Small Businesses, Big Impact: Why Mobile Apps Make Sense for SMBs
Starting a business isn’t just about hard work and dedication; it’s also important to consider the various external factors that can make or break a company. According to recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 25% of businesses survive past 15 years, with 65% closing up shop within 10 due to lack of funds, inadequate value proposition, or outdated methods for generating revenue!
But what many business leaders don’t realize is that stagnation can be detrimental as well. Many SMBs fail to keep up with customer demands – leaving them vulnerable and unable to compete in an ever-changing industry. That’s why staying open-minded and ready for change is so essential for businesses looking towards long-term success—especially now when technology advances quickly and customers expect more than ever before!
One major opportunity available today that often goes overlooked by SMBs is app development for mobile phones.
How to Tell if Your SMB Needs an App
With more than 88% of people having smartphones, global mobile app downloads will continue to increase. However, we must look at the way people use mobile apps. An app is a tool used to deliver a solution or value, and not all problems can be solved by an app alone. The suitability of an app as a solution depends on the nature of the problem. When you are trying to determine whether your SMB needs an app, you have to ask yourself if creating a mobile app will truly benefit your SMB and add value for your users.
Key Indicators to Help You Decide:
Customer Demand and Behavior
If your target audience primarily uses smartphones and regularly engages with mobile apps, developing a mobile app can be a valuable addition to your business. Analyze your customer base and their preferences to see if they would benefit from accessing your products or services through a dedicated mobile app.
Enhanced User Experience
Mobile apps can provide a more streamlined and personalized user experience compared to mobile-optimized websites. If your SMB relies heavily on customer interactions, a mobile app can offer features such as push notifications, personalized content, in-app purchases, and location-based services that can improve engagement and satisfaction.
Unique Functionality
Consider whether your SMB can offer unique functionality or features through a mobile app that cannot be achieved through a website alone. For example, if your business involves bookings, reservations, or real-time updates, a mobile app can offer convenience and efficiency to both customers and employees.
Competitive Advantage
Evaluate your industry and competitors to determine if having a mobile app can give you a competitive edge. If your competitors have already embraced mobile apps and you’re falling behind, it may be time to consider developing your app to stay relevant and meet customer expectations.
Business Goals and Scalability
Assess how a mobile app aligns with your long-term business goals. If you plan to expand your SMB or reach a broader audience, a mobile app can be an effective tool for scaling your operations and increasing brand visibility.
Cost and Resources
Developing and maintaining a mobile app requires financial investment and ongoing resources. Consider your budget and the availability of skilled developers or app development agencies. If you have the necessary resources and the potential returns justify the investment, a mobile app may be a suitable option for your SMB.
If you think your small or medium-sized business needs an app, consider factors such as the scope of operations and target audience. Analyze whether any processes can be improved with an app, what features it should have to make it useful for users, and how much time and money will need to be invested in its development. Also, examine potential benefits such as increased sales automation capabilities or customer engagement opportunities. By taking these elements into account you can decide if having a custom application is necessary for your SMB’s success.
Maintaining an app over time does require some effort. With so many apps being built and maintained—and with some users having limited space on their phones—an app truly has to stand out to intrigue your target audience enough that they will download it and use it consistently. When deciding whether to develop an app for your business, it’s important to take a look at what your competitors are doing. Do they already have an app? If so, look for their statistics in the app stores -this will help you gauge if there is demand from customers.
What are the Benefits of a Mobile App?
Having your mobile app in today’s digital age can be beneficial for businesses. It can create an easier way to access products and services, provide potential customers with more information about what you offer, and help build customer loyalty. A mobile app also has several advantages that include:
1. Personalized Marketing
Your initial onboarding process is the perfect opportunity to collect customer data such as name, age, and other personal details. As customers begin to utilize your app further, preferences, budget, and overall behavior can be analyzed for a more in-depth understanding of what they need.
2. Helps Establish Loyal Customer Base
Building a loyal customer base is necessary for any business, especially SMBs that may not have the same resources as large businesses. Mobile apps are becoming an ever-important tool to facilitate a solid connection between brands and customers. If you can effectively promote your app, encourage users to download it, and keep them engaged so they won’t feel the need to delete it, then you will have gained their loyalty!
Sixty-six percent of businesses that experience a dip in their customer loyalty lack an online platform, such as a mobile app! A mobile app can provide significant value to your target audience. You interact with them in real-time. You respond to their questions in a reasonable amount of time and your app will be ingrained in their minds!
3. Brand Visibility
A mobile app is a great way to increase your brand’s visibility and trustworthiness. With the right mobile app design, your SMB can create an unforgettable image for your target audience that will stick with them whenever they think of your business and the products and/or services you offer. By creating such a strong impression, you will have paved the way to introduce new products and/or services more quickly, build credibility in the eyes of potential consumers, and give you a competitive edge. Your app will be an extension of your brand once users download it. Your app’s presence on their devices will establish itself within their personal space—making room for value creation from your end—and connecting people with all you have to offer.
4. Revenue Growth
By making the purchase process more user-friendly, intuitive, and convenient, customer engagement can be improved to drive sales. Enhancing the overall digital customer experience will result in increased sales and revenue growth. Your SMB could also enhance your marketing efforts by targeting potential customers through your preferred channels to increase brand awareness and attract new buyers. Utilizing these strategies will help create a positive impact on your bottom line!
What Are the Options for Getting an App?
Discovering methods to acquire an app for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can be a tough task to take on. However, there are several ways that SMBs can obtain the necessary software applications to meet their individual needs.
Some of these options include purchasing pre-developed apps, hiring a developer to build customized solutions from scratch, or subscribing to a Software Development Kit (SDK) and going the DIY route. Also, some businesses have gone through outsourcing the development process by using freelance services or specialized agencies. Ultimately, selecting the most suitable path is dependent upon factors such as budget constraints and expected output results from each solution offered. But the truth is all these solutions come with great investments whether it’s time, money, or hassle—and in most cases, all the above! But not if you choose Bryj.
Why Bryj is the SMB Complete Mobile App Solution
Bryj is the ultimate mobile app solution for small and medium businesses (SMBs) that want an enterprise-level app. Bryj delivers your app faster and on budget for any app store worldwide, with one full-service subscription. Our AI-driven platform powers app development, seamless integrations, app store publishing and compliance, real-time monitoring and analytics, security and privacy, and customer engagement tools. That’s right, no devs or agencies are required! Plus, all ongoing maintenance is included in our full-service solution that is within reach for SMBs.
Now is the time to invest in your digital strategy with a mobile app so you can stay connected with customers, streamline business processes, automate tasks, and increase productivity—all from one intuitive platform. Plus, our security and privacy measures ensure that your data always remains secure. Experience how Bryj is revolutionizing SMBs’ access to enterprise apps. Book a demo with our expert team at Bryj today.
