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Posts tagged white label apps
Yes, Your App Reseller Business Needs a Blog. Yes, You Have to Update it Regularly. Sorry!
Jul 22nd
“But I don’t wanna! Blogging takes too much time!”
As an app reseller we know, we hear you. But it’s not as bad as you think. You don’t have to write a novel, you just have to share information and expertise that small businesses might find useful.
C’mon, who doesn’t like to hear themselves talk? Your blog is your chance to go on and on about whatever it is your app resale business does. Assuming that you are actually interested in your own mobile app business (if you aren’t, maybe it’s time for a change), blogging should be fairly easy. Here’s how to do it:
1. Go about your day
2. Reach a half-hour window of time you have pre-scheduled for blogging a couple of times each week
3. Write about whatever is on your mind that day that’s related to your app reseller business
4. Proofread (don’t skip this step)
5. Post & share across your social networks
6. Go on your merry way!
“Why? Why do I have to? No one is going to read it!”
First of all, you’re reading this post, right?
Second of all, these figures show why you can’t ignore your blog:
• The audience is huge. 50% of time spent online is spent reading content, and there are 329 million blog readers online. Of course, they won’t all be reading your blog, but if you deliver content that small businesses enjoy, you’ll carve out a small percentage of all of that traffic for your mobile app reseller business.
• You can get mobile app leads from your blog. There are 27 million blog shares each day, and clicks from shared content are 500% more likely to lead to a purchase. When you put out content, it can “boomerang” and bring back new customers along with it. Depending on your products, a single extra sale can make it all worth it.
• It’s a great alternative to ads. Some ads are great and people may even like them. But in general, 73% of people prefer articles to ads. This preference has a direct impact on your business, because 61% of people are more likely to buy from companies that deliver custom content. In addition, ads can be costly to produce and place.
• You have options. Content marketing doesn’t have to take the form of a blog, exactly. Articles are the most common form of content marketing, followed by blogs, eNewsletters, case studies, and then whitepapers. If one is more suitable for your business, then focus on that. Don’t ignore the other channels, however. Online marketing works best when done using a multi-faceted strategy, as each channel has its strengths and weaknesses.
In essence, content marketing lets you educate your audience on your mobile app reseller business, and start a conversation where direct advertising would not. Don’t neglect it – you might just be missing out on the cost effective marketing method available to you!
How Mobile App Resellers Can Use Testimonials to Grow Their Business
Mar 19th
If you’re trying to convince someone to buy from you, you can talk about the benefits of your offering until you’re blue in the face. Often enough, it works. But if you don’t have all day to spoon-feed your targets, you need a shortcut.
That’s where testimonials come in.
Testimonials use simple logic to persuade a target to buy from you. “Person X is just like you, and Person X liked my offering. Therefore, you will too!” It’s hard to argue with that, and most people won’t. The power of testimonials has been demonstrated many times. In fact, one website saw a 34% increase in conversions just by including a few bland testimonials on a particular page.
So, how do you get testimonials and use them effectively as a mobile app reseller? Here are some tips:
1. Don’t hide them
Don’t imprison your testimonials on a special “Testimonials” tab on your site. Celebrate them, and sprinkle them liberally around your site and marketing collateral. You don’t want people to have to find them, you want them to be on the fence about contacting you, and then to notice a testimonial that comforts them and seals the deal.
Testimonials should find prospects, not the other way around.
2. Ask for testimonials (timing is key)
Don’t wait for people to gather outside your door and start singing hymns of praise. Instead, incorporate testimonial or feedback requests into your regular business practices. When you complete an app, and the customer is at a peak of happiness with it, that’s the time to ask for a quick note about their experience.
This also ties into keeping in touch with your customers. You should contact them regularly to check in or deliver info. Don’t harass or irritate them, but don’t drop off the face of the Earth either.
3. Get as much personal information as you can
Let’s look at two example testimonials:
“This app developer is the greatest there is!”
–Jeff Worthington, Owner of Jeff’s Pastries (jeffspastries.com).
“This app developer is the greatest there is!”
–Some guy named Jeff
Which one looks more credible to you? The first one, of course!
The more personal information you obtain for your reviews, the better. First and last name are key, a photo is great, and a link to their business is also nice. If you can attach a link to a related case study or showcase their app in some way, that’s also good.
The more credible your testimonials are, the more amplified their power becomes.
