The REAL benefit of a native app

Scott Prock · 10th Oct 2012, 02:14 AM

I have been in front of a few business owners with beautiful app demos and the biggest question I got was "why do I need an app, and what can it do better than what I currently have"

My first response had always been speed, and the "push" notifications but a new member in a Facebook mastermind group I just started floored me with what he classified as the MAIN benefit he uses.

Here's an exact quote (thanks David)
"Also the main benefit I see to an app is to REMOVE THE CUSTOMER FROM THE COMPETITIVE SPACE THAT IS THE WEB. When a client is on the web they are just 1 click away from every other competitor. If they are on their mobile, you have taken your business to a new level of intimacy and exclusivity."

I found that statement to be absolutely brilliant! It is so very true too, with mobile marketing you're speaking directly to your customers, and they have opted in to receive communication from you.

What are the main benefits you see, or talk about when asked the What's In It For Me question??

... Scott

MoBuzz · 10th Oct 2012, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Prock

I have been in front of a few business owners with beautiful app demos and the biggest question I got was "why do I need an app, and what can it do better than what I currently have"

My first response had always been speed, and the "push" notifications but a new member in a Facebook mastermind group I just started floored me with what he classified as the MAIN benefit he uses.

Here's an exact quote (thanks David)
"Also the main benefit I see to an app is to REMOVE THE CUSTOMER FROM THE COMPETITIVE SPACE THAT IS THE WEB. When a client is on the web they are just 1 click away from every other competitor. If they are on their mobile, you have taken your business to a new level of intimacy and exclusivity."

I found that statement to be absolutely brilliant! It is so very true too, with mobile marketing you're speaking directly to your customers, and they have opted in to receive communication from you.

What are the main benefits you see, or talk about when asked the What's In It For Me question??

... Scott

Hey Scott my first thought is always the same when it comes to local businesses and apps. I just do not see people downloading a bunch of apps for restaurants and plumbers to their phone. For the business there are numerous benefits such as push notifications. I just do not see alot of benefit for the end users.

Now what about a local mobile app that within it contained apps for different businesses hmm?

zoro · 10th Oct 2012, 04:05 AM

Yep, a business literally has their business in the pockets of their customers 24/7, can't beat that.

mcfcok · 10th Oct 2012, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by MoBuzz

Hey Scott my first thought is always the same when it comes to local businesses and apps. I just do not see people downloading a bunch of apps for restaurants and plumbers to their phone. For the business there are numerous benefits such as push notifications. I just do not see alot of benefit for the end users.

Now what about a local mobile app that within it contained apps for different businesses hmm?

There are some models out there doing this like biglocalapp, tiktap if some clever app developer could do this and create a wso wowsers.

Just one app for customers to download with all the local businesses listed on it.

Anyone know how to go about this and what the costs would be associated.

Dave

Scott Prock · 10th Oct 2012, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by mcfcok

There are some models out there doing this like biglocalapp, tiktap if some clever app developer could do this and create a wso wowsers.

Just one app for customers to download with all the local businesses listed on it.

Anyone know how to go about this and what the costs would be associated.

Dave

There is a market for a directory of sorts, but you also run the risk of attracting a discount only customer. There's no loyalty with programs like that ... Groupon is a classic example. Any business I speak to who has used Groupon said it was a waste.

... Scott

MoBuzz · 10th Oct 2012, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Prock

There is a market for a directory of sorts, but you also run the risk of attracting a discount only customer. There's no loyalty with programs like that ... Groupon is a classic example. Any business I speak to who has used Groupon said it was a waste.

... Scott

Hey Scott, I agree to a certain extent but I do think discounts/coupons ect will always be the number one way businesses attract new customers.

It is up to the marketing company to some what educate clients on how to convert these new customers to regulars. As well it is the businesses responsibility to follow through. This can be done with loyalty programs (buy 9 get 10th free ect) VIP clubs amongst many other things. I think this is where programs such as Groupon fail.

Greg Jacobs · 10th Oct 2012, 04:03 PM

I am heavily I this space and we consult our clients to setup an incentive to get people to install the apps... Something like a free drink or coupon.... Put a Sign at the cashier and the staff is trained to ask. Get amazing signup rate in this way.... You can't expect a customer to voluntarily install... It is paid lead gen and you will see the ROI when properly implemented.

Kevin Z · 10th Oct 2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Scott Prock

I have been in front of a few business owners with beautiful app demos and the biggest question I got was "why do I need an app, and what can it do better than what I currently have"

My first response had always been speed, and the "push" notifications but a new member in a Facebook mastermind group I just started floored me with what he classified as the MAIN benefit he uses.

Here's an exact quote (thanks David)
"Also the main benefit I see to an app is to REMOVE THE CUSTOMER FROM THE COMPETITIVE SPACE THAT IS THE WEB. When a client is on the web they are just 1 click away from every other competitor. If they are on their mobile, you have taken your business to a new level of intimacy and exclusivity."

I found that statement to be absolutely brilliant! It is so very true too, with mobile marketing you're speaking directly to your customers, and they have opted in to receive communication from you.

What are the main benefits you see, or talk about when asked the What's In It For Me question??

... Scott

Almost anything you can do with an app can be accomplished with a mobile website and SMS. Push notifications (especially annoying ones) can be easily turned off SMS can fill this gap pretty easily.

Apps are great tools for loyalty and customer retention when used properly and a business has a brand large enough for a user base to actually download and use the app.

But in most cases as mentioned in this thread, with an app you are selling hype over substance IMO.

10th Oct 2012, 02:14 AM	#1
Scott Prock New Warrior Member Join Date: 2007 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	The REAL benefit of a native app Share on: I have been in front of a few business owners with beautiful app demos and the biggest question I got was "why do I need an app, and what can it do better than what I currently have" My first response had always been speed, and the "push" notifications but a new member in a Facebook mastermind group I just started floored me with what he classified as the MAIN benefit he uses. Here's an exact quote (thanks David) "Also the main benefit I see to an app is to REMOVE THE CUSTOMER FROM THE COMPETITIVE SPACE THAT IS THE WEB. When a client is on the web they are just 1 click away from every other competitor. If they are on their mobile, you have taken your business to a new level of intimacy and exclusivity." I found that statement to be absolutely brilliant! It is so very true too, with mobile marketing you're speaking directly to your customers, and they have opted in to receive communication from you. What are the main benefits you see, or talk about when asked the What's In It For Me question?? ... Scott
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10th Oct 2012, 04:05 AM	#3
zoro Online for Offline War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Qld. Australia. Posts: 1,628 Thanks: 351 Thanked 222 Times in 191 Posts Blog Entries: 4	Re: The REAL benefit of a native app Share on: Yep, a business literally has their business in the pockets of their customers 24/7, can't beat that.

10th Oct 2012, 04:03 PM	#7
Greg Jacobs Mage War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: Chiang Mai Posts: 477 Thanks: 22 Thanked 211 Times in 80 Posts	Re: The REAL benefit of a native app Share on: I am heavily I this space and we consult our clients to setup an incentive to get people to install the apps... Something like a free drink or coupon.... Put a Sign at the cashier and the staff is trained to ask. Get amazing signup rate in this way.... You can't expect a customer to voluntarily install... It is paid lead gen and you will see the ROI when properly implemented.
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