Mobile marketing tips for small businesses
Posts tagged app reseller
How Our New Push Notifications Will Push Your App Over the Top
Jul 24th
Push notifications are one of the keys to connecting with your fans and customers using your app. While users may not necessarily launch your app frequently, notifications can help you keep the lines of communication open, especially through offers, discounts, event alerts, and other strategies. That way, your app becomes a sounding beacon that helps you maximize bonds with your userbase.
Our new push notification system makes this process easier than ever before, while ensuring that your business looks really good each time customers see you on their mobile devices.
Here’s how it works:
1. First, enter your push notification message at your BiznessApps dashboard online. This is just a simple piece of text that will let users know you’ve got something to share.
2. Then, choose the location you want to broadcast to (i.e. just your users in a particular neighborhood, or all your users throughout the entire world?)
Now the fun really begins…
3. After choosing your location, you can select your offer template. We have a variety of professionally created, industry-specific images for you to pick from, as well as your choice of color scheme. This ability to customize offer templates is an advanced feature that we are very proud of, and that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Check out this demo video at 1:42 to see them in action.
4. Lastly, type in your offer text, and then set a date and time for sending. Now, you’re all set. Your offer is looking good and ready to help you drive some business!
Our push notifications also have a few extra features, just to sweeten the deal.
You can 1) sync your Facebook and Twitter accounts to the system, so that pushed offers are simultaneously posted to your social media pages, 2) choose what devices you message will go to (e.g. only Android users, or only iPhone users), and 3) send offers that contain a link to a URL or a tab within your app.
In short, our push notification system is one of the most advanced systems available, and it can be a major asset for boosting interaction with your users and increasing revenue.
Advanced Push Notes from Bizness Apps on Vimeo.
Yes, Your App Reseller Business Needs a Blog. Yes, You Have to Update it Regularly. Sorry!
Jul 22nd
“But I don’t wanna! Blogging takes too much time!”
As an app reseller we know, we hear you. But it’s not as bad as you think. You don’t have to write a novel, you just have to share information and expertise that small businesses might find useful.
C’mon, who doesn’t like to hear themselves talk? Your blog is your chance to go on and on about whatever it is your app resale business does. Assuming that you are actually interested in your own mobile app business (if you aren’t, maybe it’s time for a change), blogging should be fairly easy. Here’s how to do it:
1. Go about your day
2. Reach a half-hour window of time you have pre-scheduled for blogging a couple of times each week
3. Write about whatever is on your mind that day that’s related to your app reseller business
4. Proofread (don’t skip this step)
5. Post & share across your social networks
6. Go on your merry way!
“Why? Why do I have to? No one is going to read it!”
First of all, you’re reading this post, right?
Second of all, these figures show why you can’t ignore your blog:
• The audience is huge. 50% of time spent online is spent reading content, and there are 329 million blog readers online. Of course, they won’t all be reading your blog, but if you deliver content that small businesses enjoy, you’ll carve out a small percentage of all of that traffic for your mobile app reseller business.
• You can get mobile app leads from your blog. There are 27 million blog shares each day, and clicks from shared content are 500% more likely to lead to a purchase. When you put out content, it can “boomerang” and bring back new customers along with it. Depending on your products, a single extra sale can make it all worth it.
• It’s a great alternative to ads. Some ads are great and people may even like them. But in general, 73% of people prefer articles to ads. This preference has a direct impact on your business, because 61% of people are more likely to buy from companies that deliver custom content. In addition, ads can be costly to produce and place.
• You have options. Content marketing doesn’t have to take the form of a blog, exactly. Articles are the most common form of content marketing, followed by blogs, eNewsletters, case studies, and then whitepapers. If one is more suitable for your business, then focus on that. Don’t ignore the other channels, however. Online marketing works best when done using a multi-faceted strategy, as each channel has its strengths and weaknesses.
In essence, content marketing lets you educate your audience on your mobile app reseller business, and start a conversation where direct advertising would not. Don’t neglect it – you might just be missing out on the cost effective marketing method available to you!
5 Sales Tips for Mobile App Resellers
Jul 20th
Being a mobile app reseller requires two things 1) mobile apps and 2) reselling. We can provide you with the foundation to deliver both of these things, but the second part can be challenging. To help you focus on the keys to selling mobile apps, we have a few tips to remember:
1. Stay top of mind
If you’ve been in touch with a small business that is interested in putting out an app, don’t fade away. Share relevant information so that the project doesn’t die. Small business owners are pressed for time, and it’s easy for them to lose sight of an item that isn’t currently “on fire.” Without being obnoxious, reach out with articles or other messages and content that relate to why it’s great to have an app. This way, you minimize the risk that you’ll be forgotten.
