They used to say that you only exist if your name can be found on Google. That’s why companies of all industries and sizes were striving to build at least the simplest website and make it findable for users. A lot has changed since then. Now it is no longer enough to have a website (even if it’s a quality one). To remain competitive and profitable, it is now necessary to take things one step further. By this means a decision to turn website into app.
The majority of people use mobile apps to complete a variety of daily tasks. Today, we have apps to help us get in shape and apps to support a positive mindset. We also have apps suggesting us what to eat, and even apps analyzing stock markets. They even teach us to do the same. Even if you manage to think of an activity or task we still don’t have a mobile app for, the odds are good you’ll find it on the App Store or Google Play.
In case you are not familiar with recent statistics, here is a brief overview of the mobile app market. For the starters, it makes sense to mention the most general yet immensely relevant fact. Back in 2016, the number of mobile users has outrun the number of desktop users for the first time in the history. According to the recent report of SmartInsights, as much as 71 percent of users in the US prefer mobile over desktop. The similar situation is taking place in Canada and UK. There, mobile users make up 62 and 61 percent of all users respectively. Given all this, it comes as no surprise that smart entrepreneurs and business owners invest in creation and support of mobile apps for their business.
What Makes Mobile Apps So Popular?
The answer is simple. Compared to regular desktop websites, mobile apps are more engaging. It might sound like not a big deal, but only at the first glance. With engagement comes better conversion rates, more returning customers, and many other perks any business can benefit from. But the question is what makes mobile apps engaging? Let’s take a look at the key factors.
Firstly, mobile apps are more purpose-focused and easier to use. In nearly all cases, mobile apps are a simplified version of websites. As mobile apps are meant to be used on the go, they are oftentimes focused on specific and most important tasks only. As a result, mobile app users are more likely to go through the entire buyer’s journey from awareness to purchase stages while using a mobile app.
Secondly, mobile apps offer a more interactive experience. When it comes to a full website, all users can do is click on buttons and follow links. With mobile apps, however, it’s different. They can make screenshots, use camera, record voice, or use smart gestures to activate certain features.
Thirdly, mobile apps are great for creating habits. Because of push notifications and the fact that users see a logo on their screens each time they unlock a smartphone help companies a lot. It improves brand awareness and makes people come back to the service or product more often.
Why Do Businesses Need Mobile Apps?
For the good or for the ill, it all comes down to marketing. And marketing, in its turn, is all about providing competitive advantages and being ready to walk an extra mile to exceed expectations of customers. Surprisingly, mobile apps can help with all these things. Putting talks aside, let’s dig deeper into the question. In addition, let’s define major reasons why mobile apps are crucial for successful business.
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Mobile Apps Can Be an Extra Marketing Channel
In today’s highly competitive world, it is not that simple to provide a good service or produce a good product to succeed. With so many strong competitors out there, marketing appears to be the only way to be noticed. It goes without saying that the more marketing channels a company uses, the better reach and more exposure it gets. To put it differently, mobile apps make it possible for companies to attract and engage target groups that would otherwise be out of reach. So why not take the most out of this opportunity, given that it’s relatively easy to implement and won’t cost you a fortune?
Example: If your company is operating in a healthcare niche and you want to attract the younger audience, you should try to turn a website into app. As Millennials make up the largest group of smartphone users, you’ll be able to reach them with ease through this new marketing channel.
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Mobile Apps Can Help Generate Leads
They say visitors are good but leads are better. In the language of marketers, leads are all those strangers who’ve already heard about your company or business. And also, got engaged with it in some way. As mobile apps tend to be more user-friendly and minimalist, they let users stay focused on taking actions you’d like them to take. It can be filling an opt-in form, subscribing to a newsletter, or providing a feedback. The problem with the majority of websites is that they show way too much information simultaneously. As a result, it makes users spend time on choosing which link to follow or what action to take. Not even to mention that context ads oftentimes fill websites.
Example: If your company creates fitness apps, you can offer users a 1-month trial in exchange for their contact info. Not only will this help them see the perks of your product, but also turn them from strangers into leads.
