Unleashing the Power of Flutter

Photo by Artur Shamsutdinov on Unsplash

Introduction:

In the dynamic world of app development, choosing the right framework can be a game-changer. Flutter, a UI toolkit developed by Google, has been making waves in the industry for its versatility and efficiency. With its unique features and robust capabilities, Flutter has become a preferred choice for developers aiming to create cross-platform applications. In this blog, we’ll explore the numerous benefits that come with using Flutter for app development.

1. Cross-Platform Development:

One of the primary advantages of Flutter is its ability to facilitate cross-platform development. With a single codebase, developers can create apps that run seamlessly on both Android and iOS platforms. This not only streamlines the development process but also reduces the time and effort required to maintain two separate codebases. The hot reload feature further accelerates development, allowing developers to see instant changes and improvements in real-time.

2. Expressive and Beautiful UI:

Flutter provides a rich set of pre-designed widgets that enable developers to build expressive and visually appealing user interfaces. The framework allows for complete customization, giving developers the freedom to create unique and engaging designs. The “widget” system in Flutter simplifies the creation and arrangement of UI elements, resulting in a more intuitive and efficient development experience.

3. Fast Development Cycle:

Flutter’s hot reload feature deserves a special mention for its impact on the development cycle. With hot reload, developers can instantly see the effects of code changes, making the debugging and testing process quicker and more efficient. This real-time feedback loop enhances collaboration among team members and fosters a more iterative and agile development approach.

4. Consistent Performance:

Flutter leverages a compiled programming language called Dart, which allows it to achieve native performance levels. Unlike some other cross-platform frameworks that rely on web views, Flutter renders its own UI directly on the device, ensuring a consistent and smooth performance across different platforms. This results in faster app startup times, reduced lag, and an overall enhanced user experience.

5. Large and Active Community:

Flutter has gained significant traction within the developer community, leading to a vibrant ecosystem of resources, documentation, and third-party packages. The extensive support from Google and the open-source community ensures that developers have access to a wealth of knowledge, making problem-solving and learning more accessible. Additionally, the constant updates and improvements from the community contribute to the framework’s overall robustness.

6. Cost-Effective Development:

The cross-platform nature of Flutter translates into cost savings for businesses. Instead of maintaining separate development teams for Android and iOS, companies can invest in a single team proficient in Flutter, reducing development costs and timelines. The efficiency of the development process, coupled with the ability to reuse code, contributes to a more cost-effective app development lifecycle.

Conclusion:

Flutter has emerged as a powerful and efficient framework for app development, offering a myriad of benefits to developers and businesses alike. From cross-platform compatibility and expressive UI to a fast development cycle and cost-effectiveness, Flutter is changing the landscape of mobile app development. As the framework continues to evolve and gain popularity, it is clear that Flutter is here to stay, providing a robust and modern solution for creating high-quality, visually appealing, and performant applications. I Sawan Narendra Aware, Have 7 years of experience in flutter app development and I can help you build a beautiful flutter app.

By — Sawan Narendra Aware

Technology Enthusiast and Developer

7 Reasons to Develop a Mobile App for Your Salon

Are you struggling to fill the appointment book at your beauty salon? The solution is right at your fingertips – literally! Introducing the power of a salon app built on the Mass Mobile Apps platform, the ultimate tool for crafting cutting-edge applications that elevate your business to new heights.

In today’s fast-paced world, having a mobile app is not just a trend; it’s a strategic move that can transform your salon business. The Mass Mobile Apps platform makes it easy for beauty salon owners like you to create a personalized and user-friendly app that caters to the dynamic needs of your clientele.

Why You Should Embrace the Salon App Revolution:

  1. Boost Brand Recognition: With your salon app, you become more than just a business – you become a recognizable brand. Enhance your visibility, attract a broader audience, and establish a direct line of communication with your customers. Send customized push notifications to make them feel valued and ensure your services stay top-of-mind.
  2. Gain a Competitive Edge: Stand out in the crowded market of beauty salons by embracing technology. While many competitors may not have a salon app, you can gain a competitive edge by partnering with Mass Mobile Apps. Provide your users with a seamless and friendly app experience, showcasing professionalism that sets you apart from the rest.
  3. Eliminate Queues: Say goodbye to long queues and telephonic hassles. Your clients can effortlessly check available slots and book appointments at their convenience through your salon app. This not only saves time for your clients but also streamlines your scheduling process, ensuring a smoother operation.
  4. Facilitate Easy Payments: In an increasingly cashless society, your salon app becomes the gateway to hassle-free transactions. Integrate popular mobile payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, allowing users to make quick and secure cashless payments. Say goodbye to the inconvenience of carrying cash.
  5. Showcase Your Services: Your app becomes a virtual showcase of all the services your salon offers. From last-minute emergencies to planned beauty sessions, users can quickly browse through your service bundles, prices, and even catch a glimpse of client testimonials. Make it easy for users to choose your salon for their beauty needs.
  6. Loyalty & Reward Programs: Everyone loves a good deal! Use your salon app to effortlessly roll out loyalty and reward programs. Personalize coupons, update offers, and showcase enticing discounts to keep your customers engaged and loyal. It’s a surefire way to boost sales and recoup your salon app development costs.
  7. House All of Your Digital Asset: Your salon app becomes a powerful marketing tool. Promote your business on various social media channels, online forums, and other platforms and embed all of those chanels inside your app. Let your customers become brand advocates by promoting your app on their social media platforms.

Conclusion: In a digital age where connectivity is key, investing in a dedicated salon app is not just a choice; it’s a necessity. The Mass Mobile Apps platform empowers you to take your beauty salon into the digital era with a feature-rich app. Don’t just keep up with the times – stay ahead and watch your business flourish. Partner with a reliable development company to unlock the full potential of your salon app, combining basic and advanced functionalities for a truly exceptional experience. Elevate your salon, connect with your customers effortlessly, and embrace the future of beauty business with Mass Mobile Apps!

Staying Connected With Customers

In today’s COVID-19 world, where businesses are closed and social distancing is the new normal how do you as a Business Owner stay connected to your customers? Any and every way you can… I have received emails from most of the companies I deal with telling me about the measures they are taking to combat the virus and after a few of those I have begun deleting and moving on without reading the rest.

That’s where having a channel that a Business Owner can use to get their messages out and know they are being seen is CRUCIAL! Its not so much about now, but about after this blows over (and it will blow over) that your customers will need to know that you are back and how you will be conducting business moving forward.

The main stream media is doing a great job at keeping people informed on the general conditions and closures that we are all having to deal with now, so letting your customers know that you are closed is not a necessity. What is important is staying in touch with your base during this time with positive content and information about your business and when the time comes that we can get back to some type of normalcy to let them know when you will be back.

With this down time, its the perfect time to get your business setup with the channels of communication your customers are used to using and there is no better channel than Mobile. The team at Mass Mobile Apps have the ability to set you up with a custom mobile app that will allow you to connect with customers via 1)Push Notifications 2)Email and 3)SMS/Text Messaging. All 3 channels are directly integrated into our system and will give you 3 x the advantage of just using 1.

Connect with our team to get you setup and connected with your customers, we understand that your revenues are down so we are offering low cost options to get you setup.

There is no point in panicking over things you cannot control, get ready and be ready for the moment when you are back in business!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

 

5 Tips on Creating a Push Notifications

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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.


2Frequency 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.

3Schedule 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.

4Encourage 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.

5Offer 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.

6Event 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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8 Reasons Why Loyalty Programs Are Imperative For Marketers

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by: Steve Olenski

Companies throughout the nation are now utilizing loyalty programs more often than ever before. These organizations understand the importance of retaining existing customers and choose to implement a system directed specifically at building customer loyalty.

What exactly is a loyalty program, then? While the specifics of each program may differ, the premise remains the same: a loyalty program is a marketing system instituted by a business that rewards purchasing behavior, thus increasing the customer’s urge to stay loyal to the company. A loyalty program may offer convenience, store credit, prizes, or any other benefit that would entice the loyalty of a customer.

Of course, like all other marketing efforts, a well-crafted loyalty program requires resources that may currently be allocated towards other endeavors. If you have not yet implemented a loyalty program in your marketing strategy, or are unsure about its efficacy, consider the following eight reasons why a loyalty program may be a worthwhile option for you.

1. It Has Been Proven to Boost Growth

Of course, each type of loyalty program may yield wildly different results, but as a marketer, you should never overlook the fact that loyalty programs have been tested time and time again, and have proven to be successful in numerous industries.

In fact, the “growth hacker” movement, a recent collection of marketing gurus and regular business owners whose sole aim is the growth of the company, began by using loyalty programs as their traditional model to expand a company. These individuals allocated all of their energy towards growing their business, and saw customer loyalty as one of the easiest ways to ensure this outcome.

