Would it be easier to sell offline business on mobile app promotions than simple web promotions?

My first thought is, "What's stopping you? Pickup the phone and get to dialing".

But if you want some theoretical input...

No it won't be easier because you are not addressing the obvious: What problem(s) are you solving with your mobile app?

They will likely balk unless you've identified a problem that they can relate to and you are successful at attaching a dollar amount to that problem because the mobile app vs. mobile optimized website concept is irrelevant to them.

Without doing that and simply offering a mobile app and attaching a tired phrase like "viral" somewhere is just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo talk to them regardless if you think it "beats a flat website". In fact, I think you will just make things worse for yourself unless you alter your approach a bit more like:

Identify their problem(s) --> attach a dollar value to it --> present your solution

I am working with a better than decent sized business at the moment and there is a APP in development, BUT their reach is 10's of thousands. At the same time we are working on a JV to put them in one of the biggest APPs in the same evergreen space. THIS is when APPS make sense.

To goto your average mom and pop with 50 customers a day if they are lucky and say "hey an app will increase your business 10 fold" is a straight out lie and we all know it.

For a small business, and up into the medium business sizes I just dont see an APP making sense. Sure they can go "Viral" but seriously name a business APP that has gone viral. again a bunch of BS

I just cant see the statement " < an APP > Beats a flat website." being truth by any stretch of the imagination.

I have said it before and I will say it again. its the moment APP developers start looking at building say community apps that integrate many of the surrounding business' that the idea comes to life. Seeing what's in the not so distant future, THIS is where APP development for business needs to be.

IF I were getting into APP development THAT is where I would be going towards. Kinda like a web directory you can carry in your pocket. Oh but directories are dead.. that's right.