" There was a time up until a decade ago when having a mobile app was a luxury and the app store was still a subject of novelty. Over the years, possessing an app is no longer a trump card; it is no longer a necessity. Ergo, having an app just for the sake of it would pay no dividends, in fact, the construction, the maintenance and the fine-tuning alone will create a big hole in your pockets. Hence, this decision is a critical one and demands your attention right from the get go. However, its not all gloomy in the app world as it might just give you a chance to expand your customer base substantially whilst bringing your products and services to a more targeted gentry of consumers. Its up to you to reap the benefits after all. "
What To Consider Before Taking the Plunge?
Businesses that are looking to reap the benefits of a mobile platform shouldn’t just follow the herd because its trending i.e. a business need not have an app just because it is the current flavor of the market. The main premise of having a mobile app is that a business manager is looking for the consumers to get an enriched experience across all devices and platforms with a single programming base.
Ask yourselves and your team:
• Will an app be the best answer to your current marketing woes?
• Are you willing to take on the financial responsibility that comes with it?
• Will having multiple platforms actually suit your business needs considering the status quo?
• What are the business development motives behind going for an app?
• Do you have the backend support to manage such a transformation?
Here are some more considerations for you to make before you decide to take the app plunge:
Branding in its essence:
No matter the business methodologies in place, at the end of the day, all business managers wish to strengthen their brand image, as it is a deal maker for most brands. Without a mobile app, your brand might be considered as an orthodox one i.e. not moving as per the current international conventions and processes. We’ve moved beyond the days where a mobile app was considered as a differentiator. Nowadays, it is an easy expectation for many consumers.
Optimize Traffic as a Whole:
It is no wonder that the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store receive no less than millions on hits every single day. Ergo, if your mobile app is done right, you are looking at a gold mine. And no matter how hard we wish to deny it, desktops have become absolutely obsolete; even laptops for that matter stand nowhere when compared to mobile users alone. Hence, this could be the thing which sets your traffic channels right not just for your app, but your website as well. However, having an app won’t just work; you’ll need to persevere and spend enough on maintenance in order to nudge this in your favour.
Welcome New Revenue Channels:
Once you get the traffic you need, you can then gift your brand a wide array of revenue channels by monetizing your app through ads and what not. Also, by introducing paid features inside your app, you can see your profit graphs shoot up in all the right ways.
Future Preparation:
In terms of technology and innovation, the world is certainly not looking back and this is how it will be for years to come. So, having an app will put your business in good stead for what’s about to come. AI, virtual reality, smartwatches – so much has changed over the course of a decade. If your team gets used to this in the current scenario, this will equip them in a better way to handle any future revelation technology-wise.
