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App Building

October 12, 2012

If you’re a small business owner you’ve probably been encouraged to or are considering building an app.  You may have already tried out a few.  Your friends and colleagues may have mentioned, “there should be an app for that!”  Chances are if people are saying this sentence  they’re probably right.

Today’s article we’re going to discuss why building an app is probably the smartest thing you’ll ever do.

According to the New York Times, the digital marketing firm eMarketer estimates there will be 116 million smartphone users in the United States by the end of this year.  This means the world of smartphone based commerce is just beginning.

What does this mean for your business?

Providing a service based app not only puts your business into an elite category, it creates an open line of communication with your current and future customer base.  How?

Your website puts your business into your customer’s homes, right?  Well an app puts your business into your customer’s hands.  And putting yourself in someone’s hands builds trust and devotion.

Apps can be used to promote a book written by the CEO of your company, a mapping delivery service for your restaurant, or a dictionary for your book store.  Some companies have put the check out into the customer’s hands by providing a check out service app for their mobile phones.  How does that work?  Instead of standing in line at a store, you simply ring in your desired item, pay with your credit card and leave.  Simple.

What should you consider when building your app?

The key to building an app is to direct more traffic to your business and build more leads.  Don’t give away your service, but provide a small service which excites your customers about getting to know you more.  If your business is Real Estate, build an app which shows all of the available homes in a buyer’s neighborhood (or the neighborhood they’re standing in).  If you’re business is comedy, create an app which provides a joke a day.  Provide a service that people can use any time, which also drives them back to you.

This means each time your app is downloaded, your potential for revenue increases.  You’ve made it easy for your customers to use your product, so they’ll make it easy for you to sell it.

Need help building an app?  Call us.  We’re specialists.