Effective mobile apps allow businesses to tailor their offerings to the
ways customers use their mobile devices. With a well-designed app,
businesses will provide the ideal customer experience no matter where
the customer is located.
Many mobile applications exist in
today's marketplace, and standing out in the crowded Android Market or
iTunes Store is no easy task. However, customers who are looking for a
way to stay in touch with their favorite businesses will often search
for a mobile app in their favorite app store. To create the best
customer experience, businesses should follow five main tips when
creating mobile apps.
Create A Holistic Experience
A
mobile app should serve as an extension of a business website. The
colors, themes and content should be an extension of the mobile website
with added features for the convenience of the customer. Target's mobile
app provides popular features from the Target website, including
product search and store locator. However, the app also takes into
account the needs of mobile users by providing an area to create
shopping lists and the chance to peruse the weekly ad.
Keep It Bare Bones
A good mobile app should provide website content without any
unnecessary graphics. In addition, the app should present content first
and then present the navigation bar at the bottom of the page. Layout
should be vertical so that customers do not have to attempt to navigate
left-to-right. Each screenshot should provide only the minimum
information necessary; for additional content, developers can add
buttons that will navigate to other stripped-down pages.
Utilize Hardware To Its Full Extent
Smart phones come with a variety of services that mobile apps should be
able to exploit. On the Nokia phone, ShoZu uses the GPS to
automatically tag a photo's location before uploading the photo to
Flickr. Nokia Sports Tracker utilizes GPS to provide a map and stats to
go along with each workout. By utilizing the hardware that the smart
phone has to offer, apps will expand the services that they can deliver
to customers beyond just the scope of their company website.
Customize Apps For Every Device...To A Point
Each mobile platform has its own individual requirements and quirks.
Writing individual versions of an app for each device will take more
time but will also provide a better customer experience. At the same
time, businesses have to consider their budget. Financial constraints
will mean scalability over certain devices and operating systems.
Maintain Customer Security
Businesses should respect the security of customer by encrypting any
data that is transferred through the network. Also, companies should
secure customer data that is stored in their servers. Customers prefer
that companies do not access the data that is already existing in their
mobile phone. Businesses should respect the privacy of customers and
refrain from accessing unauthorized data.
Businesses that
decide to develop mobile apps should create the ideal mobile experience
for their customers. The app should be both immediately and consistently
gratifying, and any upgrades should take customer feedback into
account. By presenting customers with a mobile app, businesses will be
adding significant value to their mobile marketing message.