Transforming Businesses using Mobile Apps
Mobile devices including mobile phones are now a part of our lives. Most of our day-to-day activities now require a mobile application. They are no longer just communication devices. From mundane tasks like waking us up to listening to our favorite tunes, giving us health feedback, checking bank accounts to checking out travel photos and videos of friends, mobile apps offer a very innovative experience to everyone’s life.
Most of these tasks can be done on a computer, but the ease of being able to order food, hear or read news, and check emails in the palm of our hands has become addictive. On the other hand, there is a distinct need for mobile apps for businesses to reach out to customers while helping them easily do routine tasks. Mobile apps add value to a business and can help brand loyalty, and monitor business activities and relationships. Mobile apps can help boost promotional efforts, and maintain customer relationships.
Some statistics and reasons why businesses need mobile apps:-
● A survey by Statista estimates that mobile apps will generate more than USD 935 billion in revenue by the year 2023 through paid downloads and in-app advertising.
● App stores recorded 218 billion downloads in 2020 and consumer spending of USD 143 billion.
● 26% of US dollar-based total global funding in 2020 was given to businesses that incorporated mobile solutions.
● According to a report by Mindsea, Gen Z spends approximately 71% of digital media time on smartphone apps.
Customer loyalty — There is intense competition in most businesses, especially in the service-related industry. The need to cultivate customer loyalty is vital for businesses that operate in such competitive markets and they have to use every means to ensure that they can easily reach out to their customers. Having a mobile app can be advantageous for such businesses for building brand loyalty which is essential for the growth and success of the business. A mobile app can be used to initiate loyalty programs and allow users to take advantage of different offers and other benefits from the mobile device itself. This gives customers an incentive to return to the app and consequently gives more business to the company. Ultimately when a mobile app is designed well and works without hitches fulfilling customer needs, a certain brand loyalty gets built and the customers tend to return to using the app for similar needs.
Building a brand image — Businesses used to rely on cards, flyers, banners, and hoardings to advertise their business and create a brand image and awareness. With the advent of mobile devices, it has become easier for companies to develop mobile apps with smart user interfaces and functionality to create an impactful brand image. When a mobile app is downloaded, the user expects it to offer a store-like experience and developing and offering an app that delivers on the business promise creates a powerful brand image. Many companies in this digital age, like Uber, offer only mobile apps and have managed to create a successful brand image.
Digital purchases — The pandemic has changed the playing field and so have consumer demands and habits along with the spending habits and ways to shop. Mobile purchasing is now the new normal and offers customers great flexibility. A robust mobile app that can offer a great user experience with ease of use and payment options is a game changer for businesses.
Better customer service and experience- Customers experience faster and better response time using mobile apps. Most mobile apps have options to help connect customers with their helpline from within the app itself. Using chatbots can also help give customers a better user experience and engagement which translates into customer loyalty.
Data mining and analytics — Mobile apps help generate voluminous data that can be used for data analytics. Data mining and subsequent analytics help businesses identify trends and predict peak sales timing and customer behavior.
Social marketing — Mobile apps can enable linking to social media platforms on which businesses have their digital presence. This enables customers to engage with the company’s content on social media interactively. The use of mobile apps for engaging customers in this manner can also help increase reach and create a strong brand image.
Push notifications — Push notifications to allow businesses to send messages or notifications directly on the mobile device and ensure that customers are updated in real-time about any offers, deals etc that the business may have going on at that time.
Personalization — Mobile apps offer greater personalization with location alerts, proximity alerts, and other options for the customer’s benefit.
In conclusion, mobile apps provide many benefits for businesses and should form an essential part of a business for its brand building, marketing, sales, and customer service segments. Using a well-experienced mobile application development services company to develop mobile apps can help engage and lure customers. In today’s technology-driven world, mobile apps are a must for any business that looks forward to growth and success.