6 Reasons Why Small Business Needs a Mobile App ASAP!

Mobile applications have always presented many advantageous opportunities for businesses. Still, many small and medium companies are hesitant to establish a mobile app, believing that having a website is sufficient. Well, big mistake! A mobile app can actually help increase sales, contribute to brand recognition, and produce valuable statistics for customer analysis. If your business is still wondering why small business needs a mobile app, then keep reading this article. We’ll provide compelling reasons why you should seriously consider this effective technology solution. Partnering with a reputable software development company can ensure your mobile app is tailored to meet your business needs and drive growth.

Advantages of Having a Mobile App for Business

Benefits of mobile apps are undeniable. However, have you got all of them? Following are 6 specific benefits of mobile apps for business and create one now!

Increase sales

A mobile application can be a channel through which helps you increase the company’s profit. Not only does it make your business stands out but also with frequently updated features, you can motivate customers to purchase products or services.

Another advantage of an app is the ability of online mobile payments, allowing customers to purchase from anywhere, anytime.

A great example of this is Domino’s Pizza. The business has witnessed a growth of over 25 per cent in UK market online sale after 6 months since its launch of a mobile application and now, half of Domino’s Pizza online orders are to proceed through a mobile app.

Keep your customer’s loyalty

Customer loyalty is an important prospect of business that you need to focus on. The fact that your customers come back to your store or office for the second time can provide your business with steady revenue.

This can be achieved by regularly remind your buyers about the product you sell or the service you provide. And what better and easier way to establish the connection between buyers and sellers than building a mobile app. A mobile app with constantly updated rewards or offers will let customers be noted of your existence 24/7.

Seeing this amazing potential, Starbucks has soon established and enhanced its communication with customers through a mobile application. With the purpose of making the ordering and payment process easier for customers, a mobile app with features that allow customers to buy a gift card, redeem offers and even tip the staff is built. With more than 11 million sign-up mobile app users, over 20% of Starbucks’s transactions are proceeding online. Since then, Starbucks has always been a pioneer, a leading example case in the field of mobile e-commerce, especially when it comes to customer satisfaction and loyalty. A high Starbucks NPS score is a testament to their success in this area.

Create a direct marketing channel

An app serves many functions such as providing information, offering discounts and bonus, etc. All the information that you’d like to deliver to customers can be easily delivered by a mobile application, especially through the push notification feature. With mobile apps, the business has a better chance to interact with customers and allow them to actively engage in the buying experience.

Pursuing this advantage as the key success, Hnail has been developed by us, Savvycom, to bring in a new solution for the connection between nail salons and customers. With features that allow customers to book an appointment, choose their favourite artist, select the nearest shop location, etc., Hnail has made the process of nail treatment booking easier and less time-consuming. As well as that, every piece of information relating to discounts, new rising stores location or trending nail style/colour option is presented thoroughly, enhancing the beauty experience for customers.

Boost brand recognition

Having an app for your company is a wonderful tool to display your product or service through various marketing campaigns, in a way that will attract their interest. The more often your customers get accustomed to your brand, the more successful you get when raising brand awareness. You can even expand your potential customer market and develop trusting relations with them.

In 2014, Nokia corporation introduced Nokia Street Kreatives mobile application, which was run on Nokia Lumia devices and specialized for the South African market. The app allows NSK users to create street content using Nokia Lumia and then easily share posts on multiple social media networks. After a year of launching the app and campaign, NSK has created an outstanding number of social posts, which lead to an increase in Nokia’s brand awareness.

Stand out from competitors

Since mobile applications are still uncommon for small and medium companies, this is the time when you can make big progress in the competition.

Having a mobile app makes every business stands out, giving the impression of a tech-savvy company. Why not be the first in the neighbourhood to offer a mobile app to your customers?

Easily analyse customer behaviours

One of the best things about the mobile app is that you can collect a lot of useful information for future analysis. By tracking downloads, user engagement, and what interests people have, you can develop a thorough insight into your customers and later on improve the app for better user experience. Understanding your consumers is always the key to success in any business.

What companies should consider building a mobile app?

As useful as mobile apps may seem, they are not suitable for every business area. However, certain industries can greatly benefit from establishing their own applications. Here, we delve into the fields where mobile apps can make a significant impact, backed by relevant statistics, and highlight the essential considerations for developing an effective app.