4. Deliver great service
That’s where glowing testimonials come from – great service experiences. If you’re just adequate, the testimonial will be, too. Ensure that your clients are enthusiastically satisfied, and their testimonials will make you look like a hero.
5. Use them when selling
Reference your testimonials and past cases when selling to prospects. If someone sends an email with a question, talk about experiences with past clients in your response. You don’t have to cite them directly, but if a prospect asks about whether the app will work well with their customers for example, you can say that most clients are surprised at how fast the apps show a return on investment, and add, “One client I worked with was concerned about the same thing, but he ultimately said the investment was worth every penny,’ so you don’t have to be worried there.
Again, testimonials are a an extremely effective way to help with common obstacles when selling.
You do good work, so don’t be shy about sharing the kind words that your clients have said about your services. Testimonials are one of the most powerful tools you have – we recommend that you don’t leave them lying in the toolbox.
Tips for Marketing through the Chamber of Commerce For Mobile App Resellers
Mar 14th
Chambers of commerce are an often-overlooked way for businesses to market their services. Their influence can be so powerful that a tiny startup can be launched into the national conversation primarily because the startup was active in chambers of commerce.
This is exactly what happened with Constant Contact, the small business marketing solution that now sits in the top half of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500. Constant Contact’s CEO attributes much of the company’s success to participation in chamber of commerce activities.
So, what is a chamber of commerce, and how can mobile app resellers get in on the action? Let’s break it down.
Chambers of Commerce
A chamber of commerce is, in its simplest form, a network of businesses and a generalized trade organization. There are chambers of commerce in almost every city, state, and nation, and they number in the thousands worldwide. Total membership includes millions of businesses.
The purpose of a chamber of commerce is to promote the interests of its member businesses, which usually involves interaction with government entities and other related organizations. Chambers of commerce also hold events and pursue other initiatives to promote the member businesses themselves and help them grow.
How Not to Fail at Networking Events
One of the most important types of event held by chambers of commerce is a networking event, where representatives of member businesses can meet, exchange information, and hopefully enter into mutually beneficial relationships. For a mobile app reseller, these events are a great way to spread the word about the services you can provide to local businesses. That said, many people aren’t quite sure how to make them worthwhile. Here’s our advice.
First, don’t be a wallflower. When you go to a networking event, if the first thing you do is hug the wall and look for someone you know, you’re missing out on golden opportunities. While your contacts might introduce you to someone new, it’s best to simply walk over to the first people you see. Do it the first minute you’re there, as soon as possible, before anxiety gets a hold of you. Your introduction doesn’t have to be very formal. If you see a lively conversation circle, you can open with something as simple as, “Hey guys, what am I missing over here?” Just join in, get introduced, and meet some new people. Let the conversation flow naturally from there.
Second, don’t focus too much on selling. The goal is not to immediately try to sell people on your services. Think longer term. You’re there to cultivate relationships, and they don’t always have to begin with or be directed toward a sale. Listen to people, think about what they need, and remember it for later. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to connect two other people that need each other, and who will both be grateful for the introduction. It turns you into a player in the local market, and helps improve your profile. It’s a classic maxim of business and networking that if you help others, sales will follow, and you’ll also be developing contacts that are beneficial in a variety of ways.
Other Benefits Available through a Chamber of Commerce
• You can place ads in the membership directory online, or in its regular publication, to reach local businesses more effectively.
• You can participate in committees that relate to your business (e.g. a technological development committee, or something similar) and meet people in your industry.
• You can enjoy discounts (10-20%) on services from other members.
• You can establish credibility by incorporating your chamber of commerce’s logo into your marketing collateral, business card, etc.
Chambers of commerce present a wealth of opportunities to mobile app resellers to get to know their market, make connections, and boost sales. And if one is good, two is better. Get involved in chambers of commerce today and you’ll soon reap the benefits.
6 Online Marketing Tips for Mobile App Resellers
Mar 12th
As case studies continue to roll out that show the undeniable importance of online marketing in the modern world, small business owners and mobile app resellers must examine their own marketing efforts to ensure that they are gaining sales in the most cost-effective way possible. The tips below will help you get started with online marketing and ensure you spend your online marketing dollars effectively:
1. If You Don’t Have a Website, Get One
This should go without saying at this point. There are very few businesses that can survive without a website in this day and age, and they are very special indeed. If your business is one of them, however, there’s no way of knowing when the day will come that this will no longer be true. And by then, it may be too late to change.
