Having a web presence alone is no longer sufficient enough to withstand the competitive market. Today, online activities are shifting to mobile and a Smartphone application has become an important tool to market your new venture. As per the Gallup Survey, nearly 70% of Americans check their mobiles every hour. People are now spending more time checking their mobile apps than watching televisions.  If you are a small business owner then you should follow the latest mobile trends, and understand that an effective mobile strategy involves more than just a mobile-friendly website.

Top reasons why a business should have a mobile application

Customer Engagement:

Getting a mobile application for your business will open new horizons for effecting customer interactions. Mobile apps provide you enhanced options for customer engagement like push promotions, chat options, launching discount coupons, etc. You may also include social sharing options for allowing consumers to share their views about your product/service.

Customer Support:

Mobile Applications help you provide improved customer support. It helps your customers to reach you in a simple and effective way. Making the life of your customer simpler improves their satisfaction level; hence improving the chances of getting good reviews and more referrals from existing customers.

An Effective Marketing Tool:

Utilizing Mobile Application helps you to stay ahead of the competition when it comes to taking marketing efforts to the next level. Mobile Applications can be utilized to provide special discount coupons to potential customers. Companies also utilize the strategy of push promotions and affiliate advertising extensively in the mobile marketing arena. Running loyalty programs and offering rewards to customers on their mobile phones is another very effective strategy.

Mobile Commerce:

Online retail industry finds mobile applications very effective when it comes to increasing their sales. A mobile application gives users the mobility to buy and sell while on the go. A food ordering app can be very useful for a restaurant or a food point. Similarly, a cab booking app can be very useful in increasing bookings for a transport agency.

Brand Recognition:

A mobile application greatly contributes to brand awareness. Mobile apps help businesses provide their customers with features that they will love, while at the same time it is properly branded with an interactive user interface.  Mobile advertising strategies help businesses get in front of the eyes of their potential customers more often, hence providing better brand recognition.

Despite the many advantages, many small business owners still think that getting a mobile application is costly and they are not able to analyze the benefits that they can extract out of it. If you are a small business owner, then getting a mobile application can provide you an edge over your competitors. Be the first one to provide a mobile application facility to your customers. Try to make the life of your customer easier and entice people to buy.

A mobile application has become a standard component of any business today and taking advantage of the same is the key to keeping you ahead of your competitors.