2. Loyalty Programs Are Not As Expensive As You May Think

When some marketers think of loyalty programs, they begin to imagine a large portion of existing resources being funneled away into a program that may or may not see success.

In reality, however, pursuing new customers is the true cost burden; a February 2013 article in Forbes asserts that keeping an existing customer is 7 times less expensive than acquiring a new one. Thus, even the resources you utilize in a loyalty program will most likely pale in comparison to the expense of finding new buyers.

Furthermore, depending on the scope of your rewards program, the slight expenses you incur by instituting a loyalty rewards program may be overshadowed by the additional business generated as a result.

3. Boost Your Reputation

Loyalty programs serve a dual function: to incentivize new clients to stick around after purchasing your goods and services, and to ensure that existing loyal clients still feel as if they are valued by your operation.

Of course, by instituting a loyalty program, you not only improve customer appreciation of your business, but you also increase the chances that existing clients will share this joy with those close to them. The more a customer feels appreciated by a business, the more he or she is likely to support that company and recommend it to others. This, in turn, carries on in a word-of-mouth cyclical nature that continues to achieve growth for your business.

4. Increase Sales By Including Enticing Awards

Marketers and business owners enjoy loyalty programs because they have the ability to improve customer retention for a specific operation. Customers appreciate loyalty programs, however, because they often provide added incentives for making a purchase, with the rewards increasing linearly (or even exponentially) with more purchases, or depending on the size or scope of the item purchased.

Because of this, using a loyalty rewards program in your marketing strategy will help provide you with access to a bigger portion of your customers’ wallets.

This will only occur, though, if the rewards you offer are in tune with the wants and needs of the customers who frequent your business. It is important to point out that not all loyalty rewards programs are the same, and only one that is executed skillfully will have the desired effect.

Your rewards program could entice customers to purchase more at a given time, but only if the incentives you give out are worth it.

5.  It Provides Vital Market Research

According to Troy Ireland, CEO of the SEO agency Digital Current:

Understanding the purchasing behavior of a specific demographic is one of the most important sets of research data available to marketers. To develop a strategic plan to present your products in a way that produces the most optimal buying behavior, one needs to understand what the target audience avoids as much as what triggers them to spend their money.

By offering a loyalty rewards program, you are conducting a form of research that will provide you with similar information about your customers. Through trial and error, you will begin to see the sort of incentives that fuel the desire of your clients, and the rewards that don’t elicit the same results.

This allows you to hone in on specific rewards that are most appreciated. Using this information, you can also attach the most sought after rewards to specific products that you are most interested in sharing with your clients.

6. It Makes Customers Happy

Sure, the benefits you offer in your loyalty rewards program may not have any effect on the goods or services that you offer your customers each and every day. That being said, your initiative of providing additional rewards for your most loyal customers sets your business apart from other, non-participating companies.

By implementing a loyalty rewards program, you are sending a message to your current and future client base that you are interested in not only making money off of purchases, but also in a relationship with customers that is mutually beneficial. You sell goods and services, although you attach benefits solely for the benefit of the customer.

This act of goodwill will improve the overall outlook of your customers, which will ultimately have a positive impact on your business.

7. You Can Provide In-Store Or Digital Rewards (Or Both)

One of the most beneficial parts of loyalty rewards systems, for both the customers and the business owners, is that, depending on the tactics, the rewards can be applied to purchases made online, in person, or both. This provides you with the chance to offer a robust set of rewards for a broader array of clients.

If you have noticed that most of your sales are to those who shop on the Internet, enhance your online rewards system; conversely, if most of your business is conducted in person, an in-store program may be best suited for you.

Fortunately, according to Retail Expert Francesca Nicasio of VendHQ, “you have the option to take your pick, depending on the needs of your operation and the setup of your merchant processor.”

8. Once It Gets Started, It Stops Being Work

In reality, setting up a rewards system may take some real effort on your part. It requires initial research regarding the preferences of your customers, as well as the scheme that you would like to implement going forward.

That being said, once you have a rewards program set up, it effectively becomes a self-sustaining machine, due to its cyclical nature: the more a client purchases, the more rewards he or she receives, thus inspiring him or her to continue purchasing.

Continuously updating the rewards will keep your customers engaged, but the work it takes to perform this will be overshadowed by the growth your company experiences.

Why It Is Time For You To Set Up A Loyalty Program

It’s no secret anymore that loyalty programs are effective marketing tools. They increase growth, help retain customers, and improve your brand’s reputation. And if you haven’t yet weaved a loyalty program into your marketing strategy, you may be missing out on one of the best and easiest tools available for the success of your business.

