“There’s an app for that!” We’ve all heard the phrase, and it’s most likely true. There usually is an app to do whatever you’re imagining, even the strangest thing, such as (virtually) counting $1 million in the bill denomination of your choosing.
Because of the infinite number of apps out there, many business owners think they need one to keep up with customers or to engage in new markets.
But is that true? Do you really need an app?
To answer that question, we need to think about how an app differs from a website and the pros and cons of each platform:
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
This final app con deserves more than a bullet: Download does not mean usage.
I have tons of apps on my phone — you probably do too — and find myself scrolling through the list wondering, “Why did I download that?!” A large number of my downloads get used once, then never again.
And it’s not just me! The average person uses around ten apps a day.
Compare that to the number of options available in the Apple Store (almost 2 million) and we’ve got a problem. Spending money to develop an app for your business that someone will only use once can be costly.
None of this is to say that apps are a fruitless endeavor, but is very much to say that you should think long and hard before diving into development. The bottom line is, an app is only necessary if it will provide your customer with something worthwhile that your website cannot.
For most businesses, your online presence needs to tell people who you are, what you do, how to contact you and (possibly) provide a space to purchase your goods. A website can do all of that and more!
So, the bottom line is probably no, you don’t need an app. Your funds would be better spent improving your website and investing in Google Ads and digital marketing once your website is the best it can be.
Contact us with your web marketing ideas today — we’ll help you figure out the right move.