Category: Mobile App Development

Why Retail Apps Add Value For Your Customers

Each year, retail apps continue to grow and change your shopping experience. For many customers worldwide, these apps are a critical part of the overall shopping experience. Many retailers are creating apps which improve the shopping experience for the customer and appeal to their needs. For example, they are creating rewards points, adding product browsing, transaction ability, and providing suggestions for the buyer. Since customers have new shopping habits because of mobile devices, these retail apps enhance their shopping experience.

It’s the shopping experience which is driving the use of these apps. One study showed that 88% of people are using retail apps to help them when shopping. Shoppers are looking for easy ways to make a purchase and retail apps are helping them make important purchasing decisions. The apps are easy to use, personalized, and improve brand loyalty towards the company.

Retail Apps Are Easy to Use
Most shoppers have access to mobile shopping. In today’s world we have access to shopping at the tips of our fingers. We can browse, recommend products or services to others or make a purchase whenever we want. Most retail apps have payment methods so you can pay right within the app itself. Retail apps eliminate a lot of the headaches that are associated with regular shopping.

Retail Apps Offer Personalization
Retail apps are also personalized towards each shopper that uses the app so they have a customized shopping experience. Some companies integrate loyalty programs as well as special discounts into their apps. Examples of this include Starbucks, Shoppers Drugmart, and many others. personalization options include loyalty programs, push notifications, and the integration of coupon offers which target the needs of the user.

One study showed that 51% of those that use mobile apps, use them in the actual store to help them make purchasing decisions. Buyers have access to additional information when they use mobile apps which helps them when buying. The customer can check ratings, save money with discounts, and compare products or services to find the best one for their needs. the customer is now more engaged in the shopping experience than ever before thanks to advancements in digital shopping.

Better Retailer-Shopper Experience
Shoppers are looking for tools that provide them with more engagement and convenience when they shop. A shopper is more likely to return if they have a positive shopping experience in a store. Retailers now acknowledge what shoppers are looking for and are expanding into the digital world to meet the needs of the shopper through their mobile apps. With mobile apps, the retailer can connect with shoppers so the buyer has more options and convenience when they shop at a store. Retail apps help to build long-term customer retailer relations and brand loyalty.

Many shoppers are now focusing their shopping experience on companies that use mobile apps and moving away from those that do not. Mobile apps that are easy to use for customers and offer convenience, are the ones that add value during the shopping experience for buyers.

Building a Requirements Document for a Mobile App

The foundation of your product is going to be the mobile app requirements document. This outlines the business logic, lists the technical specifications and it helps guide the team from the early stage to the final product.

Your Business Requirements
To meet organizational objectives, you need business requirements. These will outline how the solution or product is going to address the needs of your company and the users.
There are certain considerations that need to be included when mapping out requirements for the document such as:
• What do you want to accomplish with the product?
• What is the purpose of your product?
• What problems will the product solve?
• How will it improve or streamline current processes or create a new process?
• What is the vision for the product?
• What is already in place and what will you need to add? Can you use existing assets or do you need to start the app from the ground up?
• What type of functionality will the app have?
• What are the needed features of the app?
• What is the business model or monetization?
• Will you need to follow certain guidelines or branding?
• Do you have a feasible ask?

Technical and Product Requirements
The technical and product requirements outline the technical and systemic needs for the product to achieve the right functionalities and desired features.
The following needs to be determined in the mobile apps document:
• What platform is needed such as iOS or Android?
• What versions of the operating system will be supported?
• What are current servers, services and databases?
• What are current maintenance needs and will you need to offer support in the future?
• How long will the app function before it needs to be overhauled
• Do you have the current documentation for API/services?
• Do you have Google, Apple, other accounts or credentials?
• What are your existing provisioning profiles, if any?
• Are there any other credentials that exist or will be needed?

The Dependencies
Dependencies are anything the product team or product has to rely on to meet objectives. This can include:
• Hardware that the app will communicate with or run on
• API/service documentation
• Credentials for accounts and profiles
• Third part software that the app relies on
• Documents, flowcharts, or other information that’s related to the product

The Assumptions
In the very early stages there are assumptions about the product which we think are true. These are based upon experience, knowledge, or recent information which may include:
• Assumptions we have about the user such as the % of users that will see value in the product and then become a regular user
• The technical assumptions such as a technical requirement that A will work on a recent operating system
• The business assumptions such as making the product within a specified timeframe

The Constraints
Limitations that the team must work with are the constraints. These are usually time, budget and scope. Other aspects like resources/staff, risk tolerance and quality requirements may also be included.

The Submission
The mobile app requirements document should include the technical assets and the information which is required to get into the app store. By defining these requirements you’ll expedite the submission process when your product is ready for its release.

What You Need to Keep in Mind
Here are some considerations and tips to be aware of for the mobile apps requirement document:
• The requirements document needs to be high-level. The product will most likely evolve and change as new information is available.
• You don’t need too much detail. You have to have a flexible requirements document so don’t draw out the document too much before the engineering actually begins. An intricate document will likely have to be changed as your project progresses and this wastes resources and time.
• You need input to build the requirements. Take advantage of the insight and experience of your team.

