10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App in 2016

If I integrate a mobile app in my overall marketing strategy, will I get any return on investment?

Just in case you are asking this question or have asked it in the past, hear what Larry Kim the founder of Wordstream has to say:

“Over 4 billion of the 6.8 billion people on earth now have mobile devices and companies like Google and Facebook are trying to get one in the hands of every remaining person.

All of these people represent socially and digitally savvy new audiences for brands, so expect that trend to spill over into physical businesses expanding into these new markets as they discover lower cost, super effective ways to reach these consumers.”

Attracting and retaining more customers are two core goals of any business but with so many businesses running about with all sorts of discounts and offers, it is not surprising to find entrepreneurs going the extra mile to achieve their goals.

In the last five years, Nigerian businesses and entrepreneur have increasingly upped their investments in digital marketing as a means of gaining online brand visibility and show casing their products and services to the growing number of consumers on the internet.

Businesses always try to stay two steps ahead of the game. In light of this, many businesses have chosen to go mobile. Integrating a mobile app the digital marketing plan for your business will further widen your chances of attracting more paying customers for your business.

Not swayed yet? In the following paragraphs, I have outlined 11 often overlooked reasons why your business needs a mobile app and the opportunities that you are missing.

#1 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Improve Customer Engagement

If you were to own a restaurant here in Nigeria, having an app is a good idea for your business. For example, you get to put your menu directly in the palm of consumers and they can book a table or meals at your restaurant from their couch at home.

It’s a Win-Win isn’t it?

Life is made convenient for the consumers and your service is in the palm of the consumer leading to more revenue. You’d call it Happy Customer Happy Business right.

This sets you apart from your contemporaries and will have your customers engaged. OpenTable’s app was created specifically for this purpose and has since been a hit.

#2 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Stand Out From Competition

Not many businesses in Nigeria have opted to create an app for their business. This is good for your business because the rarity of an app will make your decision to get one make you look forward thinking and innovative. Stay ahead of your competitors.

#3 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Cultivate Customer Loyalty

By engaging customers, you can easily build customer loyalty. Banners, newspaper ads, and billboards are all general forms of advertisement, but having an app that enables you make life convenient for consumers and have them engage with you makes them feel important and enhances loyalty.

Everyone wants to be heard. This will certainly create a connection between you and your customer and most importantly it will cultivate customer loyalty.

#4 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Build Brand and Recognition

Creating a mobile app for your business contributes to brand awareness and subsequently, more recognition. A mobile app is good for your brand because it is a great avenue to show your customers what a creative company you have.

You have the choice to design your app as you deem fit and you can use features your customers will appreciate and have them interested in continuously using your app. The more customers visit your app, the more likely they will patronize your product or service.

#5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Mobile Apps are Less Costly

It is true creating an app is also costly, but not as much. One way you can also lower the cost of an app is by picking a basic app, avoiding the excessive designs, or choosing to design your own logo, images and app content.

Once you have done so, you can hire an app developer to create your app. ?Having a mobile app allows you to get your message across to customers without having to pay for advertisement. You get to speak to your customers directly.

#6 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Alternative Revenue Source

There are several monetizing techniques you can follow to make some money from your mobile app, such as in app advertising. It is not a sure bet thing, but if proper research is done, mobile apps can be a form of revenue stream.

#7 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Be Visible At All Times

Having a website and deploying digital marketing strategies is good for your business, but with a mobile app, you’ve ensured that your business is directly in the palms of your customers.

When customers have install your mobile app unto their phones and even when they are not online, that little icon that is the logo of your app reminds customers what you’re all about.

In a mobile mind set study conducted by lookout 58% of smartphone users can’t go one hour without checking their phones.

You can reach hundreds of thousands of people every day, thus increasing chances of getting more customers and more profit.

#8 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Boost Website Traffic

If you properly optimize your app on the app store, you can get more downloads and target more traffic to your website. Additionally, you can get backlinks from other websites.

#9 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App

Networking

Networking will forever be essential for your business. You can easily grow your network by having an app that will cause a stir and have people talking, that way you will benefit from the buzz for a long time.