The Right Time: When to Consider Mobile App Development for Your Business

In today's hyper-digital landscape where mobile devices have become integral to our lives, businesses must adapt to the mobile-centric world to stay competitive.

Over the past decade, mobile apps have emerged as an invaluable tool for businesses to augment customer experiences, expand their reach, and drive growth.

Besides enabling the creation of more personalised and immersive interactions for their customers, mobile app development has accelerated businesses’ ability to deliver real-time communications.

However, determining the right time to invest in mobile app development is crucial.

Throughout this article, we will explore the key factors that businesses should carefully consider when deciding whether to build a mobile app.

Understanding the mobile app landscape

Before delving into when to consider mobile app development, let's take a moment to understand the current mobile app landscape and its potential.

Mobile apps have become a vital part of our daily lives, with users spending a significant amount of time on their smartphones and tablets.

Mobile apps currently enable unique small startups to transcend geographical boundaries and tap into broader global audiences— especially uncharted emerging markets.

This ability to connect with potential customers regardless of their location, is enabling more businesses to supplement their brick-and-mortar store offerings. Thereby, appreciably increasing their sales and profitability.

In fact, mobile apps are arguably the best medium for reaching younger demographics that are increasingly reliant on smartphones for communication, entertainment, and transactions.

Suffice it to say, the modern mobile app landscape affords many businesses an unprecedented opportunity to augment user experiences, foster customer loyalty, and increase repeat transactions.

Furthermore, the mobile app ecosystem is availing unique opportunities for innovative monetisation models like in-app purchases, and subscriptions.

Compounded with the ability to extract valuable consumer insights into user behaviour and pain points, this enables businesses to drive revenue through data-driven decision-making. Thereby, positioning smart businesses to thrive in a digital-first landscape, not just survive!

Current mobile app usage statistics

According to Pew Research, 85% of Americans own a smartphone, and mobile apps account for 88% of their digital media consumption. This growth and adoption of mobile apps show no signs of slowing down.

In fact, Business of Apps’ data report, stated that approximately 142 billion apps were downloaded in 2022 alone. About 55 billion of those downloads were for game apps while 87 billion were for conventional mobile apps. This same report relayed that Google Play was responsible for approximately 110 billion downloads in 2022 while iOS had about 32 billion downloads.

According to a Simform survey, gaming, social media, and communication are the top three most-used app categories on a daily basis amongst mobile users. Categories like eCommerce, Maps, Travel, and Finance among others are utilised on a need-basis, and often deleted later.

Insider Intelligence data also suggests that US adults spend 88% of their internet time within apps than on websites. As such, native apps typically enjoy higher engagement, and in turn, higher conversion rates.

Predicted growth and future trends in mobile app adoption

According to Statista, in the first half of 2023, global users generated about 77 billion downloads of mobile apps. This was over 3% increase compared to the first half of 2022 when users globally downloaded about 74 billion mobile apps.

Relatedly, Statista predicts that the combined user spending on the App Store and Google Play will hit approximately $186 billion by 2027. This would consequently represent an increase of over 50% compared to the total consumer spending registered in 2022 across the two major app distributors.

These positive projections present a significant opportunity for businesses to tap into this growing market and connect with their customers on a more personal and convenient level.

Also read: Why Mobile Apps Are Important for Your Business

When should you build a mobile app for your business?

Let us now explore the key factors that indicate it may be the right time for your business to build a mobile app.

Increased mobile traffic to your website

One of the first signs that your business should consider mobile app development is an increase in mobile traffic to your website.

As more and more ordinary users access the internet via their mobile devices, it is critical to provide them with a seamless mobile-first experience.

A mobile app offers a more optimised and user-friendly interface, improving engagement and conversion rates.

Customer feedback and demand for a mobile app

Another major factor to consider is customer feedback and demand for a mobile app.

If your customers are consistently requesting a mobile app or expressing frustration with the limitations of your website on mobile devices, it may be an indication that a mobile app would enhance their experience and satisfaction.

