In today’s digital age, consumers expect fast, easy, and constant access to the products and services they use on a daily basis. They want to grab the smartphone they always have at their fingertips, open an app, and get things done. This need has led many small and medium-sized businesses to explore creating their own applications to help their customers manage their lives in a way they prefer – a mobile one.
Clothing stores, kindergartens, housing cooperatives, libraries – businesses which are, at first glance, not related to each other. They fulfill different roles and have different target groups. What if I tell you there is one thing that connects all of them? One small factor that makes them look alike. Can you guess what we mean? It’s a mobile application. They all have their own mobile apps dedicated to their customers, participants, and people related to their offer.
Well, even when thinking about it for a long time, we can’t even find a kind of business that is not able to have its own app (or doesn’t have the potential to get it). This is because of one reason. Mobile applications are universal. They can meet every business’s needs, provided that when you create your application, you know your target group perfectly, you know what the app’s goal is, and you have a strategy for launching it.
Every business has the potential for having a mobile application
In order to not be groundless, let’s analyze some of the examples of mobile apps for various kinds of businesses from different categories. Who are they? What products or services do they offer? And most importantly, what benefits do they get from their own application?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the real-life examples.
➜ Mobile App for Restaurant
Name: Sweetgreen
Description: This is an American fast casual restaurant chain that serves salads. It was founded in November 2006. Sweetgreen specializes in serving a variety of salads and warm bowls. They constantly surprise their customers with a seasonal menu that rotates five times a year based on produce availability and location.
Mobile app: Sweetgreen launched their mobile application in 2015 and they have been constantly improving it since then. In May 2020, the brand added order status tracking and push notifications in real-time to allow customers to know when their order is received or ready. Just a few months later they launched its own delivery service so customers can order in-store or through the app for pickup, delivery, and outpost as well as use their app to pay for in-store ordering.
App features:
- Easy ordering option — preorder for pickup, scan to pay in-store, or get delivery.
- Special digital offers — claim birthday gifts, credits for select menu items, and other personalized perks.
- Access to special menu items explore our most enticing limited-edition bowls and creator collabs, available only on our app.
- Personalize a meal — create your own, modify our signature menu, or try seasonal specials.
- Track the order in real time — receive order status notifications for pickup and delivery, and follow live updates in the app.
- Enjoy the process of ordering and eating — reorder your favorites on the home screen, send nutrition details to your Health app, flag dietary preferences, and find your nearest location.
The goal they had in mind when creating the application was to offer a convenient way to get crave-able, feel-good food on-demand — skip the wait and order ahead for pickup, or get delivery, and unlock benefits like personalized offers and exclusive menu items.
Looking at what has come out of it, we have to say that they have succeeded.
➜ Mobile App for Fitness
Name: Pure Barre
Description: Pure Barre is a fitness program available in over 600 locations around the world. Their technique focuses on small movements that create big changes, in both body and mind.
Mobile app: Pure Barre offers a fitness app that allows people to book, manage, and buy classes directly from their mobile phone. It is an absolute must-have for everyone who regularly exercises, goes to the gym, wants to book classes easily, sets fitness goals to better manage them, and tracks the workouts.
App features:
- Users see their upcoming classes and weekly goal progress on a personalized home screen (they can adjust the information most important to them).
- It’s possible to filter and find the desired class to book (upcoming classes are visible in the schedule) as well as discover new workouts, instructors, and studios by using an interactive map.
- Members can manage their membership in the app and integrate it with other apps to track workouts.
- Join a waitlist when your favorite instructors or class are 100% booked. This option allows for being informed if spaces become available
- The customers can join a special loyalty program and accumulate points with every class they attend. It allows them to achieve different status levels and unlock exciting rewards, including retail discounts, access to priority booking, and guest passes for their friends.
➜ Mobile App for Pet Care
Name: Friendship Hospital for Animals
Description: A veterinary clinic from Washington, D.C. founded by experts in veterinary care offering comprehensive services for their clients and patients.
Mobile app: The FriendshipPet app is tailored specifically to the clinic’s clients, focusing on convenience and access to critical pet health information. It provides clients of Friendship Hospital for Animals with a one-stop platform to manage their pets’ healthcare. It’s designed to improve client engagement, facilitate appointment booking, and streamline communication.
App features:
- Users see their upcoming classes and weekly goal progress on a personalized home screen (they can adjust the information most important to them).
- It’s possible to filter and find the desired class to book (upcoming classes are visible in the schedule) as well as discover new workouts, instructors, and studios by using an interactive map.
- Members can manage their membership in the app and integrate it with other apps to track workouts.
- Join a waitlist when your favorite instructors or class are 100% booked. This option allows for being informed if spaces become available
- The customers can join a special loyalty program and accumulate points with every class they attend. It allows them to achieve different status levels and unlock exciting rewards, including retail discounts, access to priority booking, and guest passes for their friends.
➜ Mobile App for School
Name: Primrose Schools
Description: Although Primrose is a network of private preschools and early education centers with locations across the U.S., each location provides families with access to their own branded mobile application, known as the Primrose Schools App. The Primrose Schools App exemplifies how an individual kindergarten or network of kindergartens can leverage a custom mobile app to enhance communication with parents, support student learning, and streamline daily operations.
Mobile app: The app is designed to keep parents engaged with their child’s daily activities, learning progress, and classroom updates. It also provides a secure communication channel between parents and teachers.
App features:
- Daily Reports – parents receive updates on meals, naps, and specific activities their child participated in throughout the day.
- Photo and Video Sharing – teachers can share photos and videos directly with parents to highlight special moments and learning experiences.
- Real-Time Notifications – parents get real-time notifications about their child’s activities, upcoming events, and announcements from the school.