2. Focus on timing
Sometimes, a good project can be put off indefinitely. To give customers a little bit of a nudge, offer better terms to those that are ready to make a purchase. This can be a one-day discount, express servicing for those that purchase by the week’s end, or another desirable benefit that’s only available for a limited time. For many, this is all that’s needed to get the ball rolling.
3. Remind them of the competition
There’s no better time than the present to publish an app, because the competitive advantage of being a first mover will vanish over time. Remind prospects that the longer they wait, the more likely it becomes that a competitor will publish an app first and start soaking up market share. It’s never too late to put out an app, but the best time is now!
4. Seal the deal
Once someone is ready and positive about the possibility of creating an app, don’t delay and let a lot of time pass by. Keep things moving so that obstacles don’t come up and derail your deal. Handling things efficiently is part of providing great service, so start things off on the right foot by sealing your deal at the right time.
5. Accept failure
What? This is the ultimate, “No no” in sales literature! How could we say that?
Well, simply put: we find it to be true. The fact of the matter is, not everyone is going to buy what you’re selling, and that’s okay. You want to stay positive and help out all of those who could use your services, but not every business wants or needs an app. Don’t be crazy or desperate and try to force one on each person you meet.
Relax. It’s going to be okay. Some people will turn you down.
Take it in stride, learn from it, and come back ready to help the next person who really does need an app. That’s your target market, after all!
10 Reasons to Create a Mobile App Company with Bizness Apps
Jul 18th
Bizness Apps isn’t just about creating apps for customers, we also open up our platform so that others can start their own app development companies, through our white label reseller program. With our help, many have started successful companies, and the opportunities continue to grow by the day. With a wealth of useful features, Bizness Apps provides a program that’s hard to match. Here are ten reasons why:
1. Customer Service
A software solution is only as good as its customer support, so we strive to make sure that ours is as good as it can be. With Bizness Apps, no one is left do deal with problems on their own. We’re always accessible, and won’t rest until we’ve got a solution to an issue. It’s the most important benefit we deliver, and it always comes first.
2. Numbers
We power more mobile apps than any other company in the world. No matter what your situation is, we’ve been there and done that. Whatever industry your customers are in, our platform can be used to develop a clean, beautiful, functional app that suits their needs.
3. Marketing
When it comes to promotions, we deliver all the marketing materials you need, from website templates, to PowerPoint presentations, sales scripts, proposal documentation, infographics, case studies, and more. Communicating with your customers in a professional way couldn’t be easier. All the work has already been done for you!
4. Free Bizness CRM Account
A business opportunity that doesn’t include leads is incomplete.
That’s why we help you hit the ground running with a free Bizness CRM Account. Bizness CRM is software that presents you with as many small business leads as you can handle, and then gives you a simple way to track sales efforts and close deals. With Bizness CRM, you can take notes, schedule follow-up calls, collaborate with your team members, and more. It’s a complete solution for selling to small businesses, and it’s yours free with our white label reseller program.
5. Great ROI App Features
Your small business customers will be looking for app features that help them grow their business. Bizness Apps gives you the ability to include features in apps that let users submit orders, make reservations, get advanced push notifications and promotions, enjoy loyalty programs, and more. Your customers will find everything they’re looking for, making your app company a total solution provider.
6. We’re Known
It’s been many years since we bootstrapped ourselves into existence, and we’ve been fortunate enough to have been noticed by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, the Washington Post, and more. We aren’t a fly-by-night operation – we’re the leading provider of mobile apps to small businesses! When you partner with us, you’re getting the real deal.
7. Our Resellers Are Happy
New program entrants regularly come to us by referral from a current reseller. We assume that means they’re happy with the program!
8. No Limits
We don’t want to place limits on how successful you can be. You can develop unlimited Android apps and mobile websites. When you do well, we do well, so we encourage you to make as much as you can of your business. The best way to do that is to remove the limits that might stand in your way.
9. Small Business Focus
Small businesses are incredibly numerous, and represent one of the best sales opportunities available. Bizness Apps is specifically built for small businesses and designed to suit their needs perfectly. This provides you with the chance to serve a market that is always growing, and that’s robust in almost any area or industry.
10. Customization
We understand that business owners don’t want their app to look exactly like everyone else’s. For that reason, you have the ability to customize the appearance of the apps you create, and keep customer satisfaction high.
