Mobile app development is an exploding market and you may have been receiving offers from every corner for mobile app development services. However, before you start software development on your business’ new app, consider whether your business’ digital marketing will truly benefit.

1. You know what you want from mobile app development

Before you start application development, do your research. Consider whether your competitors have apps of their own. If not, why? If they do, what features do their apps have that yours should have too? Remember your mobile app will be directly compared to your competitors’ apps for usability. Also, make sure you are very clear about why you want to build a mobile app and exactly what you want it to do. Do you want to increase your connection with your customers? Or is your primary goal to increase staff productivity and connectivity?

2. You’re ready for a relationship

Having a relationship with your customers via an app requires a high level of commitment. If you are putting your business in your customers’ reach 24/7 on their most accessible device – their smartphone – then you need to be ready to respond to enquiries, orders and any other issues that arise.

3. You’ve already optimised your website for mobile

A mobile app is not a substitute for optimising your website for mobile. Your website should already be easily navigable via a mobile version built specifically for smartphones. Before you invest time and money in a mobile app, make optimising your website your priority.

4. Your mobile app will easily collect data

As much as people use and rely on mobile apps, the majority of final sales are still completed on desktop. Therefore, if you intend to collect customer data and ask them to complete their delivery and billing details, make sure your application developers can make collecting this data easy for the user.

5. You are working with a quality mobile app development company

Yes, there are plenty of people out there offering to build your business an app. That doesn’t mean every one of them is a reliable or experienced mobile app development company. A mobile app is a significant investment for your business in time as well as money. If you don’t take the time to work with a software development company who is proficient in apps, and if you don’t work with your team to consider how a mobile app will complement your digital marketing strategy, the budget you allocate to your app build will be wasted.

Instead, look for a custom software development company who can guide you through the app building process from concept and well past the launch. When you have support every step of the way, you know your app will be achieving the business goals you set out and will be making your customers’ lives easier and their interactions with you more valuable. Remember, smartphone operating systems are constantly updated. This means you need an ongoing relationship with your app builder to make sure the user experience is seamless from the beginning and remains so.

That’s how you know whether your business is ready to build a mobile app. If you’re ready, call vLinkD now to take the first step into your mobile app concept.