Does your business need an App in 2023?
In life, there are no one size fits all solutions to everything, especially on whether to or not to develop an App for your business. While for some, creating an app can unlock gateways to improve customer retention, build brand loyalty, or increase sales, for others, developing one can seem like a solution in search of a problem that is not present. But as consumers become ever more connected to businesses on their mobile devices and Apps increasingly rising in popularity, it is worth knowing whether developing one for your business will be worth the time and money. In this blog, we share five key questions to ask yourself before you begin your App development journey.
1. Will your App be significantly different from your website?
The best Apps provide utility that is difficult to match in other brand channels. That could include adding AI or AR technology features or including mobile device functions In-App such as a camera to enhance users' experiences. Sadly, we see a lot of brands creating Apps due to FOMO and this usually translates to having an App that doesn't bring any significant need or utility to users, especially if a mobile-optimized website can match the same capabilities. A key question to ask yourself is what unique benefits or features your App will have that will be different from your website or other brand channels. If you have many, then building an App might just be worthwhile.
2. Do your competitors have apps?
In industries like education, most top players offer an App, where not having one could place you several paces back from the competition. In others, Apps may be less common where not having one wouldn't be much of a deal breaker. It's important to understand where your business stands in this spectrum, and often the best way to do it is by examining what your competitors are doing. If they offer an App, you can retrieve relevant statistics from the different App stores, and in so, gain valuable insight on downloads, user reviews, and overall App sentiment from customers to determine whether developing an App for your brand is a smart move. If they don't, it could also present a new opportunity left untapped to gain a competitive edge.
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3. Will your App solve a customer problem?
When the first mobile banking Apps came into focus, it felt like a new level of magic. It took us from waiting in long lines and queues at the bank to carrying out seamless mobile transactions without breaking a sweat. And through the years, we've seen a ton of Apps introducing groundbreaking innovations that have improved our lives and set the world alight. Now your App doesn't have to bring the next revolutionary idea to life, but it does need to provide some level of value to end users. To achieve this, begin by analyzing the pain points facing your customers, and whether an App can help resolve them. Once you've spotted a gap worth filling, then building an App can be a game changer in pulling away from competitors.
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4. Will your App solve a business problem?
So you've found your way to improve customers' lives by developing an App, which in itself is great. Going further by determining other benefits an App can bring to your business can be even better. From collecting invaluable customer insights to connecting to customers to driving new revenue sources, there's a world full of possibilities that creating an App can help your business accomplish. And by integrating both customer and business value, you're more likely to see the best bang for your buck out of an App.
5. Could these problems be solved without a mobile App?
One thing is for sure, developing a mobile App is a significant decision for any business to make. It requires a significant amount of time and doesn't come cheap either, so it's worth considering various options before coming to a choice. One of the questions to ask is whether building an App is the only way to solve a particular problem for your business. If the answer is yes, then you can be confident that you will be developing an App with a clear and distinct purpose rather than one needlessly for the sake of it.
Is it the right time to develop an App for your brand? Connect with us on a 1 on 1 discovery call to find out how we can bring your ideas to life. https://kynetic.io