5 Ways to Use Apps to Connect with CustomersSeptember 9, 2013

On a personal level, we use use text messaging to connect with friends and family. At work, we use instant messaging to connect with co-workers. But for businesses, apps are fast-becoming the best way to communicate with customers. While it’s true that other mobile tactics have a place in digital strategy, apps have opened the door to a whole new level of engagement and possibility. Here are 5 of the smartest ways businesses are using these tools to grow their businesses and their relationships with customers:

1. Quick info. A basic app can help customers quickly locate specifics about your business such as contact info., location, hours and a list of what products or service you offer. 3rd party integration with an email client can allow customers to complete instant email sign-up sign-up, whereas a tie-in w/ a shopping cart provider can allow customers to complete a purchase or make a donation quickly and easily.
2. Promotions. It’s not a new idea – but it’s one that’s proven to work. Promotions delivered via app using a phone’s native functionality (such as geolocation) can help to drive traffic and increase sales for land-based businesses. For those that are web-based, alerts for flash sales delivered via app help to add a sense of urgency.
3. Alerts. The beauty of mobile is that it’s the only platform that can reach users at any time and in almost any location. With statistics that point out today’s user is never more than 3 feet away from their mobile device, this is a huge opportunity for businesses to send push alerts to these customers notifying them of exclusive new products, as well as online and in-store events.
4. Loyalty rewards. For years, stores have offered loyalty programs to achieve higher rates of customer retention. Apps make it a whole lot easier, as users can simply scan printed QR codes, tap an RFID chip, or hold their phone up to a mobile scanner to collect points and unlock special offers.
5. Reviews. With more mobile shopping happening than ever before, quick review options (like selecting the number of stars) give shoppers one-click control over product feedback after purchase. On the pre-purchase side, apps can make the shopping experience more seamless for the end-user by providing sort options including rating and most popular.

Apps are just one tool in the digital arsenol that businesses are arming themselves with in order to effectively connect with consumers. With an infinite numbers of ways that apps can be used not only to push information, but also to pull it in from users, they are a win-win for businesses and customers alike.