Must-read Rules for Successful Small Business App

October 20, 2015

A vast majority of searches performed on mobile devices are for small businesses. Many business owners know the importance of optimizing their website for mobile. But they can also go a step further and develop a dedicated app. An app can do several things, from offering a game to play to making shopping easier. They can be excellent tools to provide customers. And they create many benefits for small businesses. However, you should rush into creating any app that comes to mind. It's something you need to consider carefully before you begin. Check out my guide to developing your own app.
Hire an App Developer
Some business owners may wish to develop an app on their own. Perhaps they have the skills to code one or they want to try an app building tool they have found. However, for most people it's better to hire some experts. There are lots of benefits to doing this, including having someone to bounce ideas off. A professional developer can help you decide what you should do with your app and how to optimize it to appeal to your customers. Look for a company who will help you promote your app, as well as develop it. For example, WME will help you to attract more downloads to bring in higher profits.
Decide What Type of App is Best
Before you go making an app, you need to decide what to do with it. There are lots of ways that you can make an app available to customers. You might decide to offer it for free or charge for it. You could build it for iOS, Android or Windows phones. Perhaps your app offers exclusive deals or it makes it easier for your customers to shop online. You might decide to develop a game related to your product or give them behind the scenes access to your business. Think about what your audience wants and how your app is going to meet a need that you haven't met yet.
Give People Incentives
You want to encourage people to download and use your app, so you need to give them reasons to use it. There are lots of different ways that you can do this with the functionality of your app. One thing you can do is allow them to unlock exclusive deals and offers by performing an action. Perhaps they need to play a game or check-in at your location to receive a discount. You can make the app's content shareable too so that it can be used with social media. You should give them something they can't already do on your website, such as keeping track of their loyalty card.
Marketing Your App
Once your app is built, you have to get people to download it. Marketing an app can be difficult, but it's necessary. Using the right developer could help you, as they may also give you assistance on the marketing side. Just remember that you can't build your app, list it on the different marketplaces and hope for the best. You still have work to do to get people to download it.
An app can be an excellent way to both market your business and diversify your profits. Start by thinking about what sort of app you could make to see if it's the right option for you.

Mark Asquith

That British podcast guy, Mark is co-founder of Captivate.fm, the world's only growth-oriented podcast host. A Harvard, TEDx, Podcast Movement and Podfest speaker (amongst many more!), he's a wildly approachable Brit and Star Wars/DC Comics geek.

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