In today’s world, more and more people are using Smart Phones as not only a phone but also as a traveling computer. In fact, most phones that are made today are actually not
even optimized for the best voice quality; they are optimized for you to run your apps and work online. This trend will continue to accelerate in the coming years. More people are looking for your business with a mobile device then ever before.
If you do a search in your app store, you will find apps from almost all major companies from banks to retail stores. The bank apps allow you to have a bank teller right on your phone. With some online banks, you actually have the ability to scan and deposit checks without ever leaving your easy chair. Some of the retail apps will allow you access to coupons and specials that are not found anywhere else.
So where do you start? An online search will bring up tons of app builders that you can try. Some are free while others are paid. One site that has a lot to offer is Myappbuilder.com. This site has both a free version, which is ad supported plus several paid versions of different levels. Many sites such as this also have a service that will build the app for you. You will have to decide on what platform you are going to use. Will you want to go with Android or I Phone or both? I will say that it will be a bit less expensive to submit to the Android Platform then taking the Apple route.
Once you have completed your work of art, you need to get the app out there. You will have to submit your app and have it accepted by the format of your choosing. You will then have to pay a submission fee to get listed on the App store. If you opt for the Apple route, there is a 99.00 yearly membership fee that includes your app submission. Once the app is submitted and people start to pay and download it, a portion of the proceeds from each app will go to Apple. Google Play is similar but the yearly fee is less.
Now that you have your app built and hosted on the platform of your choice, you have to let all your customers know that it is available. Now is the time to start a huge marketing strategy plan. If you have a mailing list, this is the perfect tool for getting the information out there. Be sure to include all the benefits of using your app and give them a good reason to rush to the app store and download it. In addition to your existing customers you will also want to reach out to some new ones as well. The Post Office has an excellent program for getting direct mail to the target area of your choice. Since this is direct mail, you know the potential customers are going to get the promotional material and the vast majority will at least look at what you have to offer. This method is good for both your everyday business as well as selling your new app.
Another option that works well is online advertising either on websites or through Google. You can often find high traffic websites that offer banner or text advertising at very reasonable prices. If you choose to use Google Ad Words to sell yourself, be prepared to dish out some bucks. If your ad placement and click set-up strategy is not optimized, you may be paying dearly for lots of clicks with little result.
In many cases, your app just might be discovered totally at random by folks searching the app store for a category similar to what you have to offer. I know myself I often browse through the store looking for cool apps to play around with.
In short, having your own app just might be what you need to both gain new customers and help maintain the existing ones you already have. It will require some work but the rewards could be tremendous! So what are you waiting for? Get that app out there.
Content by Joe Z , Do Not Copy!
Leave a Reply