Benefits and Pitfalls of a Mobile App

The more I started working with business owners on their mobile app, the more I started to really see the hidden benefits as well as the obvious ones. However, the law of polarity or 'cause and effect' sadly means that where there are benefits, there are also potential pitfalls.

So I wanted to give you my experience of the benefits and the known challenges (pitfalls) of a Mobile App. And it's the pitfalls I want to start with. Because I wouldn't want you to read all through the benefits first and run off looking for an App Provider without taking on board the pitfalls as well.?So here are my top 5 pitfalls: -

Pitfalls of a Mobile App

1.?????Are you ready for a Mobile App? - Before I would even consider taking on a new client, I would need to understand why you would want an app for your business.?

It’s really important to think long term for your app and what you want it to offer. Obviously like your business, your app will grow and adapt over time, but ultimately this is, after all, a valuable marketing tool for your business, not just a nice to have.?

2.?????It’s a replica of your website – If you did that, it probably wouldn't even get through the App stores anyway. I know from experience that Apple are keen for you not to have a replica on your website. So your app needs to offer more than what your website already does.?It needs to add more value.

3.?????Under estimating updates in a Bespoke App -??Managing any updates you want to make with your App provider may incur extra cost, and there will be a element involved in getting the updates done, tested, and approved by you before they are even republished to the App stores.?So you need to factor this in from the start if you intend to have a Bespoke App developed for.

I would hope with a Bespoke App that your high monthly subscriptions would include the cost of updates. So make sure you are clear of what the monthly subscription doesn't include as well as what it does.

Talking of monthly Subscriptions, this leads us nicely into #4

4.?????Ongoing monthly subscriptions – Do not under estimate the monthly/yearly costs to keep your app going.?

I remember when I first got involved in creating Apps, and was speaking to someone at a networking event who quietly told me that they used to have an app. They told me it was built for a community and a cause close to their heart, and nothing to do with their business.?

Obviously I’m not going to mention who this person was, but I did ask them why they pulled the plug on it. Simple answer; it was costing over ￡5k a year in monthly subscriptions and they hadn’t managed to monetise it.

Needless to say it was an expense that they were not able to manage. So please make sure this is an investment that you can manage long term especially if you're planning on a Bespoke App.?

5.??Looking at Bespoke apps without considering Template apps first – Because the majority of business owners have not heard of Template Apps, they go straight to App providers looking to get their App built from scratch. This may seem the best way, but given that Template App providers are available a better strategy may be to look at what Templates Apps have to offer first.

Doing this serves two purposes. You get to trial if your App is something that your community will use, and it's much more cost effective. Therefore if it's not what your community want or need, then this would have saved you tens of thousands in having a Bespoke App built for you!

Not only that, you will have already captured subscribers details. Which mean you can continue the conversation and engagement with them even if you discover an App was not the right marketing model for your business.

Talking of capturing subscriber details, let's now look at the all important benefits an App can bring.

Benefits of a Mobile App

I want to break this down a little, as there are two sets of benefits to consider.

• The benefits to you as the business owner
• The benefits for the app subscriber

Quick Note: I just want to add a side note. The benefits I'm going to discuss here are based around my client apps and the template features that are available to them. If you decide to go the bespoke route then you may discover additional benefits not mentioned below.

Benefits for the App Owner

• Mobile Apps are list builders – When people download an App they need to create a login, thus you are building a list of potential customers which you can also export to your existing list.
• Easily creates new leads – Getting your target audience to download your App is actually easier than asking them to download a PDF or newsletter. People are curious, they will want to know what's in your App!
• Apps Create Communities – One thing that you cannot deny is that your App will create a community of likeminded people who love what you do and how you serve others. It's a pocket of energy that is with them when they need it.
• Template Apps are more affordable – The Features of a Template App are pre-built therefore saving you 10,000's on development costs and hefty monthly subscriptions.
• ?Updates to the App are instant – When you make an update to your Template App, updates are instantly shown on the App itself, eliminating both time and costs in having to republish for new app updates. Whereas with Bespoke Apps any changes require the team to build, test and republish the app for for you, thus taking weeks.
• Push Notifications – Let your App subscribers know of any new app updates and content or just keep them engaged with a Monday Morning Motivational Message to lift them and also keep you in their thoughts.
• You own your data – Even though you may get someone else to build your app from scratch, your data and content always belongs to you.?So if you decided to close the App down, you can still export the list of subscribers and save all your data (this will be the same with a Bespoke App).
• Eliminates the use of 3rd party software – Some of the app features available means you can unsubscribe from other 3rd?party suppliers such as Appointment and Service booking tools or Event booking websites eliminating the cost of monthly subscription fees to those services.
• Creates Loyalty – Get your subscribers using your app weekly if not daily, by adding loyalty features where your subscribers are rewarded for using your app.
• Increase Visibility – Your branding is constantly visible because your App sits, displaying your logo, on their phone. Thus, they no longer have to search the internet to find you.
• Sends out Newsletters - Let subscribers know about what's up and coming on your App by sending out a Newsletter to your subscribers direct from within the Admin area of your App. Again no 3rd party software required.
• Make Money – Monetise your app with a Member's Subscription. Make your most valued content exclusive to either a group of subscribers or individual subscribers by creating an area in your App exclusive only to those that happy are to pay monthly for your valued content.

P.S I will be doing another newsletter on strategies to use for monetising your app in due course with some of the Template App features I offer. So keep a look out for that, or just 'Following' me and LinkedIn will let you know. ??

App Subscriber Benefits

• Everything is in one place – With one touch of a button, subscribers can access all your content including your paid content all from one place and easily accessible on their phone or tablet.
• Book a Service or an Appointment – Your app subscribers can book a service or appointment either direct with you via your app, or any of your employees making it quick and easy without them having to make a phone call in order to check your availability.
• Book onto your Event – If you run events (courses, classes, workshops, retreats etc), clients can easily find more information and book onto your event direct through your app. No more having to find it all the details through a 3rd party platform.
• Find Upcoming and Past Events – With your Event Calendar, subscribers can see when your events are coming up, plus new subscribers can see what events you've run in the past, sparking their interest.
• Receive money off and free stuff - For their continued loyalty they receive money off vouchers or free sessions with your digital Loyalty Stamp card. Everyone loves a saving!
• Notifications – They get notified immediately when you have new updates to the app, upcoming events or just a motivational quote to lift their day; all through Push Notifications. No more searching through the endless list of emails to find out what's new or competing with social media posts. Instant notifications direct to their phone.
• Community Feel – With the Social Media feature they join and engage with your community of likeminded people where they can share ideas, interests, give and received support and build trust in your app.

But the biggest benefit will come when you discover how much your App subscribers and clients love your app. After all, statistically 89% of people on their mobile devices are in fact on an App! Question is where's yours? ??

Karen xx

Hope found this useful. Please share it to your community, even if you personally didn't find this beneficial, it may be to them.