Moreover, if you’re not online, you may not know what you’re missing. In fact, customers may be submitting reviews online about your business that are having a massive negative impact on your incoming leads, and you wouldn’t even know it.
A simple website is free to create, cheap to maintain, and couldn’t be easier to get up and running with ready-made site templates like WordPress. Think of it as an online business card, at first. Then, once you’re comfortable, keep developing your site and online efforts, and find the ocean of new leads from people looking for your products and services.
2. Understand the Value of Each Social Media Channel
The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that only 24% of businesses have waded into the social media waters, stating that most owners simply don’t know where to start. They advise that, instead of trying to learn everything all at once, spend a little time getting to know each platform (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) each week. Then, once you’re familiar with them, there are a couple of simple things you can do to participate. One is to “follow” or “friend” influential people or businesses in your industry, and the other is to post or share information or content that is relevant and interesting to you.
3. Know How Customers Spend Their Time Online
There are five main ways people spend their time online, and they’re all about even in terms of time spent. The activities are:
• Social Networking
• Online Searches
• Reading
• Sending Messages
• Watching Video / Shopping
Keep this breakdown in mind when allocating your online marketing budget to various channels. This doesn’t necessarily mean that each should represent equal spending, as effectiveness of ads and content varies from each channel and depends largely on what industry you are in. That said, it’s important to be aware that a consumer is just as likely to be spending a given minute on social media as watching video or pulling up a search engine. Spend accordingly.
4. Don’t Ignore Mobile
People love their mobile devices, and usage continues to climb. Soon, mobile usage will overtake desktop usage, according to certain projections. As important as a website is, a mobile-optimized website has become a necessary companion item. Put it on your list!
5. Buying Ads Online
Pay-per-click campaigns are ad campaigns whereby you place an ad that appears in search results (on Google, for example), or on a popular website (a local newspaper’s site, for example), and pay a very small amount each time someone clicks on it. A basic ad placed in the right online location can drive a decent amount of traffic to your website, and is worth testing out. There are many popular services that can help you get started. Google AdWords is the mainstream solution, and is a great place to begin.
6. Email Campaigns
Email campaigns are the modern equivalent of sending postcards and letters to prospects in your area. There is still a place for both, but it’s worth noting that email campaigns are far cheaper to run and much easier to coordinate.
As with other solutions above, there are excellent tools and programs available to help you get started. MailChimp and Constant Contact are two popular ones. Resources like these will allow you to gather a list of email contacts, schedule message transmission, and manage/analyze responses.
Don’t be sacred to get online and start promoting – the (virtual) world awaits!
6 Tips to Boost Customer Loyalty For Mobile App Resellers
Mar 8th
The costs of poor customer service are well known. If a customer has a bad experience, they will tell an average of 9-15 people, according to the Office of Consumer Affairs. Naturally, those people will probably then steer clear of your business in the future. To avoid this happening, you need to provide outstanding service, which is the key to developing customer loyalty. Below are a few tips that will help you keep your customers happy and loyal:
1. Respond quickly
Companies that respond to customer inquiries in less than 10 hours have an average satisfaction rating of 90%. It’s an on-demand world, and it’s now more important than ever to be responsive to customers. The faster you respond, the more it shows you respect them and their time. If they have to wait too long, or they feel ignored, they’re gone.
2. Analyze customer behavior
There are many ways to do this, and selecting the proper tool will depend on the nature of your business. But whether you use a Customer Relationship Management solution, a website tracker, or some other means of capturing customer behavior data, the important thing is that you do it. Without capturing data, you’re missing out on critical feedback that will tell you if all your clever business plans are paying off, or if they’re turning people off.
3. Let the customer lead
Then listen and respond in the way that works best for them. Don’t ask customers to conform to your program rigidly, unless you can make it very painless to do so through great instructions and a system that is 100% reliable and proven. Otherwise, work with customers not just to make them happy, but to make them happy in the way they want. This could mean sending emails when you would prefer to use phone calls, guaranteeing turnaround times, creating a night shift to meet demands, or other creative solutions. The point is, the customer is ultimately in the driver’s seat. Businesses that forget this will be forgotten.
4. Simplicity
Don’t complicate things. Don’t ask customers to wade through long texts or informational videos. Don’t make it hard for people to use your product or service.
Keep it simple.
Simple is easy, and easy is what everyone wants in this overworked world of ours. If you make people’s lives easier, they will beat a path to your door.