In short, Bizness Apps is built to help you start your own company, grow, and succeed!
Most IT Spending In 2013 Will Go Into Apps
Jul 17th
Forrester has released its latest forecasts regarding IT spending in 2013, and many interesting trends have been noted. Leading them all, however, is the fact that the majority of all IT spending this year will go into apps! In total, about $2 trillion will be invested into software, hardware, and IT services by enterprises and governments. At $234 billion, however, apps will be the largest piece of the pie (other large pieces are custom-built software, systems integration, and consulting).
This trend goes hand in hand with the exploding mobile device industry, which continues to record unprecedented sales in many regions. The increasing popularity of smartphones fuels the booming app development market, as users clamor for a variety of entertaining and useful apps. The evidence of growing mobile activity can be seen in total usage hours, app downloads, money spent inside apps, and many other metrics.
Forrester’s research also shows that a number of related disruptions are continuing to have long-term effects on a variety of industry segments. For example:
Mobile devices are shrinking the PC market
PC sales will grow by 3% this year. A nice little gain, right? Well, not compared to the over 30% increase in tablet sales. If you’re reading this on an iPad, you might guess who is leading this market segment, and you’d be correct. iPad sales comprise about two-thirds of total sales, with Samsung Galaxy and Microsoft Surface following behind. Tablets are popular not just with consumers, but also with large-scale entities from business and government sectors, and these sales help drive the success of mobile devices.
This preference for Apple also carries over into the PC market, where Windows device sales will decrease by about $7 billion, and Apple device sales will increase by $6 billion. That is, Apple’s dominance in the mobile market is leading to some nice benefits in other markets as well. But where is all of this spending coming from? Well…
America loves IT
The U.S. still accounts for more IT consumption than any other region, in terms of total spending. The fastest-growing region, however, might surprise you. While the population numbers in Asia often make it a growth leader, Latin America will actually soon see the largest increase in IT spending. By 2014, it is projected to be the fastest-growing region, with IT spending increasing at a rate of nearly 11%.
Software is huge
With the popularity of cloud computing, SaaS, big data analytics, and mobile apps, many investors are opting for centralized solutions. Software development will thus grow by over 3% this year and double that rate in 2014.
The message from all of this data is clear: tons of money will flow into the development of apps. And amazingly, the rate of the flow is scheduled to increase!
Not a bad time to be an app reseller, offering apps to small businesses, eh?
Small Business Marketing by the Numbers
Jul 11th
Almost every small business owner would like to increase sales, but it can be hard to decide where to focus marketing efforts. Armed with these facts, it becomes a lot easier to see where you should spend your money as a small business owner.
Let’s take each marketing channel in turn:
Mobile
Mobile web usage continues to increase daily, and is projected to surpass desktop web usage by 2014. Half of all local searches are now done on a mobile device, and these aren’t just idle searches. In fact, a whopping 90% of mobile searches lead to an action, and over half of these are purchases! This means that having a mobile website is an absolute must for businesses that want to maximize their opportunities.
But it isn’t just about taking advantage of a way to boost sales. Not having a mobile-optimized website can actually do serious damage to your business. This is because 40% of searchers head to a competitor’s website after a bad mobile website experience with a particular company. Your lack of a mobile website is actually an advantage for your competition, especially if they’re up to date with their mobile optimization.
Takeaway: A mobile-optimized website is a must for small businesses that want to remain competitive.
SEO
Search engine optimization remains crucial. What you may not know is that a surprising amount of foot traffic to your location can come from Google. 88% of searchers for a type of business actually go to one within 24 hours. This response is even more immediate on mobile, where 70% of searches are followed up with an action within an hour. In addition, SEO leads have a close rate of 15%, which is higher than referrals, paid search, social media, and outbound leads.
Takeaway: SEO is a solid source of web AND in-person traffic.
Social media
Social media includes platforms like Facebook and Twitter, but also online review sites like Yelp, and small businesses would be well served to address both. A few stats cover the core reasons why:
Seven out of ten consumers are more likely to use a local business if it has information available on a social media site. This stat isn’t just fluff, either. 20% of Facebook users have actually purchased something because of ads or comments they saw there. That is, social media can directly generate sales.
As for online review sites, 72% of consumers trust them as much as personal recommendations from people they know. While word-of-mouth will always be valuable, Internet recommendations have become equally as valuable.
Takeaways: Social media creates sales and online reviews are now fully trusted.
Email
We could go on at length about why email marketing is so much more than just “spam,” but one stat says it all: businesses return $40 for every $1 spent on email marketing! For many businesses, this is the most cost-effective multiple available in any marketing channel.
