There’s no standard approach to mobile app design.  There’s a variety of ways that it can be done ranging from outsourcing to doing it “in-house.”  Like anything in life, there’s tradeoffs to each approach.  

I’ve previously addressed building a mobile app using outsourcing in the aspect of the time/money difference.  If it’s right the first time out, nothing is lost, otherwise, you lose out on both.  With the youth entering the work force now, there is a possibility that these new employees are getting the skills necessary to develop the mobile app.  For those that do not, that’s where we come in. 

Mobile apps are quickly becoming a necessity given that they are one of the best ways to reach their clients.  I’ve spoken about engaging via things such as push notifications/text messages, loyalty programs, and other things as well. 

There’s still one problem for some businesses that they need to overcome-cost of creating a quality mobile app.  

Here’s some other findings as described in survey results from the Manifest:

• Almost half of small businesses (47%) with more than 50 employees have had an app since before 2017.
• Nearly one-third of small businesses (30%) with only 1 employee say they do not have a mobile app and are unlikely to in the future.
• Nearly half of small businesses (48%) spent less than $25,000 to design, launch, and build their mobile app, though experts caution that smaller budgets may not produce a successful product.
• Almost half of small businesses (46%) rely on in-house staff to help with their mobile app, while 41% use a freelancer or consultant.
• 30% of small businesses with just one employee are UNLIKELY to build a mobile app.  

Some quick takeaways:

it’s still possible to get in on the mobile app business and have an advantage over your competition.  Market saturation is 77% in the United States yet the majority of businesses don’t have a mobile app as reported by Pew Internet.

The cost prohibitive part can be mitigated in very short order even though the use of our services.  Give us your website and social media information and we’ll get the mobile app created for you within 48 hours for no cost to you at all.  

We are best suited to help a business that’s looking to have a mobile app made yet doesn’t have the in house resources and wishes to focus on serving their clients.  We are looking to serve you in short order.  

What are your thoughts when it comes to today’s subject line and their technology usage?  A general rule of thumb is the younger one is, the more likely they are to use technology.  Personally speaking, I got my first smartphone with trepidation (an iPhone 4) back in 2011.  Since that point, I’ve personally dropped land line service and have had three kids who are totally comfortable with using it.  I use mine for practically EVERYTHING today.     

That said, are you “keeping up with the times” by offering a mobile app for your business?  Last year, only 42% of businesses had a mobile app.  With the millennial generation showing increased buying power, businesses would be wise to embrace this technology as they are using it on a regular basis.  However, it’s going to be done in a thoughtful way. 

However, one of the key considerations is building it for the right reason.  What are you building for: client acquisition and/or client retention? 

The best thing is probably focusing in on clients you are looking to retain for repeat business.  Some things that you can do to encourage repeat interactions/transactions:

Proactively communicate discounts and new products

Your market that you serve: what is their age range?  Are they “older” (subjective as I get closer to 40 yet 20 years ago I thought that was old) or the younger crowd?  The more youth you have the more technology you’ll want to incorporate.  That said, you can get started by clicking contacting us and we’ll get your app built in super short order!

Mobile apps for better or worse are everywhere whether you like it or not.  What all do you have apps for?  On my device I personally have apps for:

eCommerce

Games

News

Reading

Workout logs

Other things are Microsoft Office type apps for those functions.  I have reference material such as:

Astronomy

Hunting

Fishing

Work related as well

I have small elementary school age kids and there’s now a bus transportation app that eliminates any question of parents asking where the kids are when they are being transported home.  It seems like there’s a new idea popping up on a daily basis.  That said, mine are centered more on personal let’s focus on why you may need one for an organization. 

If you have a mobile device, take a moment and check to see how much time you spend with the screen open.  I averaged 5 hours and 40 minutes a day on my device.  How about you?  This graphic provided by Tech Crunch says people spend an average of 5 hours daily on their device. 

Conversely, the overwhelming majority of people use an app for one month and no longer use it as the graph here depicts from Localytics.

They “why” this happens can be a variety of reasons but my guess is that an app that does one thing contributes to people not being a repeat user.  A real world example is a specialty shoe store.  You may go there once in a “blue moon” but that’s essentially it.  Why go to a store such as Amazon or Wal-Mart?  Variety.  So with that in mind here’s some factors to consider for a mobile app.

Is the website mobile responsive?  Here’s what it means: does the website automatically resize and format itself when it is viewed from a mobile device when compared to a desktop?  If it doesn’t, that’s the first place to start.  We can help with you starting at the form on the right.

Next up: Do the businesses you compete with/surrounded by have apps of their own?  If they do and you don’t, you’re behind.  If you do and they don’t, you’re ahead. 

Is it convenient?  Retailers are increasingly figuring out ways to go “electronic.”  One of the primary ways to do this is by removing physical items for customers to carry.  One simple example is a punch type rewards card.  This can be integrated natively into a mobile app.