Should I Get a Mobile App or Mobile Website?

You own a business and you know you need to be on everyone’s mobile device. So, should you get a mobile optimized website or a mobile app? Let’s take a look and see.

Recent mobile app news made headlines. A German mobile analytics company, Adeven, stated that 60% of mobile apps never get downloaded and they say this is because of the enormous amount of apps in the App Store. What this means is that big businesses and companies in the business of creating specialty mobile app are winning the mobile app race. Big app businesses are spending thousands of dollars to get their mobile apps built and millions to get their mobile apps onto the top 25 list in the App store.

At first thought, small businesses may think they haven’t a chance, but this is just not so. Small businesses are not competing with other businesses, big nor small. They are not competing with anyone but themselves. In other words, when businesses get an app, they are NOT hoping to be discovered in the mobile app store. This is not how they make their money and gain fans. They invest in a custom mobile app and they market their app to their existing and future customers so these consumers keep coming back. It’s not about being seen in the App store. It’s about directing businesses TO the App store so that your customers download your app, use your app, and use YOU! This is how businesses gain fans, loyalty, and more businesses. But, read more about how to leverage mobile sites here.

So, the question remains: do you get a mobile app or a mobile optimized website? Which is best for your company?

No matter what, getting yourself a mobile friendly website should be a priority. Developing a mobile presence for your company is essential because your consumers are present on mobile…VERY present. If they look for you on their mobile device and you have an unfriendly mobile site, your consumers will most likely exit and look for your competitor.

Mobile friendly websites are easily accessible on mobile searches, and so easy to use once your customers find you on their mobile searches. Everything that is important to them on a standard website will be optimized for your mobile site. And, yes, customers can purchase your products/services through your mobile optimized website via an eCommerce tab. Easy! Everything you update on your standard website, by the way, gets immediately updated on your mobile friendly site. Let’s say your client is on his smartphone and types in your website address (the one you have always had), they will automatically get redirected to the mobile version for ease of use and always have the option to click into your standard website.

So, should you get a mobile optimized website? YES, so that you can get new customers who are searching for businesses in your industry, get your existing customers to find you on mobile, and to keep them all coming back because your site is so easy to use and provides value.

But, should you get a mobile app? YES, so that you can get your existing customers to remain loyal through app rewards, loyalty coupons, more push notifications, and even more. In fact, we set up your mobile optimized websites so that when consumers find your website on their mobile device, they will immediately be asked to download your app….a perfect way to snag a new customer and keep your remaining customers loyal. Read here for more information on how mobile apps elevate your business.

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Here is some mobile app info to check out.

Here are some mobile optimized website examples to check out.

Here is some more info on mobile apps and websites. Good stuff, we promise.

With Love and Mobile Exposure,

The App Chicks