The goal of creating a mobile app requirements document is to have a foundation for a successful product. By mapping out the dependencies, technical, business requirements, assumptions, constraints, and submission assets, you give the team all it needs to get the project off and running.

“If You Don’t Have a Mobile Strategy, You Don’t Have a Future Strategy”

Have you gone mobile yet? This isn’t about getting out and delivering on the go. It’s about having a mobile strategy for your web presence. Without it, you won’t have a future in business. It’s time to think about mobile app development, and here are three reasons why.

It’s Where Your Customers Are
Your customers own smartphones. They expect their wanted businesses to be there, whether they’re using social media, looking for takeaways or need local repair shops. If you haven’t started your Android app development or got something for the iPhone, you’re letting people down. You’re missing out on a big target market that will help your business grow.

It’s Where Your Competitors Are
By the time you work on your iOS app development / Android app development it will be too late if you don’t start right now. Your competitors are already there. When customers can’t find you, they will look for your competitors instead. They’re not going to search for you again when they find your competitors already on their phones and tablets, so you’ve completely lost the market.

It’s Where Your Customer Services Need to Be
Whether your customer service team helps with problem solving or they deal with cancellations and sales, they need to be mobile. Sure, online chat helps but there are plenty of times when your customers will need to connect via an app. An app will improve responsiveness considerably, meaning your business comes across as more customer friendly. This will help with word of mouth.

It’s time to look into mobile app development right now. You’ll boost your business reputation and improve your marketing range. Be honest with yourself: why haven’t you done it yet? You’re missing out on a future for your business.

Mobile App Development – Billion Dollar Enterprise

The truth is that the world that we currently live in is without a doubt on the brink of a technological revolution. It’s absolutely unimaginable how much technology has advanced in the last few years when you compare it to what it used to be. Ten years ago we couldn’t dare to think that we would carry our personal computers in our backpacks and even in our pockets. That’s right – current smartphones are definitely far more powerful than the computers that we used to take advantage of ten years ago, and they definitely fit in your pocket.

Large Market – Wide Demand
However, all those smartphones are definitely worthless if we don’t use applications and with this in mind mobile app development is definitely one of the new huge things. This is one of the most lucrative fields of expertise, and it’s true that a lot of people have made a significant amount of money through it. However, there are many variables that have to be considered.

iOS App Development
Our company Whiz offers a wide range of different services and iOS app development is without a doubt one of our primary specializations. We understand that the domestic market in the USA is dominated by Apple, and all of their devices run on their own operating system – iOS. With this in mind, we’d like to present you with some of the best applications on the market, tailored to perfection and ensuring all the responsiveness that you need.

Android App Development
While Apple is the current leader in the USA, globally the picture is far more different. Android holds the majority of the market share, and it’s definitely crushing iOS in terms of users across the borders of the USA. This is why we’ve also specialized in developing applications for this particular operating system. In any case, our Android app development experts are going to handle each request that you might have, and they are going to do so flawlessly.

The truth is that the world is changing, and you need to be able to adapt. Our company offers you the chance to stay in touch with modern and contemporary solutions in order for you to be up to speed. Whether you have an idea that you want to market, or you simply need applications developed, our mobile app development company is there to ensure that all of your demands are properly met and satisfied. We hold our customer’s satisfaction very dear and we make sure that we deliver high end services at all times.

What Is Mobile App Development?

Mobile App Development
As a mobile app developer and a manager, I often get asked by other business owners what exactly Mobile App Development is. Many people do not stop and think about what goes into both Android app development or iOS app development, they are just happy seeing dozens of new apps up pop up every other day. However, if you are looking to get a start with your own app, no matter what your end goal is, you need to start somewhere. The best place to start is fully grasping what mobile app development is before trying to start your own Android app development or iOS app development. No point in trying to begin an app when you don’t know what you’re doing!

What Is Mobile App Development?
Mobile Application Development is the term used to explain the process of which application software is developed. The application software is used on handheld devices, such as smartphones, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and any number of pieces of technology you can hold. This software is sometimes pre-installed on a device before being sold in stores, like a way to access the Internet from a phone. Others can be downloaded to the device, which is where the majority of application development developers come in. This industry has been steadily growing as more and more people realize how many benefits come from creating an app. It may be hard work to develop an app but it definitely is worth the patience in the end.

Benefits of Having Your Own App
Of course, having a popular app will increase your cash flow. You will also make a larger name for yourself as your app gains in popularity, which means your business will also see more customers. Making a name for yourself is extremely important and will keep your company afloat even when times seem to be getting harder. If you have developed a following, you will never have to worry about the slow months again.

As you learn more and more about ways to upgrade your app, you’ll be able to see what features your users love and which ones they could do without, though that gets into mobile analytics and that’s a whole different blog post. Either way, you’ll have increased income, constant promotion for your company, and you’ll be making a name for yourself and your business. There are no downsides!

Contact me to learn more.