Stand Out From the Crowd

The fact that a mobile app sets you apart cannot be overemphasized. Take advantage of this effective communication and marketing tool while it is still rare. By the time your competitors are realizing its importance, you will have grabbed almost the entire market share. No matter what you sell, you can take a commanding role among your peers.

Just by a tap of a button, your clients are able to see your products and services. That mobile apps are fast, easy, and simple to operate is a fact you need to capitalize on. This ease can drive customer engagement and loyalty to an unprecedented level.

Increase Customer Loyalty

How many customers come back to your store or office for a second purchase? This is an important aspect of business that you must cultivate. Customer loyalty can be achieved when you constantly remind your clients about your existence and the kind of products or services you sell. A mobile app makes a truthful and sincere connection between your business and your clients. There is already too much advertising out there. Examples are billboards, roadside banners, newspaper ads, flashing signs, flyers, website banners, coupons, email and social media marketing. Are you going to add your communication in these crowded places?

Your message runs the risk of getting lost or forgotten amidst all this noise. Therefore, take a step back and rethink your marketing and ad strategy. The fact that it is closest to the person means increased recognition and loyalty. Simply put, you are at their fingertips.

Turn Your App Into a Social Platform

Integrate numerous social features into a mobile app.  A study once revealed that most people on social media just log in to see what their friends are saying. Incorporate this idea into your marketing strategy so that people actually see your brand while they catch up with their friends.

Include features like in-app messaging, comments, likes and photo-sharing capabilities. Additionally, enable logging in to the app via Facebook and Twitter. This approach has proven effective in increasing customer engagement, repeated sales, retention and monetization.

Complement Your Website with Mobile App

Many marketers operating on a shoe-string budget usually ask this question –“Do we need an app if we have a functional website?” The truth of the matter is that a mobile app complements the capabilities of a website. Where a website attracts new customers, a mobile app creates customer loyalty.

A website needs clients to open a browser and enter the website URL. On the other hand, all a mobile app needs is a single touch on the screen of a smart device. A website is a great platform to offer information and to post content such as copy, videos and photos. However, it may not enable the two-way communication that an app boasts of.

Most People Are on Mobile

It does not matter what service or product you sell. Having a mobile app is a must these days. Since 2008, the average mobile phone user in the world spends three hours on the phone. More importantly, the three hours daily are usually spent interacting with mobile apps.

 In 2014, the number of people using their mobile phones surpassed the number of desktop users. Google released research findings on the use of mobile apps in 2013. The research involved travel, health, fashion, restaurants, home, garden and automotive.

It stated that three in 10 customers started a purchase path from a mobile app. These statistics emphasize why you need to go mobile.

Do not limit your presence to a responsive website. The danger here is what marketers call the “buy and bye” phenomenon. This scenario is where a customer finds a great product, purchases it and leaves, never to come back. On the other hand, you run the risk of never finding customers if you limit yourself to a mobile app.  Evidently, these platforms complement each other.

Conclusion

Having a functional website is the place to start. After attracting new customers, urge them to download your app on their mobile devices. After that, use the app to generate profitable opportunities. Create engagement by encouraging user reviews and interactions. As you build brand loyalty, expand your reach to social circles and deliver personalized shopping experience.