Remember, listening to customers' needs and desires is crucial for business growth and building strong customer relationships.

Business growth and expansion

If one's business is looking to enter new markets or demographics, a mobile app can help them reach a broader audience and establish a stronger brand presence.

Additionally, a mobile app can automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance overall productivity if you are scaling operations and need streamlined processes.

Furthermore, leveraging app-exclusive features and functionalities can differentiate your business from competitors and drive growth.

Competitive landscape

Keeping an eye on one's competitors is essential in today's rapidly evolving global marketplace. If your competitors have already widely adopted mobile app strategies, re-evaluating the potential impact of a lack of a mobile strategy on your business is crucial.

Building a mobile app can give you a competitive edge, allowing you to offer your customers a more convenient and personalised experience. It also demonstrates that your business is innovative, forward-thinking, and committed to meeting customer demands.

Financial considerations

Financial considerations play a considerable role in the decision to build a mobile app.

It is essential to assess the return on investment (ROI) of mobile app development to determine if it aligns with your business goals and financial resources.

If a mobile app can evidently drive sales and justify its ROI, then it may be time to consider creating an app for your business.

Also, consider factors like the availability of funds for development and maintenance, potential revenue streams from app adoption (such as in-app purchases or subscriptions), and the long-term sustainability of the app.

Read: Mobile App Development Cost Estimate in Malaysia (2023)

Evaluating internal and external capabilities

When considering mobile app development, it is crucial to evaluate your internal and external capabilities. Assess whether your business has in-house app development expertise or if you need to consider partnerships or outsourcing.

Training and upskilling your current teams may be necessary to successfully develop and maintain a mobile app. It is essential to have the right resources and skills to ensure the app's quality and functionality.

Read: 21 Factors to Consider When Hiring a Mobile App Development Company

Need to leverage feedback and enhance community engagement

Engaging with your community or customer base is vital for businesses to stay relevant and meet their evolving needs.

A mobile app can serve as a platform to gather valuable feedback, analyse trends and demands, and crowdsource ideas for app features and improvements.

By actively involving customers in the app development process, one can foster a sense of loyalty and create a community around your brand.

What to consider when developing a mobile app?

When developing a mobile app, several factors should be taken into consideration to ensure its success and effectiveness. Here are some important aspects to consider:

• Easy-to-use dashboard: A well-designed and intuitive dashboard is crucial for user engagement and satisfaction. Users should be able to navigate the app effortlessly and find the information or features they need with minimal effort.

• User-friendly interface: The interface of your mobile app should be visually appealing, user-friendly, and consistent with your brand identity. It should provide a seamless and enjoyable user experience, ensuring that users have a positive perception of your brand.

• Good user experience: User experience (UX) plays an influential role in the success of a mobile app. It encompasses factors such as loading times, responsiveness, ease of use, and accessibility. Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable user experience will keep users engaged and encourage repeat visits to your app.

• Integration with emerging technologies: Consider integrating emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), or the Internet of Things (IoT) into your mobile app. These technologies can enhance user experiences, provide personalised recommendations, and create unique and immersive interactions.

Conclusion

All things considered, mobile app development has become a vital component of business growth and customer engagement in today's mobile-centric world.

Business owners can now determine the right time to invest in mobile app development.

Whether it's to meet customer demands, stay competitive, or leverage new opportunities, a well-designed and user-friendly mobile app can propel your business forward.

So, embrace the mobile app revolution and position your company for profitability and success in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Remember, when considering mobile app development, it is essential to evaluate your current position, future goals, financial capabilities, and the needs of your target audience.

By making informed decisions and leveraging the power of mobile apps, you can enhance your business's reach, engage your customers, and drive sustainable growth.

Explore our web and mobile app development services at Techies and don't hesitate to leave your contact information here. As a leading web and mobile app development company in Malaysia, we would be delighted to arrange a quick meet-up over a coffee to discuss how we can help you achieve your digital goals.