5. Deliver
If you make a commitment, you have to deliver on it, or your credibility will be shot and so will your business. Of course, even the best operator may make a mistake, sometimes, and then the most important thing to do is to apologize and work tirelessly to make it right. Most customer service boils down to respecting people’s time, energy, and the business they bring you. If you don’t deliver, AND you don’t make it right … that 9-15 person figure above? You can probably expect it to increase significantly. With services like Consumerist and Yelp reviews, a single bad experience can cut your revenue significantly, and even destroy your business.
6. Reward continued business
If you’ve got customers than return to you time and time again, sweeten the pot a little with a reward. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate program or a huge gift, just a nice gesture. “Buy x, get one free” is a common one for small-transaction retailers, but you are fairly free when it comes to rewards. A gift card to a coffee shop around Christmas, a basket of wines, or, for large accounts, free cruises and the like are all great ways to remind customers that you appreciate their business.
Remember, a customer saved is a customer earned, so whenever you can, give the people what they want!
9 More Tips for Mobile App Resellers Selling to Small Businesses, Part 2
Mar 6th
As you can tell from the title, this is the second part of another post. Let’s dive in with more tips for selling to small businesses:
1. See through to the ultimate customer
Small businesses aren’t in operation just for giggles; they have customers and clients to serve. If your offering is tailored to improve the small business’s offering, you’ll have another great sales angle to pitch from. Many small businesses are concerned with having enough business and revenue, so it’s important to demonstrate how you might help them obtain more.
2. Do they want to grow?
On the flipside, some small businesses are happy right where they are. If you’re dealing with a decision-maker that enjoys stability, and isn’t bent on world domination, don’t spend your whole pitch talking about growth. Instead, talk about how you can shore up their company and fortify it.
3. Call at the right time
Busy times of the day are NOT when you want to call. Each industry is different. Play around and try to find lulls and times that your targets are less consumed with their own work and more receptive to speaking.
4. The people who answer the phone know what to do
Treat them well. They field calls all day, and can sort out the wastes of time. They can also send a call direct to the owner of the company. If you’re going to get anywhere, respecting your first point of contact is a great start.
5. Owners might be touchy
An owner of a small business is often completely tied to the business, ego and all. Be careful when discussing flaws in the business (or “areas of opportunity” as you might call them), because it will probably feel like an attack on the owner him- or her-self.
6. Testimonials are a must
Credibility is hard to build, but it’s essential for selling to a small business. One of the quickest shortcuts to credibility is a great bunch of testimonials. The closer the speakers are to your prospect’s situation, the better.
7. Get in early
If you sell to a small business when they’re still quite new, and keep them happy, you will likely have a customer for a very long time. There is tremendous value in being “there from the start.” Those who come after will be eyed more skeptically, but you’ll have grown a healthy amount of trust that is a great foundation for a business relationship.
8. What do they think of you?
Perception in selling is everything. Be tuned-in to how you are perceived by your prospects. Common errors are being too corporate, being overly complex, being too sales-y, not being real, etc. When you’re selling, you aren’t the show – your prospect is. Keep your attention on your prospect and what he or she is thinking. Follow their interests and concerns, regardless of where they go. If you don’t follow them, you aren’t going to make the sale anyway, so don’t be scared to explore their concerns honestly and refine your product/pitch based on their feedback.
9. Do your homework
Don’t go in to your meeting without first understanding a small business’s needs thoroughly. The moment you show you aren’t prepared, it’s the same thing as saying you don’t really care about their business or respect them. After that?
Meeting adjourned!
The point is, approach small businesses with respect in every way you can, and focus on them completely when selling, and you’ll have success.
8 Habits Of A Successful Bizness Apps Reseller
Mar 1st
Bizness Apps offers a robust white-label platform to resellers that uses the same technology that has been used to develop over 20,000 apps in over 50 countries. To ensure that you, as a reseller, enjoy the maximum benefit from participating in the Bizness Apps program, here are a few tips to remember:
1. Market to a Niche
As the old saying goes, if you try to talk to everyone, you often talk to no one. Select a niche and focus your marketing efforts on it. There are many small business types nationwide that have proven to be profitable for app developers. For example, restaurants, law offices, real estate agencies, and many others. Chose an industry and zero in, and your efforts will lead to far better returns.
