How to create a mobile app for a small business

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3 min read

In the digital age, mobile app development and maintenance present challenges for SMBs. SMBs have many reasons to create a mobile platform. A regularly updated mobile app can help SMB owners attract more clientele, address bigger markets and increase brand visibility. The challenges of developing an app within a small organization often come down to a lack of dedicated programmers and IT support staff, combined with a shortage of cash upfront. However, the rising popularity of no-code and low-code development presents new opportunities. A 2021 Gartner report stated that low-code development is a growing trend, with the COVID-19 pandemic further driving a move to non-IT app developers. Useful Link – Best Software Development Companies Still, coding is only the first stage of creating an organization's mobile presence. As an SMB owner or IT administrator, you must regularly update the app with new company and product data to keep customers engaged. Regular app updates can help SMBs connect with customers. Push notifications after program updates can also help maintain your digital presence and increase brand awareness. Building the application for an SMB After deciding to create a mobile app, you might use an app builder that offers a simplified template for building. You could also hire an outside programmer or development team to create a dedicated program. Don’t Miss – List of Custom Software Development Companies Software Development Outsourcing Companies You should know how you want the app to look before you select a template or app builder. Make sure to select an app builder or template that can support features your business needs. You should also consider what mobile platforms a template builder supports. Some templates only support Apple's iOS or Google's Android mobile OS, while others support both. Unless you want to create an app that caters to iPhone or Android audiences individually, your app should accommodate both flavors of mobile OSes. Also, SMBs should evaluate the template builder's technical support. You need a template provider that answers queries promptly and effectively. Useful Links – Top Mobile App Development Companies If you need a simple mobile app, such as a digital menu for a café that gets regular updates or a salon appointment book that smartphone users can easily alter, a cheap or free template builder should meet your needs. Supporting the application as an SMB Unlike a mobile-responsive website, a dedicated app requires a customer to download it from an app store, so you may want to reward users for choosing to download your app. You could offer points toward purchases made on the mobile app, organize events on the app or offer discounts on users' birthdays. Simple actions can help create a dedicated customer base. Key takeaways for SMB owners A decade ago, a small business owner may have dismissed the idea of building a mobile application. The cost and time involved would have been too great. Source - techtarget.com suggestron.com