5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

A mobile strategy Mobile should involve more than just a mobile friendly website. Are you under the impression that only big applications name brands should have mobile apps? Let’s rewind in time…

In the past websites were viewed similar to mobile apps and they have now become an essential part to any successful business. In today’s market, you would not even consider starting a business without a website due to customer expectation. If a customer looks for your company online and can’t find you, their thought process may automatically think negative things about your organisation and would likely search to purchase from another company with an online presence. With over three quarters of adults now owning a smartphone, this will soon be true for businesses that don’t have a mobile app – if not already!

Mobile apps are now integral part of almost every business. Irrespective of size and industry, more and more small and mid-size businesses are following the mobile trend, understanding that an effective mobile strategy involves more than just a mobile friendly website. Don’t be left behind.

Here are 5 reasons why your company should invest in a mobile app sooner rather than later:

Mobilegeddon

Google’s mobile ranking algorithm will begin this April and will include mobile-friendly usability factors and app indexing. Making sure your business is mobile friendly is now more important than ever. The update will be using mobile-friendly factors in its mobile search results and will rank mobile apps participating in App Indexing in the mobile search results. The new algorithm will make it easier for users to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimised for their devices.

The site vs app debate is now over, they are equally valuable and your business needs both as part of a compelling and effective mobile strategy. Mobile matters, and it’s here in a permanent way – don’t be too late to respond!

Visibility

According to a recent Ofcom study, consumers are spending an average two hours every day on their mobile devices. Having an app to represent your company will make your business more visible, increase awareness and in turn build brand recognition.

Social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and more recently Instagram decide who to show your posts to, or charge you to boost your posts. With your own app you can control messages and distribution. You have the ability to send push notifications to all your customers directly when you have something to announce or offer. Even when users are offline or using other apps, they will regularly view your app icon on their app list keeping your brand at the forefront of your customer’s minds.

Customer Convenience

Mobile applications are easier to use and slicker than websites. They are designed with the user in mind and have a primary focus on usability. Mobile apps will help your customer reach your support team, your services and the payment section straight from the app.

Apps make payments incredibly easy by using built in smartphone features. Payment authentication via Apple Pay and Google Wallet is on the rise as consumers do not need to share any of their sensitive data thus making the payment method secure and desirable. Having a mobile app will allow you to prepare for these future enhancements which will become more mainstream providing a greater service and experience for your customers.

Be Where Your Customers Are

Your customers can access mobile apps anytime, anywhere. Thanks to the location technologies built into mobile devices, insight into user locations and movement patterns can be tracked. By tracking location and movement within a geographical area, you can uncover deep insights into your customers shopping habits, travel patterns etc. From this you will be able to profile information to personalise offers to make them more relevant and attractive. Being able to communicate with your customers while they are travelling, shopping eating dinner etc provides a hugely effective marketing channel for your brand.

Customer Engagement & Loyalty

It’s no longer about how you want to reach your customers and what you consider the best way. It is now about how the customer can find you, reach you and build relationships via their mobile device. A mobile app opens the lines of communication between you and your customer like nothing else can. With an app, customers can find the information they need quickly and easily and reach out if they have any questions. You will have the ability to track and understand your customer behaviour and enable you to make sincere connections making them a loyal customer. You can also introduce loyalty programs through your app rewarding your repeat customers and encouraging them to return.

The mobile industry is thriving! Mobile apps are following the similar pattern to websites; everyone will soon have a consumer facing app for their applications business. If your business is not mobile and is not thinking about mobile, then you are already behind your competitors.