Benefits of a Mobile Loyalty App

Today’s Consumer spends an inordinate amount of time on their smart phones. From playing games, connecting on Social Media, and even doing their banking. Smart Businesses have seen this trend, and understand that they need to position themselves on a channel that consumes so much of their clients attention.

The absolute best and most effective way to do this is to adopt a Mobile First Strategy for your Business, one that includes a Responsive Website (which means that the site is view able on mobile) and a Custom Mobile App.

Apps Reduce Marketing Costs

Built in E mail and SMS programs, along with unlimited Push Notifications give your business the ability to connect with your customers and know your message is being seen, all at virtually no cost.

Apps are a Constant Reminder of Your Business

Mobile Apps REINFORCE YOUR BRAND by increasing visibility. Your Businesses Logo in an icon on a screen your customers look at hundreds of times a day is priceless!

An App Will Generate Repeat Business and à INCREASE SALES!

With our integrated tiered Loyalty Program, you can now reward your customers for shopping instead of discounting. Studies have proven, that Businesses with a Loyalty Program in place do 20+% better than those without one. Our Proprietary Actionable Loyalty Initiatives, (ALI) will allow you to reward your customers for actions in the app, like sharing an image, notification or liking any of your existing social media pages.

Apps Give You Measurable Marketing Tools

Push Notifications have open rates of 98%, SMS/Text Messages have open rates of 99.9%, compare that to emails that have open rates of 20-30%, and you will start to see a real return on your investment. You no longer have to rely on “Hope Marketing”, with the built-in marketing tools in the Mass Mobile Apps platform you can new send a marketing message and know it’s being seen!

M-Commerce – Monetize With Mobile

Integrate your existing e-commerce site into your app, or add an e-commerce module that will allow you to sell products directly through the app. Today its important that your business is available to your customers in a Mobile Channel.

January 25, 2019

4 Ways to Build Trust With Your Customers

What efforts do you take to build trust with your customers? Building solid, trusting relationships with your customer base is one of the best ways to retain them. In fact, News Cred’s recent study revealed that among millennials, the top three brand loyalty drivers include a great product (77%), followed by brand recognition (69%) and trust (69%).

Research also shows that retaining customers is much cheaper than acquiring new ones. The longer a customer is loyal to a brand, the more money they spend. What does that mean for your bottom line? According to a study cited by Retention Science, increasing customer retention by just 5 percent increases profits by 25-95 percent.

Needless to say, building trust with your customers is a worthwhile and profitable endeavor.

Here are four ways to build trust with your audience:

1. Communicate with customers on a regular basis
Communications with your customer base should not revolve solely around purchasing. If customers feel like every communication is a sales push, before long, your attempts to connect will get ignored and you’ll dash any hope of building trust.
Instead, communicate with your customers on a regular basis. Consider emailing a regular newsletter, sharing links to helpful articles on your social media channels or providing how-to articles on your blog. Customers appreciate useful information that makes their day a little better.

For example, if you run a fast casual restaurant, create a monthly newsletter to highlights upcoming menu items and introduce new staff. If you run a cleaning company, share an article containing tips to clean up nail polish or general organizing or stain removing hacks. Be intentional with your communication. If customers hear from you with useful tips, product updates, relevant market research, etc… on a regular basis, your occasional promotional email won’t feel out of place. It’s just another message from a friend.

2. Provide quality customer service in your store

One of the best ways to gain trust is to offer your customers service they can’t find anywhere else. Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your service inside your store is top-notch:

Make sure your staff is friendly.
Create a welcoming environment that keeps customers coming back.
Train employees to nurture your customer relationships. Don’t assume employees know how to interact with your audience, show them.
Collect and use feedback. Ask your customers to provide feedback and use it to implement changes that can improve their experience. Collect feedback in store and online.
Show gratitude. Make sure your customers know that you appreciate them. Send exclusive deals to your most valued customers, host a customer appreciation event and set up a loyalty program that rewards your customers for their continued support.

3. Consider providing customer support on social
With so many of your customers being on social media, using these platforms to offer service and support is quickly catching on. Xbox, a popular gaming system company, offers customer support through Twitter. Customers can tweet questions and get live help. It’s so popular that Xbox has created multiple accounts to manage the traffic.
If you plan to offer support on social channels there are a few tools that can help. ZenDesk, for example, offers software that manages customers’ requests and creates a self-help arena for customers to troubleshoot issues on their own. Desk.com is another option. It creates a universal inbox where you can help your customers through social sites like Facebook and Twitter all from one dashboard. Your online service should compliment your service efforts in store.