2. Don’t Undervalue Your Product
As a guideline, many resellers charge customers a setup fee of $1,500-2,000, as well as a $100/month recurring charge. You deliver a product that can have huge value for helping small businesses connect with their customers, increase loyalty, and drive revenue growth. Keep it in mind when establishing and negotiating prices.
3. Client Testimonials
Few things are as persuasive to a target as hearing positive reviews from those in the target’s shoes that have adopted apps. For each success story you create, make sure that you obtain a testimonial. Don’t just develop an app and move on. Reach back, connect with current clients, and ask them how things are going. If they’re going well, you have a nice testimonial. If not, you have feedback that you (or we) can use to improve our offering. It’s a win-win.
4. Make Sure Your Website Looks Professional
A professional-looking website is key for establishing credibility and trust with prospects, as well as anchoring your prices at a higher level. Make sure that your website doesn’t turn anyone off, or create the perception that you aren’t a quality, well-established service provider.
5. Utilize Bizness Apps Support
We’re here to help! If you have issues, questions, want to talk strategy, want to submit feedback, or just want to chat about the industry, give us a call. Our white label program is a two-way street and the more communication we receive, the better you do, and the better we all do. We are deeply invested in ensuring that each of our resellers succeeds, because your success is also our success, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need a hand.
6. Take Advantage of Available Tools
There are a wealth of resources available to you that can help you succeed. Review these links, and you’re bound to find something helpful:
• Our Free Marketing Materials
• Our $100 Professional App Design Service
• Our Recorded Webinars
• Our Help Desk
• Reseller Orientation Calls
• Bizness CRM (We offer free accounts for resellers!)
• And much much more…
7. Stay Current on Industry Stats
We are constantly sharing new information through our blog, social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter), and various webinars and other channels. Keep your ear to the speaker, so to speak, and you’ll know everything we know.
8. Understand The Product
Top resellers understand our product, our features, and the benefits of small businesses going mobile. You can improve your product and market knowledge by utilizing all of the help materials available to you. And if you have a question, feel free to shoot us an email! Our success is your success!
As you can see from the last few items, the more time you spend researching the platform and industry, the better off you are. Read up on our features and other relevant info, and you’ll be able to maximize your opportunity – and that’s the essence of a successful Bizness App reseller.
8 Habits of a Successful Reseller from biznessapps
Free Android Apps, Mobile Websites, and Bizness CRM for All White Label Resellers
Aug 31st
Hi there, resellers (and potential resellers)! We have a few reminders for everyone:
1. Android apps are included unlimited & free. You can offer them to your customers, and you don’t have to pay us a dime.
2. Mobile websites are included unlimited & free. You can give these to customers without paying us anything either.
3. Bizness CRM is free. You can use it to generate all the sales you like without even thinking about giving us a payment.
How do we make any money? Well, we have a paid iPhone app program that generates a little revenue here and there, but that’s not what we’re focused on today. Today we’re talking about free stuff.
Before we dive in, we have a quick word about our white label reseller program for those who don’t know about it. Essentially, the Bizness Apps platform makes it extremely easy to develop beautiful, functional apps for small businesses everywhere. Our white label resellers run their own app development companies using the platform.
Okay, quick word over. On to business.
Leveraging free products into sales
Providing a prospect with a free Android app or mobile website can be a great way to demonstrate your capabilities and earn a sale. They prove that you can create attractive, workable products that potential clients can actually see and use. They don’t have to wonder what type of product they might get from you. It’s right there in front of their eyes.
Then, after they see how nice your products are, it becomes a lot easier to sell them on the idea of a paid iPhone app. It’s the most popular app platform, and it’s a natural fit for businesses that already have their “toes in the mobile waters.” Thus, the free products open the door for a sale later on.
Of course, as an alternate strategy, you could simply charge for the Android apps and mobile websites as you see fit. We leave it up to you.
How Bizness CRM fits into all this
Bizness CRM is a powerful tool that was designed for selling to small businesses. It’s extremely simple to use, and it can help you:
• Find small business leads in your area
• Filter them down to find the most promising prospects
• Track progress as you contact them and close sales
• Schedule meetings and collaborate with team members as needed
• Measure results with in-depth metrics
In short, it’s your best friend when it comes to sales. It can support you all the way from, “I have no idea how to be a white label app reseller” to “Hey, I can actually make money doing this!”
Free tools that help you generate revenue. You really can’t beat that.
To learn more about our reseller program, please click here.
