A mobile application can serve multiple purposes for your current and future customers. From it it is possible to promote new products and services, special offers, loyalty programs, and other perks. This is a great way to stay connected to your customers in real time and provide them with all the useful information they might be interested in. But what is the right time to create an application for your company? Is this a necessary step? In this article, we explain what you should consider before creating an application for your business and we address other related issues.
What are the advantages of a mobile application?
First of all, it is important to address the advantages that you can count on if you decide to bet on a mobile application. Over the years, more and more companies feel the need to invest in this type of tool for a range of different reasons, including:
- Creating customer loyalty
A mobile application is essentially a way to facilitate the user experience. Through the right information structures and appealing layouts, a mobile application should be simple, intuitive and appealing. By simplifying your customers’ experience, you will be increasing their level of satisfaction, and thus allowing a loyalty relationship. After all, satisfied customers are repeat customers.
- Push notifications
This is a particularly interesting advantage for the customer. Through the mobile application you can update information about your company whenever you want and notify your customers in real time through push notifications. This way, your audience will always be up to date with news, promotions, special offers, etc.
- More direct communication with the customer
As mentioned earlier, you can use your mobile application to establish a closer relationship with your customers by disclosing exclusive information only on this platform, for example.
- Standout from the competition
Although mobile applications have witnessed an exponential growth in downloads over the years, the truth is that many companies still do not invest in their potential, especially in Portugal. By doing so, you will be creating a new element of differentiation, and you will be able to stand out from the competition.
What factors to consider before creating an application for your company?
Small businesses often wonder about the right time to build a mobile app. Overall, before making any decisions, we recommend looking into a few factors. Make sure you reflect on the following questions:
- Is your customer base loyal?
Do you have repeat customers who are fans of your products/services? If so, this audience is very likely to adhere to your mobile application. Incidentally, when creating an application, you will be simplifying the user experience, which also pleases anyone. By having loyal customers who understand the importance and usefulness of a mobile application, you will certainly be able to convince them to download it.
- What is your goal?
Want to reach more customers? Increase the sales? Improve user experience? What is the main reason why you invest in a mobile application? It is important to analyze these issues to understand how this investment can really pay off in the future. For example, there are those who use applications to present exclusive offers to customers, thus creating a closer connection with them. Find out what your goal is and then take the necessary steps from there.
- Who are your customers?
This question is absolutely crucial. What is the profile of your audience? Think about your target customer’s gender and interests, but in this case it will be particularly important to think about their age range. For example, if the age of your customers is around 18 to 40 years old, you know that, from the outset, they will not have difficulties in managing the application, and will even be interested in using it.
However, if your target audience is older, it is most likely that they do not have the necessary knowledge to work individually with this type of technology. Therefore, it is important to verify that your customers, in addition to interest, also have the ability to work with the application.
- What would an app add to your business?
The truth is that, many times, a website and social networks are the necessary tools to take your business forward. Mobile applications are, in many cases, practically unnecessary if useful information and a good user experience are already accessible through other means. Therefore, it is important to analyze how an application would add value in a way that your website or social media cannot.
- How much money are you willing to invest?
Developing a mobile application is not exactly cheap. That’s why we recommend looking very carefully at all these factors to make sure that this is really a smart investment.
When should you develop an application for your company?
Finally, the time has come to analyze the ideal time to develop a mobile application. You can invest in this new platform when faced with the following scenarios:
- If you have a loyal customer base
- If your customers are likely to use mobile devices frequently
- If you are in a favorable financial situation
- If you want to create a new means of direct contact with your customers, in order to establish closer relationships and increase your audience’s satisfaction
- If an application can offer useful features that no other platform can
- If you want to stand out from the competition and make a difference
- If your company is inserted in an environment in constant changes and needs to keep customers updated in real time
Mobile applications are undoubtedly a great way to satisfy your customers and add value to your business. However, make sure that, in your case, this investment is really rewarding and that it can provide benefits for both parties.
