Mobile Marketing With Mobile Apps; Are Apps Right For Your Business?
Posted by Ryan Gerardi
Part Five of our 5-part series on Mobile Marketing for SMB
Out of all the topics written in this series, the world of mobile apps is the most resourceful. Largely because of the breadth and scope of mobile apps, and the ways they are utilized to expand the reach of a business across the airwaves.
Defining the term: Mobile App
By definition, a "mobile app" is an application installed on a smartphone device such as an iPhone, Android-operated phone, BlackBerry, or a tablet device such as the iPad or Samsung Galaxy.
In function, mobile apps are used to accomplish a variety of tasks, exactly like any software package installed on your personal computer. Mobile apps are used for gaming, manage finances, display portable books, make purchases, and to read news or blogs. If you can think of something done by a personal computer, then there is a mobile app to perform similarly.
Does Your Business Need a Mobile App?
The challenge for business owners today, is determining whether a mobile app is necessary for customers who are using their products or services. If using an app could benefit the business, then a number of concerns arise. They are: how will the app be implemented, what is the cost, and in some instances, the mobile app is the product so how will it be distributed. If your case is the latter, then this article isn't for you. The focus of this article is how a mobile app can add value to your customer engagement with your product line.
One way to determine whether or not a mobile app makes sense for your business, is to consider how your existing website is used by your customers. If your website’s only purpose is to generate leads by offering information, then a mobile app is not going to be much use.
However, if your website is used repeatedly by your customers to place orders or book appointments, then a mobile app might be more useful because it allows them to do those things from a mobile device.
In comparison, if your website is a software program that people are using regularly in daily business operation such as accessing a Customer-Relationship-Management (CRM), then a mobile app would be quite popular. The app would permit your users to continue performing their job functions from their mobile devices.
How to Create a Mobile App for Your Business
Unlike software applications for personal computers, you can build a website to promote and sell your application. Mobile apps, are only accessible from the app store that exists exclusively for each phone’s operating system. iPhone users obtain their apps from the Apple App Store. Android-users obtain their apps from the Android-Market. BlackBerry users obtain their apps from BlackBerry App World. For a complete list of all 13 app stores, visit The App Store List.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of eager developers ready to bring your ideas together, and program a killer mobile app for your company. The challenge for business owners is finding the right company to do this. There are a variety of pricing models, programs, and development processes out there. It requires a bit of research and investigation to identify and partner with a developer right for you.
AB2BC’s network of partners includes mobile application developers of all sizes. Most importantly, our experience working with businesses and business owners is exemplary. Defining a strategy, and determining how a mobile app can benefit your customers, is the first step in expanding your business and gaining mobile recognition.
AB2BC also assists in the design and development process by detailing the requirements, specifications, and implementation of your killer mobile app. This assistance ensures a successful rollout in the mobile app stores and ultimately into the phones of your customers.
Download the AB2BC Mobile Marketing White Paper called Mobile Marketing for Your Business to get this entire 5-part series in one document. See how AB2BC can work with you on one or more of these mobile marketing strategies and solutions.
AB2BC.Net is an Philadelphia Internet Marketing firm that specializes in Branding, Social Media Marketing, Website Design, and advanced SEO techniques. Based in South Jersey, our expertise in Inbound Marketing spans from Boston to the District of Columbia.