Mobile apps have played a significant role in promoting business and products for the last decade. As a result, companies are enjoying increased advertisement and market due to the high number of people who possess smartphones. By 2017, 67% of the world population owned mobile phones, according to the e-Marketer Research Firm.

Successful companies come up with native mobile apps to win the market. In the United States, 50% of over eighteen citizens possess mobile phones, which is a significant number.

The issue is not how your business will come up with a native app but how the app will be maintained by feeding new information.

Factors to consider on whether or not to use an app

Goal

An excellent mobile application serves significant roles in helping current and future customers. The app should have an interface to introduce new customers into the business while satisfying the needs of existing customers. A dedicated app displays information and services in fewer tabs.  The app should be easier to use and promote customers’ value in the business.

Nature of customers

According to ComScore, youths prefer mobile applications to websites. Most businesses prefer customers aged between 18 years to 65 years because they are most active and possess mobile phones.

Customers’ attitude to your mobile app

According to ComScore, youths aged between 18-24 years spend the better part of their time on mobile phones, but they rarely interact with the apps. Unsurprisingly, people aged between 25-44 years dedicated their time using apps. ComScore concluded that mobile apps outshined websites by 87% of mobile users.

Customer needs

Dedicating your app to customer requirements is a significant move. Customers are attracted by businesses that offer discounts, after-sale services, in-store shopping, and loyalty rewards. The mobile app should comprise all these personalized experiences. According to Clutch Research Company, 60% of customers want e-Commerce apps with customized experiences.

Added features of an app over current website

Websites provide appealing information to users on products available, offers, locations, and services offered by your business. Customers are tasked with searching the website, bookmarking it, and even save for subsequent use.

The mobile app eliminates this complexity by providing all the information in one place. Nikunj Sanghvi denotes that users prefer apps over websites because the loading speed is relatively faster, appealing user experience, and convenient payment methods.

Strategic plan for building the app

Before building an app, you have to lay down a strategic plan. After that, you can decide to either purchase an off-the-shelf app or hire a developer to build it for you. If you are operating a business, it is wise to rely on ready-made apps due to time-saving for customer satisfaction.

Resource spend in building and maintaining the app

Whether you hire a company to design an app for you or do it yourself, be ready to spend some cash. If you decide to go the company way, choose one that will keep changing the world and update it regularly. The cost of developing an app in the United States range between $50-$250 hourly. The more complex the app is, the higher the cost incurred.

Conclusion

If you own a business and need it to grow faster, go for an app with appealing features though it comes with a cost. As a business person, understand the market well and mark the target customer age group. The market knowledge will help in deciding which features to include in your app and which to exclude.