Will My Business Benefit From An App?

Disclaimer: Do not buy anything that does not provide return on investment, if you are going to invest in an app make sure you already have an Asset that will cover the costs initially until it starts making money or you are using advertising or sponsorship to make it a worthwhile business opportunity.

A website accessible to mobile users is a must in 2021. In fact, it’s way overdue. But thanks to a responsive design, the presentation automatically adapts to the screen size of smartphones. A mobile site is often sufficient to provide practical information such as opening hours, contact details and product information. A mobile app cannot replace this website: people don’t want to download an app to view business information. However, they do so when it offers added value. It is also something that has become more vital to businesses. If you want to learn about app design cost, you can do some research into it. This way you will be able to work it out to your budget.

Seek added value

An app can judiciously take advantage of the functions of a smartphone: camera and microphone, motion sensors, location and navigation, etc. Ease, speed, and efficiency are major advantages over a mobile website. Just like the possibility of using the application without an Internet connection is an obvious plus. This kind of app also acts as a communication channel: you can send short messages to users via push notifications. You therefore create a closer bond with your customers.

Think about the target

Whether you should develop an app, of course, depends on your target group. You can be guided by the profile and wishes of your current customers, but can also try to reach several groups via an app and thus broaden your horizon. Think carefully about the purpose of the app: do you want to generate income, simply distribute information or make optimum use of its additional functions?

Focus on user-friendliness

Whatever the goal, look for maximum user-friendliness. An app is often used in a specific context. If you expect yours to be used often while walking, for example, entering specific items will not be easy. To achieve optimal usability, you need to have a good understanding of the users, their possibilities and limitations.

Support the right devices

Plan an app for both Android and iOS. Regarding Android, you mainly have to support high-end models, while the full range is important for iPhones. And should we continue to serve users of older devices? It is a technical choice which often goes hand in hand with financial considerations. Experts follow this golden rule: Continue to offer support for older operating systems until 85% of your users have upgraded.

Plan a sufficient budget

The cost of an app can vary dramatically. As we mentioned earlier, it is best to research and budget accordingly. The prices will vary depending on the style you want and the features that you want your app to have. You may already have an estimate. You can pay upto $3,000 for the most basic app. Prices can go up to $50,000 and more, but the average price is below the $20,000 mark. However, this is rarely a one-time cost: you will likely have a long-term contract with the developer. You need to keep up with developments in terms of ease of use, functionality, operating systems, etc.