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Mobile Apps Ensure Better Conversion
This point is closely related to the previous one. An idea of conversion is to make people take a certain action that would push them forward to the next stage of their buyer’s journey. So UX appears to play the key role once again. Conversion is more likely when nothing distracts users and when it is clear to them which actions they should take next. Given that, websites are always loaded with more information than mobile apps. So it is no wonder why the latter ensures better conversion rates. According to a recent study focused on retail business, mobile apps convert 120 percent better than mobile websites. And 20 percent better than desktop websites do. Isn’t it enough reason to turn website into app?
Example: If you’re operating in retail, mobile apps can remind your customers to finish their purchase or get back to your store when the price for their chosen items goes down. One short push notification is sometimes enough to convince people to make a purchase or buy two items instead of one.
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Mobile Apps Allow Extended Functionality
One more reason why it makes a lot of sense to turn a website into app is an extended functionality. Unlike desktop websites, one can integrate mobile apps with a camera. They also can send push notifications or synchronize mobile data with a personal calendar. For some businesses and industries, such additional functions might make the world of difference and even double their income. When you turn website into app, it becomes easier for users to interact with your company.
Example: A telling example of how an extended functionality can help businesses grow is related to hospitality industry. With mobile apps, hotels can let guests access their rooms or other hotel facilities without the key. Obviously, it wouldn’t be possible from a desktop.
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Mobile Apps are Great for Customer Engagement and Retention
The last but not the least reason why turn website into app is about two metrics any business should be concerned about. These metrics are engagement and retention. You might be able to attract as much as 1000 new users per day. However, it means nothing if they never come back to you later. Of course, not only mobile apps are affecting these rates, but it’s among the most important ones. Mobile apps can send push notifications reminding users to finish something or informing about upcoming special offers and deals.
Example: If your business is somewhat related to news, you can send push notifications about the most discussed articles. Or, make users come back to your news portal if there is a new material matching their interests.
Turn Website Into App With Adoriasoft
Many companies today understand the importance and actual urgency of turning their web services into apps. Thus the majority of Adoriasoft clients request either the development of both web services and mobile apps or just mobile apps.
For one of our highly respected clients, we have developed DropSend, a web service that lets users upload, store, send and back up files online. Development of the service included the work of four specialists. They included a Project Manager, a Quality Assurance Engineer and two Web Developers.
Furthermore, Adoriasoft has proceeded further and created an effective mobile app out of the web service for the client. In a few taps on the mobile screen, just a few minutes of time users are able to upload, manage and send large files via their mobile phones. The DropSend mobile app is available both for Android and iOS device users.
Another telling example of the successful development of a web service and turning it into a mobile app is DropShots. The team of three Adoriasoft experts has developed this very useful drag-and-drop web uploader for photos and videos. Also as an extension of the service for mobile devices, we have developed Dropshots mobile apps for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The app has an additional built-in photo editor, which makes working with images effortless and satisfying.
Wrapping up…
Given all said above, it becomes clear why the number of mobile apps keeps on growing. Numerous entrepreneurs choose to turn website into app in order to succeed. As there are over 2.8 million mobile apps for Android and over 2.2 million apps for iOS, it makes no sense to argue that mobile apps are the new black. So if for some reason your business doesn’t have a mobile app of its own yet, now is the right time to fix this.
Think of what features will make your app stand out in the crowd. Then seek advice from expert marketers and app developers. You should also create a detailed technical task. Then go further and hire the most qualified app developers you can find to turn website into app. Have no doubts that it will breathe the new life into your business before you even know it.
Adoriasoft has an extensive experience in both mobile app development and web development. We have a long-standing expertise to turn your website into the app the most effective way. If you’re looking for reliable IT consulting firm or proficient mobile developers don’t go any further! Contact Adoriasoft today to learn what’s required to implement your project, so you ‘ll get a free project estimation and consultation.
P.S.: By the way, it is highly necessary to set a marketing strategy for your project. Here is an ultimate guide from Adoriasoft on how to promote your app.