Takeaway: If you don’t do email marketing, you’re definitely leaving a significant amount of money on the table.
Websites
49% of sites are not compliant with basic usability principles. On mobile, 93.3% percent of small business websites are not mobile-compatible. This means that they will not render successfully on mobile devices or smartphones. Put another way, they’ll look bad and users will quickly hit the “Back” button.
The result? 50% of online sales are lost because visitors can’t find the content they want. This can be something as basic as a phone number, which 60% of local businesses omit from their website.
Takeaway: do a quick review to make sure your site is functional on all devices, and that basic info is easy to find.
Web ads
Web ads are low-cost but also fairly low effectiveness. Click-through rates are currently averaging .1%, half of those may be mistakes, and a significant portion may not even be actual human users.
Takeaway: web ads might be part of a successful strategy, but don’t rely on them to generate your sales.
Content marketing
Companies with active blogs receive 97% more leads, and content marketing has recently been ranked the single most effective SEO technique, according to Marketing Sherpa. A blog costs less than traditional marketing, and each post can serve as a perpetual “ad” that will bring a stream of traffic as long as it is up. Thus, blogs are well worth the effort.
Takeaway: invest in regular blogging to enjoy a highly cost effective boost in leads.
5 Ways to Increase Mobile App Sales on Your Website
Jul 10th
When you develop apps for business clients, increasing sales can become an obsession. And when it comes to your website, there are endless strategies to experiment with. Today we discuss five that we have found to be reliably effective. Implement these tips, and your business will be on the path to healthy sales in short order:
1. Use testimonials
More specifically, use credible testimonials. Generalized statements won’t do. You need specific explanations from real customers that explain how an app you created has helped their business. The testimonials don’t have to be over-the-top; they just need to highlight the fact that the apps you create for customers solve problems. The more authentic, the better. Prospects need to understand how the apps you build benefit your business clients, and testimonials are the perfect way to do that.
2. Think of the users first
Your website is a funny thing: it’s all about your business, but in order to make sales, it really needs to be all about your customers. This can be a hard balance to strike. You need to describe your service (app development), but you also need to be crystal clear about the benefits you bring to your customers.
The best way to find the right mix is to review and edit your copy from the perspective of a hypothetical reader, and not from the perspective of your business. Does your text focus on the problems of your clients? Does it answer prospects’ questions? Is your language clear and helpful? Does it create a good impression of your business? Spend some time in a prospect’s shoes, and see if your website needs tweaking to serve them better.
3. Focus on a single problem
Publishing an app can solve a wide variety of problems for a business, but sometimes you can go farther by focusing in on the core reasons to create an app. It clears away the clutter and lets users zero in on a convincing reason to use your app development service. While robust service descriptions are great, they sometimes confuse prospects who are new to the world of apps. By focusing on the main benefits (boosting sales, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty), you can avoid this issue and make it easy to spark interest.
4. Use screenshots
Images of your apps in action are irreplaceable. Prospects don’t have to wonder what your apps look like or how they might be used. They can see exactly what they’re getting. For some clients, this is simply the best way to sell your service: not with words, but with clear pictures. Once they’re seen what some sample apps can do, it becomes a lot easier to decide to create one.
5. Prominent call-to-action
If you offer a free trial or initial consultation, a big button should be prominently displayed on your website that says “Free Trial!” or “Start Free Consultation!” It doesn’t have to use those exact words, but the point is not to hide a persuasive call-to-action. It’s the quickest way to convert a lead!
4 Tips for Building a Successful Mobile App Sales Team
Jul 9th
If you want to develop apps for businesses, you may be tempted to sit back and let your advertisements bring in the prospects. But sadly, things don’t work that way – not even with a very strong ad campaign running. It’s important to continue actively pursuing customers to ensure that the time and effort invested in your app development enterprise pays off.
For many developers, this may require that you build your very first sales team. Don’t be scared – it isn’t as hard as it sounds. You don’t have to hire an army of salespeople. You just need to start with a few dedicated reps that are ready to roll up their sleeves and help make your business a success.
You might be tempted to go forward without a sales team due to the cost or headache associated with bringing new team members on board. But make no mistake: a sales team is the engine of your business’s revenue and growth. What you invest now can generate significant returns later on as your company gains momentum.
The following tips will help you build a team that creates sales and also cultivates long-term benefits for your company.
