As might be expected, the CoViD-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the business landscape worldwide. It is no longer enough that you have a professional-looking corporate site you built through outsourcing to a web design company in the Philippines. What matters more today is connecting with the target audience through a mobile app.
Mobile app development services are on a roll. The companies worldwide have realized that one way to pandemic-proof their business is by implementing a mobile strategy, reaching their customers whenever and wherever.
If you are a business owner who thought ahead and invested in a mobile app long ago, good for you. You are now reaping the benefits of your investment, considering that mobile app development is not cheap.
Based on the current trends, the mobile app market will continue to grow and explode. Consumers spend a record high using mobile apps in the first quarter of 2020, spending up to $23.4 billion on apps since they are staying home while also navigating the new normal.
About 31 billion app downloads occurred in this timeframe, up by 15% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.
If you are contemplating the idea of having a mobile app, you should.
Why a mobile app, you might ask. Below are the reasons.
Reasons why your business must invest in mobile app development
1) Mobile is the customers’ preferred channel
People stay at home as part of the lockdown protocol. So there is no other way to communicate or shop for the things they need than through the Internet. Therefore, mobile is at the forefront of interactions while also accommodating the needs of the consumers. This is a convenient time to come up with a reliable mobile application that delivers the best results to the consumers.
2) A mobile app enhances the online experience
Whether shopping for essentials or paying the bills, a mobile app can help the consumers accomplish what they need to do at the confines of their homes. These are relevant interactions that are made possible by various functions and features of the mobile app. Every consumer needs to continue doing things they do before the lockdown with minimized disruption. This also gives them hope that life goes on.
3) A mobile strategy can keep the business afloat
With all the above, a mobile plan could be the most critical strategy to stay in business. Even when you have a healthy cash flow before the lockdown, you’ve already exhausted the emergency fund three months into the pandemic. Such a strategy is a way to provide value to your customers, so they continue doing business with you.
Overcoming the challenges of mobile app development
This is not to invalidate your concerns or skepticisms about developing a mobile app during the pandemic because those are legit—the mobile app costs, most specifically. However, know that there are solutions to whatever issues you are facing.
A fragmented mobile marketing approach
Indeed, not all companies have a clear cut mobile strategy. Most of them have a highly fragmented mobile approach, especially now that the marketing budget is being cut down.
Solution: At this point, the business case for a mobile app has already been established. The next best thing is to fund the mobile app development, looking at it from a cost-benefit analysis.
Again, as noted above, the entire development process has a hefty price tag. You want to be sure that everyone in the company, particularly the C-suite and other decision-makers, is on the same page regarding how a mobile strategy may contribute to the operation.
As the business owner, your concern should be determining which platform (iOS, Android, hybrid, progressive web apps (PWAs) to use. You want to choose the platform that is both robust and scalable.
The development stage requires time
A mobile application takes at least three months to build. Updates must also be released at least every month. It means that if the company would experience a backlog in-app updates if it fails to deliver the expected updates.
Solution: Mobile app development indeed requires several stages and enough time to cover all these. However, there is a reason why you should select a highly scalable platform. So that it may accommodate any changes in specifications along the way.
App developers make use of continuous integration or continuous development tools. They can help in accelerating both the pace and frequency of mobile app delivery.
While at it, you need to find a mobile app development services provider that can deliver the app in as little as six weeks. You need to list down the essential functions and features of the mobile app that the developers can build upon as they course through the stages.
Talented app developers are scarce
Access to the right developers is an actual constraint that no company should take lightly. Not all mobile app development companies are created equal—some are more experienced while some have particular expertise.
Solution: You need to be flexible with your options too. You can hire a local app developer or tap the services of a freelancer developer abroad. These are just two of your options, though.
Online is a plethora of providers that you can choose from. Google is your best ally not just in terms of what services are available, but also in gauging their reliability and reputation by doing a bit of checking of their website especially their portfolio, social pages, reviews or testimonies from previous customers, etc. Do your research before you approach any company on your shortlist.
Whichever developer or development company you choose, it must be proficient in leveraging the power of the available tools and technologies to streamline the entire mobile app development process. This could be the only way to deliver a bug-free, clean-code mobile app.
It is not yet too late—today presents an opportunity to start planning your mobile strategy beginning with a mobile app. If connecting with the virtual consumers is the new normal, then so be it. You cannot let the coronavirus beat you—beat CoViD-19 instead.
Digital Web Services (DWS) is a leading IT company specializing in Software Development, Web Application Development, Website Designing, and Digital Marketing. Here are providing all kinds of services and solutions for the digital transformation of any business and website.
