contact, but it’s the ability to have users opt-in to push notifications that’s especially powerful. For users that agree to let you send push notifications, you’re able to send a direct notification that’s less intrusive than an SMS, yet equally as visible.
Mobile apps are ideal for increasing interaction between customers and your brand. In many cases, it opens up a reverse line of communication where customers are able to initiate conversation with your brand (as opposed to the other way around). This is particularly evident in how companies often use mobile apps to establish help desks and support systems.
Smartphones and other mobile devices are quickly overtaking desktop as the preferred devices for making online purchases. And while a mobile-friendly website is certainly a must-have, a mobile app may be even better. Apps outperform mobile browsers in every category – including spending.
“Furthermore, the average retail order is $10 higher on mobile apps compared to mobile browsers,” BuildFire co-founder Ian Blair writes. “This means your customers will spend more money, and convert at a higher rate once your app launches, which poises your company for growth.”
Kiss high shopping cart abandonment rates goodbye. Mobile apps are especially useful when it comes to retargeting users and encouraging them to complete purchases.
With a mobile app, you’re able to analyze user behavior patterns and remind them to complete unfinished actions. Geolocation services can be utilized to invite users to stop by a physical store when they’re in the area. User information and search histories can also be stored and leveraged in order to send relevant deals and offers.
At the end of the day, a mobile app says something about your brand. The mere fact that you have an app communicates that you’re committed to staying modern and engaged with your evolving audience. It shows that you’re in touch with the marketplace and understands what it takes to remain competitive.
If you’re in a niche where the competition doesn’t have mobile apps, this could serve as a distinct competitive advantage. More than anything, you’re making a statement about your willingness to be the best.
Mobile apps are here to stay. While they’ll certainly change in form and function over the years, growing demand indicates long-term viability. If your business has yet to consider developing and leveraging a mobile app for marketing, sales, or customer engagement, now’s as good of a time as any to give it some thought.
If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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