Is A Mobile App Really Needed?

Business owners sometimes don't want to invest in technology because they feel it will not benefit their business. And, in some cases, this is true. So, how do you know if paying to develop a great mobile app is really needed?

Stats released by BuySellAds.com state that worldwide app revenue is set to hit $15.1 billion by the end of 2011, a 200% increase over 2010, while other research from Deloitte LLP says that 45% of smartphone users download a new app at least once a week. In the same Deloitte research, however, they found that 80% of the apps they reviewed had less than 1,000 downloads.

The type of mobile app, the type of consumer phone, the type of business you are in makes all the difference. According to recent numbers released by Pew Research, only 35% of Americans own a smartphone. While that is rather high and will only increase, that’s still 65% of consumers that can’t use an app. If you’re looking to reach the masses, you need to evaluate how many of your customers are actually using these devices, and if they are, which platforms (iPhone, Android, etc.) they prefer.

My best advice is to give the power to your consumers! Run a survey and see if they really want, and will use, a mobile app for their cell phones and what types of cell phones you have. Since this topic is so subjective based on business and phone type, you want to do more research based on a market survey before making any huge decisions.

Until next time
Twyla