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Posts tagged small business iphone apps
It’s All About Apps, Mobile Web Usage Losing 6 To 1
Apr 3rd
A new report released recently has some truly eye opening information about how people are using their mobile phones.
According to the report, which was conducted by Flurry, 86% of the mobile time spent by American consumers is devoted to apps. That is six times higher than the time spent on mobile web (via a browser like Safari or Chrome), which was at 14%.
The statistics break down as follows:
American mobile users spend on average around 2 hours and 42 minutes a day on their smart phones and mobile devices. Of that time, 86% is spent using apps – 2 hours and 19 minutes. Mobile web time, at 14%, is only about 22 minutes a day. Of the app time, the most popular apps used were games (32%), Facebook (17%), Twitter (1.5%), other social networking (9.5%), YouTube (4%), and other entertainment (4%). For mobile web time, Apple Safari and Google Browers were the most used, at 7% and 5%, respectively. Consumers used mobile web time for news, productivity, and utilities, mostly.
So what does all this mean?
It means that Americans use their phones. A lot. What are they mainly using their phones for? Utilizing apps. They are using apps for everything, ranging from games and entertainment, to social networking, to taking care of business and household needs.
Just a few short years ago, apps were considered a flash in the pan trend, but now it has become clear that they aren’t going anywhere.
Apps dominate mobile usage, there are no two ways about it.
Browsers, while once the sole way to surf the web, are now just considered another app amongst many. Companies are following suit – even ones like Google.
Ready to join the throngs of savvy businesses that are creating apps and mobile optimized websites? Get started with Bizness Apps today.
Why Your Small Business Is Crazy To Not Be Mobile
Apr 2nd
If you’re a small business owner, chances are that you have a smart phone, a tablet or other device that you use to stay connected and interact with your customers.
But are you doing enough to make sure you’re mobile-optimized? For an entrepreneur, especially those with a small or mid-sized business, it is important to be plugged into the growing mobile industry in every way possible.
Smart Phones and Mobile Devices are the way of the future.
Currently 91% of Americans use cell phones, and the number of those people who have smart phones is growing exponentially every year. 34% of Americans currently go online primarily using a mobile phone or smart phone. That is a huge number, considering how just a few short years ago you could only access the web via a computer. Of those same people who use their phone to surf, the web, 30% of them use their phone to do business, shop, choose restaurants and more.
One final statistic: 87% of all connected devices, such as smart phones, tablets or other mobile devices, will be mobile by 2017, with laptop and desktop computers only making up a tiny 13% of the market! Those are surprising statistics indeed, and they show just how rapidly new technology can grow.
So what does that mean for your business?
If you’re not optimized for mobile, either with a mobile website, or better yet, a mobile app, you may see your business suffer in the coming months or years. People are simply doing more business via their mobile devices, and having a website simply isn’t good enough anymore. Small businesses need to focus on mobile apps & mobile websites more than ever.
So how can you jump on the trend?
First and foremost, make sure that you yourself, as well as your employees, are mobile. If you don’t have a smart phone or other mobile device already, get one. Make sure you have access to the web, any apps you need, have mobile access to SMS and email, and have a plan so that you can make international phone calls and texts, if you travel. If you’re going to tap into the mobile market, you need to be accessible by mobile yourself.
Is your business mobile accessible? There are two things you need to do.
Most businesses these days have a website, but is yours accessible by mobile devices and smart phones? If not, you need to change that. The majority of customers are now looking at your website NOT from a laptop or desktop, but from an iPhone or an Android, a tablet or some other mobile device. If your website isn’t optimized for their viewing, you could lose a customer.
Once you’ve made the decision to go mobile, you’ll need to create a mobile app & a mobile website.
This is the way most small and mid-sized businesses are doing business with their customers. From an app, you can be everything to your customers with a tap of their screen. They can access information about your goods and services, order online, track reservations, receive push notifications and promotions, contact you via email with questions or customer service needs, offer feedback, and more.
The time to switch to mobile is now – contact Bizness Apps to create your mobile-optimized website and easy to use, affordable app today.
Forbes: Your Business Checklist Includes a Website, a Phone Number, and a Mobile App
Jan 23rd
Recently, Forbes updated the list of business essentials to include a website, a phone number, and yes, a mobile app.
“Horror of horrors! Not a mobile app! Why do I need that? No one’s going to use it anyway!”
Calm down. Deep breaths. In . . . out . . . in.
Okay, now?
All right, let’s talk about this rationally.
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, if you wanted to be in business, it was enough to simply have a shop somewhere in town and hang out your shingle.
Why? Because that was the easiest way to connect with customers.
Then, as technology developed, one of the first mass communication devices was invented: the telephone. As they became more popular, they eventually became a must for businesses. Why? Because it was the easiest way to connect with customers. Instead of expecting people to come down to your shop for all their needs, it became possible for people to call in orders, check on store hours, or ask other questions. So businesses needed to adapt.
Technology continued to develop, and the Internet connected the computers of every household. And as it became more popular, it became a must for a business to have a website, again because it opened up a new easy-to-use channel for connecting with customers. Why ask people to call up or visit your store when they can easily check up on information, browse inventory, or communicate using the Web? The convenience of prospects and customers, and the benefits of efficient information sharing had again driven businesses to embrace new technology.
