3 Ways a Mobile App Development Company Helps You Maximize ROI
Chris Mulvaney is the CEO of CMDS. I make things... I’m the creative entrepreneur with passion for (re)making brands and inventing solutions to problems no one knows exist.
Boosting App ROI With the Help of a Mobile App Development Company
Savvy brands are racing to develop mobile apps this year for one simple reason: to improve business. As a mobile app development company, we know just how valuable apps can be in boosting ROI. It’s been years since mobile has overtaken desktop, and that gap just keeps getting bigger. Bigger, more powerful and more lucrative.
Take a look
Mobile apps have proven to be a great weapon in helping businesses become profitable. Think about the last few times you made a purchase. Was it in-store or online? For many of us, these purchases were made on our phones using a mobile app. Whether it was purchasing the app itself, an in-game purchase, or ordering a product or service directly from an e-commerce app.
In fact, according to TechCrunch, consumer spend in app stores has more than doubled over the past two years, topping $86 billion in 2017. It’s projected to top $110 billion over the past year (we’ll keep you posted on the latest stats for 2018 once they release them). This kind of convenience has attracted many consumers, which in turn has significantly boosted the mobile commerce industry.
And guess what? Mobile sales are expected to catch up to e-commerce sales over the next couple of years.
This trend has caught the attention of brands who see the advantages in mobile app development opportunities. In fact, according to a survey, between 42% and 67% of SMBs are now expected to have an app that consumers can download.
According to the Business of Apps, more than 1,300 apps are added to the Google Play Store every day. Chances are your competition already has an app…yet, some of you are still reluctant to forge ahead.
Why?
Maybe we can change your mind.
Top 3 Ways to Make the Most of Your Mobile App
Mobile apps can help you boost customer loyalty, polish brand image, provide valuable marketing opportunities and even improve employee efficiency. While most businesses understand the value of having a mobile app, typically the hesitation is due to the uncertainty of ROI — or, simply, a lack of knowledge and understanding in this space.
People “get” websites. Most companies don’t necessarily have marketers and developers fluent in app development on staff though. They don’t understand what goes into it, how to make it relevant to their business, how to market it and how, or if, they can make money from it.
As a mobile app development company, we hear these concerns from clients frequently. It’s totally understandable. Apps can be expensive to develop and they must be maintained. So, if you are going to do it, you want to do it right from the beginning.
That’s why we’re going to share our top three considerations to ensure that your app investment provides a solid ROI.
1. Perform Deep Market Research
One of the worst things you can do is invest in an app just because it looks cool and everyone else has one, too. Launching an app simply to outpace your competition is a recipe for disaster. The opportunities are there, but only when created with a clear purpose. Ensure a solid ROI on your investment by starting with thorough market research.
Only you know why your business needs a mobile app. So, first, identify clear goals. Are you pursuing a mobile app to help you increase sales, build customer loyalty or streamline employee productivity?
There isn’t necessarily one answer. That’s the beauty of it. Identify the primary purpose of developing the app, but don’t ignore secondary benefits. Some intelligent ways businesses around the world are utilizing their branded apps:
- Customer data gathering
- Direct marketing
- Increase customer loyalty
- Simplify purchasing process
- Establish knowledge leadership
- Encourage deeper, more frequent engagement
- Build active user community
- Dispense customer rewards programs
- Provide virtual assistance
- Content distribution, tutorials, and recommendations
- Enhance in-person experiences
- Personalize experiences by using AR and uploaded content
- Create a unified in-person, online, mobile immersion
That’s only the tip of the iceberg
If you’re not really sure of how you would use a mobile app yet, that’s OK. An in-depth brand analysis with a mobile app development company can help you determine what your business needs to succeed.
Experienced app developers, like CMDS, will work with you to identify current customer touchpoints, clarify demographics, define buyer persona, behavior patterns, motivations and how to nurture consumers along the conversion path. Every step of the mobile app process must keep the end user in mind — there is no benefit to you if no one is using it.
This exhaustive research is essential to lay the foundation for what follows.
But…
If there’s one constant in the mobile world, it’s this: The only thing that is constant is change.
User expectations will always change. Technologies are constantly evolving. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. The only way to stay ahead is to keep your eyes on the horizon.
That’s why we love data so much at CMDS. We’re always looking for ways to find out what’s working (and what’s not). If you already have a mobile app, that initial deep market research you conducted a year ago may not apply today. Be prepared to dig in again (and often), so you’re always delivering a solid user experience.
Thankfully, If developed properly, your app will be able to provide you with the lionshare of data you need to make educated decisions for future updates. Building data collection and reporting functionality is nearly as important as the UI itself. Your app developer can help you frame what type of information you will need and how to structure it.