- Billing and Attendance – the app includes features for digital check-in/check-out, as well as billing management.
- Learning Milestones – the app provides insights into learning milestones, keeping parents informed of their child’s progress and achievements.
Some time ago we had the pleasure to be a part of a very successful educational project based on a mobile application. The company we cooperated with created sets of professional training for teachers in Africa. They wanted to reach out to educators located in Nigeria. The question was how to distribute their premium product in the country with limited access to the internet. If you want to know this amazing story, go to our article: Mobile Academy for Teachers in the App — a Case Study of WhyBlueSky Project
What can businesses get from mobile apps?
Well, the above examples are just a few of the many, many businesses that have their own mobile applications. We bet we all have much more installed on our smartphones.
But it is enough to draw some conclusions. One of them is that many companies from different regions and various industries can offer their customers such a tool. It really can be beneficial for them! Let’s look at the most important advantages.
Enhanced customer engagement and loyalty
One of the main reasons businesses develop their own mobile apps is the potential for deepened customer engagement. Apps provide a direct line of communication with customers, allowing businesses to keep users informed about updates, promotions, new product launches, or upcoming events. Push notifications play a huge role here — they are a powerful tool to remind customers about the brand and keep them engaged.
A mobile app also helps brands nurture customer loyalty. With features like loyalty programs, exclusive in-app discounts, and rewards, businesses can encourage repeat purchases, and foster a sense of exclusivity among users.
Increased sales and revenue opportunities
A mobile app can create new avenues for sales, whether it’s through an integrated shopping feature or by streamlining booking services. By making it easier for customers to browse, shop, or schedule appointments right from their smartphones, businesses reduce the barriers to conversion. For example, small retailers with an app that features easy ordering and payment options are more likely to capture impulse purchases. Additionally, apps can also support cross-selling and upselling by recommending products based on previous purchases or user preferences.
Streamlined operations and cost savings
Mobile application can significantly enhance the efficiency of daily operations, which is particularly beneficial for small businesses with limited staff. By automating tasks like appointment scheduling, order processing, or customer service inquiries, businesses can streamline operations, reduce human error, and free up resources to focus on growth.
- For service-oriented businesses, such as salons or fitness studios, mobile apps can help manage appointments and memberships, making the booking process convenient for clients and reducing administrative workload.
- Similarly, appointment-based businesses, like spas or clinics, can use an app to handle scheduling, reminders, and payments seamlessly, cutting down on the back-and-forth with customers and reducing the likelihood of no-shows.
- And for restaurant owners who provide an in-app ordering feature can reduce the strain on phone orders, allowing staff to focus on in-house customers.
Data collection and customer insights
An app allows companies to gain valuable insights into their customers’ behaviors, preferences, and demographics. Businesses can track how users interact with the app, which products they are interested in, and how frequently they make purchases. This data can then be used to tailor marketing efforts, create personalized offers, and enhance overall business strategy.
For example, if a clothing boutique notices through its app analytics that customers frequently abandon their carts, the business can implement strategies like retargeting or offering limited-time discounts to increase conversions. Insights gained from app data can be a goldmine for smaller businesses that may otherwise lack access to extensive market research.
Improved brand recognition and trust
A mobile app can also strengthen brand presence, especially if it provides a unique, well-designed user experience. With a mobile app, a brand’s logo and name are placed directly on the user’s home screen, reinforcing brand recall every time they look at their phone. An app that provides seamless functionality and value can also build trust among customers, positioning the business as professional and customer-focused.
Furthermore, offering a mobile app demonstrates that a business is keeping up with technological trends, which can be appealing to tech-savvy consumers. For smaller companies, this boost in brand recognition and trust can set them apart from competitors who have yet to enter the app space.
Competitive advantage in a crowded market
In crowded markets, especially within industries like food, retail, or wellness, small and medium businesses often struggle to stand out. A mobile app can give them a competitive edge by providing a unique value proposition or service that competitors lack. For example, a small bakery with a mobile app could allow customers to pre-order baked goods, track their order status, and receive notifications when it’s ready for pick-up, saving time and enhancing the customer experience.
For businesses that rely heavily on local customer bases, an app can also help them reach a broader audience through referral programs and social sharing options. This not only increases exposure but can also build a loyal customer base that appreciates the added convenience.
Better communication with customers
Direct and effective communication is key for any business, and an app makes it easier to stay connected with customers. Rather than relying solely on email or social media, an app gives businesses a platform where they can send personalized messages, update users about new offerings, and gather feedback quickly. Push notifications allow businesses to connect with customers directly and can be tailored to include discounts, reminders, or any other message that drives engagement.
Additionally, customer feedback and support can be integrated directly into the app, allowing businesses to quickly address issues, improve service, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Building a community around the brand
A mobile application can also foster a sense of community among customers, particularly if the app includes social features, reviews, or user-generated content. A fitness studio, for instance, could allow users to share their workout progress, compete in challenges, or attend virtual classes. Likewise, a local coffee shop might encourage users to upload photos of their drinks or tag the business, creating a small but dedicated community around the brand.
This sense of community strengthens customer loyalty and encourages word-of-mouth marketing, as customers feel like they’re part of something more than just a transaction.
Do you have your own mobile application?
In today’s competitive marketplace, a mobile app is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a powerful tool that can transform customer relationships, drive sales, and ultimately fuel growth. With technology more accessible than ever, small and medium businesses have the opportunity to use mobile application to enhance customer experience, build brand loyalty, and create a modern, digital presence that resonates with today’s consumers.
Investing in a mobile app may seem like a bold step for small businesses, but in the long run, it can be a key factor in standing out and thriving in an increasingly digital world.
Imagine – you hold your business in your hands while your customers hold smartphones with your mobile app.
Isn’t it a nice view?