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Build Mobility for Your Business

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As 2016 nears its close, what sights do you have set on the New Year, allowing you to take your business to new heights?

For some business owners, a new year can mean many new twists and turns. Others, meantime, will play things closer to the vest, looking to not deviate too far from what they have done over the last 12 months.

That said having a business that is not weak when it comes to technology is crucial, especially in a business world where tech is seemingly always playing a part.

So, are you ready to build more mobility for your business as 2017 unfolds?

Where Do You Start?

In the event you feel the need to put more mobility into your business, where do you start?

It is typically best to begin by assessing where your needs are most prevalent.

Are you a business that is behind the curve when it comes to technology? If so, why is that the case?

For some business owners, it comes down to embracing technology, not fearing it for one reason or another.

With the right technology on your side, your business can do myriad of things. Most notably, you can meet the demands of many customers, many of whom are big on technology.

That said does your business have an app? If the answer is no, 2017 would be a great time to come up with one.

If you are wondering about how to make an app, it actually isn’t as hard as one might think.

Whether you make the app in-house or outsource such needs, having that app ready to do business is where you need to get to.

In the event you decide to stay in-house in your efforts to make an app, you may have already hired someone (or more than one individual) more than capable of doing it.

Should you need to go outside for such help, you are best-served by doing some homework, seeing which companies (or even individuals) are qualified to put an app together for you.

Among the areas to look at:

  • How long have they been designing apps?
  • What are the approximate costs for them to design your app?
  • What kind of guarantees will they provide so that you truly get what you pay for (and need)?
  • Will they be available whenever you need them to answer pertinent questions and/or fix any problems your app presents you with?

Once you have the design of your app going, you can then focus on where your app is destined to take you.

Putting Your App to Work

So that you are able to truly understand how a mobile app can catapult your business forward in 2017 and beyond, keep these factors in mind:

  • Numbers – First and foremost, more and more consumers these days are using technology to not only shop for goods and services, but ultimately purchase them. As a result, you’re literally going to be left behind if you do not fully embrace technology. Consumers will also look at your business with more respect when you have your own app, knowing you are staying up to date with the times;
  • Speed – While there are still some businesses out there that avoid technology as much as possible (they seem to become fewer and fewer by the year), many companies love the speed with which technology can bring them together with consumers. That said see how having an app changes the fortunes of your business in many cases. With a successful mobile app in play, you can be in contact literally instantly with many consumers, giving you an opportunity to beat the competition to the punch.

Once you have a handle on how you will build your app, be prepared to move forward with marketing and using it when ready.

In the end, the app will build mobility for your business, something that ultimately should translate into more dollars and cents.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

 

 

 

Make It Your Business to Market Apps

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aappereWould you like to encourage both sales and customer loyalty at the press of a button or the tap of a screen?

A mobile app can help your business do both those things. We live in a mobile world, with people using their phones for everything from finding the best deals to finding a local restaurant.

Developing and marketing your own app means your brand is there when consumers are searching for a business like yours.

If you’re ready for your business to go mobile, start with these four steps….

Create an App Worth Marketing

Before you start marketing your app, you need to design and create it, or employ someone to do that for you.

At this stage, ask yourself what your app is going to do for your customers. There’s no doubt that an app has advantages for your business – you’re putting your brand right there on your customers’ phones, creating another channel for communication, and making your company a part of their daily life.

But to reap those advantages, customers need to like and use your app, which means they need to know what it will do for them.

Ask yourself “what problem will this app solve for my customers? How will it make their lives better?” and you’ll be well on your way to making the most of your app.

Know and Communicate Your App’s Unique Selling Point

Is your app built and ready to launch? It’s time to make sure your customers know about it and know what it can do for them.

As the article “How to Market an App to Consumers” points out, your app needs to stand out from the competition.

The first step is making a functional app that is truly useful. The second is your customers know about it. Instead of “download our app”, tell them why they will love it.

For example, a restaurant might let their customers know that downloading their app means getting the latest offers direct to their phone, while a financial planning service might offer financial advice and tracking.

Offer Time or Location Sensitive Advantages

One of the best things about mobile apps from a customer perspective is the chance to get deals and bargains that aren’t available anywhere else.

From exclusive downloads or games to money saving coupons and offers, or even information that is tailored using location and date, there are lots of ways you can make your app indispensable.

After all, who doesn’t love a great deal?

By offering something exclusive to customers who download your app, you’re giving them a strong incentive to do so, and making it worth their time to open your app regularly, which means keeping your company name at their fingertips.

Make Use of Social Media

If your customers want to keep up with their favorite brands, research purchases or find good deals, where do they go? There’s a good chance that social media is one of their go-to places.

Meet them there with Facebook updates, Tweets or even blog posts that tell them all about your new app.

Keep the focus on why your app will make their life better. If it suits your business tone, add in some fun, encourage feedback, or even run a competition based on sharing or re-tweeting your updates to get your customers sharing on your behalf.

An app is a versatile business tool that you can use to connect with your customers and build brand loyalty.

Plan your app carefully and market it with enthusiasm and plenty of talk about the benefits it offers your customers to increase your app’s usability and popularity.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a wide variety of topics, including social media, small businesses, mobile apps and SEO.