2. Develop a Solid User Experience
Loose lips sink ships.
For most small- and medium-sized businesses, a successful mobile app can become a critical opportunity to connect with consumers.
But…
Loose standards will push users to uninstall…sinking those potential relationships.
Having a great looking mobile app isn’t enough. Security guidelines and app performance, such as speed and responsiveness, all matter to users. Your app must also provide real value for your specific audience, staying relevant and engaging enough to warrant storage space. Storage space is sacred afterall, considering the average smartphone has 35 apps installed.
If you want to keep users engaged (and your app on their phone), here are some tips to provide a solid user experience: the key to a winning mobile app ROI strategy.
Deliver on expectations
You have a sweet idea for a mobile app? Work with a trusted mobile app development company to deliver that idea to your customers. Fine-tuning what works and what is just fluff will greatly improve your UI. Your app must be speedy, responsive and safe. To meet those expectations, implement mobile testing before launch and on an ongoing basis. Consider using a focus group. Constant quality assurance will ensure it’s error-free, averting user frustrations. Make sure you have someone available throughout the year to fix any problems that arise.
Provide value
To see the most ROI, don’t just transport your online shopping experience to mobile. Customers don’t really need an app for that. Deliver something they can’t get online. Help them design their room by uploading photos of their home. Foster a community space for Q&A with real consumers. Deliver QR-based product information and reviews while in-store. Use location-based information to curate recommendations, lists, coupons, content, etc. Give them something extra…AND provide a way to shop.
Don’t overwhelm users
Use caution with push notifications and loaded advertisements that only end up pushing them away. Only request permission for things that will make a significant impact on your user experience. (A flashlight app that tracks location information might raise a few eyebrows.) We’ll help you create experiences for every stage of the user lifecycle, even winning back those who have churned.
Make it accessible
Navigation is just as important on an app as it is on a website. Make log-in’s seamless, key features easy to find and calls-to-action obvious.
Reward them
Want to get users hooked on your mobile app? Loyalty programs that track reward points are a good start. At CMDS, we’ll help you deliver a personalized, habit-forming experience, using powerful psychological strategies.
Dig into data
Find out what’s working and what’s not. Take a look at metrics such as conversion rates and actions triggered by advertisements and then put that data to work to make the right enhancements.
Always look for ways to make enhancements.
Ask for feedback through simple in-app surveys to uncover future functionalities and upgrades. Let us help you take a comprehensive look the best tactics for bringing in future revenue.
3. Don’t Leave Them Hanging. Is It Time For An Upgrade?
If you already have an app, it will eventually require updates, or risk becoming out of touch with consumer expectations and trends.
Curious if we’re talking to you?
Here are some signs that it’s time to give your mobile app an update.
You are ready for a change. If you’ve added new services, products or features that aren’t already added in your current app, you’ll need to update your app.
Your users are ready for a change. When your app desperately needs a new design, whether to improve UX or boost efficiency with new features, updates can offer a fresh experience for users. Listen to feedback and read reviews from users to make necessary changes.
Your app is having serious performance issues. If you notice a decline in active users, session time, downloads or retention rates, an update can help to enhance performance and grow your audience again.
Have you been forced to download an OS update on your personal phone? Major OS updates affect all apps on a consumer’s phone. Sometimes, they even make them obsolete. Keeping up with updates on all platforms is essential to maintaining an active user base.
Do You Need a Mobile App? Be Mobile-Friendly…or Both?
While there continues to be a hot debate about where businesses should focus their mobile efforts — on mobile apps or on mobile-friendly websites. The answer will vary based on your business, your goals and number one, above, research.
With mobile as an increasingly attractive option for purchasing activity, businesses must feed both options with strategic projects to boost revenue and retain customers. This means building mobile apps, and/or mobile-friendly websites, that are robust enough to handle a future where e-commerce and mobile commerce work seamlessly together.
Either way, if you’re not there yet, it’s time to prepare for a mobile-focused future. So, if you have a hot idea, partner up with a mobile app development company. Bounce your ideas around. Figure out how to make an app investment work for your company. Work with an app developer, like CMDS, to deliver innovative ideas, with data-driven insights on what your audience wants and needs.
Mobile App Development Company
Oh hey there! We’re CMDS, your mobile app development company. But we don’t just build apps. We create the kind of award-winning websites and apps that get people talking, and help our clients stay a step ahead of the competition. Our team is pretty obsessed with what’s next (we love pushing boundaries) but, we’re still very grounded in data. It’s who we are.
Ready to create the next big thing? We are and we’ll help you build it!
Fill out our online form or give us a call at 732.706.5555 to get in touch!