How mobile apps can increase customer loyalty in the long-run?
With the advent of digital marketing and advertising, websites have emerged as the primary focal point for businesses' promotional strategies. A robust and efficient online presence remains crucial; however, as technology continues to evolve, solely depending on a website may no longer suffice to connect with your target audience. As technological trends increasingly emphasize mobility, mobile applications have emerged as important tools for companies seeking to engage customers wherever they may be.
Furthermore, mobile apps have demonstrated their worth by not only enhancing overall brand recognition but also by fostering customer loyalty and improving retention rates. In essence, as the digital landscape continues to evolve, businesses must recognize the growing importance of mobile apps in their marketing and customer engagement strategies. In this blog, we will have a clear understanding on how having mobile apps for businesses can increase customer loyalty in the long-run!
“The future of customer loyalty lies in the realm of mobile technology. With smartphone usage exceeding 75% among the US population and individuals spending over 80% of their waking hours with these devices, a significant opportunity has emerged for brands to reshape the customer experience. Consumers highly value convenience, and as a result, they are progressively embracing mobile applications. This shift towards mobile presents a prime opportunity for brands to engage with their customers and foster loyalty in an ever-connected world.”
5 Key Advantages of Customer Loyalty Fostered by Mobile Apps
1. Top-of-Mind Recognition
The idea behind billboard advertising is to show your business's info to potential customers often as they go about their day. This makes them more familiar with your brand and helps them remember your business when they need it.
When someone downloads a mobile app, its little picture is saved on their phone or tablet's main screen. This means that every time they use their device, they'll see your business's name and logo as a small reminder. Since people use their devices several times a day, especially at work, your business can stay on their mind, even if it's just in the back of their head.
2. Extra Benefits
In online marketing, it's not just about constantly talking about your company or trying to sell stuff. It's also about giving people things that are genuinely helpful or interesting. These things might not directly say, "Buy our products!" but they make people like and trust your brand more.
For example, you could create educational videos to teach people something useful, share guides or resources related to your industry, or even make a handy tool like a calendar or organizer. When you have a mobile app, it's like having your own little space on someone's phone.
You can use this space to offer these helpful things, and that makes people feel good about your company. It's a way to build a strong connection with your audience and keep them coming back to your app.
3. Combining Functions
Modern smartphones are incredibly versatile tools. They're not just for making calls and checking emails anymore. These devices offer a wide range of features that can help you get things done, have fun, and stay connected with others.
When you develop a mobile app for your business, you can tap into these features and make your app even more useful. For instance, you can use the map or GPS features to help users find your nearest office easily. You can also let them schedule appointments and put them in their phone's calendar without any hassle.
Plus, you can enable them to send emails or text messages directly to your team by using the phone's built-in functions. This way, your app becomes a powerful tool that leverages the capabilities of their device to enhance their experience and interaction with your business.
4. Single-Tap Entry
Today, people expect information to be at their fingertips quickly. When they want to know something about a company, opening a website can be a bit slow, especially if their internet connection is not very fast.
But with mobile apps, it's different. All it takes is one simple tap on their phone, and they can instantly access all the information they need about your company. What's even better is that this works whether they're connected to the internet or not. So, it's a convenient way for them to get the info they want anytime and anywhere.
5. Providing Benefits
It's pretty clear that people really like getting a little something extra. With a mobile app, you can do just that by offering special rewards to your users. This could be in the form of messages that pop up on their phone or by giving them special access to the latest discounts and promotions right within the app.
When you do this, your app users will find it really easy to discover and use these offers, and they'll be more likely to stick around and keep using your app. So, it's a win-win situation: they get great deals, and you get more loyal customers who keep coming back.
Ways To Earn Customer Loyalty With Your Mobile Apps
1. Alerts and Messages Inside the App
Sending a message to your customers at the right time can really help make them like your brand more. Push notifications and in-app messages are two ways to do this.
Push notifications are like little pop-up messages that show up right on your device's screen. They're hard to miss, so they're great at grabbing your attention.
When used the right way, these messages can be a helpful tool for keeping your customers interested in your app and coming back to use it more. They can also help you build stronger relationships with your customers and make them want to stick with your brand. So, it's like a way to keep them happy and connected to your app and business.
2. Customer Interaction and Personalization
Mobile apps offer a special way for companies to connect with their customers. They can make the experience of using an app feel unique and personal. When you create a mobile app, it shouldn't just be a regular online store. It should offer something extra for the people using it.
Apps work faster because they store some information right on your device, making everything run smoother than websites. With mobile apps, companies can see how users behave and give them personalized messages and experiences. This happens in real-time, right in the app or through other channels. People want fast, reliable, and personalized experiences from the brands they like, and apps are the best way to give them that.
For example, Starbucks changed its app to make it more personal. They use what they know about their customers, like what kind of coffee they prefer or when they usually visit a Starbucks. Then, they offer special deals or discounts based on that. So, if you usually drink decaf coffee, they might give you a deal on a new decaf product when you're near a Starbucks. And if you don't usually buy sweets, they might offer you a discount to try one. The app also helps you keep track of Starbucks' loyalty program and tells you what song is playing in the store.
The results? More people go to Starbucks, and they spend more. Starbucks even wants to take this personalization to their drive-thru screens and smartwatches. It's all about making customers feel special and connected to the brand.
3. Changing In-Store Interactions
Apps play a crucial role in enhancing customer interactions when they are physically present in a store. They offer various features like knowing the user's location, scanning barcodes, recognizing product images, using facial recognition, employing augmented reality (AR), utilizing beacons, and enabling online purchases. All of these features can encourage app users to visit brick-and-mortar stores.
The important thing to grasp here is the ability of these apps to seamlessly connect the online and offline shopping experiences. In other words, they bridge the gap between the digital world and physical stores, making it easier for customers to transition between the two. This cross-channel approach is essential in today's retail landscape. It helps businesses create a more unified and engaging shopping journey for their customers, ultimately strengthening brand loyalty and boosting sales.
Bottom Line
Business owners must increase their spending on mobile marketing and social media to effectively connect with consumers. Mobile apps have revolutionized the way brands build customer loyalty by emphasizing convenience, which in turn cultivates habitual behavior. An excellent illustration of this concept is Amazon Prime. The way a brand makes you feel is of paramount importance, and mobile apps are rapidly becoming a crucial digital point of interaction throughout the customer's journey.
For instance, Amazon Prime has made shopping extremely convenient with features like fast delivery and exclusive deals, creating a sense of trust and reliability. This convenience encourages customers to keep using the service, turning it into a habit. Similarly, mobile apps provide a platform where brands can enhance the customer experience, engage with users, and establish a lasting connection. They have become an important touchpoint in the digital age, shaping how consumers perceive and engage with brands.