4. Own up to mistakes

Customers reward companies that are honest and transparent. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Whether you missed a service appointment or have products on back order, it’s important to communicate any issues or delays with those customers.
As soon as you’re aware of a problem, reach out. For example, when Adorama fell short on cameras, an email was sent to explain that the item was on backorder. The company apologized for the wait and offered additional relevant information like how to cancel an order.
Mistakes happen. Research shows 95% of complaining customers will forgive a company if a problem is resolved in the next interaction. So, in addition to being honest, you also need to act quickly. Customers expect swift solutions.

How do you build trust with your customers? Feel free to share any additional strategies or tips.

January 4, 2019January 15, 2019

Increase Customer Spending : Six Ways to Encourage Loyal Spenders

Finding Value
For better or worse, I am somewhat of a regular at the local casino. I don’t have TOO many vices, and I’m always extremely responsible. I have a pre-set limit of how much I’ll allow myself to spend per visit and have only exceeded it on a handful of special occasions. Many people I know spend much more on bar tabs or shopping sprees in a day than I spend in two weeks at the casino, and none of them will have a chance at striking it rich…but that’s enough of me trying to justify a bad habit of mine.

Each time go, I’m struck by the “favouritism” shown to the high rollers who saunter in only three or four times a year. I may know the dealers by name, given how often I’m there, but I’m not spending enough for the casino to see any value in enticing me to return. It’s a business, after all. And like any business, they need to pay close attention to the serious customers and encourage them to come back. Free meals and the odd free night will do just that.

What small business owners can do to encourage customers to spend more each visit
While regular customers are a good sign for your business and are absolutely worth your time to cultivate, at the end of the day you’re running a business. You need money to keep your doors open, and the more money somebody spends at your place of business, the more valuable they are to your success.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions to consider in order to increase customer spending per visit:

1. Build Loyalty (You can read other entries on how to gain loyal followers, but our focus with this entry is how to increase customer spending per visit.)

You’ve no doubt heard us bang the drum on the importance of loyalty. That’s no coincidence.

In today’s world of retail e-commerce competition is higher than ever. Interested shoppers can search online for what they’re after to find the best price and free shipping. You want them to keep coming back to YOU. You’ve already earned their trust. Now you have to build loyalty. Consider having them try out a new premium, high-priced item. Let them know they are part of an elite “membership” with exclusive access. Not only will this make them feel special and a valued part of your business (which they are), you will also establish the perfect control group to test this new product or service you’re about to debut. It’s also worth keeping in mind that loyal customers are far less sensitive to higher prices than infrequent or completely new customers.

2. Package Your Goods

“Would you like fries with that?” represents the quintessential package deal. Burger purveyors realized long ago the value of bundling their goods, which is why you would be hard pressed to find a fast food chain that didn’t offer some semblance of a value meal. Burger, fries and a drink may not be what you’re selling, but don’t overlook this tried-and-true mechanism of increasing your customer’s spending.

Some packages just make sense, plain and simple. If your business is in the hiking/backpacking trade, you probably sell your fair share of sleeping bags and tents. You also probably sell a considerable number of backpacks, water purifiers and hiking poles. Many of your customers are probably purchasing an item or two for a backpacking trip. Why not combine them and offer a slight discount on a bundle? If your customer buys a winter-rated sleeping bag, why not offer to throw in a set of hiking poles for 25% off? They may be in the market for the poles as well, and a small discount certainly won’t break your bank.

Another tactic to consider when it comes to bundling is to offer deep discounts on items that you’re struggling to move off the shelf. If you have an overflow of mosquito netting that you just can’t seem to offload, try offering it for 75% off with any purchase over a certain dollar amount. You may not be making as much (or any) money off the netting, but at least you’re reducing your inventory and making shelf space for something that will (hopefully) be a stronger seller.

3. Raise Prices
This is often seen as tremendously scary territory for small business owners – after all, consumers can be notoriously sensitive to increased prices and rightly so. But instead of viewing it as simply raising prices without cause, try and think about what kind of value and results you are providing, in addition to your goods and services. It may be wise to try and match your prices to be in line or under what your competition is offering. After all, don’t you feel your offerings are superior to theirs?

