Setting up a new venture is getting harder and harder with each passing year.
And especially, if you’re considering starting without equipping yourself with technological tools and assets.
The only way to stand apart from the cutthroat competition and scale your business quickly is to equip yourself with innovations and technologies.
So you can be accessible to your target audience at a much more rapid pace than your rivals.
When it comes to digitalizing your business you’ve multiple options like website design, branding, social media strategy, building an online presence, and much more.
To get up the stairs of success much quicker doing all these digitalizing practices is indispensable.
But you know it’s 2023! Customers expect a much better experience from their favorite brand.
All the things mentioned above aren’t enough in recent times.
It’s time to take the next step and enter a league to the next level of digitalization by making a mobile app for business.
According to recent statistics, the average person spends approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes engrossed in their mobile phone each day.
In fact, aside from working and sleeping, the vast majority of people are spending their time immersed in various mobile applications.
Many astute businesses have recognized this trend and seized the opportunity to create a mobile app for business.
By doing so, they are able to offer their customers the convenience of completing all their essential tasks directly from their mobile devices, without the need to visit physical stores or even websites.
As a business owner, you undoubtedly recognize the importance of staying ahead of the curve in a highly competitive market.
By developing your own mobile app for business, you can set yourself apart from your rivals and provide your clients with a streamlined and efficient way to engage with your brand.
You must have many questions if your mind right now like why do I need to choose a mobile app for my business and what are the benefits and how much does it cost to build one?
To fulfill all your queries and concerns, make sure you go through the sections below.
Once you get through the information right till the end.
You’ll be in a position to make a decision to build a mobile app for your business or not.
How Do I Create A Mobile App For My Business?
To ensure the success and fulfillment of a mobile app for business, it is crucial to develop the app with a comprehensive understanding of the business perspective.
For example, if you own a restaurant business and seek to build a mobile app to increase sales and productivity, it is imperative that the app speaks directly to the needs and goals of the business.
All features integrated into the application must be carefully tailored to the unique requirements of the business in question.
To this end, we have identified a six-step process to guide the development of a mobile app for business.
Step #1: Define Your Business Needs
Creating a mobile app for business that effectively delivers on your business goals requires a clear understanding of your business objectives, future aspirations, and target audience.
Without a clear sense of direction, even the most well-designed mobile apps may struggle to achieve success.
It is important to note that the success rate of mobile apps on different app stores is remarkably low.
In fact, only 0.5% of the apps manage to achieve success.
One of the primary reasons why many mobile apps for businesses fall short of meeting their objectives is the lack of effective communication between the client and the app developers.
This can lead to a final product that is not business-friendly, hindering its effectiveness.
To develop a mobile app for business that addresses users’ concerns and effectively helps your business grow, it is imperative that you as the business owner have clearly defined goals.
Step #2: Market Research, Competitor Analysis, And Audience Research
As a business owner with clearly defined goals, the next critical step towards bringing your app idea to fruition is discovering whether there is a genuine demand for it in the market.
After all, while your app concept may sound impressive on paper, the reality may be vastly different if there is no actual market for it.
Failing to conduct comprehensive market research can result in throwing away valuable resources and investments down the pipeline.
This is why it is crucial to carry out in-depth analysis and research to ascertain whether your app idea has the potential to succeed.
Step #3: Design
After effectively communicating your app requirements to your app developer or custom app development company, the next crucial step is the app UI/UX design.
In today’s world, consumers expect a mobile app for business to offer a seamless user experience, a simple yet visually appealing UI design, and smooth performance.
This is where an experienced mobile app development service comes in.
They have the expertise to design a scalable and customer-centric mobile app for businesses that can cater to the needs of your target audience.
By understanding the importance of intuitive design and user experience, they can create a unique and memorable app that stands out from the competition.
Step #4: Development
The development of a mobile app for business typically involves three main projects: front-end development, API development, and back-end development.
Depending on the type of app you require and the needs of your business, these projects will be customized to include the best features and functionality.
During this stage, the app will be created and developed from scratch, and all the best features will be integrated into it.
