Mobile Apps that Actually Work
An app’s success has as much to do with the experience that it delivers as it does the content it contains.
At the end of the day, how users perceive your brand through your app is up to you. When thinking about creating a mobile app be very clear about what results you desire out of your mobile app. Do you want to interact with customers? …bring traffic into your stores? …educate people?
“Me Too” Solutions
The following are some ideas for basic apps. A lot of companies and retails stores have implemented these and seen success.
- FEATURE: Location-based mobile apps. GOAL: It’s the essential on-the-go tool, so people near you can find you.
- FEATURE: Deals and coupons. GOAL: Create customer loyalty and keeps your app on their phone.
- FEATURE: News and product releases. GOAL: Be the trusted source for latest and greatest information. The Parenting Magazine mobile app has seen a ton of success due solely to its amazing content. Read more: http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/content/9839.html
Forward Thinking Mobile App Ideas
CREATE A TOOL. Create a mobile app that is useful to the general public, regardless of whether it promotes your brand or not. For example, the Allergycast mobile app, created by Zyrtec, tells you what allergens you might encounter that day depending on your location. Regardless of whether you use Zyrtec or not, this mobile app is useful.
EDUCATE. Offer the latest and greatest expert information on your topic of choice. I was talking to a friend the other day and he mentioned that his career counselor blogs these amazing articles. He gets something out of it every single time. As we were chatting he was trying to recall a point in one of the articles. With that he said to me, “I refer to [the career counselor’s] advice often during conversations throughout the day. If only he had an app I’d show his articles to more people.” Can you imagine what that could do for his counselor’s business and his credibility? Opportunities missed.
MOBILE COMMERCE. Offer your users the ability to buy via your mobile app. What good is it to show them a bunch of product but not create an avenue for purchase? I have seen this mistake being made over and over again. If you want your customers to leave that app expecting them to purchase on your website (or worse, go to your store) you’ve already lost your customer. Over and over again I have seen comments like this one:
Don’t let that be you!
CUSTOMIZATION. People love the feeling of exclusivity. If you can give it to them, do! Nike has a mobile app that lets users design and customize their own shoes. A Marc Jacobs apps lets users create and personalize their own purses. Who wouldn’t want that?
Recommendations
Go where people are. Extend your business onto a mobile platform. Keep your apps lightweight and direct, focusing on the user experience and their take-away. If you can adopt this mentality, I have no doubt that you’ll have a hit of an app on your hands.