5 Holiday Social Media Ideas That’ll Keep Your Registers Ringing

by Lisa Furgison
4 Holiday Social Media Ideas That'll Keep Your Registers Ringing

As business owners, you don’t have elves to help you prepare for the holidays, but you do have social media.

Social media is a powerful marketing tool during the holidays. A survey shows 50 percent of customers use social media to find deals, and others use it to research gift ideas and learn about a specific company, according to Statista.

To help businesses use social media to increase brand awareness and give sales a boost, here are four holiday ideas you can use on your social channels this season:

1. Create an Offer on Facebook

Savvy shoppers are always on the hunt for a great deal.

Ninety-four percent of holiday consumers say discounts impact their purchase decisions, according to Invesp, so why not give customers what they want? Give them a deal they can’t refuse on a platform they’re already familiar with.

Facebook allows brands to create Offers, which are basically coupons for your customers. You can create a coupon that’s redeemable in your store, so customers can present the coupon on their phone at the register, or enter a coupon code during checkout online.

The Offer is shared with your Facebook fans, but once a customer redeems it, it’s mentioned in the customer’s News feed, so it exposes even more people to your deal.

Customers can even save the deal for later, and will receive notifications from Facebook when the deal is about to expire.

Here’s an example of an Offer from Camping and Fishing Outlet:

4 Holiday Social Media Ideas That'll Keep Your Registers Ringing

The cost of a Facebook Offer depends on how many people you want it to reach. You’ll see budget options when you create the offer. Here are the instructions to create an Offer on Facebook, and here’s a list of frequently asked questions about Facebook Offers.

2. Host a holiday contest

Seven out of ten brands are using “gamification techniques,” which is the use of giveaways, games and contests to attract and retain customers, according to HubSpot.

Why are more businesses turning to contests and games? For starters, consumers love them, with 68 percent of adults older than 18 participating in online games.

Plus, it’s fairly simple to host a contest these days on social media.

Local businesses could encourage customers to take pictures of the holiday lights in their community. From decked-out homes to businesses lit up with a Santa’s Workshop display, customers can snap artsy photos and submit them on your Facebook page for a chance to enter an in-store gift card.

Or, have customers submit a short 100-word essay about how your product or service enhances their holiday. Select the best answer, announce the winner on Facebook and give the customer a rare coupon for 50% off one item.

If you don’t have the manpower to create and monitor a contest on social media, there are apps that can help. Try WooBox or Wishpond. (Note: Both WooBox and Wishpond charge a monthly fee for their services, but WooBox does have a few options available for free.)

3. Shoot and share a holiday video tip

Consider shooting a video that gives your customers a holiday tip, which just so happens to promote one of your products.

Videos are highly shareable, and Facebook fans seem to consume them at a high rate. Eight billion videos are viewed through Facebook each day, according to Social Media Today.

Need some video ideas? If you sell coffee and tea, create a video that shows customers how to brew your freshly ground beans for a large group. If you sell cosmetics, shoot a video that offers holiday makeup tips for people going to their company get-together. If you offer heating repair services, create a video that offers heat-related safety tips for the holidays, like how far to keep a tree from a fireplace.

Pit Barrel Cooker Co. shot and shared a video explaining how to cook the perfect holiday turkey. Here’s a look at the video from the company’s Facebook page, which received 254,000+ views:

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPitBarrelCookerCo%2Fvideos%2F1123242144427543%2F&show_text=0&width=560

4. Create and share a holiday eCard

Small businesses often go the extra mile to create personal relationships with customers. During the holidays, it’s nice to reach out to your customers and thank them for their patronage.

You can send traditional holiday cards in the mail, or you can take a few minutes to create an ecard that you can share on your social channels.

You can use do-it-yourself websites to create animated cards that are highly shareable. If you want to create a traditional digital card, try a site like Punchbowl. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, try a site like JibJab. This site allows you to upload pictures of yourself and your employees, and puts your faces on dancing elves or a singing Santa dancing to Gangnam Style.

5. Use Your Mobile App for In App Only Promotions

Tis the Season for Giving, so use your Mobile App to promote App Only offers. This will increase customer engagement and drive more app downloads, as you make your App feel more like an Exclusive Club, where only members receive the perks!

Additionally why not update your Mobile Apps look to reflect the season.  With the Mass Mobile Apps platform, you can easily update the look & feel of your app which will can keep your message across all channels uniform.

How will you use social media to market your business or product during the holiday season? Share your plans in the comment section below.