Copyright: bloomua / 123RF Stock Photo
How much time do you spend each day using apps on your mobile device? According to research by Nielsen, people spend an average of 30 hours a month on mobile apps. Though there is an app for nearly every purpose, these mobile tools play an important role for brands who want to reach customers during the times when they are most likely to be receptive to a brand’s message.

No matter what industry your company is in, you can use mobile app marketing to increase your reach and visibility, while improving the overall customer experience. Here are 6 of the top reasons why your brand needs a mobile app:

1. More and more customers have gone mobile.

One study shows that Americans spend about 162 minutes a day on their mobile device. What’s more is that 86% of that time is spent on mobile apps. As more and more consumers stay connected through mobile devices, it becomes essential for brands to engage their target market through mobile marketing channels. Mobile app marketing is an effective way to take advantage of the fact that consumers are using their mobile devices to connect with brands.

2. Using a mobile app helps increase visibility for your brand.

Consumers are using their mobile devices to find and engage with local businesses via mobile channels. This means that your company needs to go beyond just providing an effective website. A mobile app can help you increase visibility in the mobile world as they are built for navigating on a mobile device. Once you’ve developed an app, your brand can use mobile ads to increase your reach and encourage users to download your branded mobile app. According to research by Google, search and social are the top two ad channels that influence users to download a mobile app.

3. Mobile app marketing is direct.

One of the greatest advantages of using mobile app marketing is that you are able to communicate with customers directly. Your brand can provide important information, such as special sales and promotions, and customers are able to easily access this on-the-go from their mobile device. Using push notifications, your brand can communicate with customers directly and in real-time. This direct interaction is an effective way to remind customers about your products and services when it is most relevant.

4. Customers can get social with mobile apps.

It is no secret that people love using social media. Your branded mobile app can provide another outlet for customers to get social by using features like in-app messaging, comments, and likes. Providing a place for customers to express their thoughts and opinions is a great way to engage your target customers and build customer relationships. Not only will this attract more potential customers to your brand, but using social features encourages users to spend more time using your app, and thus more time engaging with your brand.

5. The mobile app is a great channel for building customer loyalty.

Building customer loyalty is an important part of gaining repeat customers and cultivating brand advocates that become your brand’s biggest cheerleaders. Mobile apps can help you build brand loyalty by creating opportunities for engagement and allowing your brand to consistently make authentic connections with your customers. Your company can also easily integrate a customer loyalty program into your mobile app. That way you can reward customers for repeat business by providing special discounts and offers on the app.

6. With a mobile app, your company can stand out from the competition.

Many small businesses have yet to invest in mobile apps for their brand. This may be because they have yet to discover the ways that mobile app marketing can enhance their marketing efforts or perhaps because they think that mobile apps are only for big brands. The truth is that mobile app marketing provides a variety of benefits for small businesses, and with all the helpful features and benefits even small brands can get a return on their mobile app investment. Ultimately, this means that by developing a mobile app for your brand, you can stand out from the competition and be one of the first in your local area to offer this helpful tool.