Before you start building a mobile app or website, it is important to understand what your customers need. How are you solving their pain points and how could your app or the mobile version of your site bring value to them?
Consider the following criteria as you choose development partners and build your mobile experience.
- Productivity
With apps and cloud-based software syncing with your team, you are able to work closely with everyone while on the move. Everyone can track tasks in the project management software, edit content, manage client communications, sign off work that is completed or input sales information.
Education via app-based coaching and tools is another component to increase productivity. People are able to take advantage of commuting times to learn through reading books and articles, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and watching tutorials and videos.
It is important to know what apps, tools and patterns of working could help people be more productive. Often, company data and information is needed, and vast amounts of time would be saved if this was set to be visible at appropriate times. Furthermore, knowing the basics of the phone settings ensures you are getting the most from your phone. Many have not mastered their phone settings, missing out on many streamlined approaches. At a minimum, make sure that the messages that pop up in the lockscreen are curated to reflect what’s truly important to you.
A phone can make someone more productive. The irony, however, is that the biggest productivity boost for many would be not to check phones or emails so regularly. This would give the head space to concentrate on important work.
- Adaptability
It is essential to be able to adapt to the changes we see in the ever-evolving world of mobile. Customers need to access you via whatever channel they choose, wherever they are located. What happens if this need requires a move away from the phone itself? We are experiencing the beginnings of a time when you are utilizing this data on your watch, Alexa, Echo, Smart TV, Fridge and a plethora of IOT devices.
Always be sure that when the size of the screen changes, the content is optimized to fit the appropriate sized images, and works on different operating systems and devices. Look at the additional devices or platforms that your content could be a part of and ensure you are creating content that can adapt to future mobile solutions.
It is essential to remember that your audience is using multiple devices simultaneously, as well as utilizing features like augmented reality. What experience do you want to give them?
- Customer Focus
You need to create an app that adds incredible value. You want it downloaded by a customer, in a prominent phone homescreen location and for it to be used regularly and repeatedly. To achieve this, we need to put ourselves into the shoes of the customer. We need to understand their pain points, engage with empathy and grasp what they need.
Make sure the videos, podcast and written materials address the customer needs and look good. Reflect on the context that mobile plays in the customer’s journey. What can you help them with? As a result, can they learn to trust you?
Additionally, as important as it is to have your own app or mobile version of your site, what other apps would it be essential for you to be on that would extend your reach?
Would partners bring additional value to your customers to allow for cross promotions? How can you reach these partners? Part of considering how you market your app, services or products is to understand on what apps or sites your customers congregate, and what are the best ways to reach them or advertise to them there.
Checking the app store regularly to assess which apps are growing in popularity is a good approach. Different apps will have different mobile marketing opportunities and, lesser known apps may provide a stronger ROI for advertising spend and be easier to target the influencers on that channel.
This article is an excerpt from “FutureProof: How to Get Your Business Ready For The Next Disruption.” Minter Dial is president and founder of The Myndset Company. Caleb Storkey is founder and CEO of Storkey Media.
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