Mobile apps play a very significant role in the smartphone technology. Currently, operating a smartphone without mobile apps is almost quite impossible. Many businesses are also shifting focus to capture the vast market category that spends most of their time on apps when operating their smartphones. Based on this, businesses that embrace the use of mobile apps are poised to succeed.
The author of this article has brought out the information in a simple and clear language. He is widely knowledgeable on the positive impact that mobile apps have on business. The article is quite compelling to a reader and very convincing. In the current business landscape, online presence alone is insufficient. Businesses need to move their online presence from the web to mobile devices to reach out to many customers.
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Mobile apps as at now are an essential marketing tool. They communicate directly with consumers. According to a survey conducted in the USA, nearly three-quarter of Americans check their mobile phones at least once in every hour. They dedicate a more significant percentage of the time they spend on phones on mobile apps. Another research established that Americans spend much more of their time on phones rather than on television (Shane, 2018).
The tendency of most consumers to spend a lot of time on their mobile phones necessitates the entry of businesses into the apps' space. The phone comes in as a handy solution for many problems since it is very convenient. Mobile apps are crucial as marketing tools in that they increase engagement and interaction with customers, allow various online transactions to take place and also send advertising messages to their users (Harrison, & Hair, 2017). Mobile apps are also vital in displaying business icons that help build company brands. Customers can easily identify a company’s products due to the visual design of the app.
However, the problem with small businesses is that they tend to ignore the use of mobile apps on the argument that apps are quite expensive. The idea of having to upload their apps to platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows puts them off even before they start. Most of the small businesses also lack the expertise needed to build the apps on their own.
That should not be the case as there are companies to help the small businesses come up with apps to help promote their businesses. These companies also help to test the apps for any bug that may cause dysfunction to the app. These companies have come up with these kinds of solutions at a lower cost that is affordable for these businesses. Companies should, therefore, take advantage of the opportunity given so that they can build their brand and even speed up their sales by attracting new clients.
The article has gained so much support from another article which also agrees strongly that companies need mobile apps. Customers and employees alike require so much information. And with the rising use of mobile phones, apps tend to dominate the digital space of interaction. The mobile apps usage directs customers' moves and decisions. They inform clients where to go for something and how to get there. That is why it is appropriate for on-the-go. Mobile apps give a good impression of a business. On top of that, they offer customers a chance to see items and purchase them comfortably (Grewal, Roggeveen, & Nordfält, 2017).
Through an app, a business can build up a database with its clients’ information, market its goods and services directly, engage with clients and be able to share a lot of information about its products (Elberzhager, & Holl, 2017). One of the most significant contributions of apps to a business is the ability it gives it to be able to outdo its competitors. A business that has embraced the use of apps stands a better chance of success compared to competitors in the same category that lack an online mobile presence.
Counterarguments on the article are that while business apps are arguably the way to go for businesses, they pose great risks to businesses as well. Many companies may be quick to put up the app in place but may not put into consideration the security of the apps. Businesses may run apps with weak servers. A vulnerable server can easily get exploited by hackers. The hackers can then tamper with the app information. A business can secure itself from such kind of risk by hiring security experts specialized in protecting servers and running apps. At the same time, a business should scan its app to ensure that it is free of any errors or to be able to detect any threat (Loon, & Kumar, 2018) .
Unauthorized individuals may also gain access to the app. This access is possible if there is inadequate authentication on the server when it is offline. So the business should ensure that it limits the individuals that can be able to log in plus ensure that it encrypts all the data it has on the app when offline. The problem is that some app developers come up with new apps with an advanced level of technology but fail to upgrade the practices to secure the apps. They use old methods which tend to be less secure, and this could jeopardize a business’ operations.
Businesses should be careful when it comes to matters security of data. Their databases contain information that is sensitive since it concerns their clients who have confidentially shared it with them. Therefore as they invest in building up an app, they should also consider investing in its security.
References
Elberzhager, F., & Holl, K. (2017). Towards Automated Capturing and Processing of User Feedback for Optimizing Mobile Apps. Procedia Computer Science , 110 , 215-221.
Grewal, D., Roggeveen, A. L., & Nordfält, J. (2017). The future of retailing. Journal of Retailing , 93 (1), 1-6.
Harrison, D. E., & Hair, J. F. (2017). The Use of Technology in Direct-Selling Marketing Channels: Digital Avenues for Dynamic Growth. Journal of Marketing Channels , 24 (1- 2), 39-50.
Loon, D. P. C. W., & Kumar, S. (2018). Mobile Apps Threats. In Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Fourth Edition (pp. 6207-6215). IGI Global.
Shane, S. (2018). Why Your Small Business Needs a Mobile App . Entrepreneur . Retrieved 7 March 2018, from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/269978
