Smartphone applications have become a popular marketing tool for businesses. In a recent Gallup poll, 52 percent of smartphone owners check their phone a few times every hour. Mobile-friendly websites are no longer enough, because people are spending more than 80 percent of their time in mobile apps. Although this number doesn’t differentiate the types of apps, small businesses should be creating their own to influence the digital population. Here are four reasons why you should create a mobile app for your business.
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1. Create direct link to the customers
By creating an app for customers to use, you can give them quality information without the frustrating task of web browsing. Your app can provide the business location, phone number, services provided at varying prices and the ability to purchase. Depending on the type of business will decide what abilities you include. For example if you provide lawn service the customer can book appointments, but not purchase products or a food service business would allow patrons to order and pay the bill through the application. With the help of push notifications, customers can be reminded daily about ongoing sales or upcoming events your business is hosting. This direct link provides a positive customer service experience and the ability to research your business or buy your product no matter the time of day.
2. Establish your brand
Branding goes beyond your logo and graphics to include the customer service experience and how your patrons recognize your business. Branding is essential to acquire new customers as well as keep the regulars coming back. Your brand will set your apart from the competition and represent your goals to customers. A mobile app will give potential customers awareness of your company and provide communication with your target audience. These interactions will foster trust and the more they trust you, the more likely they are to purchase your goods or services. An app will allow you to advertise with customers without the added costs of pens, calendars, bags or shirts with your company logo.
3. Provide customers with value
Do you have a patron loyalty program or are you thinking about starting one? A mobile app provides the perfect opportunity to digitalize your loyalty program and get rid of the added expense of loyalty cards. Businesses that have leaders with emotional intelligence are able to put themselves in the shoes of their customers and understand how customers would use digital loyalty cards. With the smartphone already in customers’ hands, a mobile loyalty program will get more people to download your app as well as get more return customers ready to use their rewards. Starting a digital program will get customers to engage more with your business, because the points they collect can be used for discounts or pay for future purchases. Additionally, they can watch those points rack up in real time instead of sending the information in by mail or finding your website to enter them manually.
4. Ease of access
Do you know a socially awkward person or someone who hates to talk on the phone? Mobile apps give those customers the ability to order products or setup appoints without having to speak to someone. Do you have customers that are technologically challenged? Customers no longer have to search the web to find you or wade through pages of information. Apps allow them to push a single button and all your business information is at their fingertips. Your app might also contain an instant messaging system which gives patrons an easy way to contact you and ask a variety of questions. This feature provides customer service if they have a problem with their product or they need to change an appointment date. According to a recent study, U.S. smartphone users are sending and receiving five times as many texts compared with the number of phone calls each day.
Corporations are already taking advantage of the mobile app to reach customers, but small businesses need to start now to set themselves apart from the competition. Apps allow business to build their brand and creates a positive rapport with customers. As technology advances, customers want easy access to data and an easier way to purchase products as well as an easy to use loyalty program. Mobile applications can help you reach a wider target audience and make your business more successful.