In this age of smartphones, every type of business, big and
small, will benefit from having a mobile app. An app will go a long way towards
branding the business and also help the business keep in touch with its
customers at a level that is more intimate than ever before.
The biggest reason why businesses will benefit from having a
mobile app is because a large percentage of consumers today do their research
on the internet first before actually proceeding to buy a product. And with the
increasing usage of smartphones for everyday conveniences, including surfing
the internet, it is strategic for businesses to have their app installed in as
many smartphones as possible. Consumers searching for their products on the
internet can then take the logical next step to go to their app to make and
order or contact them for more details. Besides, constant exposure to the
company’s name, logo and user experience through the app will keep the company’s
brand at the top of consumers’ minds.
This is why mobile app developers get paid handsomely for
their services. And the truth is, an app for a business doesn’t really need to
be a complicated affair. It can be a very simple app that introduces the
business’ products and services with the ability to send push notifications on
their latest promotions. Still, mobile app developers can charge a lot to get
the app created. They can also charge a recurring fee to maintain and update
the app from time to time.
Let’s take a look at the Asian Food Channel app. This is a
channel that a lot of people would be familiar with. What does the app include?
- Recipes of all the delicious food that have been demonstrated in that channel (of course)
- Videos of popular recipes being prepared
- Upcoming events
- TV guide for showtimes
- A tab that allows users to bookmark their favorite recipes
- A tab where users can set reminders for when their favorite show will be on
- A link directly to AFC’s YouTube channel
- Updates on when live cooking classes will be held in their studio in Singapore
- An e-Shop for AFC’s merchandise
So is an app like this really complicated to create?
Actually, it’s not. As you can see, it is mostly content
that doesn’t require much programming or technical knowledge. And there are
various platforms available on the internet that will allow even someone with
the most basic technical skills to create a working app in a very short time.
When you think about it, can a scaled down version of the
AFC app be made applicable to a local business, like perhaps a café, perhaps?
What type of features does an app for a café include?
Definitely a menu of all its offerings. Then perhaps the app
can also include a feature where people can make reservations directly from the
app rather than call a phone number listed there. Another helpful feature can
be social media, where people can check in to Facebook directly from the app.
To keep things interesting, what about a promotion feature?
This can be a page within the app that offers periodical promotions like free
drinks or discounts. Customer must show this page in order to be entitled to
the special promotion and they definitely need to download the app for this.
This will encourage downloads.
And not forgetting the push notification feature that will
allow the business to contact every person who downloads the app directly, much
like sending a text message, which have been proven to be more effective than
sending out email promotions.
The smartphone has certainly changed the way people do
things and for businesses to stay competitive, regardless of their size, they
definitely want to have an app.
If you would like to cash in on the opportunities available
in creating mobile apps for businesses, come to the MobAppNet BizStart
organized by Wealth Mastery Academy. You don’t need to be technically savvy or
have any programming background to become a successful mobile app developer.
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