6 Mobile Web Design Blunders to Avoid

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By Charles Mburugu

In recent years, people have increasingly shifted from using computers to accessing the internet from their mobile devices. Therefore it’s essential for every blogger, webmaster and business owner to have a mobile-friendly website.

Here are some of the major blunders you need to avoid when designing your mobile site.

1. Failing to optimize images

Images are a very important element for any mobile website design. However, using images or elements that have large file sizes will significantly slow down the loading speed of your pages. When your pages take too long to load, visitors will simply click away and go elsewhere. This is why it is very important to optimize the images on your site. Preferably, only use images and elements which are small in size.

2. Not considering screen sizes

Compared to desktop and laptop monitors, the screens of mobile devices are relatively small. Therefore, when designing your mobile site, you need to take into account screen width and size. Your design should be able to fit well in different screen sizes with all page elements displaying correctly. Make sure your buttons and icons are large enough for users to tap with their finger. Don’t forget to have enough space between your links and buttons.

3. Excess content

Content is what drives visitors to your site and keeps them coming back. Make sure your content is arranged in a way which is pleasant to the eye and easy to read. Avoid having excessively lengthy posts on your mobile site. If you would like to share a lot of information, you could break it down into short sections with a ‘read more’ link at the end of each section. Make sure the text is spaced out and large enough for mobile users to read without straining their eyes. In addition, use a background color which contrasts sufficiently with your text.

4. Not having collapsible navigation

Most mobile users are very impatient people who access the internet while on the go. Therefore, your mobile site should be designed in a way that allows visitors to find what they are looking for as fast as possible. One of the best ways of presenting content on your site is through using collapsible categories. This allows you to keep the pages of your site clean and neat, thus ensuring that visitors can find information on your site easily.

5. Having long input forms

Typing on the keyboard of a smartphone is not as easy as typing on a computer keyboard. With this consideration, it would be advisable to keep the forms on your mobile site as short as possible. Users should only be required to complete the few fields that are critical. Alternatively, you could consider providing a multiple choice option with check boxes, radio buttons or combo boxes. This will save your visitors the trouble of having to type their entries.

6. Not testing your design

Once your design is complete, you need to test it using different kinds of mobile devices. This will enable you to identify any concerns with regard to your site’s feel, content and usability. You can also get useful feedback by sharing the design with your friends and business associates. Take time to tweak your site until it works well on as many mobile devices as possible.

Author’s Bio: Charles Mburugu is a HubSpot-certified content writer/marketer for B2B, B2C and SaaS companies. He has worked with brands such as GetResponse, Neil Patel, Shopify, 99 Designs, Oberlo, Salesforce and Condor. Check out his portfolio and connect on LinkedIn.

How to Boost Blog Visits: Make Your Blog into a Mobile App

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By Natalie Bracco

Just because you know how to write an interesting blog that gets visitors to come back time and time again doesn’t necessarily mean that you know how to make your blog accessible to people who access online content through mobile devices. Without a tech background, it might seem impossible to turn a blog into a mobile app. Luckily, with the right tools, even a newbie can make blogs mobile-friendly and reach even more readers.

Make Your Own App with Conduit Mobile

Conduit Mobile

Creating your own app might sound intimidating, but you don’t need a degree in computer programming to make one that puts your blog into the hands of people using mobile devices.

A free tool called Conduit Mobile will do most of the work for you. Conduit Mobile takes content directly from your blog and makes it easy for mobile phones to access. You can even add YouTube videos, RSS feeds, and other social media to stay connected with your readers. Conduit Mobile is currently free for all users.

Go Mobile with GoMobi

GoMobi

GoMobi is similar to Conduit Mobile, but it’s slightly different in that it creates a .mobi domain for your site’s registrar. With GoMobi, you can quickly add your content to a mobile app that lets readers view your pictures, videos, and words. If you can upload images to your website, then you can use GoMobi. GoMobi even adds a link that will take visitors to your full website, allowing them to peruse all of the content that you have available. To use GoMobi, you have to purchase it from one of the product’s authorized dealers, such as eNom or DigiWeb. Typically it will cost about $7.50 per month.

Easy Integration with Uppsite

Uppsite

Uppsite claims that it can take your Web content mobile within two minutes. Its designers created it specifically it to work with popular publishing platforms like WordPress and Twitter, so you can integrate them into your mobile site easily without any technical knowledge. Uppsite also lets you add advertising to your mobile site without bogging down your content with ugly images. That could easily help you make more money. Uppsite comes in three plans to choose from: Basic, Premium, and Deluxe. The cheapest plan costs $9.99.

Use a Plug-in to Reach Mobile Readers

MobilePress

If you already use WordPress for your blog on your website, then you can add plug-ins that will instantly make content readable on smartphones. The basic version of WPtouch makes your WordPress content available without slowing down your website. If you want to maintain the look of your current site and access additional features, then you might need to upgrade to WPtouch Pro, which comes in at $39 per site.

MobilePress is another plug-in that makes your WordPress content easier to see and use on a mobile device. It, and several other plug-ins like it, is totally free.

Mobile devices are quickly becoming the most popular way for people to access online content. What steps have you taken to make sure all the people out there have a good experience when they visit your site?

Author’s Bio: Natalie Bracco writes about technology and blogging, especially on devices like LG cell phones. She also writes about finance and lifestyle. You can follow her on Twitter @NatalieBracco.

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