We take a glance at the advantages of mobile apps for business and why a mobile responsive web site and a native mobile app don’t seem to be reciprocally exclusive.

It   is projected that in 2018 over a 3rd of the world’s population can own a smartphone whereas in Ireland eighty six of the population already has access to at least one.

Smartphone adoption figures like these highlight why mobile is that the dominant channel for several businesses want to win and retain customers. so one among the primary steps once wanting to boost the net presence of your business or organization ought to be to mobilize your web site.

Responsive net design

The term “Responsive Design” was coined by Ethan Marcotte back in 2010 and it quickly gained traction as a cost-effective way to modernize your web site for every device size.

Today the responsive approach to net design is integral to several mobile promoting methods and has been wide attributed with large leaps in customer-friendly user expertise and a dramatic dealing in SEO performance and web site conversions for guests on mobile devices.

On the flip-side, a poorly enforced responsive web site is slow and clunky, however provided that it the right techniques don’t seem to be followed (UXPin). However, a slick responsive web site with properly optimized pictures may be a joy to lay eyes on.

So moving on to native mobile apps – what are they and the way will they assist your business?

What Are Native Mobile Apps?

Ever since the release of The App Store by Apple in 2008, the demand for native mobile apps surpassed all expectations. these days an estimated 2.2 million apps are currently offered on the App Store whereas 2.6 million apps is found on Google Play.

What makes these apps terribly completely different to a mobile web site is that they’re developed specifically for one platform, and may take full advantage of all of your smartphone device options.

These options will embody the device camera, GPS, measuring device, compass, contact list, and fingerprint scanning. Native apps may also use the device’s notification system with capabilities of operating offline.

Native Mobile Apps For Your Business

When considering a native mobile app for your business you should outline the objectives of the app. Objectives might include improving customer service, enhancing your loyalty program or improving internal communications.

Your app should have a specific function that can’t effectively be accomplished on your responsive web site.

Some of the business edges of native apps embody the following:

• More Completed Transactions

Transactions on native mobile apps are completed a hundred and twenty more for retailers than on mobile websites. This figure is considerably higher because of the expertise a native app will provide for the customer whereas minimizing distractions typically provided by an internet browser.

Industries which will benefit: retail and travel.

• Increased Customer Loyalty

Loyalty programs may also be integrated into the platform providing points to customers who show the app at any location thus eliminating the need to carry a physical loyalty card, further enhancing the shopping expertise for the customer.

Industries which will benefit: retail and restaurant.

• Improved Customer Engagement

Customers who have your native app put in is sent discounts, coupons and special offers using push notifications. furthermore, a business will use Geo-targeting (GPS) to send time and placement sensitive messages to customers who are near one among their locations. Apps that are productive here will yield several edges, as Arnotts saw with their Christmas present App for daily coupons.

Industries which will benefit: retail, travel, and telecommunications.

• Self Service Convenience

People don’t like to have to work for their information. A native mobile app can enable your customer base to simply find info on your company or product. With additional self-service choices, customers will manage their accounts and even pay bills as necessary. Such options may also facilitate scale back the requirement for a customer to contact the decision center of a business. a good example of this sort of app is that the Thornton utilization self-service app that provides customers with the power to high up and manage their accounts whereas conjointly receiving notifications relating to service days.

Industries which will benefit: telecommunications, banking & finance, utilities, and renewable & setting.

• Better Internal Communication

Internal business communications is a perfect space to seem at for mobile efficiencies, empower staff to figure aloof from their table and build repeatable processes as simple and accessible as doable.

These may embody field service communications, reports, and safety checks, vacation requests, expense submissions and coaching guides.

All industries with businesses that use paper-based processes, associate degree computer network or different back-end systems for communication and reports can profit here.

A Two-Pronged Approach?

Once you’re conversant in the relative edges of mobile responsive sites and native apps it becomes clear that they’re not reciprocally exclusive therefore a two-pronged approach typically makes the foremost sense.

Where a responsive web site excels is in customer discovery and knowledge, while a native app will stand out in several areas like customer account management and loyalty, as well as mobile business communications and internal reporting.

In the end, the key takeaway is that every channel will fulfill completely different however complementary objectives based on your specific business needs.

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