1. You don’t need programmers
Don’t be overly concerned with hiring technically oriented folks for your sales team. As long as your team members are familiar with apps and computers, you can teach them everything they need to know in order to sell app development. Some companies get hung up trying to find people that are extremely tech-savvy for their sales team, but it is more important that your sales team members have interpersonal skills.
Of course, if you can find people with both technical and sales skills – that’s even better!
2. Have them use the products
It isn’t enough to just read about your service as sales training – your team members should download and actually use some of the apps your company has created for clients. This will give them familiarity with your product that will be extremely helpful in selling it.
A big part of the sales process can be answering questions about how apps work and the possibilities for development that your company offers. If responses from your sales team are genuine and specific, it can give sales efforts a real boost. If they’re canned and ambiguous, you’re headed for trouble.
3. Focus on long-term success, not just raw numbers
Only looking at sales and subscriptions is a straightforward way to measure success, but it’s important to also keep an eye on retention and satisfaction. Sales teams can sometimes makes promises just to “Get to yes,” and this can hurt your business down the road. Make sure that your team members are interacting with customers in a way that is good for sales, but also your business as a whole.
4. Back them up with excellent support
This is key to ensuring sales success: support your ongoing customers and deliver on your selling points. If reviews are bad and referrals are non-existent, your sales team will struggle to meet its goals. If, on the other hand, customers are happy, your sales team will have a very strong leg to stand on when it comes time to speak to prospects.
A well-rounded approach like this will make your company a success not just today, but also well into the future.
4 Tips for a Strong LinkedIn Page for Your Mobile App Company
Jul 1st
“LinkedIn? Why do I care about that? I need downloads, not corporate connections!”
Good news – you can get both from LinkedIn!
Not only can your mobile app development company connect with recruits, colleagues, and more on LinkedIn, but you can actually promote products there as well. And here’s the best part – the people you impress with your product on LinkedIn are likely to be industry insiders whose recommendation is more valuable than a garden-variety one.
When it comes to favorable reviews or testimonials, gaining the attention of a fellow developer or other tech industry participant can be hugely valuable. They tend to be more active online, and are generally more willing to speak well about a product that impresses them. And if you catch the eye of a major tech blogger, you’ll be in great shape.
So, how can you make sure your page is helping your business and gaining you the kind of attention you want from colleagues and others? Using these four tips:
1. Create a memorable image
LinkedIn has changed over the years, and the most noticeable difference is that companies can use banner images to spice up their pages. Upload a nice banner that incorporates your logo, and your page will pop out from the mass of black-and-white text pages that predominate on LinkedIn.
Also, this should go without saying (but a quick review of pages revealed that, sadly, it does not): make sure your image resolution and size is optimal for the LinkedIn banner specs. If your banner looks sloppy, you won’t be making a very good impression at all. You’re an app company – a tech-savvy and attractive online image is a must!
2. Be social
Don’t view your page as a static website. Instead, add it to your list of social media outlets to update regularly. You can post news, announcements, info about projects, and the occasional promotional message or offer. (LinkedIn is all about business, so why not conduct some while you’re there?)
3. Use keywords
When writing your company’s textual description sections, be sure to use keywords that are relevant to those you want to bring to your page. This can mean incorporating words that recruits would use, as well as keywords that prospects might use. Choose your words carefully, and you’ll enjoy a bit of organic search traffic in addition to the activity from members of your current network.
4. Provide links
Don’t forget to put up a download link every now and then. You’ll be surprised what can happen when you’ve got a thriving LinkedIn page!
Realtor App Spotlight - Coldwell Banker
Jun 20th
Looking to purchase a new home? Or looking to potentially sell your home?
If so, the Coldwell Banker Chicora app might be your gateway to your new home away from home: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!
Searching for a home is a full time occupation, and the CBC app lets you stay plugged in to the Myrtle Beach market no matter where you are. To that end, the CBC app has the following nifty features:
• Search. Users can browse homes for sale, view pictures, read about property features, and review other relevant info.
• Broker interaction. Users can flag their favorite listings for their broker and ask any questions they may have.
• Notifications. Users can receive push notifications when homes that fit their criteria are listed for sale, allowing them to act in real-time in a fast-moving market.
• Mortgage calculator. Users can quickly figure out what a particular home would cost, as well as what they can afford.
• Information. Users can read up on industry news and helpful tips.
In essence, the CBC app keeps users abreast of all the information they need to go from dreaming of Myrtle Beach to actually owning a home there. And because the app is built for mobile devices, it couldn’t be more handy or convenient.
If you’d like to check out the real estate scene in Myrtle Beach, head here to grab the Free Coldwell Banker Chicora app.