Now, the same is happening with mobile devices.
Customers can’t be expected to wait until they’re home to browse your website or submit orders, and they can’t be expected to call in with all questions. They have mobile devices with them at all times, capable of doing nearly everything they want them to do, and now its businesses’ turn to pay catch up once again.
The good news is, mobile websites and apps are super-easy to create and offer a huge amount of benefits beyond just increasing customer convenience and satisfaction. Mobile orders boost revenue, push notifications allow businesses to generate activity on special offers and deals, and social media tabs allow for easy referrals and leveraging of customer networks.
In short, mobile is a win on both sides, and the time has come for fuller adoption for businesses that don’t want to fall behind the competition. Naturally, Bizness Apps is ready to help, with the world’s most popular app builder for small businesses.
To take the next step and learn just how easy and inexpensive “going mobile” can be, click here.
4 Non-Tech Companies That Created Great Apps
Jun 17th
Many small business owners worry that their lack of technical expertise will hold back their company app. It is indeed possible, however, to create popular, useful apps even if you’re not a tech company.
Now, the companies below are admittedly huge brands with access to big budgets. Their apps undoubtedly were built with the help of technically savvy partner developers. However, with Bizness Apps, you also have access to a technically savvy partner developer! Therefore, let these apps inspire your imagination when it comes to what is possible for non-tech companies when it comes to apps.
1. ESPN ScoreCenter
ESPN is a digital media giant. They’re big enough, in fact, to drown in their own size when it comes delivering content on the little screen. Their app is perfectly balanced, however, to leverage the huge amount of information they have with the small amount of information users want when using a mobile app. Using the ScoreCenter app, users can select a sport or game, and get a quick update on what’s going on by reviewing scores and headlines.
The takeaway for small businesses: Whatever your business has to offer, focus with pinpoint accuracy on the most quickly-accessible functions when you design your app so that users can get what they’re after with a minimum of hassle.
2. American Express Mobile
What’s the first thing you would expect the Amex app to do? If you guessed, “Tell me my balance,” you were right. But the app is quite powerful and versatile aside from that, providing users with special offers, reward redemptions, informational content, and even receipt management. The Amex app gives users what they want, then expands into a great suite of related features.
The takeaway for small businesses: Focus on a core function, then branch out once you’ve nailed it to deliver extra value in ways that make the most sense for your users.
3. Red Robin
Nope, it’s not for ordering. It does something even better – meal customization! If you’re health-conscious or dealing with dietary restrictions, the RR app will let you customize a meal so you get exactly what you need.
The takeaway for small businesses: Personalization is a user-favorite. If your app has customizable functions, that’s a big plus.
4. Zipcar
It’s a match made in heaven. The number one user request for Zipcar was almost certainly, “Where is the nearest car?” The app delivers exactly that, along with a bunch of other useful and neat functions (you can remotely honk the horn!).
The takeaway for small businesses: Some businesses struggle to find a purpose for their app, but your business may have a perfect reason to create one. Brainstorm, and try to figure out what single function users are craving most. Then give it to them!
4 Awesome Apps for Small Businesses
Jun 3rd
As a small business owner or app maker, you may have 99 problems. But with this list, an app won’t be one.
(Sorry, Mr. Z. We needed an intro.)
1. Gigwalk
Need a simple task done at a particular location, but you don’t have an employee to send there? Now you do, thanks to Gigwalk.
Gigwalk has the ability to tap a labor pool of over 250,000 people, and companies (mostly retailers) typically use it for things like inventory checks at stores, mystery shopper activities, location photographing, and other simple, similar things.
Posting a gig is pretty simple. You describe it, name a price, and fund it (Gigwalk charges a 30% service fee). Then, you can let Gigwalk select workers for you, or you can do it manually, if you prefer. After that, a worker accepts the gig and things get done.
Gigwalk is straightforward and helpful – just like apps should be.
2. Scanner Pro
Paper, paper everywhere. And none of it organized or searchable.
If this describes your office, Scanner Pro may be the solution you need to ease the pains of transitioning to a world where “paper” is a dirty word. Or, if you need to easily share paper documents across multiple locations on the go, Scanner Pro is also a great solution.
Scanner Pro doesn’t just let you take a picture of a document, it helps you organize multi-page documents, email files, load files to the cloud, sync across devices, and more. If you have massive amounts of paper to scan, this probably isn’t the way to do it. But if you need a little help here and there? Scanner Pro is good to go.
3. OfficeTime
OfficeTime is a time tracker that lets you and your team members log hours and keep things organized, even when you’re away from the office. It can produce useful reports and also help with expense tracking. If your business’s revenue is hours-based, an app like this is a must to avoid time loss and to boost your understanding of how exactly time is spent.
Oh, and if you hate “subscription apps,” this is a one-time purchase, so you’ve got no worries there.
4. WebEx
WebEx enables crystal-clear video meetings with as many participants as you can handle, from any location. WebEx also offers a suite of functions that help you collaborate with team members through shared workspaces, too (e.g. file sharing, team commenting, etc.).
No matter where your contacts are, you can work together virtually in much the same way as if you were in the same office. (Except with WebEx, when you empty the coffee pot, there are no office assistants to refill it for you. Apps can only take us so far, after all.)
