Now is the Time to Get Your Business a Mobile App

The consumer adaptation of mobile devices continues to skyrocket. In America, there is a 46% ownership rate of smartphones among adults, this according to Pew Research. Tablets are also a booming market, projected to sell 1.2 billion units in 2013. If your business is not taking advantage of this trend, then you may be missing out on a golden opportunity.

"I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Are you listening? Apps. There's a great future in apps. Will you think about it?" (Italicized words changed from the 1967 film, The Graduate).

Mobile apps have come a long way, as mobile devices are built with better hardware, many mobile apps can now do almost everything that their desktop counterpart can do. Increased app functionality is just one reason mobile device use has dramatically increased. Another reason is that there is such a huge influx of new apps that it feels like there is literally an app for almost anything that you can think of.

All of this is great for software developers, but how can this help your small-to-medium sized business? One way large companies have taken advantage of the app market is to create their own mobile app that customers can download and follow to stay current with events and promotions, order products and services directly from the mobile device, and be notified of whatever zany ploys the marketing department can come up with.

Mobile apps allow for a business to connect with their customer base in a powerful way. While the majority of people do not yet own smartphones, search engines report that 50% of all searches are done on mobile devices. This means that the people who use smartphones are highly engaged with their devices. If you can get your company's brand on this little screen that your customers are glued to, then you will make a strong connection.

In fact, not only are mobile device users more active with their gadgets, but they are also more likely to engage with brands if they are localized, this according to a study by Nielsen. With this being the case, local businesses have a lot to gain from creating a mobile marketing strategy. Because mobile business apps are generally used by big companies, a customer will view a small-to-medium sized business with a mobile app as a progressive and trend-setting company that cares about connecting with their customers.

Mobile apps are versatile and can be designed to perform a whole variety of tasks. The most common purpose businesses utilize mobile apps for is in regard to customer relations. Mobile apps can provide businesses with better ways to communicate with customers and provide support. Many consumers download company apps because they want to stay connected and know the latest promotions. Using instant and efficient customer support that apps provide will go a long way in getting valuable customer referrals.

Mobile apps are also great tools that will allow you to collect feedback from customers and learn about their behavior so that you can tailor your business and marketing strategy to better meet their needs. Apps have the ability to provide you with information about your customers like where they live, what are their jobs, age, gender, spending limits, and more.

What do you think about smartphones? Are you among the nearly half of adults who own a mobile device? Do you use apps? Would you be more apt to go with a business because of an app? Would Preferred be better able to serve your needs if we had a mobile app? Call Preferred at 708-781-7110 and let us know!