Have you tried loading up a company’s website on your smartphone or tablet, only to find that the layout of the site isn’t compatible with your device? Sure, the text might show up, but it’s cut-off or overlapping; completely disabling the site. Or, worse, the site appears to work well but crashes when you try to make a purchase! Thankfully apps are stepping into the gap to make sure smartphone and table users have the best possible user experience. Is your company ready to make the transition to an app-based sales strategy?

Will an app help your business?

One of the worst mistakes a brand can make is launching a useless app. Bad app reviews will bruise your brand as customers take to their keyboards to deride the useless app taking up space on their device. So, how can you decide if an app will help your business?

First, sit down with a reputable workflow management company to find out how much it’ll cost to create a quality business management  that will add value to your customer’s experience. If your website is fully functional on Android, Apple, Windows and Blackberry smartphones / tablets, then an app might not be necessary.

Will an app be able to accomplish everything your customers are looking to do when they visit your website? If not, then you may be leaving customers disappointed when they’re forced to use their computer instead of the app on their phone to complete their interaction.

What are the things you should look for in an app?

An app needs to add value. It can’t just be a trimmed down version of your website. The branding should cross over from your site, but the functionality should be streamlined and mobile friendly. Your customers are using increasingly tiny screens to interact with your company. Don’t overwhelm them with useless information or features.

Instead, focus on simplicity and reliability. Yes, this is a tall order when you’re trying to develop an app that does everything your clients could possibly want to do with your website, but creating an easy to use app that’s effective at servicing your customers will pay huge dividends in the long-run.

An app should supplement your customer’s normal shopping activity. For example, if you run a brick and mortar store, then having an app that can act as a digital loyalty card can be a huge win. Recognizing when a customer comes into the store, and prompting them with sales offers that are tailored to their previous shopping history is an excellent way to improve their experience and your bottom-line.

What platforms should your app run on?

Modern apps should ideally run on the most popular smartphone and tablet platforms. According to a variety of studies, Apple users purchase more than Android users, so if you’re on a budget, iOS may be a great place to get the ball rolling. But don’t forget that Android is growing rapidly, so ignore the market at your peril.