Your business needs to have various channels for customers to interact and engage with your brand.
Developing a mobile app creates a channel that allows you to reach customers on a regular basis.
Today, having a mobile-friendly web presence is no longer enough for a business. Most users prefer mobile apps to mobile sites — according to Nielsen, 89% of consumer mobile media time is spent in mobile apps. According to Nielsen, 89% of consumer mobile media time is spent in mobile apps. Share on X
Many startups and small businesses may shy away from developing a mobile app. The time, expense, and expertise needed to create an effective mobile product are incentive and barriers for many.
Today, however, tools such as DIY app-building platforms and boutique app developers cater to startups and small businesses. These resources make it easier than ever for your company to develop and launch a mobile app.
The main key to success for a mobile app, however, is proper branding. Brand perception is an incredibly valuable asset in the digital space. Even the smallest and newest companies can look like a big player with a properly branded mobile app.
Developing a well-branded mobile app can have several benefits for your startup. These include:
- Attracting new customers
- Establishing customer loyalty
- Increasing sales
- Improving customer retention
- Boosting brand perception
To boost your brand awareness and familiarity through a mobile app, your company needs to take the time and care to ensure that every element of your app – visuals, messaging, functionality, etc. – supports your company’s goals and vision.
Use this article to review the branding and engagement benefits of developing an app for your startup.
Mobile Apps Can Drive New Business Opportunities for Your Company
For a startup, finding new customers can be difficult. Mobile apps are a viable method for your business to develop its sales pipeline.
There are several ways a mobile app help generate new business for your startup:
- Simplify purchasing: Including the option to purchase in your app streamlines customer transactions, which can help boost sales and create a positive purchasing experience.
- Encourage loyalty and retention: Integrating your rewards programs and offering special discounts on your mobile app incentivizes downloads and keep existing customers engaged with your company.
- Improve marketing: Push notifications and social sharing tools make it easier for users to receive and share information about your company.
Creating a properly branded mobile app means establishing and maintaining a connection with your customers. This, in turn, helps open and nurture business development opportunities that help fuel growth.
Mobile Apps Creates Authentic Engagement with New and Repeat Customers
There is a lot of marketing “noise” available to customers these days, which means that your startup needs to create an impression that makes your company stand out.
Use your mobile app to build a true and sincere connection with customers.
For example, communication tools available through a mobile app can make users aware of special promotions, which helps increase sales and awareness.
Make sure that your app has multiple ways to alert customers about updates, discounts, or news from your business. For example, you can develop specific landing pages or include calls-to-action on your home page that informs users about the offers that are available to them.
Offering continuous and new value to users incentivizes people to check your app frequently, which increases engagement and smoothens the path to conversion.
Recommended: Understanding Connection Between Customer Choice and Your Conversion
Mobile Apps Can Improve Your Customer Service and Brand Perception
Research shows that customers perceive companies with mobile apps more positively than those that don’t. Research shows that customers perceive companies with mobile apps more positively than those that don’t. Share on X
Apps act as customer portals that never close: they provide constant access to your company and services for the customer.
This allows consumers to communicate directly with your company with feedback about issues with your company or product. Constant feedback may be tough to swallow sometimes, but it allows your customers to feel heard.
The better your customer service, the better customers will perceive your brand, which positively contributes to your startup’s growth.
Recommended: 10 B2B Marketing Tactics to Boost Your Brand
Ensure Your Mobile App Is Worth the Expense
When it comes to developing a mobile app, your startup business doesn’t necessarily need to subscribe to the “go big or go home” theory, at least when it comes to the development costs.
However when you approach building your app, your startup should focus on proper branding. Professional app developers and branding agencies are great resources to learn more about branding best practices when developing an app.
Use your app to provide a positive experience that engages users, keeps them coming back for more, and encourages them to spread the word.
If you can properly brand and format your app to increase customer engagement, you can facilitate your startup’s growth.
Kelsey McKeon is a Content Writer at Clutch and Visual Objects. Her content provides actionable tips on how businesses can maximize their working relationships with business services partners.