Test the waters with small increases – something as little as one to five percent on a basic or entry level item that you know to be popular. Give it a few months, then compare this data to your previous, lower price. Were customers disgruntled by the increase in price? Odds are, they were not, and with measurable data you’ll be able to see if the increase was worth it. Experiment with different prices for a reasonable amount of time and you’ll find that the market will dictate the pricing sweet spot for you.

Happy and comfortable customers spend more. Use that to your advantage.
In addition to some of the more straightforward tactics mentioned above,
there are a few seemingly non-traditional ones that are worth mentioning:

4. Follow Your Nose
If you run a bakery, cologne shop, or potpourri emporium, you can skip right over this – but for other small business owners, do not overlook the importance of a fragrant storefront. Studies by marketing services company DMX and the Smell and Taste Research Foundation have both shown that customers are not only more likely to make purchases in a pleasant-smelling environment, but are also willing to spend more money for the same item. The most popular fragrances to open up the ol’ wallet? Coconuts, flowers, and tropical gardens.

5. Let The Sunshine In
People tend to be happier in sunshine, and when people are in a better mood, they tend to spend more. A study conducted by the University of Alberta found strong empirical evidence that customers who shopped in an area with more natural light were more likely to make a purchase and spent more per visit – in some cases, as much as 56% more. Take advantage of sunny days and consider splurging on one-time upgrades such as skylights or additional windows.

6. Chill Out
According to a study conducted by Virginia and Houston universities, people spend less when they are hot. Whether we realize it or not, when we’re warmer (due to stress or weather), we are perceptibly less likely to make complex decisions (such as decide if something is a good deal or not) than we are when we’re cooler and generally more comfortable. So, when the hotter months roll around, don’t be a miser and try to skimp on the AC. Your higher utility bill may very well be offset by increased spending by your cool customers.

You can’t expect to convert all of your patrons into “high rollers”. Consider these tips as ways to turn somebody who typically purchases three items for $20 into someone who will regularly purchase four or five items for $25 or $30. It may not seem like much at the time, but it all adds up and more importantly, adds to your bottom line.

Here is one business we’ve worked with to go mobile. Watch this video about Denim Industries:

Interested in getting your own retail mobile app? Click here for a free demo.

November 29, 2018December 18, 2018

How Can a Mobile App Help My Business?

In my opinion, the top three things on every business owner’s mind are;

how to increase sales
how to improve efficiency, and
how to build a loyal customer base

Entrepreneurs are a special breed. They work hours that others baulk at, invest all of their resources into their vision, their dream, and are always looking for ways to improve.

I Did A Little Digging

Over the last two decades, I’ve owned several small clothing boutiques and had been looking to do all of the above. I did a lot of research into how I could increase sales and build a loyal client base. What I discovered was that businesses with a loyalty program generally outperformed businesses without one by 20%. That was the nugget I’d been digging for – Loyalty!

I knew I wanted to implement a loyalty program, but couldn’t find the right fit, and if I couldn’t find the right fit, I probably wasn’t alone. Fast forward 2 years and today, our company, Mass Mobile Apps, produces custom mobile apps to help business owners address the three issues mentioned at the beginning of this article.

How can a Mobile App help your business?

Let’s break it down…

1.Increase Sales

A Mobile App can include a variety of different types of loyalty programs. For example, all apps created in the Mass Mobile Apps platform can include 8 different types of rewards programs. Of the 8, the 3 most popular are:

the Transactional: the more you spend, the more you earn,
the Scratch and Win: which adds gamification to the app. Users love interacting with the apps this way, and
the Referral Rewards: which enables customers to earn rewards for referring new customers to your business.

Each one of these programs brings value to the business owner and incentivizes users to come back more often and spend more when they do.

2. Improve efficiency

Features like Integrated Shopping Carts, Integrated Food Ordering and Employee Scheduling give an employer the ability to house these key functions inside the app.

For example, a restaurant with a food ordering system built into their app will see a dramatic increase in online and in-app purchasing. A retail business with an integrated e-commerce system will increase efficiency and also boost sales.

All types of businesses will improve employee engagement with built-in scheduling software that allows employees to be notified of their schedules in real time, and to also always have access to it on their smartphones – no longer can they, “I forgot I was scheduled today”, or “no one told me I was working today.”

