Why Mobile App Development Is Taking Over

Traditionally, developing a website was about just that: developing a website. In recent years, however, the app marketplace has turned that standard on its head. In fact, many companies are now concentrating on mobile app development as their main opportunity to communicate with online consumers. Why? Here are a few key reasons.

Easy to Personalize

The typical website experience is not a very personal one. Users might eventually see more personalized options, such as the recommendations Amazon might display on their front page, based on viewing history and collected data. Most businesses, though, lack the online prowess an internet behemoth like Amazon can invest in. Apps have the advantage of crafting more personalized experiences for users since each app can be altered to suit one’s individual preferences, unlike a generic website landing page.

Consumers Love Apps

Sure, everyone knows the catchphrase “there’s an app for that.” As phones continue to offer an increasing amount of storage, consumers are going to turn to apps more and more as a way to bypass visiting generic websites.

As Entrepreneur points out, about 90% of a consumer’s total phone time involves using apps, and consumers’ comfort with using them results in more repeat visits, more transactions, and more interaction with online transactions (think: loyalty cards, coupons, etc). It can also be a more effective way to build a brand when consumers have continual interactions with the same, customised app.

Getting Ahead of the Competition

As we’ve detailed before, having a well-functioning and mobile-friendly website in 2016 and beyond is no longer a pat-on-the-back; it’s an essential part of having a modern business and communicating with consumers. For this reason as well, having a great website no longer pushes you ahead of the competition by much. Mobile apps, though, still represent a rapidly growing field. By investing now in mobile app development, you can establish a firm lead over your competition.

Backend Value

Although apps are extremely important for the b2c e-commerce market, another key reason apps are growing in popularity is their ability to help with the backend as well. About 50% of the distribution and transport industry, for example, claims that in-house apps help to automate the way they do business. And 55% of the pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and biotechnology industry report that apps allow them to reinvent how they conduct business processes.

In short, apps can often help to streamline a lot of internal operations that were previously managed separately, or not as efficiently.

Mobile technology is continuing to shape the way business is conducted, and the importance of mobile apps for both the frontend and backend of online companies will only grow with time. Nearly 80% of U.S. businesses agree that mobile apps have “contributed to their success”: will you be joining the crowd in 2016?