The way businesses are run today is very different from before. A lot of the innovations that are seen these days in the operations of businesses were caused by digital transformation. Mobile and desktop apps are creating a demand of their own and are transforming the way people do business in more ways than you can ever imagine. Every single day, there are numerous software being developed by companies and startups to improve the way entrepreneurs run and operate their respective businesses.
How Apps Changed Business Operations
It can’t be stressed enough that apps have transformed how business operations are conducted. Here are some ways different apps have changed the way people run their businesses.
1. Telecommuting
With different mobile apps available, it is possible to get work done even when you’re at home. Mostly, you just need access to a laptop, a stable Internet connection, and your email. Then, you can talk to your colleagues, accept work, and work on it within the comforts of your home. Moreover, you can speak to a group of people with just one video call.
There are quite a number of companies that have already adapted telecommuting practices because, for one, they are cost-effective. For instance, if you have a whole department telecommuting on a certain day, you won’t need to turn on any lights or equipment in the office. In effect, you save a lot on electricity bills. Moreover, telecommuting also promotes more productivity.
In addition to that, adopting telecommuting allows businesses to consider more applicants. As a business, you will have a bigger roster of applicants because geological location no longer matters since anyone you hire can work from home. This way, you will be opening yourself up to a greater choice of candidates.
2. Communication And Collaboration
Right now, technology has elevated the way people communicate and collaborate in a workspace. With the rise of apps for chatting, video conferencing, as well as social media and project management, among many others, employees are now able to communicate and collaborate more conveniently.
From your home, you can host meetings with multiple people through video calls, and even do a PowerPoint presentation by sharing your screen with your employees. In addition to that, there are also multiple messaging apps available to keep you connected with your employees, such as Skype, WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Messenger, Viber, and many others. Podium is another app that provides messaging tools for businesses.
On top of that, there are also apps that allow for ease of collaboration. An example of this kind of app is Trello in which you can easily track a project’s progress and assign tasks among your team. There are more apps out there that have been designed to facilitate the optimal use of your time when you are collaborating on a project. You just need to do your research, and you’ll surely find one that fits your needs.
3. E-Commerce
E-commerce is another facet of business that apps have helped revolutionize. With e-commerce, businesses can now sell their products online. Because of the rise of e-commerce, less people go to malls to buy their essentials. Instead, they just browse through an e-commerce platform to look for things they need. If you are selling something, you need to be on an e-commerce platform to maximize your sales.
Amazon is a good example of an e-commerce platform that has been successful worldwide. Through Amazon, people can buy anything just by using the apps on their phones while in the comfort of their homes. Now, most businesses have a separate department that focuses on e-commerce efforts.
E-commerce in itself has also evolved. Now, you don’t actually need to be on an e-commerce platform anymore. If you are running a small business, you can simply set up your own store at Instagram or Facebook to promote and sell your products and services. What’s nice about the said process is that it’s all free.
4. Mobile Gaming
With advancements in the world of apps, mobile gaming has also become an avenue for other businesses to advertise. Mobile gaming has been around for a long time, and it has also evolved a lot over the recent years. Games such as Mobile Legends, Pokemon Go, and Candy Crush have dominated the market.
Mobile gaming companies have taken advantage of the worldwide acceptance and started to charge for in-game purchases, such as extra lives or tools. Day by day, more and more games are being released. Mobile gaming companies not only earn from in-app purchases, but they also earn from advertisements.
Because mobile gaming apps have a large following, other kinds of businesses pay mobile gaming companies to advertise their products as well. If you play some games, it’s often that when you try to collect some coins for the game, you get redirected to see an ad first. This is one of the ways mobile gaming apps earn, as well as it being an effective strategy for businesses to market their offerings
5. Online Delivery
Apps have also been developed to become a viable platform for food, grocery, and medicine delivery. As a user, you just need to download the app and look for the store you want to buy from. Then, you just put the items in your cart and pay for it. Once you’re done, the products you bought will be delivered to your home or office, depending on your preference. It’s that easy. As a company, you can reach your customers even if they don’t visit your restaurant, pharmacy, grocery, or store.
As a business owner, you also need to partner up with online delivery platforms to be able to reach your clients. To be able to do that, you need another department to serve as coordinator between the company and the online delivery services. This is another way apps have changed how businesses are run globally.
6. Cloud File Management
Every kind of business has its own business continuity plan that is triggered when there is a crisis or pandemic. This particular plan includes how you will back up your files in case something happens in your main building. Fortunately, thanks to apps that allow for more efficient cloud file management, companies no longer need to back up files in a hard drive. They only need to make shadow folders and upload relevant files into a cloud.
