3 reasons your business needs a mobile app
Nowadays, it’s impossible to catch the train to work without seeing the majority of passengers clicking away on their mobile devices. Even children and toddlers have thrown away their Lego blocks and colouring books for shiny new tablet computers that are being used for work and play.
As mobile devices become cheaper and more advanced, the mobile app market continues to expand with no signs of slowing down. The early adopters are usually the ones who get ahead, and here’s 3 reasons why you should get in before it’s too late.
1. Mobiles have taken over the internet
As of 2014, there are more users accessing the internet through mobile devices than desktop computers:
Source: Smart Insights
On April 2015, Google updated their search engine algorithm to rank websites that were not mobile optimised lower in searches.
What does this mean for businesses? Is everything pointing to a mobile future? Yes, that’s exactly what it means.
Consumers can do everything from send an email, buy their groceries, take selfies with their pets, to legally (or illegally) download movies straight to their mobile device.
Who needs to buy a heart rate monitor when you can download an app? Consumers are becoming more dependent on mobiles and apps have become an integrated part of their daily lives, with over 89% of all their media time spent on mobile apps:
Source: Smart Insights
Apps have become the fastest growing medium for businesses to connect with their customers.
2. Apps generate more sales
Snappi found that mobile apps have better conversion rates than desktop websites and mobile browsers:
There are a few reasons for this. Mobile apps can offer a more personalised experience that has been proven to lead to greater conversions. Never before has it been easier to see which items prospects view in your store, with the ability to send pop-up offers directly to their mobile device.
Consumers usually have their device within arm’s reach and most will never leave their home without it. Having your business app in their pocket increases the amount of engagement and interaction consumers have with your brand.
Turning on a laptop and getting to your website may take a few minutes, whereas within one click of an app icon, shoppers are browsing your products, which leads to more impulsive buying (as Econsultancy revealed).
3. It’s a $25 billion industry (and growing)
As of today, the mobile application industry is estimated to be worth $25 billion, with forecasts suggesting that number to hit $77 billion in 2017. The application space is still in its infancy, but has already been adopted by several of the world’s biggest brands.
Coffee giant Starbucks, for example, launched their mobile payment app in 2013. Today it accounts for more than 11% of all transactions are made directly through their app.
Summary
Mobile apps are not just for well-known brands like Starbucks or Facebook, they can help businesses of all sizes generate brand awareness, capture leads, reduce paper-based processes and drive sales. As consumers shy away from their computers, businesses will need to find new and innovative mediums to engage with customers.
With most of the population glued to their mobile phones, having a dedicated app seems like the perfect solution, don’t you think?