Smartphone apps are multiplying faster than wild rabbits. The big question is - should your company have a mobile app too?

Here is a bit more information and advice to help you make an educated decision.

One of 2010’s biggest tech stories was the unstoppable rise of the mobile app. No matter where you looked, no matter who you spoke with, everyone was building an app of some sort. the range and feature sets were wild. Mobile apps certainly were and continue to be a driving force.

Let’s start with the absolute basics, and something to feel positive about as a business: The uptake of mobile apps among consumers is only set to increase as we continue to throw away our old mobile phones, and upgrade to a smartphone. Plus, the device manufacturers and network operators are not shying away from new innovations and app stores to access more and more apps.

So, apps are here to stay - and will only become more popular. The question is, should your company launch a mobile app?

First, ponder whether your existing customers and prospective customers (those you want to sell to) will use an app you build. Part of this question includes a requirement that this group of people own and use smart phones.

Don’t get stuck on the idea that an app must serve only your existing customer base. In addition to building an app that might work post sale (after you have already sold to someone) you can also build apps that actually help sell to new customers - and help get new deals and sales over the line. Sales, marketing and branding based apps can be exceptionally powerful tools for a business.

You will need to initially set out to create your mobile app strategy.

Don’t just build an app for the sake of having an app. Consider thoroughly how the app can be of use. Consider how it will either drive new sales, engage with new or existing customers, and how it makes the process of connecting with your business an easier or elegant solution for the target market. Consider retention in terms of keeping the people that have downloaded the app in the first place, continuing to use the app. No one wants a one hit wonder.

Once you understand the why aspect of a mobile app for your company, and the what, you must then consider mobile app platform options.

Most people think of Apple/iTunes when they talk about mobile application development. The reason for this, they were the first to the market with this concept, and remain the largest in terms of number of apps available, and number of apps already downloaded. It is also reasonable to say that many developers focus purely on iOS (Apple platform) apps and don’t mention the other mobile app options available, and important to your business.

Mobile apps don’t just mean iPhones or iPads. Mobile apps are also available on Android, Blackberry and Windows platforms, and all have their place and purpose.

It’s a key decision to make, and if you get it wrong it could spell disaster for your mobile app project. A good quality mobile app development company should be able to competently walk you through this process and explain why you would develop across multiple platform, or stick to a signel platform for your specific solution.

Platforms with apps stores up and running include Apples iTunes app store, Google’s Android OS and Android Marketplace; RIM’s BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry App World; Nokia’s Ovi Store which hosts apps for devices running Symbian or Maemo software; and Microsoft’s Windows Marketplace for Mobile, and this only a few - but the most popular and with the greatest penetration into the market. Samsung have also launched an open OS called Bada with plans for a corresponding app store.

You must also consider the app store you are looking at to ensure it’s a good fit with your sales and marketing plans, how you will market the app in the store, whether the store allows for screen shots of the app, and for user reviews and ratings, and support for free and paid for apps. Plus you must also consider the technological aspects of the platform as some platforms allow greater functionality in terms of what the app can and cannot do, over others. Again, a proficient mobile app developer should be able to guide you through this process and advise correctly.

So you’ve done your research, chosen a platform or platforms and started thinking about the app idea - where to from here?

This part of so critical to the success or failure of your app. The choices and possibilities are endless.

You can choose from brochure styled apps, to educational, product and in-app based sales, product and service demonstrations, ticket sales, booking systems, enquiry forms and connection to support and customer service resources, games, books, augmented reality such as virtual dressing rooms for retailers, and object identification for game play and interactive apps, plus much much more.

Apps can be an exciting new way to connect with customers and build new customer relationships. But as you can see from the above, take time to consider the elements of a mobile app, and engage with a professional mobile app agency first, which will increase your likelyhood of success.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 at 8:37 am and is filed under Tech & Cool Stuff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.