Mobile Apps and Your Business: A Strategic Exploration

As a custom software solutions provider, we often witness companies grappling with deciding when and why to invest in a mobile app. It's an understandable struggle given the diverse factors that vary across industries, business models, company sizes, etc.  

Because we have experience building apps for companies that fall into just about any category, it is easy to say that everyone needs a mobile app, but we won't do that.   

Mobile App Relevance:  

According to the Pew Research Center, about 97% of Americans have a phone, and 85% of those own a smartphone. There is no denying people are using apps daily. Data.ai reported in 2022 that in 13 markets worldwide, including the U.S. and U.K., users are spending more than 4 hours a day on apps.  

Mobile apps are the bread and butter of the digital landscape, but while they are relevant and necessary, how can we help you determine if your business needs one?  

Establishing the Need:   

One crucial question to ask yourself is: would a mobile application help propel you toward accomplishing your goal?  

This can be broken down even further by considering your business goals internally and externally. For instance, when our customer WineView came to us, they wanted to build out an application that can help restaurants with their wine/alcohol training, provide an interactive wine list for customers, and make restaurants and patrons' lives easier.  

They knew a mobile application would address these external efforts and ensure the highest reach for their goal.  

An internal goal is increasing efficiency, automating tasks, consolidating resources, streamlining workflows, and improving communication. There are a multitude of ways an internal application can help your business.  

Improving Existing Systems:  

Beyond your goals, it is also essential to consider how a mobile app would improve upon what you already have. Whether it be an elaborate Excel system, a website, or whatever resources you rely on, could a mobile application empower your business to do more by replacing these systems?  

Apps have strong targeting capabilities that might help your business engage with more customers and engage with them better. Features like personalization, push notifications, and user-friendly interfaces contribute to a positive customer experience in a way unique to apps. This improved customer engagement can also be capitalized on by the data collection and marketing amplification apps provide.  

These factors might make the difference between you and a competitor who doesn't have a mobile application.  

Price Considerations:  

The next factor to consider is price point when deciding if your business needs an app. How much will you spend to grow your business, and would that money be best spent on a mobile application?  

You can pour money into many things as a business, such as outbound campaigns, pop-ups, wining and dining, etc. An app is only one way your business can spend money; depending on how you go about it, the number can look different.  

 If you have an in-house development team, consider partnering with an external resource to help develop your app. There will also be a difference in cost between onshore and offshore developers. Timeline, resources, and scope of work all factor into how much a mobile app would cost.  

Based on multiple industry resources and collective research about mobile app development costs, in 2024, an app could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000. This range is an estimation and cannot account for all the factors that go into the development cost of a mobile application.  

Conclusion:  

A mobile app might not be necessary for your business, and that's okay. In today's increasingly digital landscape, it is essential to consider expanding your business with a mobile app. As we said from the start, we know the decision can be daunting. Still, if you ask the right questions and consider the many factors affecting your business and customers, you are well on your way to making an informed decision.  

If you have any questions about mobile app development with ConcertIDC, please contact us using the form below. We look forward to answering any questions and working to help you build the app you need!