664800000000 is the number of people who own a smartphone in 2022, which translates to 83.72% of the world’s population owning a smartphone. Besides, there is an astonishing rise in the usage of mobile applications – downloads increased from just over 20 billion in 2016 to 86 billion in the first quarter of 2022. These numbers clearly state that apps are the new favorite way for users to interact with technology.
Apps are a great way to build stronger relationships with your existing clients and target audience. But the question arises whether or not your business needs a branded mobile app now?
The answer is maybe. Let us dig deeper and weigh the pros and cons of having a branded mobile app to help you decide better.
Pro: Enhances Brand Recognition & Awareness
The main reason businesses invest in branded mobile apps is their capacity to build brand awareness in line with your other marketing initiatives. Although traditional marketing techniques haven’t become obsolete, yet are struggling in this era of social media marketing. It is becoming harder and harder to be on top of your customer’s minds. Enter branded mobile apps!
A mobile application puts your brand’s logo right in front and center on the screens of their mobile devices. Once the user installs your app on their device, you can rest assured that they’ll encounter your brand multiple times a day.
Pro: Acts as a Direct Marketing Channel
While e-mail marketing is a time-tested method to increase your customer engagement, social media marketing is relatively newer, yet none is as personal or direct as push notifications.
A branded mobile app enables you to deliver a more controlled and completely personalized brand experience. It makes it easier to gain your customer’s attention and inform them about exciting offers you are offering. It facilitates a distraction-free browsing experience for your users as they can interact with only one app at a time. Thus, it increases their chances of using one of your products or services.
Pro: Better Customer Experience
Customers are at the heart of your business, no matter what industry you deal with. So providing the customers with the best possible experience is always the top priority for every business.
According to a recent survey, 52% of consumers say they have made an additional purchase from a company after a positive customer service experience. This makes it clear that customer service is critical for your business growth. One of the most important aspects of customer service is respecting the customer’s time by responding to their inquiries and addressing their grievances quickly.
With a branded mobile app, it becomes easier for you to provide all kinds of customer service features such as in-app messaging, call and call-back buttons, easy directions to your stores, and most importantly, feedback and rating option.
Con: Requires Significant Investment
Development costs and sustained maintenance required for mobile apps may outweigh the profits from the app. Developing an app is in itself a costly affair. The price range varies from several thousand to lacs depending upon the developer. Larger organizations may spend over $20,000 or more for a branded mobile, depending on its functionality and industry.
It doesn’t end here. Even after you launch the app, sustained maintenance, bug fixes, and software updates cost money and time. Simply ‘having an app’ to keep up with the market trends can prove counter-productive and a waste of financial resources. You must know whether you have a business case to support an app before you invest your resources.
Con: Has a complex development & maintenance process
The mobile app development and sustained maintenance can be complex if you do everything in-house. There will be a lot on your plate to manage – from fixing bugs before the launch and ensuring consistency in the design elements to ensuring everything works flawlessly to minimize user error and bringing in updates frequently.
If you try to save your resources during the development phase, there are chances you will pay more heavily once you launch the app. The cost and maintenance of branded mobile apps often scare business leaders away.
Confused? Don’t worry Membroz has got you covered!
Choosing the right developer for your mobile app is probably the most crucial decision you need to make. They should understand your business requirements and also align with your financial resources. Membroz offers the best-in-class app development services for a range of industries.
Whether you run a large organization like an educational institute, a club, a hospital, a restaurant, or have a small business, or you are a one-person-army, we have an app for everyone. Do you know the best part? You can have a fully functional app without burning a hole in your pockets. Membroz also has Membroz Enterprise Plan with unmatched benefits for a big organization with multi-locations and large users.
Let not your business suffer for the lack of an app. Help us understand what you need to stay competitive and grow your business with Membroz now!
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