3. Loyalty

Lastly, building a loyal customer base, is one of the most important things that a business owner must focus on. Customers are the lifeblood of EVERY business. Successful business owners know this and make it a priority to build loyalty and create brand ambassadors.

There is no better way for a business to communicate and engage their customers than with a mobile app. The app gives your customers the ability to interact with your business on their schedule.

Push notifications have open rates in excess of 90%. Compare that to emails with open rates of 25-30% and you can see how the Mobile App will become the best way for you to connect with your customers and to reward them for referring new business. They may even help take you viral.

A Multi-Purpose Tool That is Both Accessible and Affordable

A Mobile App can be a lot of different things. It can be a way to access information, to play games, to do your banking, to monitor your home, to communicate and now, to interact with your local businesses. Business owners with the insight to adopt this marketing channel early, will have an easier time understanding where their customers are, and how to effectively engage with them.

The move to mobile is not new, but the ability for small and medium-sized businesses to adopt a marketing channel like this is. DIY Mobile App platforms can now offer an SME all of the features that a fortune 500 company has in their mobile strategy, at a fraction of the price.

Here is how we’ve helped one retailer go mobile. Watch this video about Denim Industries:

November 21, 2018April 17, 2019

The Mobile Revolution

The Mobile Revolution – what is it? Take a look at the device that is sure to be close by, the one you make calls with, play games with, do your banking with, take your pictures with, order food with, and almost everything else you need as well. Yes, your smartphone!

There were 1.5 BILLION smartphones sold in 2017 and sales have been on an upward trajectory since 2007 when the iPhone was launched.

Today there are two dominant forces in the mobile space – Apple that produces its own hardware and operating systems(O/S) and Android (owned by Google that produces some hardware but licensed its O/S to hundreds of Hardware Manufacturers over thousands of devices.

Android is the dominant force in the smartphone market, having an astounding 75% market share worldwide. In the USA and Canada, the split is more even sided with Apple holding a slight edge 54% market share.

The Evolution of the Revolution

It seems like the revolution is about Apple vs Android – but it’s actually not.

That may have been the case a few years ago, but today the mobile revolution is about mobile applications or apps. Smartphones out-paced traditional desktop and laptops in internet access in 2014, and with the improvements of hardware that has increased every year since. So, it only makes sense that today’s mobile revolution is about how we use our devices and the apps we use on them.

So why is now a good time to get into the mobile space?

Look back 20 years, imagine investing in a mobile phone company back then, and where would you be today if you had? I’ll tell you where you would be – on the beach in an exotic land checking in on your portfolio.

THE BIG SHIFT

Success is about timing – having the right product at the right time.

The time spent on mobile will soon outpace the time spent watching TV. Yes, that’s right, it was not a typo, according to E-marketer, “by 2019 mobile will be the new leader in time spent, with 3 hours, 43 minutes of engagement vs. TV’s 3 hours, 42 minutes.” The incredible amount of time people spend on mobile devices has caused a shift in the marketing landscape.

Business owners, advertisers and marketers have taken notice. All the big brands have invested heavily into the mobile space. Companies like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks have spent small fortunes on their mobile apps, with Starbucks coming in at $1,000,000 for theirs.

The most valuable screen space in the world is that of your customer’s smartphone, and thus being able to provide a vehicle to business owners to get a piece of that landscape is priceless.

The time is right, but how can you capitalize on the gold rush of our generation? Not many businesses can afford to spend $1 million dollars.

GET A PIECE OF THE ACTION

Good news: There has been a technological shift that now allows ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Partnering with a DIY Mobile App Building Platform you can license the software needed to produce a Custom Mobile App with no Coding expertise and at a fraction the cost of a Custom Development.

This gives you the ability to provide this tool to local small business owners across the country, at the same time building a substantial residual income.

There are only a handful of companies in the world that have developed the technology that allows users to establish their own mobile app companies, and it is important to select the right company.

WHAT MAKES MASS MOBILE APPS STAND OUT?

Mass Mobile Apps makes this opportunity available with key advantages over our competition, and we are recognized as a top App Design and Development Company on Design Rush.

We provide rich feature sets that allow you to build Custom applications that include robust software systems. For example, features like

Loyalty Programs
Appointment Bookings
Social Chat
Employee Scheduling
In App/Online Food Ordering

Our advantage comes in the way these features work – most platforms will have some versions of a loyalty program like a digital stamp card, where users can collect stamps on each purchase culminating with a reward at the end, i.e. buy 9 cups of coffee and get your 10th free.

