Grow your Business with an app
Do you own a small business; a restaurant, barbershop, bike store or flower shop? Then you can grow your business with an app! It’s affordable, easy and a must have to increase your online presence.
Why do small businesses need mobile apps? Which benefits does an app bring for small and medium-sized businesses? The advantages of apps are versatile, from consumer retention to extra revenue.
Your customers use mobile apps#
The most important and consistent trend over the years has been mobile presence. People almost exclusively use their smartphone to purchase, pay, play, work, learn and communicate. Consumers have switched from desktop to mobile and from browsers to apps. So whether you’re a hotel, restaurant or wellness center, your customer prefers mobile.
- The average American already spends more than 5 hours on a mobile device and consumers spend over 4 hours of that in apps.
- In Sweden apps have become the preferred shopping channel of mobile buyers (41% app, 36% browser). Source Statista.com
More potential for customer loyalty#
Mobile apps have more potential for small businesses when it comes to marketing and customer loyalty and, therefore, are a good way to increase revenue.
How do apps increase loyalty and revenue?
The company’s logo or app icon is clearly visible on the smartphone screen so you are only one tap away from interaction and user engagement.
SMBs with mobile apps don’t wait for visitors to come to their website; they interact with their users. Does a website see it when an app user is in the neighborhood? Can a website send that user a Geo based push message with a special offer? Apps can. With an app you can send anyone in a specific area a message that you have a special sales afternoon. Or you could offer guests a free coffee if they stop by in your shop. See how to send geo-based push messages.
Apps also have the company’s social media in one place, nicely designed in the corporate style, without the competition of other Facebook posts or tweets. You’ll get maximum attention.
Any company, from hairdresser to wellness spa can have an in-app customer loyalty card with an attractive savings program. There is no need for separate cards or stamps. All app owners can set up their own savings program within minutes. Your app is a great way to get more returning visitors or frequent guests. Or offer discount coupons in your app.
E-commerce becomes M-commerce#
Online shopping is done in apps just a much as on desktop, and app usage for shopping is increasing every year. Mobile apps can process transactions completely including several payment methods and the choice between pickup or delivery. So your small business app will be a great all in one tool for promotion, purchase and pay.
Why do people prefer apps?#
People prefer apps over responsive websites because apps are easier to open and the mobile user experience is way better. Apps can have several functions and features: call direct, information, news, sales channel, product videos, direct booking forms, communicate with push notifications, lead visitors with sat navigation to a location (shop, restaurant or event). Apps can also use native phone features such as the camera to scan QR codes or upload photo´s.
Apps present specific information for selected audiences#
Where a website mostly mentions all, mobile apps can be used to deliver specific information to selected audiences. Apps for schools, colleges or universities can limit their content to student related info such as library opening hours, important announcements or a change in the program. If you have a yoga school, the app can present exercises in a visual attractive way with spoken instructions. You can even unlock certain information in an app for selected users with a authorization level, password, QR code or GPS location.
Competitors will have an app#
One of these days, your competitor will have an app. And what will the consumer do? Just check his smartphone and have it all in a glance? Or open a browser, search the url, wait for connection and try to find his way in an overwhelming amount of information on a website?
Apps help SMBs to stay ahead of their competitors. Show the world you are a 2023 business by having an awesome looking app, just a tap away from your (potential) customers. Always be one tap ahead!