How much time do average Americans spend on their phones and other mobile devices? A 2017 survey by media marketing and analytics company, comScore, found an average of almost three hours a day. That was one of the more conservative estimates out of several recent studies. Multiplied over a month, this adds up to over half as much time as these people spend on their full-time job during the same period. Prudent businesses should not underestimate how important mobile apps are to their employees, partners and customers.
Three Reasons You Should Have Mobile Business Apps
The average amount of time people spend with their mobile phones and tablets has tripled in the last five years. Most of this increase comes from time spent with apps, while mobile browser and non-mobile device use has remained fairly consistent. Mobile app use isn't necessarily limiting other internet access — it's just adding to it. Individuals still use desktop or laptop computers and mobile web browsers. They just spend even more time on mobile apps.
Businesses already appreciate the internet’s benefits. Now, they need to understand the value that mobile apps offer over more traditional ways of connecting online.
1. Better Workflows
While the amount of time people spend using apps is almost half as much as they spend at work, businesses also need to understand that much of this increase stems from people who use mobile apps at work. A 2017 security and risk assessment found that large companies rely on more than 10 mobile apps to conduct business. Companies of all sizes have found that mobile apps for employees can offer greater efficiency and flexibility.
Some examples of popular business apps might include project management, sales, business intelligence and inventory control. It makes sense to have portable apps and devices to use on the road or inside a warehouse. The risk assessment concluded that mobile apps have been fundamental to many companies and their ability to mobilize business workflows. Companies don't have to limit business processes because employees have to be tied to their desk to get online.
2. Increase Revenue
Traditionally, marketers thought that people used their phones for research and then waited until they got to a larger computer to buy. Mobile apps have changed this. Right now, apps make 44 percent of online transactions in North America. Larger computers rank second with 33 percent. The mobile web ranks last with only 23 percent of online transactions.
At the same time, mobile drives sales on larger devices. More than one-quarter of all sales on desktops and laptops followed an earlier visit from a mobile device. Even people who prefer to buy on their big computers frequently research first on a smaller one. Companies without mobile apps to collect transactions may find sales dwindling just because they don't have an app.
3. Improved Engagement
Think about how many times mobile users swipe their screens every day. Businesses with an icon for a mobile app on a phone will give their customers a daily reminder of their brand. They can gain even more attention by sending well-segmented, periodic notifications and offering direct communication and even a loyalty program through their business app.
Mobile apps can also detect when customers travel nearby, so they can send very timely messages. Modern mobile apps can serve as an extra, electronic “salesperson” who literally travels with customers.
How to Build Custom Business Apps
Do you need guidance figuring out which mobile business apps can help your company work better, build your brand and collect more revenue? If so, contact Caxy. We've been assisting small businesses, large enterprises, startups and nonprofits with app development for two-plus decades — and we're eager to speak with you.