Our platform houses eight separate types of loyalty programs, allowing businesses to choose the tech that works for them, rather than making their business fit the tech.

Mass Mobile Apps loyalty programs:

Transactional Tiered Rewards
Scratch and Win
Referral Rewards
Coupons
Spin to Win
VIP Rewards
Action Points
Digital Stamp Card

The unique flexibility and customization capabilities were born from the experience of the founders. We both had real-world sales experience and skills that informed the platform’s design. The primary goal was to provide the types of features that would provide real value to the business owners that purchase the apps. A sales first, rather than a coding first approach, if you will.

FROM THE OUTSET, OUR GOAL WAS NOT TO BUILD APPS BUT TO BUILD BUSINESSES

Our mission has always been to see our partners succeed, whether that’s the small business that buys an app, or our White Label Re-Seller Partners. To make that happen we not only provide not only the best app building platform but also industry leading sales training that will provide step by step instructions on developing your team and building your book of business.

The last few years has seen several hundred re-sellers and sales reps complete the detailed training, with more coming on board every day.

Now is the ideal time to join this unique marketplace set to explode in the coming years.

Learn more about the opportunity here.

November 15, 2018November 26, 2018

Looking For The Next Big Thing…

Co-Founder, Ken George shares his journey into how he got into the mobile app business.

WHEN APP-ORTUNITY KNOCKED…

Things weren’t going exactly how I’d planned in my work life and my construction job was starting to take a toll on my body. I needed a change. I started looking for the next big thing. There was a mobile revolution going on and I wanted in. I saw an opportunity to get involved by starting a company selling mobile apps to small businesses.

After doing some research, I decided that there would probably be a day when everyone would have a smartphone, even though I didn’t. I figured that if everyone had a smartphone, it would probably make sense for small businesses to engage their customers through mobile.

CRAZY OR DETERMINED?

I already had a business working 60 to 70 hours each week and was so busy I saw no opportunity to transition into a new business, had no smartphone myself and didn’t even know what a mobile app was. But I didn’t want to let those things stand in my way of making a change and no one ever said a change was going to be easy so I jumped in and tested the waters.

BABY STEPS : SMALL AND LOCAL

The first thing I did was to hire a motivated sales rep and set him up with a 50% commission split on all of the business that he generated. Right away we targeted a group of restaurants, retail and service businesses close to where he lived.

The very first business that he spoke to that had interest in expanding their reach was a restaurant but since they had just opened, the appointment was three weeks away. So he went across the street and spoke to the owner of a Bail Bonds Business.

He set an appointment to meet with them two days later. We made a free demo app so they could get a visual on what we had to offer.

After meeting with the owner, he not only made a sale of $1,500 and $100 per month but also determined that they were interested in getting an updated website as well… which we happily provided for an additional $3,000.

The only objection that they had was being concerned if we were local, in the event that they needed service. He assured them that he lived only 10 to 15 minutes away and after providing his personal cell phone number, they jumped at the opportunity to update their marketing efforts.

NO MORE APP-REHENSION

$4,500 was a pretty good start and cemented my intentions to make a business change, even though I had no time. So I hired 10 more commission sales people and provided them with opportunity, motivation, and support and before long, we had combined to sell a couple hundred small businesses from many different industries.

In the first two years, we sold 200 apps with an average price of $1,500 and $100 per month. But that was just the beginning. During that time we spun our successful reps off into their own businesses and made an override on that business in addition to our own efforts. We started selling apps and before long, we were selling apps, advertising, websites, training, app/demo builds, websites, earning design and publishing fees and more.

We created a passive residual income stream that allowed me to pull back on what I had been doing previously and transition into a brand new ballgame which allowed me greater control over my time, energy and ability to be more present in my family life.

NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

The best thing about this mobile app industry is that an ordinary guy could get involved and make extraordinary things happen without having any tech knowledge or skills.

Five years later, that assessment hasn’t changed very much and here I am, a White Label Reseller providing mobile apps to small businesses and organizations alike.

HELP SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

The most surprising part of this journey has been discovering that even though business owners may be experts on running their business, they still need outside consultants to educate and direct them on areas outside of their daily pursuits like mobile marketing. I have been happy and rewarded handsomely to help to fill that void.

