Why You Don’t Need a Mobile App: Is It The Best Investment for Your Business?
by Malak Mitch
I want to share a little secret with you that may come as a shock: You don’t need a mobile app.
That’s right, you read it correctly.
You don’t need a mobile app, at least not right now.
I’ve seen countless business owners make the same mistake over and over again: thinking too big and ending up with nothing.
One of the most common mistakes I see is businesses jumping straight into the mobile app development game without even having a website to begin with.
This is a mistake that can end up costing them a lot of time, money, and effort, and may even hurt their business in the long run.
In this blog post, I will share with you why you don’t need a mobile app, and why a website is often a better choice for your business.
- 1. You Don't Need a Mobile App | Build Your Solid Foundation First
- 2. Think of the Marketing Funnel and Where Your Mobile App Would Stand
- 3. Most App Uninstalls Happen Right After Installation
- 4. Your Website is More Than Enough for Your Business
- 5. Mobile App Development Costs More Time and Money Than a Website
- 6. A Mobile-Responsive Website Can Provide a Better User Experience
- 7. How Much Will It Cost to Send Traffic to Your App?
- 8. Your Customers Want to Scroll Through Your Business, Not Go Through a Hassle
- 9. Mobile App is for Customer Retention, Not the First Touch Base
- In conclusion
1. You Don’t Need a Mobile App | Build Your Solid Foundation First
Many business owners make the mistake of thinking they need a mobile app to succeed.
But the truth is, if you don’t have a website, you don’t need a mobile app.
Building an app requires a lot of resources and investment, and it’s not worth it if you don’t have a solid foundation.
Think about it this way: a website is the foundation of your online presence, where people go to learn more about your business, products, or services and to contact you.
If you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to reach potential customers.
2. Think of the Marketing Funnel and Where Your Mobile App Would Stand
The marketing funnel is a process that potential customers go through to become aware of, evaluate, and purchase your products or services.
At the top of the funnel, people are in the search phase, where they are looking for information and exploring their options.
Having a website is crucial at this stage, as it allows people to easily find you, learn about your business, and explore your products or services.
On the other hand, downloading and installing an app takes time and effort, which can overwhelm potential customers who are still in the search phase.
Plus, once they download your app, there’s no guarantee that they’ll use it again, and the app may end up taking up valuable space on their device.
3. Most App Uninstalls Happen Right After Installation
According to a study by Apps Flyer, 49% of Android apps were uninstalled within just one day.
This means many people download an app, use it once, and then delete it.
There are many reasons, including lack of engagement, poor user experience, and lack of value.
Once a user uninstalls your app, it’s difficult to re-engage them and bring them back to your business.
On the other hand, if a user leaves your website, you can easily retarget them and bring them back to your business.
4. Your Website is More Than Enough for Your Business
If you want to engage with your customers in a more personal and exclusive way, your website can have the option where customers can create their accounts, view their purchase history, and update their profile information.
This can be a great way to build loyalty and retain customers. Plus, it’s much easier to manage than a separate mobile app.
5. Mobile App Development Costs More Time and Money Than a Website
Developing a mobile app takes a lot of time, effort, and money. In contrast, websites can be built and launched relatively quickly and easily.
If you’re starting out, investing in a mobile app might not be financially feasible. Plus, with the fast-paced world of technology, you must constantly update and maintain your app to keep up with the latest trends and features.
6. A Mobile-Responsive Website Can Provide a Better User Experience
With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure that your website is mobile-responsive, meaning that it can adapt to different screen sizes and provide a seamless user experience on all devices.
A mobile-responsive website can provide the same functionality as a mobile app, including easy navigation, fast loading times, and push notifications.
In fact, a mobile-responsive website may even be better than a mobile app, as it doesn’t require users to download and install anything, and it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. Plus, the ability to retarget visitors.
7. How Much Will It Cost to Send Traffic to Your App?
Effective traffic management is crucial for any digital platform, be it a website, app, or any other form of digital presence.
Without proper traffic management and tracking, your website or app will not yield any results or benefits.
When it comes to building your mobile app, it is essential to consider factors such as where your traffic is coming from, how much it will cost to acquire a new user, and how much traffic you need to achieve your desired results.
The app install cost may cost 10X the cost per click on the website.
8. Your Customers Want to Scroll Through Your Business, Not Go Through a Hassle
When it comes down to it, your customers want a convenient and hassle-free experience when interacting with your business.
They want to access information easily, browse your products or services, and purchase without any roadblocks.
A mobile app can create unnecessary barriers to this process, requiring additional steps like downloading, installing, and navigating a new platform.
On the other hand, a mobile-responsive website provides a seamless experience that meets your customers’ expectations.
9. Mobile App is for Customer Retention, Not the First Touch Base
It’s important to remember that a mobile app should be used as a tool for customer retention rather than the first point of contact with your business.
A mobile app is a good step further down the road when you already have a strong customer base that would be interested in downloading your mobile app.
But your website should be the primary touchpoint, providing a clear and comprehensive introduction to your business.
Once customers are engaged with your business and have a reason to interact with you on a deeper level, a mobile app can provide additional benefits, such as personalized experiences and exclusive offers.
In conclusion
By focusing on building a solid foundation with a website and prioritizing customer engagement, you can create a successful online presence without the added complexity and cost of a mobile app.
This is not a call for all types and sizes of businesses to not build their mobile app. This is to discuss when exactly you need it.
So, take a step back and tconsider what your business needs to succeed in the digital age.
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