• Tourism – searching for hotels and resorts, ticket booking, interactive maps: In the tourism industry, mobile apps can revolutionize the way people search for hotels and resorts, book tickets, and navigate through interactive maps. According to a study by eMarketer, 61% of travelers in the United States prefer using mobile apps for their travel needs. Mobile apps can provide personalized recommendations, real-time updates, and seamless booking experiences, which enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. For instance, a well-designed app can offer features like augmented reality tours of destinations, making it easier for users to plan their trips effectively.
• Healthcare – consulting, online medical appointment booking, calling a doctor: The healthcare sector has seen a tremendous shift towards digital solutions, with mobile apps playing a pivotal role. Consulting, online medical appointment booking, and telemedicine services have become more accessible through mobile apps. A report by Grand View Research indicates that the global mobile health (mHealth) app market size was valued at USD 40.05 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7% from 2021 to 2028. Mobile apps can facilitate remote consultations, monitor patient health, and provide instant access to medical records, thereby improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

• Hospitality (restaurants, cafes, etc.) – promotions, menus, ordering delivery: In the hospitality industry, particularly restaurants and cafes, mobile apps can enhance customer engagement through promotions, digital menus, and online ordering for delivery. The National Restaurant Association reports that 56% of adults are more likely to use a restaurant’s app for ordering food. Mobile apps can streamline the ordering process, offer loyalty rewards, and provide personalized offers, driving repeat business and increasing customer satisfaction. Additionally, apps can integrate with point-of-sale systems to ensure seamless transactions and inventory management.
• Beauty industry – making appointments with specialists, scheduling, online registration, review: The beauty industry benefits significantly from mobile apps that allow customers to make appointments with specialists, schedule treatments, and register online. According to a survey by Mindbody, 53% of consumers prefer booking beauty and wellness appointments online, with mobile apps being a favored platform. These apps can offer features like virtual try-ons, personalized beauty tips, and customer reviews, enhancing the overall customer experience. By providing a convenient and user-friendly interface, beauty service providers can attract and retain more clients.
• Delivery services – product catalogues, ordering, price comparison: For delivery services, mobile apps can revolutionize product catalogs, ordering processes, and price comparisons. The rise of e-commerce has led to an increased demand for efficient delivery solutions, with Statista predicting that the global online food delivery market will reach USD 154.34 billion by 2023. Mobile apps can offer real-time tracking, personalized recommendations, and secure payment options, making the delivery process more efficient and reliable. Companies in this sector can leverage mobile apps to optimize their logistics and improve customer satisfaction.
• Other service sectors: Various other service sectors can also benefit from mobile apps. For instance, fitness centers can use apps for class schedules, bookings, and virtual workouts. Real estate companies can offer virtual tours and property management tools. Financial services can provide mobile banking, investment tracking, and financial planning tools. The possibilities are vast, and businesses in these sectors can enhance their customer service, streamline operations, and increase engagement through mobile apps.

The Importance of Strategic Planning

While mobile apps offer numerous advantages, it is essential to ensure that they serve specific purposes and contribute to the company’s development. A well-planned checklist of crucial functions is necessary for a future app to be effective. According to a report by GoodFirms, 50% of small businesses already have a mobile app, and 30% plan to build one in the future, emphasizing the growing importance of mobile apps in business strategies. Companies should focus on identifying their target audience, understanding their needs, and incorporating features that address these requirements.

Partnering with a software development company can provide the expertise needed to build a successful mobile app. Savvycom, for instance, offers comprehensive software development services tailored to the specific needs of different industries. By collaborating with experienced developers, businesses can ensure that their mobile app is user-friendly, secure, and scalable, ultimately driving growth and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Should your business operate in any of these fields, it is worth considering the experience of all the advantages mentioned by having a mobile app. Mobile apps can streamline processes, improve customer engagement, and provide valuable insights through data analytics, making them a powerful tool for business growth.

By exploring the potential benefits of mobile apps, small businesses can make informed decisions that drive success and foster long-term growth.

Conclusion

If you are among the first to start using a mobile app as a marketing and sales tool, congratulations because you now have a solid base to strive in the future. Since mobile apps can bring many benefits to almost any company, we hope after this article, you can make the best decision for your business.
Now, if your company is ready to venture in the world of having a mobile app, where should you start? Well, you can either hire an app development agency or bring your own in-house app development team on board or use one of the most trusted mobile app builders like Savvycom to build your own mobile app without any worries.