Business has grown more competitive than ever in the 21st century. Even if you’re a brick-and-mortar establishment, it’s expected that you will have a digital presence.
Technology was once the proviso of tech companies alone, and everyone else thought it was quite futuristic. Now, technology has integrated seamlessly into businesses and in fact, can make working easier.
Think of:
- Scanning items in a supermarket – no longer having to look up lists
- Getting better knowledge on your customers through analytics
- Sharing information with a colleague thousands of miles away through the Cloud
There are so many ways that technology improves business, so adapting to trends is crucial. One of the latest trends is having an app for your business.
When Did Apps Begin?
The man synonymous with Apple, Steve Jobs, predicted the App Store long before the technology was there to allow it. In 1983, he spoke of a tiny record store where software could be bought over the phone lines.
Did you know that the first app was the game ‘Snake’ on the Nokia phone? Most phones had applications such as the calculator and calendar, but they weren’t really apps like today.
When the App Store launched in 2008, it gave us 500 apps at once: the world was our oyster. Other providers followed:
- Amazon App Store
- Blackberry’s App World
- Google Play
So that users of all phones could access free and paid apps on their phones. Suddenly the mobile phone became your entertainment, your bank, your train ticket.
2009 saw Apple release another prophetic ad – “there’s an app for that”. In 2010, “App” became the word of the year.
As a direct result of the iPhone, nearly 300,000 jobs were added to the U.S. market. This was termed “the app revolution”.
By 2014, apps were in the vernacular and part of our everyday life. People relied on an average of 29 apps every month and spent over 30 hours every quarter using them.
Big businesses had taken note, and some were ahead of the pack. Starbucks launched their app in 2009, letting users:
- Locate nearby coffee shops
- Learn more about coffee brews
- Suggest new drinks
Now their app lets people order ahead and pay via the app, earn rewards and find out their barista’s name!
Why are Businesses Developing Apps?
Apps are not just for big businesses though; many smaller companies are adopting them too. Now you can book in at your local nail salon through an app, or order a beer at a nearby bar.
Florists, banks, photographers, hardware stores, stylists, game developers, and many more offer services through apps now. Online casinos and businesses in the iGaming world have found introducing apps to their audience especially beneficial. Not only does this allow an easier player experience, but it also encourages a more regular player. However, this also has caused an influx in these apps, but you can easily compare them and read reviews to find the best online betting apps.
If your business isn’t at least considering an app, then you might be missing out on valuable customers. Most companies are using it to get ahead of competitors, and to improve their customer experience.
Think of how much time the average person spends on their mobile phone now. If your customer downloads your app, then they are likely to scroll past it many times per day.
Each time, the little icon that represents your business is subconsciously lodging in their mind. It’s free advertising and it’s always in their hands.
Having an app helps your customer by providing them with the right info when they need it. However, it also means you can send them special promotions and draw their attention to offers.
You can reward your customers for using your app too, something that will encourage them to sign up.
You can also communicate with them through the app with an inbuilt messaging service. This is a feature that customers value, as it’s convenient and doesn’t involve calls or writing.
Mobile apps are becoming more common for small businesses, but they will still add a layer of prestige for yours. Customers will be impressed that you have invested in an app and see it positively.
All of these features enhance your brand recognition and in turn, will create more sales.
Key Features That Impress Customers
While it truly seems like there’s an app for everything these days, some really stand out from the crowd. Check out these examples:
- HP ePrint
This app lets you print from anywhere – even if you aren’t near a printer. Simply use your smartphone and Wi-Fi and you can send the document to a printer.
- CamScanner
Another one that’s great when you’re on the move, is this app that turns your phone into a scanner. Now you can sign the document and scan it back with no need to move from your sofa.
- Square Register
Do you need to accept a card payment on your phone? Download this handy little app that charges just 2.75% per swipe.
- Google Hangouts
You can have a team meeting for free over this app. No need for everyone to be in the same place!
Using technology to move your company forward is imperative in this era. Developing an app offers your customers more chances to connect with you and will provide great results.
With more phones than people on earth right now, it’s time to make developing your business app a priority.
