Today, many business owners actively use mobile applications because the whole market is changed, and more attention is paid to the Internet technologies to support the market’s progress. As a result, the use of mobile applications is beneficial for businessmen who change their approaches to building relationships with customers. To support John’s Kids-Heaven shop, it is possible to use mobile applications, and it is necessary to discuss the aspects of this technology within the business environments.
The use of mobile applications can bring many benefits to John’s business, but it is possible to determine the six most important advantages. These benefits are increased accessibility; improved relationships with customers and increased loyalty; improved customer-related services; international coverage; the improved brand loyalty and reputation; and increased visibility. Increased accessibility means that many customers can do shopping without coming to the local place or visiting a website with the help of a PC.
The relationships with customers are expected to be improved because customers can make the individual choice and contact the shop owner directly. As a result, the customer-related services are improved with providing the individual approach and availability of items.
John can access not only Australian citizens but also sell globally because of the international coverage (The beginners guide to creating mobile applications for your business n.d.). Thus, the company’s reputation raises because of improved visibility and focus on innovations.
While designing an effective mobile application, it is necessary to choose the appropriate platform. iOS supports Apple products, and Android supports a range of mobile products globally (Android vs. iOS 2012). If Android guarantees wide accessibility, and it is usually discussed as the dominant platform for mobile applications, iOS is characterized by the higher quality (Android Market update: support for priced applications 2009).
However, referring to John’s case, it is possible to recommend focusing on Android because the wide coverage is more important for the business owner to contribute to increasing profits. Furthermore, Android is more actively used in Australia (Android, 2011).
John has a range of requirements for the future mobile application, which can be addressed in relation to native applications and web applications. Nevertheless, all the requirements cannot be addressed only by native or web applications. That is why, it is reasonable to use the hybrid type of the mobile application according to which this application can be used in different mobile platforms, without references to Android or iOS (Mobile web apps vs. mobile native apps 2012).
Furthermore, the hybrid application can guarantee the installation of the app; it’s offline functioning and the constant contact with John as the native app. In addition, the hybrid application can provide the customers with the possibility to browse items, read reviews, and receive the updated information. These features are typical for web apps (Mobile web apps vs. native mobile apps, 2012).
The five advantages of the hybrid application are:
- the possibility to browse the catalog and shop database with the help of the keyword search to make the process of searching the necessary item easier;
- the ability to focus on the updated content and materials to see the new items in catalogs;
- the ability to save the chosen items and content to the device’s storage to check them later;
- the ability to contact the shop managers with the help of e-mail and messages to order and receive the feedback;
- the ability for customers to see and navigate all the images and videos provided by the seller to receive more information (The beginners guide to creating mobile applications for your business n.d.).
One of the most important technologies used with the native applications is the connection of the PIM (personal information manager) with the offline running technology. The application is installed, and it works without focusing on the Internet connection. As a result, the constant connection with the customer is supported, and the customer can use all the updated information without the Internet connection.
Furthermore, the customer can contact the shop managers and owners directly with the help of the installed PIM tool. Referring to John’s business, the use of this technology in the hybrid application provides the customer with the opportunity to (1) receive notifications in time and to (2) receive the information about the special offers while monitoring the situation with the order.
The customer’s experience becomes improved (Leong, 2013). Furthermore, John receives (3) the opportunity to receive feedback from the customer and improve the used strategies to gain more profits.
To develop the template of the application for John’s business, it is important to refer to the business owner’s requirements. Thus, the interface should be simple to navigate. It is possible to organise the interactive icons in three columns where the contact information is left-sided, and the information about the product and chosen items is right-sided.
The information about the shop and the company’s logo can be centered in order to attract more customers and contribute to the increase in the customer’s loyalty. The possible template is provided in Appendix 1.
Appendix
Bibliography
Android 2011. Web.
Android Market update: support for priced applications. 2009. Web.
Android vs. iOS 2012. Web.
Leong, K. 2013, Should You Go Native? Evaluating Your Mobile App/Website Options. Web.
Mobile web apps vs. mobile native apps. 2012. Web.
The beginners guide to creating mobile applications for your business. Web.