Some of the essential features of mobile apps for business include user authentication, push notifications, payment processing, multimedia integration, location tracking, and usage analytics.
These features are designed to enhance the user experience and ensure the app is customer-centric and easy to use.
Step #4: Test Repeatedly To Make Your App Error And Bug-Free Before Launching
Believing that your mobile app for business is ready to launch after the coding stage is a common mistake made by many.
However, neglecting the final step of testing your app on actual mobile platforms can prove costly in terms of fewer downloads and user engagement.
During the quality assurance (QA) process, your app will be tested on different mobile platforms, and all potential issues and bugs will be identified and addressed.
The QA process is critical to ensure that your app is user-friendly and operates smoothly across all devices and platforms.
As a first-time mobile app owner, you may question the need for a dedicated QA process.
However, it’s essential to understand that there are many different ways in which your app can be used, and a quality assurance specialist can identify potential issues that may have been missed during Development.
Underrating the QA process can have serious consequences for your app’s long-term success.
If your customers experience bugs and errors, it can lead to poor user engagement and harm your business reputation.
Step #5: Launch Your App On Major Platforms
We are pleased to inform you that your mobile app for business has been successfully created and is now ready to be launched.
However, it is important to note that all the hard work, effort, and investment put into the development will be for naught if the launch is not executed seamlessly.
To ensure optimal visibility on app stores and encourage downloads, it is imperative to concentrate on strategic tricks and tactics.
Additionally, thorough testing must be conducted to guarantee that the application is free of any bugs or glitches that could result in server crashes or other complications.
To launch your app in the market, you will need to submit it to various app stores, including Google Play Store and Apple App Store, which have specific requirements that must be met.
It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the submission guidelines before proceeding with the process.
To learn more about how to launch an app click here: How Much Does It Cost To Put An App On The App Store
Step 6: Support and Maintenance
Launching your mobile app on major app stores is just the beginning of a long journey toward achieving sustained success.
No application is perfect and to keep your app up to date with the latest trends and technologies, ongoing maintenance is crucial.
To ensure your mobile app for business remains at the cutting edge, it’s vital that you retain your development team for continuous support.
As customer requirements change over time, your app will need ongoing maintenance to stay in line with its evolving needs.
A critical aspect of app maintenance is cybersecurity.
Given the prevalence of cyber-attacks and vulnerabilities, app maintenance plans must include regular security updates and bug fixes to protect your app from malicious attacks.
Keeping up with the latest operating systems is equally important to ensure your app remains compatible with the latest iOS and Android OS platforms and new mobile devices.
By including updates related to app performance, application maintenance can help keep your app functioning optimally and enable your business to deliver the best possible user experience to your customers.
Read Our Complete guide on mobile app maintenance: Everything About Cost Of App Maintenance
How Much Does It Cost To Create A Mobile App?
The cost to create a mobile app for business can vary significantly, depending on multiple factors such as app complexity, the number of apps, and the developer’s location, among others. However, to provide you with a rough estimate, the cost for a mobile app for business typically falls in the range of $10,000 – $150,000.
The cost of a simple mobile app for business is typically lower as it contains limited and basic features and is built for a single platform, taking between 1-3 months to complete. The cost of a simple mobile app can range from $10,000 – $30,000, depending on the scope of the project.
Medium mobile apps for business typically contain simple to advanced features and are limited to a single platform, taking between 3-4 months to complete. The cost of a medium mobile app can range from $30,000 – $60,000, depending on the complexity of the project.
For complex mobile apps that require an ultra-advanced level of features and are built for multiple platforms, the cost can range from $60,000 – $100,000 or more, depending on the specific requirements of the project.
Read Here: How Much Does It Cost To Make a Complex Mobile App?
Features that affect the cost of a mobile app for business.
- Type of Development Team
- Location Of Your App Development Partner
- Comprehensive Application Testing
- Prototyping
- Complex Animation and Visual Aids
- App Maintenance Costs
- Features and Functionality
- Security Measures
- Number of supported platforms
Here: 11 Factors That Skyrocket Cost Of Mobile App Development
Do I Need A Business License To Publish An App?