Learn more about the opportunity here.

April 12, 2018April 21, 2018

The Cost of Mobile Apps for Small Businesses

Small businesses owners looking for a mobile app platform may be scared off implementing one by the perceived large capital costs involved.

I have some valuable insight on the topic from two perspectives, 1) I was a small business owner looking for a mobile app solution for my retail stores a few years ago, 2) Not finding a solution, I created my own platform that caters to small business owners.

My background is retail, I have owned and operated retail boutiques for the better part of 25 years, so I understand clearly the predicament small business owners face when looking to adopt a mobile app solution.

Let me start off by saying that for business owners today no mater how big or how small, it is imperative that they implement a mobile strategy. Aside from the many intrinsic benefits that mobile apps provide, like push notifications, food ordering systems, integration of all digital assets, and loyalty programs, they also provide ancillary benefits, like helping rank your business higher on google searches.

The goal of every business owners marketing efforts is to get their message, (whether it is a sales promotion, new arrivals, special event, or general updates) seen by their own customers, and to know that their messages are being seen. Look at the available marketing mediums that are available to businesses today:

Radio
TV
Print
Flyers
Paid Web
Email
Organic/Word of Mouth

The mobile app will over time become the best and most effective way to communicate with your customers, boost engagement and drive sales! Technology today enables a business owner to design build and publish a mobile app, for less then it would cost them to build a website. The Mobile App will be for businesses today and moving forward, what the website was for businesses in the past.

The other unique perspective I have is that of the founder of a tech start up catering to the small business market. We have built a platform from the perspective of a user and that perspective gives us the ability to understand the needs of our clients and how they will use our platform daily.

With the introduction of the IPhone, and the dominance of smart phones today as the primary method of accessing the internet for a majority of the population – it is imperative for businesses to adopt a mobile first marketing strategy moving forward. Cost should no longer be an obstacle for small businesses in finding a mobile app platform.

January 11, 2018February 25, 2018

Apple’s Update to Guideline 4.2.6 and what it means going forward.

Being a Mobile App Developer in 2018 and Beyond.

As you are likely now aware, Apple has amended its 4.2.6 guideline so that Mobile App Generating systems are able to publish apps and get them approved. We at Mass Mobile Apps have had detailed conversations with our Apple Rep, and have a clear understanding of what its going to take to get an App approved.

Every App will need to have its own Developer Account – While this may be a little inconvenient – it is far better than not being able to publish apps at all. Please check out our Complete Guide to Setting up an Apple Developer Account
Apple is still looking at diversity in design, and a good user experience – So being able to make beautiful apps with great functionality is just as important today, as it was when Apple first released their 4.2.6 guidelines. We have taken great strides in providing our re-seller partners the most flexibility in design and app creation.
Core Functionality – Apple wants to make sure that apps have a good user experience, and that an app is more than just a bunch of website tabs. If you are building an app that has little to no functionality, you will have a hard time getting your apps approved.

Apple has always wanted to ensure that the user experience with its customers are second to none. With the updated App Store, and now the continued ability for App Building services to be able to serve Small Business Owners, Apple is ensuring that it stays competitive in the rapidly evolving Mobile Landscape.

The team at Mass Mobile Apps, continues to look at providing a platform that is productive for both Re-Sellers and Merchants alike. We are positioning our platform to be an industry leader and the Best Mobile Solution for providers and end users alike.

To find out more about Mass Mobile Apps please contact us at info@massmobileapps.com.

July 28, 2017

Why Small Business Apps are HOT!

Restaurant, Salon, Clothing Boutique or Shoe Store, every small business should have an app! It’s EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE, easy to manage and a must have in today’s Mobile First World!

Why do SMEs need mobile apps? That is no longer the question, rather How can a Small Business survive without one?

ALL Your customers use mobile apps

The three most important trends today? Mobile, mobile and mobile. People almost exclusively use their smartphone to purchase, pay, play, work, learn and communicate. Consumers have switched from desktop to mobile and from browsers to apps. So whether you’re a hotel, restaurant or boutique, your customer prefers mobile.

The average American already spends more than two hours a day on a mobile device and the majority prefers mobile apps over websites. 86% of mobile time goes to apps and only 14% to the browser.
In Sweden apps have become the preferred shopping channel of mobile buyers (41% app, 36% browser). Source Statista.com

More potential for customer loyalty

Mobile apps have more potential for SMEs when it comes to marketing and customer loyalty and, therefore, are a good way to increase revenue.

