Does Your Business Really Need a Mobile App?

On a sunny day in 2009, while spring flowers bloomed, one company completely changed the way the world drank coffee using only one weapon: a mobile app. Starbucks, the average American's favorite coffee brand, launched its mobile card in 16 stores, letting its consumers pay seamlessly by scanning a simple barcode at the point of purchase. By 2013, about four years later, up to 11% of sales came from the brand's mobile wallet.

Like Starbucks, many brands and businesses have introduced mobile apps to revolutionize their consumers' experience. With Google Play hosting over 3.5 million apps, it seems like just about any business can create a mobile app. But should you tow the same path?

Creating a mobile app for your business offers interesting possibilities. On the one hand, it could help you gain traction with consumers and drive sales through the roof. On the other hand, if your business doesn't need a mobile app to thrive, this investment may not be worth it.

Thus, before embarking on this journey, here are some essential questions to ask yourself:

Why exactly do you need a mobile app?

If you’re considering building a mobile app for your business, it’s essential first to assess your driving reasons. Why exactly do you want to create an app for your business? Does your business really need one, or are you simply scared of missing out?

With the global market already oversaturated with mobile apps, it’s common for small business owners to feel like they’re skipping an important step if they don’t have an app. However, don’t mistake FOMO (fear of missing out) for a major business problem. If the sole reason you want a mobile app is that other businesses are doing it, then you certainly don’t need it.

Does your business thrive on face-to-face interactions?

Here’s the thing: not every business needs a mobile app to thrive. If your business primarily interacts with customers face-to-face, then you may not need a mobile app going forward. For instance, if you’re running a local grocery store, there may be no need to build an app.

On the other hand, if you’re running an online learning platform similar to Brighterly’s model, then an app is certainly the best option for you as it will help you provide your customers with a seamless experience. In the same vein, if your business offers home delivery to customers, developing a mobile app can help improve customer satisfaction as they can make and track their orders in-app.

What are your end users’ habits?

When developing or building any platform, it’s essential that you keep your end users at the forefront of every decision you make. Whether you’re an e-commerce or an educational brand, you should consider your users’ context before diving head-on into this process.

For instance, if your business is geared towards younger users who are constantly on their mobile phones, then a mobile app is an investment worth considering. On the other hand, if your users prefer to use desktops or devices with larger screens, then it may not be absolutely necessary for your brand.

Another angle worth considering is your users’ attitudes towards apps. Are they comfortable with downloading mobile apps or do they prefer to navigate websites? By considering their preferences, you can be certain that your decisions will resonate positively with customers.

Can your business’ problem be solved without a mobile app?

Should I build an app for my business? Like many business owners, you’ve probably asked yourself this question a million times. However, the answer to this question largely depends on your business’ specific problems. What problems are you trying to solve for customers? If your answer is “ease of shopping” or “seamless experience” (which, in most cases, is the go-to answer), it’s important to evaluate your consumer experience, figure out the specific difficulties they face with your business, and how a mobile app can circumvent all of that. In the same vein, if you’re trying to boost sales and attract customers, it’s vital to consider and analyse how exactly a mobile app can help you achieve this aim.

Does your business already offer a seamless online experience?

Finally, if your business already provides valuable online services for customers and users, there may be no need to spend resources on developing a mobile app. Customers don’t want much from businesses; they simply want seamlessness, great service, and value for their money. If your business already offers these three qualities through a website or any other online channel, then you don’t need a mobile app for business. You should only create one if you can’t deliver any of these three qualities through your existing online channels.

Remember: developing an app involves a lot of time, energy, and financial resources. As such, it’s advisable to invest in an app only if you absolutely have to.

How to Create an App for Your Business

Have you considered all the questions above? Have you asked yourself: “Do I really need an app for my business?” If your answer to this question is a resounding yes, then it’s time to delve into the main crux of the matter: how to create an app for your business.

In this age of consumer-centrism, developing any mobile tool is a delicate and intricate process that requires careful consideration. Thus, if you’re ready to build an app, here’s a quick guide to ensure that you meet users’ specific needs:

Define your needs

With millions of apps currently in the market, it's important to set a specific niche for your mobile app. What exactly are you building an app for? What unique proposition or value does your app offer to users? Before developing any software, it's important to draw a blueprint by outlining its specific intent and use. This way, you can build a great product and provide value to consumers.

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Carry out market research

Here's one thing you need to know: no idea is completely unique. For every genius idea you think of, there are several other businesses out there with a similar idea. As such, before building any app, it's essential to conduct a comprehensive market research on similar apps and competitors.

Conducting this competitive analysis can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of competing apps and build a better version of them. By evaluating them, you can decide which features to include in your app and which ones may be affecting the user experience. At the end of the day, your app will stand out from the competition.

Hire efficient developers

Once you've conducted the appropriate research and determined what kind of app you want to build, it's time to hire the right developers for the job.

On one hand, you can hire a team of in-house developers to help build the app. It's a great choice as you can hire people who will fit easily into your workplace culture and also internalize the entire process. However, searching for talent or filling in-house roles may take longer than you'd like. On the other hand, for a faster hiring process, you may choose to hire freelance developers through LinkedIn, Indeed, or Upwork or opt in with staffing option like https://doit.software/blog/staff-augmentation.

Regardless of the decision you make, ensure that your candidate is efficient and trustworthy.

Draw up a suitable budget

Typically, after hiring a developer, the next step would be to collaborate with them and draw up a budget. This step is quite important as it determines, to a large extent, the quality of your app. The larger your budget, the more responsive your app can be.

If you're hiring a freelance developer or company, it's advisable to ask for estimates from different channels before hiring. This way, you can choose an estimate that fits into your budget.

Remember: creating an app involves both internal and external costs and you'll need to put this into consideration when drawing up a budget.

Plunge into the development cycle

So you've created a budget and secured funding for your app. What's next? Well, an obvious next step would be to plunge into the development cycle proper.

Create a visual and solution design for the app, develop, and then test it. To streamline the development process, consider hiring Xano developers to enhance your app’s functionality and ensure seamless integration. Once it has gone through rigorous testing and is fit for users, you can then deploy it.

When it comes to developing a mobile app, it's important to consider various factors that determine whether your business truly needs one. However, if you're specifically seeking Internet of Things (IoT) development services, it's crucial to align your decision with the unique requirements of your business. IoT development service providers can help you leverage the power of interconnected devices and data to enhance your operations and customer experiences. By integrating IoT technologies, such as sensors, actuators, and cloud connectivity, you can optimize processes, collect valuable insights, and offer innovative services. Whether you're looking to streamline manufacturing operations or create smart home solutions, partnering with a reliable IoT development service can unlock new possibilities for your business.

Final Thoughts

If you're thinking of building an app for your business, it's important that you consider the questions outlined above. Mobile app development is an expensive investment that should be undertaken only when necessary. Once you've determined that your business really needs an app, you can then dive head-on into the process.

Good luck!