In order to publish your mobile app for business on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you do not need to obtain a business license.
However, there are certain documents that you will need to have in order to successfully publish your app on these platforms.
To ensure a smooth publishing process, we have compiled a list of the documents that you will need to have:
Google Play Store (Android)
All you need is a Google Play Developer Account.
Click the link to Read the complete process of how to publish your app on the Google play store.
What Can A Mobile App Do For Your Business?
A Mobile app can help a business in different ways.
But one common way a Mobile app helps businesses is by assisting them to grow and accomplish their ultimate goal.
Below you can go through information about what can a mobile app do for your business.
1. Increase Revenue
Mobile apps for businesses have revolutionized the way customers shop and interact with businesses.
With a mobile app, customers can conveniently shop and make purchases from anywhere, at any time.
As a business owner, this means that you have a third revenue stream, in addition to your physical store and website.
2. Build Powerful Brand
Crafting a mobile app for a business can bring a significant impact on its branding efforts.
A mobile app for business stands out in a crowded market and reinforces its position as a powerful brand.
Furthermore, mobile apps offer unique opportunities for personalized marketing that are hard to replicate on other platforms.
3. Enhance Customer Experience
Providing excellent customer experience is vital for the success of any business.
For small businesses and startups, customer service can be a challenge due to limited resources and financial constraints.
Traditional customer service methods can be time-consuming and often result in dissatisfied customers.
Fortunately, a mobile app can help small businesses overcome these obstacles and provide their customers with quick and efficient support.
With a mobile app, businesses can offer their customers immediate assistance, allowing them to resolve issues and provide answers to their inquiries in real time.
4. Standout From Competition
In today’s digital world, mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular among both businesses and customers.
Despite this trend, many companies are still relying solely on their websites to reach their target audience.
As a result, there is a significant opportunity for businesses to take advantage of the growing trend and increase their market share by creating a mobile app.
5. Be Visible to Customers around the clock
In today’s fast-paced world, customers expect businesses to be available around the clock.
While a physical outlet can only serve customers for a limited number of hours, a mobile app allows businesses to be accessible 24/7.
This means that even when your physical store is closed, your customers can still access your products or services through your mobile app.
Do Small Businesses Need Mobile Apps?
Absolutely Yes! Every business regardless of size and type needs a mobile app to thrive and prosper in today’s fiercely competitive landscape.
For small businesses having a mobile app is even more important than a big firm due to the following reasons.
Reason #1:
In today’s digital age, customers are increasingly preferring to interact with businesses through digital means.
For small businesses, this presents a crucial opportunity to attract and retain customers by investing in a mobile app.
By providing a seamless digital experience, businesses can reach a wider audience, build brand loyalty, and ultimately grow their customer base.
So, if you want to bring in not just one customer, but millions, a mobile app is a must-have for your small business.
Reason #2:
One compelling rationale for small businesses to develop a mobile app is its unparalleled ability to promote and advertise the brand.
By leveraging personalized advertising capabilities, mobile apps empower businesses to reach and engage customers in ways that surpass other digital media channels.
With a mobile app, businesses can tailor ads to match customers’ unique moods and in-app behaviors.
Reason #3:
Another compelling reason for business owners to invest in a mobile app is its potential to expand their reach and penetrate a wider market.
By creating a mobile app specifically for their business, owners can effectively promote their brand to a larger audience, enabling them to generate sales at a faster pace.
Additionally, Reasons why small business needs a mobile app
4. Existing customers can give feedback which will help potential customers to know more about products.
5. Create a customer loyalty base
6. Offer you a better image of your business
7. Brand recognition
Is It Worth It To Build A Mobile App For Your Business?
This dedicated section is for business owners who are wondering whether it’s worth building a mobile app exclusively for their business or not.
At the outset, if you believe that a mobile app is not a fit for your business, you may be overlooking a valuable opportunity.
Regardless of the industry and scale of operations, having a mobile app is now an essential part of business strategy.
