Why businesses shouldn’t overlook the potential of Mobile Apps
The newest and now standard mobile phones or “smartphones” such as Apple’s iOS based iPhone or Samsung’s Google Android based Galaxy’s offer an array of amazing capabilities for the user. Primarily among these improvements, was the creation and development of mobile applications or simply; “apps”. We’re not talking about just a mobile version of a website here, but an entirely unique handheld interface that works on all smartphones and tablets.
The Mobile Market
Smartphone apps are limitless in ability and application; they offer everything from useful tools right through to amazing interactive user experiences. That means from opening up a calculator, performing language translation, playing games to pass some time all the way to purchasing a product or service from a local business, Apps are one of the most effective marketing tools available today for businesses and organisations who want to off a “different experience”. Mobile is the fastest way to grow a business with 81% of businesses looking at creating a mobile application in the next 12 months.
Unlike a traditionally designed desktop website or mobile optimised website, apps are found on the marketplace for each major carrier such as the Play Store for the Android market or iTunes for Apple’s iPhone and iPad, among others. Smartphones are built much more similarly to your computer then any traditional or landline telephone. They are equipped with internal storage area and SD cards that make a nice home for your mobile app. Mobile apps are downloaded and placed into this storage for continuous, simple and easy access.
But, what does this mean for you? Well, mobile apps allow you to create an environment that stays with the user and allows you to communicate with that user at any time and in any way you can imagine so creating a mobile application and having app store presence is a must in today’s ever expanding markets.
How do I go mobile, and develop a beautiful mobile application?
Make sure you create a mobile application that serves at least one of three types of consumers;
- People who are looking for information
- People looking to make a purchase decision
- People who already have made a purchase
Doing this ensures your designed mobile app provides a value to your target market. Remember, think about YOUR customers. Just because it’s an app on a global marketplace doesn’t mean you must appeal to a global market! Make sure the content for you mobile app is focused; if you work with local businesses in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, and Doncaster or even wider afield like Yorkshire for example, then make sure you target this audience. You don’t need to appeal to someone in the US or even in London!
Things to keep in mind when creating or developing a mobile application:
SEO/App Discovery for Mobile Markets – This is the process of getting found, and just like SEO for a website it can make or break your app concept.
Build for the long term, make it custom – Make sure your applications allows for long term upgrades and future OS upgrades, don’t be tempted to go down the ‘cheap and cheerful’ option as this will only be problematic.
Select your platform – Where does your app have the best chance of success? iOS, Android, Blackberry… what handsets do your target audience use? iPhone, Samsung, HTC etc.
Create a long term plan – Always a good idea, make sure you have development milestones in place. Move from one area to the next in sequence just like traveling; you can’t get from Rotherham to Barnsley or Leeds without traveling through Sheffield first!
Work with the best mobile application development company you can – We don’t like to blow our own trumpet but Pipe & Piper are one of the best mobile application development companies in Yorkshire, with multiple top mobile application and enterprise systems already designed and developed. However, make sure that whatever app development company you work with has the skills and ability to work with you long term. You want to work with a company that knows not only how to design and develop your app but and keep your business objective in mind at all your marketing stages.
Remember: Mobiles need to be simple and easy to use!
Opening and using the applications on your mobile device must be as simple as opening and using any program on your standard desktop computer at home or work. Using the application should only require the user to touch your icon and your app opens up immersive and ready to interact. Limited only by your or indeed our creativity, apps work by providing an exclusive channel to exchange information and communicate with your smartphone addicted customers.
Businesses are striving to reach not only their existing clients but new customers too! Offer a more engaging and content rich experience that if done right won’t make them think twice about your competitors.
If this article has inspired you or you would just like to know more then please get in touch, one of our friendly team will be more than happy to discuss you app ideas and concept in more detail.
