Mobile apps are on the up, taking over social media, business, shopping, and commerce. Almost 100 percent of users’ screen time is spent using various apps. The average user, while only using 9 apps a day, has a staggering 80 or so apps on their mobile phone. While apps in general are popular, not every app finds the same popularity. In a sea of over 2 million iOS apps, roughly 1 million have never been downloaded once.
Evidently, while an app can be a strong and useful weapon in your arsenal, success is not always guaranteed. Why should you invest in a mobile app? How can make sure that your business mobile app will be a success? Should you develop your own app, or look for a mobile app development company? We’ll answer these questions in this in-depth article.
Why Should You Invest in a Mobile App for Your Business?
1) Evidently, lots of people use apps. If you’re getting low hits on your website, consider an app as a great next move.
2) Apps can go global, allowing your business to connect with customers across the globe. You will be able to expand your market and find further opportunities for the growth of your business.
3) Accessibility is greatly improved for users when they can have your business in their pocket. Customers will be able to access all they need to know and do what they need to do, in just one tap.
4) Apps help you not just to gain new customers but to retain the ones you have. You will be able to offer exclusive content through the app to encourage customers to keep returning and purchasing from you.
5) A mobile app also proves a business’s trustworthiness and reliability. It helps users to see you as a strong contender in the market, a professional business.
6) You can create a strong, connected community through the development of a mobile app for your business. This will strengthen the image of your brand and improve the retention of your customers. Apps can allow your customers to interact with other customers and your business through forums and messaging services. The more these community members discuss your business in your app, the more likely they will start to talk about your business in other aspects of their life. Apps truly drive engagement.
7) Apps are also easier for many users to operate and navigate. Without even entering a store or going to your website, they can use the app they know and understand to find out about the latest news in regard to your business, get notified about your latest details and announcements, and make purchases with just one tap.
8) Apps are also great sources of information for your business. You can easily collect and analyze customer data and their preferences which will prove to be valuable information to help you develop your strategies and products. Knowing your customer's likes, dislikes and habits will give you the insight you need to make reliable, thoughtful decisions.
Evidently, there are many reasons why you should consider investing in a mobile app. If you are going to develop one yourself, what do you need to consider in order to develop a successful app? Alternatively, if you are going to outsource the development to a professional developer, what should you look for when it comes to hiring one? Keep reading to find out.
Top 5 Tips for Mobile App Development for Your Business
1) Understand the needs of your business
What do you want to achieve? What is your target audience? What existing platforms will the app need to integrate with?
2) Choose the right platform
With a budget in mind, research the different development platforms available to see which one would work best for you. Which will be easiest to use? Which will give the best results?
3) Design with the user in mind
Users need to be able to navigate the app easily on a small screen and want an app that has a low loading and response time. The app needs to fit in with the rest of your brand, and support should be readily available for users, giving them the ability to report any issues they experience in order for them to be resolved.
4) Take your app for a test drive
Try the app on different devices and operating systems, and see how it works in different areas and under different bandwidth restraints.
5) Get feedback
All feedback is good feedback, so once the initial testing stage is over, get your app out into the real world and select a group to use the app, and give honest feedback.
Hiring an Expert
If developing an app feels a little out of your comfort zone, you can choose to hire an experienced professional developer to do it for you. How can you make sure you hire the right one for your business?
Do some research to find a reliable and knowledgeable developer. They need to have experience in the field and understand how to take a customer’s ideas to the screen. Read reviews, ask for feedback, and look at some sample apps from different developers to get an idea of what they will be like to work with. Also, think about your budget and how much you have to invest. Get the best value you can for the money you have.
Don’t be scared to interview developers and ask questions – they are service providers, and you have the right to ask whatever you need to in order to ascertain whether they are the right fit for your business. Ensure they have experience with similar projects so that they can confidently create an app that is perfect for you. While a mobile app is worth the investment when it is done correctly, you need to make sure you are channeling that investment into the right place. You want to put your money into a mobile app developer that will design an aesthetically pleasing, functional app that delivers all the benefits we discussed at the outset of the article.
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