AppsWiz Blog

One of the newest and most effective ways to reach out to your consumers is through mobile applications, more commonly referred to as “apps”. This post takes the reader through the ins-and-outs of getting an app for your business so that you can make a sound decision on which development company you choose to use. Below is an explanation of the benefits of apps, what you should be paying, where you should be paying it and how to find the best developer for your business.

The Benefit of Apps

There are a number of reasons why every company with an online presence should consider having an app built for their company, including:

• Convenience: Having a mobile app that integrates directly with your website makes it easier for you and your customers to communicate information. This is particularly important if you haven’t fully optimised your website for smartphone users.
• Exposure: Those who download your app will have your logo permanently placed on their device, which is invaluable brand awareness. Regardless of downloads, just having an app in the Android and Apple marketplace will broaden your online footprint – more than you probably ever thought possible.
• A Boost in Revenue: Canalys reported as far back as June 2011 that apps will be bringing in $36.7 billion worldwide by 2015, and indications are that this was a conservative estimate. The possibility of securing a slice of those earnings is difficult to ignore. For the amount invested in developing a high quality app, most businesses will see a full ROI within 12-24 months from the day that the application hits the Android and/or Apple marketplace, especially when it is supported by a marketing plan for promoting the app.
• Better Customer Service: Apps make it easy for companies to keep their customer service lines open 24/7. Sending an “IM” (instant message) through an app is far more convenient and customer-friendly than asking a customer to leave a phone message or send an email.

The mobile marketing revolution has become a global sensation, though for whatever reason Australia has lagged behind in utitlising mobile technology – until now. Australia is finally catching up and starting to take full advantage of everything that mobile marketing has to offer. In 2011, Google reported that Australia went from being miles behind in the “smartphone revolution” to now leading it.

What does this mean for your business? That the time to get in on the “smartphone revolution” is now.

Why You Need a Mobile Marketing Campaign

Did you know that Australia has the second highest smartphone penetration in the world, just falling a short distance behind Singapore? Almost everyone has a mobile device, and almost everyone is using it to shop. 95% of Australian smartphone users have said that they have used their phones to find information about local businesses in the area, and 88% have said that they used the information they found to take action (like make a purchase) within 24 hours (Google/Ipsos, 2011).

Mobile transactions are only continuing to increase, too. PayPal Australia reported in 2010 that mobile transactions had increased by 25% per month, meaning that more people are making purchases with their phones and mobile devices than ever before (PayPal Australia, 2011). Google reported in 2011 that 74% of mobile phone users are making purchases online (Google/Ipsos, 2011). When you consider how many people in Australia have a mobile phone, this number is huge.

Here are some other interesting stats from that same Google and Ipsos 2011 study that backs up the need for companies to leverage mobile marketing:

• 27% of smartphone users who find a business of interest with their phones will call the business.
• 35% will click on or visit a mobile advertiser’s site.
• 42% of smartphone users who see a mobile ad will click on it.

The word “app” is a buzzword these days but most people don’t discuss the differences between the two types of apps: native mobile apps and mobile web apps. Whether you are developing apps for your own personal use or for your business, it’s important to recognize the different merits of the two so you can make the best decision about which one – if not both – is right for you.

What are Native Mobile Apps and Mobile Web Apps?

A native-version app is an application program that has been developed for use on a particular platform or device, such as iPhones or iPads. Once installed onto the users device, it runs as a program rather than as an internet browser.

Mobile web apps, on the other hand, are essentially mobile-friendly versions of a website that can also be downloaded to users' devices and appear to be the same as native apps. They are accessed through the mobile device's web browser.

The rise of the mobile devices – such as iPad, iPhone and Android phones – has significantly altered how people all over the world communicate and gather information.

Not so long ago, we relied on computers to access the Internet and land line telephones to do long distance calls. Not any more.

Now, billions of people worldwide are using smart phones and tablets to browse the Internet.

And it’s not just while they are on the go. It is also when they are sitting at home watching TV.

The main reason why mobile devices are being used so much more today is mobile apps.

Anyone who has ever used a smartphone or tablet knows what they are: those nifty applications you install on your device that allow you to do things like:

• Play games
• Check out the weather
• Add notes
• Access your email, and
• Book appointments online.

With the high growth of mobile, many businesses are looking to get a mobile app developed for their business.

This can be a potential minefield and there are some traps for the uninitiated.

So how do you know which app developer can do the best job for you?

Here are some important questions to ask mobile apps developers to help you distinguish the experts from the amateurs.

How long have you been developing mobile apps?

Experience is always important. The area of mobile app development is fairly new so having a background in telecommunications, software development and graphic design is a definite plus.

Technology analyst firm Telyste conducted a study on mobile devices and found that more than 1.4 million mobile tablets were sold in Australia last year, representing an annual growth of more than 330%. This year, the same firm expects that more than 2 million tablets will be sold nationally.

One of our wizards was astonished when he saw the simple but effective way LJ Hooker Elsternwick & Caulfield are promoting their app at their offices and properties. This shows again that marketing does not have to be highly complex or postmodern social in order to bring the point across! The right message in the right place targeting the right audience! This explains why they already have more than 1000 Downloads from the App Store!

Today our 100th app went live. Check them out on the Android Market and the iTunes Store.

Next Stop: 500!

5 of the hottest 9 Business apps on the app store are from AppsWiz. Not bad at all!

In case you missed it this month. But please enjoy responsibly.

Newsletter 6.pdf (196.97 kb)