There are many apps that allow cloud file management, one of these being Dropbox. With Dropbox, you just need to make an account and upload your files. Having backups of important legal documents is one of the benefits of digital onboarding for law firms. Wherever you are, as long as you have your device, username, and password, you can access your files without any hassle. This enables you to protect your files even if you don’t have access to your office.
How Apps Changed Business Marketing
Not only have apps changed the way business owners operate their firms, but they have also changed the way businesses approach their customers. With apps, businesses have become closer than ever to their clients, allowing them to earn their trust. This, in turn, results in higher sales and revenues.
1. Loyalty Apps
For starters, instead of using loyalty cards, these physical copies can now be stored in an app. This way, you don’t need to be worried about tons of loyalty cards making your wallet fat. You can just bring your phone along and have all your loyalty cards readily accessible.
Starbucks is an example of a successful company that has increased their digital presence by bringing their loyalty program to smartphones. The app does not only function as a loyalty program; it also serves as an online helpdesk and newsletter for customers. The Starbucks app allows users to locate nearby Starbucks branches, notifies users of any news regarding Starbucks, provides the most updated menu, and suggests drinks.
On top of that, since the physical Starbucks card also works as a prepaid card for Starbucks purchases, the mobile app also allows payment for in-store purchases via their customers’ phones. If people forget to bring their wallets, they can easily pay for their Starbucks drinks using their phones.
2. Pushing For A Lifestyle
More often than not, brands don’t only sell products, but they also sell a certain kind of lifestyle. With apps, brands can push this concept forward to their customers and improve their brand image. These apps can help ingrain a kind of lifestyle into the routine of customers so that the brand is at the top of their minds at most times.
For instance, Under Armour is a sports clothing brand that also pushes for a lifestyle of being fit and healthy. They are able to extend this lifestyle to their customers by offering a complete fitness and health experience with their mobile apps called MapMyFitness and MyFitnessPal.
MapMyFitness is an app that helps you exercise, while MyFitnessPal is an app that allows you to track your calories. Since their launch, both apps have built quite a following. Now, Under Armour can also advertise their products by inserting these into the workouts or suggestions within the apps. These apps provide Under Armour with an outlet for brand awareness, customer engagement, and increased sales.
3. Marketing Campaigns
Businesses are also using apps to recommend their products and services to consumers. Gone are the days when it was sufficient to promote campaigns and brand thrusts through posters and newspapers. Now, mobile apps allow you to do this in a very different way.
For instance, Nivea had a campaign called “The Protection Ad”. In line with this, the company created a mobile app that allowed parents to keep track of their kids. Within magazines, Nivea inserted bracelets that were connected to the said app. Parents just had to let their kids wear the bracelets, and they were then able to track them wherever they went.
Because of this, Nivea captured the hearts of parents, as well as successfully advocated their values of protecting children. Rather than just making a poster about their values, Nivea was able to get the message across by giving the customers the ability to become interactive with them. This actually resulted in an increase of sales for Nivea Sun Kids.
4. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is not only for games. This can also be used to push your brand forward and increase customer engagement for your brand. Augmented reality did not only revolutionize gaming, but it also revolutionized how marketing was done like never before.
For instance, L’Óreal uses augmented reality for its Makeup Genius app, which uses advanced facial mapping technology that allows you to try on L’Oreal make up products in real-time while using your smartphone camera as a virtual mirror. This app will scan your face and let you virtually apply makeup on yourself. Customers will be able to see how several shades of L’Oreal lipstick will look on them without having to be present in the store.
On top of that, L’Oreal also allows users to share their makeup creations on social media, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube. This is free advertising for the brand.
Another example of the use of augmented reality for marketing and customer engagement is Ikea’s Home Planner app. With this app, customers of Ikea can simply take a picture of their space and place furniture in it. By doing this, customers will be able to see if Ikea furniture looks good in their homes. This generates interest among customers before they even get to visit the store. Furthermore, this brings shopping to a whole new level, making the customer’s purchasing journey and decision-making process more efficient and fun at the same time.
Conclusion
Different apps not only changed the way marketing is done or how businesses are run, but they also changed the way businesses interact and connect with their customers. Now, both the company and products have a direct interaction and collaboration with the customers. Moreover, working in a company has also changed because of the different apps that allow communications and collaboration to be done online. There will definitely be more apps that will be developed to aid businesses, and this is just the beginning.