Written By: Angie Mansfield
Cell phone usage is constantly growing, and smart phones are taking more and more of that market. With more people texting every day instead of sending email, businesses are starting to take notice and developing mobile marketing strategies.
But should that strategy stretch to developing your own app?
Here's some information to help you decide:
What Are Your Goals for the App?
Before you start thinking about what features you want to include in your app, you need to take a step back and decide what the ultimate goal of the app will be.
Do you just want your customers to have an easy way to contact you? Do you want them to be able to make purchases from within the app? Will it strictly be a customer service platform, or will you send coupons and accept mobile payments with it?
Setting clear expectations for what you want your app to do -- and what you don't need or want it to do -- will save you time and money when you actually hire a designer.
What Can an App Do?
In setting your goals for an app, it's helpful to know what sort of things your customers may expect from it.
Here are a few things a mobile app can do for you:
- It can make it easier for customers to communicate with you. Including a "Call Us" or "Email Us" button in your app lets a customer get ahold of you with a tap;
- It can deliver information your customers commonly look for, quicker than a web search. You can include business hours, phone numbers, and other important information in your app. More importantly, you can push updates to the app, like holiday store hours or special sales;
- It can help customers find you. Especially important if you have more than one location, your app can use the phone's GPS information to show them which branch is closest. You can even include a map feature to make it even easier to find you;
- It can help you boost customer loyalty. You can send coupons through the app, or set up a virtual punch card that rewards customers after a certain number of visits to your store.
What Features Should It Have?
If you've decided that a mobile app is the right choice for your business, then it's time to figure out what features you want it to include.
A few suggestions include:
- A feedback system to let customers tell you what they think of your app and report problems;
- A very simple registration process and user interface. If you have to require users to sign up to use the app, make the process as streamlined as possible, with only a step or two. Remember that typing in a lot of information on a smartphone is not the easiest process, so only ask for a few key details;
- Speed. Your app shouldn't be so bogged down with logos and features that it takes forever to load on a user's phone.
A mobile app is a large expense, but may be well worth it if you take the time to plan and use it wisely.
From increasing customer loyalty to boosting your sales, an app may just pay for itself sooner than you think.
About the Author: Angie Mansfield covers a range of topics for consumers and small businesses, including payroll companies.