The APPeal of the APP

Pen is to paper as ribbon is to typewriter. Beads are to abacus as buttons are to calculator. Do you remember completing analogies like these when you were in grammar school? Well, although analogies are still being taught today, the subject matter is quite different.

Instead of pens, papers, beads and buttons, the modern day analogy looks more like this: Word is to PC as app is to iphone. Yes, whether you like it or not, the app is the latest technological craze, and it’s important for you to decide if it’s one your company could benefit from.

So what exactly is the appeal of the app? There are two main reasons to invest in this most recent trend:

1.  You can recruit a whole new generation of clients.That geeky 16 year old girl may not be the one buying team jerseys now, but when she becomes sorority president in college, your T-shirt company will be top-of-mind when she goes to order shirts because you created the awesome app that was on her iphone at age 16. People tend to go with what they know, so if they know you first, see your signs, read your ads and have your app, you’ll be one step ahead of the competition.
2. You can send instant messages and updates to your customers. These instant messages, or push notifications, send a text message that pops up on the users’ phone immediately alerting them about sales, events and activities.

Although apps are perfect for some companies, that doesn’t mean they’re perfect for every company. You don’t want to spend a lot of money creating something just to say you have it. The goal is to have the app enhance your company’s already existing marketing, advertising, sales, and PR strategies. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy:

1. Does the app you have in mind provide value? Can customers access coupons, rebates, discounts, or “insider information” by using the app?
2. Is the app interactive? Do you provide some sort of game or entertainment for your customer?
3. Who will use your app? Does it have mass appeal or only target a very small market?
4. Does the app help create a connection between all of your company’s social media? Does it link to Facebook? Twitter? YouTube? Your website?

If you answered in the affirmative to these questions, it’s probably time to buy. Some key points to keep in mind are:

1. Which platform will you use? Although the iphone seems to be the most popular, blackberry, windows and droid all have applications for their smart phones too. If you determine that your target market uses blackberry more than the iphone, then that’s the platform you should pursue.
2. Is the app consistent? If your website color scheme is green and white, don’t create an app color scheme that’s purple and yellow. You want to create a united front for all of your advertising mediums so people don’t get confused.
3. How will you measure success? Have a system in place so you can track and determine if the app actually is creating awareness, generating revenue or helping your business grow. If you don’t have a measurement system in place, you can’t tell if it’s a success or not.
4.  Who will create the app? Make sure it’s with a company you can trust! If you think creating an app is the right thing for your company, call Aegis at 850.422.2661 or email us atsales@aegisbiztech.com.