Have you ever considered building your company’s very own app? Many brands still haven’t considered this option for their iOS or Android customer base to download. While using social media app platforms to promote your business can be a decent option for most businesses, having your very own app can be a powerful tool. This is for both B2C and B2B businesses. But how do you go about creating your own? And why is it such a powerful marketing tool in 2020?
In this article, I’m going to show you why having a custom app for your business is an essential part of your marketing strategy and how you can easily create your own.
Why should you consider creating an app?
Creating a personalized app has several advantages.
For one, all of your customers who have downloaded your brand’s app can have direct access to your business, where they can access:
- Updates on your brands.
- The latest product service releases.
- Easy-to-access customer support.
- Options to buy products or services directly through one.
Having one gives you an often unspoken advantage — the ability to be more transparent with your customers and clients. You can give them updates on what’s happening within your business, how specific products or services are developing, and plans for your business in the coming future.
You can also build in a customer support feature into your app, making it really easy for users to get in contact with you and your support team. Also, you can integrate a shop feature onto your app, so customers can view all of your products or services and do business with you directly through the app. But one of the most important advantages to having your business’s own iOS or Android app is that you’ll have the ability to send users notifications.
To understand why this is so important, all we need to do is look at how many times people check their smartphones on a daily basis. A study of the UK population found that on average people check their phones every 12 minutes during the waking day. Research has also shown that the average push notification reaction rate is 7.8%, but this depends on what industry you’re in and your demographic.
Being able to send you customers or clients notifications can be an extremely powerful marketing tool that could make a significant impact on sales and overall brand loyalty.
How to create your own app
Creating your own can be pretty simple depending on the options you choose.
The easier option is if you have a Shopify website, you can use integrations like Appy Pie, which enables you to easily convert your site into an app that’s available on all major app stores.
However, for most business owners, hiring an app developer is the best option. With this option, you’ll be able to speak directly with the developer and design an app with custom options. This process can take quite a bit of time and cost a lot more than my next option. However, working with the developer will give you more customization options.
You’ll need to think about what features you’d like to include in your app. If you’re stuck for creativity, here are a few options:
- eShop.
- Social media-style news feed.
- Newsletters.
- Video content.
- Customer support live chat integration.
- Messenger for users to interact.
- Loyalty program.
- Feedback section.
- FAQs.
Whatever road you choose with your app, ensure it includes relevant and valuable features that users will want to keep coming back to.
Broadening your digital marketing strategy
Having many layers to your digital marketing strategy is essential. And the fact that most people have access to some form of smartphone or tablet device, it’s more than worthwhile looking into creating your business’s very own app — whether your a B2C or B2B business.
Using an app, you have the ability to connect directly with your customer or client base, and you’ll also be able to utilize the power of push notifications.
For more information on how you can grow your business and effectively expand your marketing strategy, read through some of the top posts on the Intentionally Inspirational blog.
Written by Lewis James