Businesses who are not tapping into the seemingly ever-expanding mobile market around the world are falling behind their competitors. While this may sound harsh, the data makes this assertion an indisputable fact. Reports indicate that there will be over 2 billion smartphones worldwide by 2016. Needless to say, that is a market any business cannot afford to ignore.

One of the best ways to make your business relevant in the mobile marketplace is by creating a mobile app that will engage customers and grow your business. Here are seven essential reasons why your business needs a mobile app to thrive in an increasingly mobile world.

A Mobile App Builds Your Brand

One of the best aspects of developing a mobile app is that it will build and grow a business brand. For starters, new customers will be drawn to your app that may have never heard of your business prior to trying the app. This is particularly true for regional businesses since mobile development can significantly expand the reach of the business.

Further, businesses who ignore mobile may be seen as behind the times, which will naturally harm the image of any business. Similarly, the lack of a mobile presence means that a competitor may be taking valuable customers away from you. By remaining on the cutting edge of mobile development, businesses increase their odds of retaining current customers while wooing new customers who are unfamiliar with the business. All of these factor add up to serious brand growth.

The App Builds Customer Engagement While Providing Value

Mobile apps that provide value to customers will help customers feel like they are an important part of the business. Developing apps that allow customers to send messages, engage creatively and receive value (think rewards programs, member discounts, etc.) will make happier customers. Happy customers, naturally, are customers who will provide repeat business, making mobile apps a win-win for everyone.

Mobile Apps Help You Compete Globally

As mentioned, there will soon be more than 2 billion smartphones in use around the world. Businesses who have a mobile presence can tap into this market in a way that was simply not possible for many businesses prior to the rise of mobile development.

Businesses with a desire to be location independent need to make a mobile presence their absolute priority. Additionally, a global presence through mobile will help businesses stay in touch at all times, which helps a business stay in the minds of customers, even if the business is nowhere in sight.

Your Mobile App Can Set You Apart from Competitors

Small businesses that prioritize mobile development can set themselves apart from their competitors. Smaller businesses often balk at the clear benefits of mobile since they believe mobile apps are only for businesses with large amounts of capital.

Nothing could be further from the truth, but the oversight of other small businesses can benefit businesses who recognize that mobile development will provide a major market advantage. By prioritizing mobile, small businesses can instantly set themselves apart from competing businesses who have not yet made the inevitable move towards a mobile business presence.

Mobile Adds an Extremely Important Business Channel

Practically speaking, mobile creates an additional revenue channel that cannot be passed on by businesses of the 21st century. Mobile is and will continue to be a major driving force of ecommerce, and a mobile app helps any business tap into the ecommerce industry.

Even better, the app will provide direct marketing through this channel since the app can convey any information, sales or promotions in a way that is direct and immediate. Push notifications that give value to the customer will help the customer and the business at the same time, which makes the app an ecommerce driver and marketing force all at once.

Customer Service Improves

Mobile apps offer a simple way for customers to contact a business quickly and efficiently. The fact that customers feel their voice can be heard, no matter where they might be, will improve their relationship with a business. Similarly, convenient self-service options like reshipment requests, address changes or order status updates add convenience and transparency to the business process.

When customers are happier with their service, they are more likely to become repeat customers who are loyal to the business.

Mobile Development Fosters Loyal Customers

As mentioned, customer service can create loyal customers, but there are other key ways mobile development fosters customer loyalty. This article is filled with ways to foster a connection with customers, and a mobile app ensures that these connections are literally at the fingertips of customers.

By providing immediate value directly to a customer's phone, meaningful interactions between business and customer are easier than ever, and that means cultivating customer loyalty is easier than ever as well.

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