Indeed, investing in a mobile app for your business is a wise decision.
As we witness a surge in mobile usage each year, mobile apps have become an integral part of our lives, enabling us to order food, book a ride, purchase clothing, and much more.
As such, a mobile app caters to the daily needs of consumers, making it a worthwhile investment for your business.
With that in mind, it is undoubtedly worth considering building a mobile app for your business.
Below, we’ll delve into four key benefits of having a mobile app for your business.
1. Reduce Cost (Save Money On Advertising)
Investing in developing the best mobile app for your business may appear to be a substantial investment at first.
However, it can result in considerable cost savings in the long run.
One of the primary advantages of having a mobile app for your business is its effectiveness in promoting and advertising your brand.
Imagine, for a moment, that you don’t have a mobile app.
What steps would you take to market your business?
Most likely, you would have to rely on traditional marketing techniques, which can be quite expensive.
Additionally, the impact of such traditional marketing techniques tends to be fleeting, providing only short-term benefits.
However, by creating a mobile app for your business, you can establish it as your primary direct marketing channel, reaching customers without the need for costly advertising campaigns.
This approach can yield significant long-term savings while also allowing you to promote your business more efficiently and effectively.
2. Offer Customer Insight (Valuable insight to offer a better experience)
The benefits of a mobile app for business are truly unparalleled, with one of its unique advantages being the provision of robust analytics and tracking options.
By leveraging a mobile app for business, you gain valuable insight into user interactions and behavior, allowing for targeted retargeting and the provision of a personalized experience for your customers.
This data is also incredibly useful for mobile app developers, who can use it to integrate new features that enhance the overall customer experience.
Mobile app analytics can provide valuable insights into user behavior, such as how they navigate the app, which features they use most frequently, or the type of content that they are most likely to engage with.
3. Enhance Customer Loyalty (Create a Loyal Fan Base)
In the world of business, loyal customers are worth their weight in gold.
Unlike new customers, who require substantial investments in marketing and advertising to acquire, loyal customers already possess a fundamental awareness of your business, allowing you to save a significant amount of money on promotional activities.
While it is undoubtedly important to attract new customers to your business, it is equally crucial to focus on retaining existing customers.
Unfortunately, many businesses fail to prioritize customer retention, instead devoting most of their attention to acquiring new customers.
This is where a mobile app for business can make a real difference.
By providing your existing customers with exclusive features and offers, you can incentivize them to continue using your app, fostering a long-term relationship with them that can turn one-time customers into loyal repeat customers.
4. Generate Insane Profits (Make More Revenue)
As a business owner, every investment made in your enterprise is aimed at generating profits, either directly or indirectly.
Developing a mobile app for business is no exception to this rule.
Although building a mobile app for business requires a substantial investment, every penny spent on it is sure to pay dividends in less than a year.
In fact, developing a mobile app for business can help you generate revenue in numerous ways, some of which are outlined below.
- In-app purchases
- Incorporate ads into your app
- Subscription services
How Much Does it Cost To Run a Mobile App?
To keep the app running you would need at least 20% of the app development budget. For example, if the cost of a mobile app for business is $100,000 you would need $20,000 a year to keep the app running.
Read the complete guide on mobile app maintenance here: Everything About Cost Of App Maintenance
Which Is The Best App For Doing Business?
There is not any specific best app for doing business. There is a specific app for every purpose.
For example, for internal workplace communication slack can be used.
Below you can go through a list of apps that you can use for your business.
- Microsoft 365
- Skype
- Slack
- FreshBooks
- Paypal
- Hubspot Marketing Hub
- Delivrd
- Zoho Invoice
- Square
- IDrive
How Do I Create A Small App For Free?
You can certainly design your own mobile app for business free with the help of no-cost app builders.
But, building with an app builder is never a recommended option especially if you have long-term goals.
Below you can come across 5 drawbacks of building an app with free builders.
- Not enough room for customization
- App builders are not budget-friendly as they pretend
- Limited features and flexibility
- Device Incompatibility
- 90% of the app built with app builders are rejected by app stores to launch