Lots of businesses are rushing to create their own mobile apps, which can take time and money to do right. But with so many great options currently out there, your small to mid-size B2C business may benefit from tapping into some of the big-name apps already in the Apple and Google Play stores.
Here are the top seven apps you should be looking at:
Essentially a modern-day Yellow Pages for restaurants and other local businesses, Yelp is a must for almost any B2C company. While you’re likely already listed, it’s important that you take the time to update your profile with accurate information and professional photos, and respond to customer reviews. Having an unmaintained Yelp profile could be hurting your business, so you should make this a priority.
Pinterest users are big online shoppers — roughly 93 percent have made an online purchase within the last six months. This means that e-commerce businesses should be taking a serious look at how they can incorporate this app into their marketing strategy. Industries that are doing well on Pinterest include fashion, fitness, food, home improvement and crafts.
If your town thrives off of tourism, you need to take advantage of TripAdvisor. Travelers use this app as their one-stop spot to find recommendations on where to stay, what to see and places to eat. Add your business to the list and point out some reasons why people will want to visit. Don’t be afraid to ask customers to share their experience on the platform, either.
Half of all Instagram users are following brands, which is higher than any other social media network. Post fun photos and videos of your business and follow accounts and hashtags related to your industry to produce content your customers will want to engage with. This social networking platform also makes it easy to run inexpensive targeted advertising campaigns, where you can reach new audiences and grow your following.
Airbnb is becoming more than a place to rent out a spare room. This powerhouse app is expanding a fairly new “experience” feature, which allows customers to book a local excursion right from their phone. If you offer a service such as photography, dance lessons or cooking classes, think about how you could creatively package your service to take advantage of the fast-growing tourism industry.
When it comes to finding licensed carpenters, qualified plumbers, and reliable house cleaners, people don’t want to let just anyone in their home. That’s why many homeowners are turning to Angie’s List. This app allows users to search for skill-based businesses with trusted certifications and high ratings from other consumers.
Almost half of travelers worldwide are using their mobile devices to plan and book their trips — so if you’re not listed on one of the popular travel search engines, you could be missing out on a lot of potential reservations. Make sure you post high-quality photos and up-play the things that make your place unique from the competition.
Awkward Media can help you make a good first impression with mobile app users. Call us at 647 849 1082, or reach out to us online today.
