When people talk about the importance of a having a strong mobile strategy for their business, it’s likely that they are not referring to mobile apps for business owners. Most of the time, they are just talking about having a mobile-friendly website. The truth, however, is that both strategies go hand in hand in today’s challenging business climate.
When it comes to mobile marketing and mobile apps, small business owners can no longer afford to be exclusive of either of these two strategies. All it takes is a glance outside your window and you’ll see Australians with their faces glued to their smartphones.
From helping to increase customer engagement to boosting sales, mobile apps for business owners are now a required aspect of any serious mobile strategy campaign.
If you’re looking for experienced mobile app developers, Australia is a great place to be for business owners. Here are some great reasons why your business needs its own mobile app.
Apps make your store always available to customers
You have worked hard to develop a strong product line and/or service for your customers. Now your customers have started downloading your brand new app. From that point on, your app becomes a constant reminder that your store is only a tap away and available 24/7.
A direct marketing channel in the palm of your hand
Apps are a great way to increase engagement with your customers by keeping them informed of current company news, sales promotions and general product and service information.
Lowers your advertising costs
Another benefit of having your app as a direct marketing channel is that the costs of advertising are substantially lower. Many Australian businesses are still spending a substantial amount of money mailing out traditional forms of advertising such as newsletters and printing on magazine ads.
Extend loyalty program on mobile
Australians love loyalty programs and there’s no better way of boosting customer loyalty by letting them use their mobile devices to participate in them. Customer now have the convenience of being able to use apps to collect rewards, on-demand, via their mobile device.
Brand promotion machine
Just by listing your app on the android or App store platform will mean that potentially millions of customers will be seeing your app listed in the marketplace.
To ensure success with mobile apps, small businesses should treat them like a business by adding features that help improve the app’s customer usability and putting aggressive marketing resources behind them.
Streamline your business process
Consumers aren’t the only one to benefits from apps provided by mobile app developers. Businesses also stand to gain some very significant benefits by using apps to streamline and standardise some of the common internal businesses processes.
For example, standard business procedures such as data processing, data entry and even photo captures can all be streamlined with customised apps that help automate these often-mundane processes. Not only will this help free up more resources, it also makes employees more productive.
Today’s business environment is too fast and competitive to be relying on old paper-based processes to be competitive and relevant. Not only will eye-catching mobile apps help draw interest to your brand, they will also help you form close and productive long-term relationships with your customers.
The good news is, that development platforms are more available and more stable than ever before, so waiting on the development of your first mobile app is now a matter of weeks, not months.
Get in touch with your local mobile app and website developer today to learn more about how to develop business-growing mobile marketing strategies.
Mobile App photo from Shutterstock