Mobile apps have transformed the very face of commerce. As smartphones and tablets become mainstream, businesses are using mobile apps to bridge the technological gap between themselves and their customers. Consumers are using mobile apps primarily for convenience reasons, but also to take advantage of customer loyalty programs and discounts. According to a 2013 marketing trends survey from StrongView, 42.8 percent of marketing executives planned to increase their mobile marketing spending for 2013. If your business hasn’t embraced mobile apps, you might be missing out on a golden opportunity, the InternetProviders blog reports.
Mobile devices have become a ubiquitous part of many peoples’ lives. A recent Pew Internet study revealed 56 percent of American adults have a smartphone, and 34 percent of them own a tablet computer. It’s a number that’s sure to grow as smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices become even more commonplace through declining prices and rising popularity. For businesses, this embrace of mobile technology represents an opportunity to reach out and interact with consumers through mobile apps.
For instance, a recent San Jose Mercury News article studied how mobile apps were transforming the way customers shopped for cars. It found that more than 87 percent of those planning to purchase a car within the next 12 months will do so with the help of mobile devices. Cars.com and countless others have already brought out their own mobile apps to help customers conduct research, make price comparisons and find dealerships.
It’s All About Being VisibleIt may be costly to develop a mobile app for your business, but there are several reasons why the benefits justify the time, money and effort to create an app. For starters, mobile apps make it easier for companies to hone their marketing efforts. By successfully targeting customers through push notifications, time-saving mobile tools and other innovative and unconventional means, businesses gain greater exposure and brand recognition.
Visibility is a large part of marketing, and mobile apps can excel in making your business pop up on the radar. Introducing an app that’s closely tied to your brand is a great way of keeping your business in plain view. Push notifications also stand a better chance of reaching your audience than email and other traditional marketing efforts.
Customer loyalty is also another way mobile apps can benefit your business. With a mobile app, your business can keep customers coming back time and again with various perks for frequent customers. By staying informed of upcoming events, getting useful tips and advice, and receiving discounts for continued patronage, customers feel valued and are more likely to stick with your company.
Mobile apps also make customer satisfaction much easier for businesses. In-app chat sessions let customers voice their questions and concerns directly, cutting down response time while eliminating back-and-forth emails and trouble tickets between customers and representatives.
Actual business transactions are also made easier. A smartphone or tablet with a card swipe device can make your business genuinely mobile, allowing you to sell your products anywhere. Other mobile apps can help customers make instant mobile payments for products and services, no matter where they are. As a bonus, credit card payments via a mobile app offer a greater measure of security and fewer chances for theft.