How do apps increase loyalty and revenue?

The company’s logo or app icon is clearly visible on the smartphone screen so you are only one tap away from interaction and user engagement.

SMBs with mobile apps don’t wait for visitors to come to their website; they interact with their users. Does a website see it when an app user is in the neighborhood? Can a website send that user a Geo based push message with a special offer? Apps can. With an app you can send anyone in a specific area a message that you have a special sales afternoon. Or you could offer guests a free coffee if they stops by in your shop. See how to send geo based push messages

Apps also house all of the company’s digital assets like, social media, website, blog and website in one place, beautifully curated in the corporate style, without the competition of other Facebook posts or tweets. You’ll get maximum attention.

Any company, from hairdresser to Cafe to a Retail Boutique can have an in-app customer loyalty card with an attractive savings program. There is no need for separate cards or stamps. All app owners can craft a Loyalty Program within minutes. Your app is a great way to get your customers coming back more often and spending more when they do. Studies have proven that it is easier and cheaper to retain a customer than it is to acquire a new one.

For companies, it is an extension of your brand, that will give you instant credibility with your clients. With a Mass Mobile Apps app you get a professional presence in both app stores, a special app promotion video for your website and your app will help you rank higher on Google’s search engine.

E-commerce becomes M-commerce

M-Commerce will soon out pace E-Commerce, and it would be a wise decision to have your business ready sooner, rather than later. Our Shopping cart, also lets you setup a complete M-Commerce tool directly in your app, or if you already have an existing e-com site, than it can be directly integrated into your app.

Why do people prefer apps?

Simply put a native mobile app is specifically designed for your mobile device. Even the best responsive websites are hard to read and navigate on a smart phone. A Mobile App is today and tomorrow, and Mobile Website is so yesterday.

May 16, 2017

5 Tips on Creating a Push Notifications

Studies have proven that push notifications can be the ultimate user engagement tool. According to multiple sources, 98% of push notifications are read, as opposed to 15-25% for email-based campaigns.

Push notifications allow App Merchants to reach their customers outside of the in-store experience. If your messages are crafted correctly, it can create real value and promote an almost viral level of the sharing of your content.

Frequency of your messages.

The first rule of push notification marketing – don’t overdo it. Especially if you’re sending push notifications for advertising or promotional purposes: less is usually more. Ask yourself: “Would I be annoyed by the volume of messages I’ve been receiving from this app?” If the answer is yes, or even maybe, you may want to consider spacing them out.

Schedule your push notifications.

How would you like to be woken up in the middle of the night by a vibrating cell phone, flashy lights and a push message saying you have a $5 discount on your next purchase if you invite a friend? Knowing your target market allows you to send messages during reasonable hours when engagement is usually at its highest. Anything between 10 AM and 6 PM is recommended. Send anything outside the recommended period, and you risk missing the user’s attention or annoying them.

Encourage engagement whenever you can.

A relevant message is great, but it’s even better to create a discussion or an interaction within the app which leads to sharing and other benefits. Using your in-app social network, you can drive users towards engagement. For example, start a photo-based contest, such as “post a picture of X” – or reward users for the best response to a posted question.

Offer exclusive discounts or deals.

Who isn’t looking for a good deal? Use push notifications to send out ‘What’s new’ and ‘Today only’ deals. You might also think about using push notifications to inform users about discounts on products you offer, and you can create exclusive app only offers, which shows the value in joining.

Event reminders and announcements.

Is the big game today? What time does the DJ start at the club tonight? Will there be a change in store hours over the holidays? Friendly reminders in form of push notifications take only moments to set up, but might save your users minutes or hours of ‘search time’. Minimize possible frustration caused by last minute changes and increase brand loyalty by making sure your users have all the latest information at hand.

By optimizing your messages to increase app open and conversion rates you’re not just improving app retention, but you’re also setting yourself up to increase customer lifetime value.

And if you haven’t used push notifications in your app yet, we challenge you to get one out in the coming week. Push notifications are free to use within the Mass Mobile Apps platform and it takes 30 seconds to send them to every one of your customers. Today an Mobile Loyalty App is a necessity for any business looking to grow or maintain its customer base, and the Push notification is the most effective way to reach that base.

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