Consumer and enterprise penchants for mobile technology have skyrocketed but we’ve only scratched the surface in developing quality, application solutions.
Mobile apps are expected to support initiatives for a company’s return on investment. That includes competitiveness in the marketplace; efficiency; enterprise and consumer relationships; and revenue – better yet, profits would be more ideal.
So it’s increasingly important to meet the needs of your target audience, B2B or B2C, in mobile apps.
This is achieved with security measures, and power and speed with a well-designed style.
Barriers to growth include but aren’t limited to a lack of lucid strategies, industry homogeny, and assimilation of an organization’s data.
Flexibility is important to allow for change and new features.
The marketplace is dynamic.
Businesses evolve. So do their needs in technology.
Operating systems and hardware are constantly updated.
Setting benchmarks
You should be mindful of benchmarks for the successful creation of mobile apps.
Here some questions to keep in mind:
- Have you thoroughly researched the prospective end-users?
- Is the app unique? Does it fill a need or capitalize on a marketplace gap?
- How can you monetize it?
- Will it be attractive?
- Will it be hack-proof, and well-designed to be user-friendly?
Cybercriminals are everywhere. Again, a business cannot afford security breaches in its apps. Control must be maintained to alleviate risks and uncertainty.
Despite all the enterprise interest in creating mobile apps, organizations typically don’t have the IT resources to develop them. There are too many priorities.
This means it’s vital to choose a quality software development company. Like any sector, there are good and bad ones.
Flexibility is important to allow for change and new features.
Outsourcing tips
If you must outsource, here are four tips on selecting the right developer:
1. You must be able to interface with a firm that will truly understand your vision for the app. That requires the developer to have a skilled liaison or project manager to coordinate the project and to keep the lines of communication open. Must-haves are attention to detail along with good reporting skills. Non-compete agreements are necessary. You don’t want to pay someone to create an app to help you realize your vision, only to have it fall into the hands of your competitors.
2. You want a developer that can deal with change and possesses the latest technology. No built-in obsolescence here or compromising on quality, but the code should allow for flexibility for when the need for updating arises. Of course, you’ll want a secure app.
3. Results-oriented — that’s a trite phrase, but it aptly describes what you need in a software company. Your vendor must want success, too. That underscores the need for the developer to understand your needs as well as the needs of the end-users. Who are the users? Why and how will they use it?
4. You’ll want a developer who will deliver on time and within budget. No negative surprises.
Once you’ve developed your world-class mobile app, you have one last step: Marketing. You must prepare to market it well with a stellar campaign.
Otherwise, why do all of this?
From the Coach’s Corner, suggested reading:
For More Sales, 8 Vital Mobile Marketing Tips – Put your brand where prospects and customers are likely to see it. That means leveraging mobile marketing.
Ecommerce – How to Improve Conversion of Mobile Shoppers – To convert your mobile visitors to customers you must understand their mindsets. You see, mobile shoppers have different goals and obstacles than desktop users.
Marketing Tips via Mobile Devices, Reviews, Coupons – Digital marketing opportunities keep growing and growing. For instance, 70 percent of consumers research product reviews while they shop in stores. Ninety percent are relying on their mobile devices as they make in-store buying decisions.
11 Tips for the Best Business Mobile Site – If you operate a retail business, it’s increasingly important for your site to be easy-to-use for mobile users. The use of smartphones and tablets is skyrocketing. Studies also show the majority of mobile aficionados use their devices to access the Internet. Such data continually changes — mobile sales and use of the Internet is consistently rising.
Your Mobile Site: 7 Precautions for a Top Google Ranking – With the skyrocketing sales of smartphones and tablets, comes a warning from Google. If you don’t have a mobile site, you should. And if you do, make sure it has what Google calls “mobile friendliness.” Here are seven precautions to take.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
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