These small devices are now part of our daily lives, both personally and professionally, notably through mobile applications.
What is a mobile application?
A mobile application is a program that is downloaded onto a smartphone or tablet. It can be free or paid. Apps adapt to smartphones and their constraints (ergonomics, etc.). They make it easier to access websites and associated services.
Today, most of the time people spend on their mobile phones is spent using apps. This mobile tool is used for a number of purposes, including managing a service or commercial space, marketing strategies, communication, and advertising. It is also used by and for a company's employees.
What is meant by a mobile app for employees?
Enterprise mobile applications are developed to improve a company's internal communication. They sometimes serve as internal tools but also inform all employees of the organization more quickly and smoothly. Their goal is to increase employee productivity.
Here are 2 examples of their use:
- It allows field employees to connect with each other and with company management through an intranet. This lets them have up-to-date information in real time.
- It's the same principle for salespeople who are often away from headquarters. This allows them to access updated information from a device they always carry: their phone.
Features for your company's mobile app
In this paragraph, codeur.com suggests a few features to implement for your company's mobile application.
A mobile platform is a website configured for smartphone or tablet formats and downloadable from the App Store or Google Play. This allows all your employees to access information more smoothly.
- Customizing an application A mobile app to showcase your brand identity and encourage employees to use it more. This can be done by adding the logo and applying the company's colors to the app...
- Add a chat. Highly appreciated by users, it allows logging in to share simple information in real time—or even more sensitive data—and to keep written records for future reference if needed.
- Instant messaging to quickly send information to a specific person. It often replaces calls when you are in a place where it is difficult to speak.
- Push notifications which is a system for sending urgent information to the entire company.
- Training courses for employees. It’s a way to boost your staff’s engagement. Through the intranet, offer training to your employees. They can register directly via the app and, as employers, you can track their progress.
- Training modules can be uploaded so employees can follow the training directly on their smartphone or tablet. This can include documents, videos…
- Setting up surveys among employees. Through your company app, measure employee satisfaction. It’s an opportunity to share ideas and gather information from them, such as potential needs. Consider making it anonymous if you want employees to participate freely.
- Add the company directoryThanks to this feature, employees will have access to all company contacts. It saves time when you’re away from the office. It’s also a good way to introduce the different people who work within departments. Employees can contact anyone from another team or department. Consider creating a photo directory so people can recognize each other.
- Suggest an FAQ There are recurring questions about the company or how it operates that can take up a lot of time, mainly for the human resources department. FAQs are very well suited to handling such questions.
- Install a dashboard among salespeople, it can create a small internal competition. Be careful, however, not to implement a system that would create stress and demotivation because of the competition. It should remain friendly. It is also a way to recognize them.
- Don't forget the "search" feature. If you spend too much time searching for something, it no longer makes sense to set up an application. This feature allows your employees to get directly to where they want to be quickly.
- Your application must-be ccompatible with iOS and Android devices. It's an effective way to allow your employees to use their own devices. They are used to them and onboarding will be easier. Keep in mind, however, the "right to disconnect," which is one of the principles of our labor code.
- Make the user journey unique by implementing authentication. With this feature, your employees can log in using an account in their name.
- If you are an international company, consider making your application multilingual. Your employees may be of different nationalities and more comfortable with their native language. It's an added comfort for your employees.
- Another important element, it's the team calendar. It allows everyone to know what they need to do, to keep an eye on their progress, and to know the schedule as well as the tasks to be completed and those already completed by your collaborators. It's also a way to be informed in real time about the progress of your projects.
5 concrete advantages for your business
These pieces of software are multiplying and their usefulness is increasingly obvious for managing daily life. For this reason, every company should ask itself the following question: should we launch a mobile app ? No clear answer — and the decision to develop an app must be carefully considered…
However, there are several good reasons that should encourage you to consider creating a mobile app.
A privileged contact with your customers
With a smartphone app, no intermediary is needed! You are in direct contact with your potential customers.
Unlike the Internet or social networks, which constantly put you in competition with other players in your field, the mobile app offers privileged contact with your customers.
Depending on its nature, the app can also be an entry point for your prospects. By being useful, you make potential customers want to learn more about you and use your paid services.
Lower-cost marketing
No more costly ads through traditional communication channels or 4x3 billboards on the streets:
mobile marketing it even allows small businesses to promote themselves without investing huge sums.
As intimate as the word-of-mouth, and as effective as a large-scale marketing campaign, developing a mobile app reaches a broader core audience while remaining financially and technically accessible: it is even possible to create an app without developers.
A better-understood core target audience
The mobile app is aimed at a a potential customer base already targeted and known.
By following mobile app conventions (updated information, push notifications regular and brief updates, development of new features…), you are sure to capture the attention of your prospects.
And an interested, engaged customer is very likely to become a won-over customer who completes a purchase or renews it.
A presence without intrusion
A smartphone app is consulted as soon as the user feels the need. They can choose to receive notifications, but it is not mandatory.
Thus, the mobile user doesn't even see this app as a marketing tool.
This method of communication and customer retention is not intrusive in the customer's life; it only provides added value. The user's perception of your business is therefore positive.
At the same time, you strengthen their confidence in your business.
An evolution that has become necessary
It goes without saying: social media and mobile apps have become real reference points for information and communication.
By developing a mobile app linked to your business, you show that you are trendy and that you know how to adapt to your customers' lifestyles.
Indirectly, this reflects on your company's image: you become a brand modern, capable of meeting the new consumer needs.
To stay at the forefront, also consider Progressive web apps, next-generation apps that require no installation.
Our tip
We could have added a sixth advantage to this list, but we'll save it as a tip...
The ease of developing a custom mobile app perfectly tailored to your needs... It's possible to use platforms to help you build an app for your business. We have selected:
GoodBarber
GoodBarber is a well-designed platform. It is one of the easiest to use to create your custom apps. Some use it to develop their e-commerce and simplify purchases, while others use it to manage projects and publish content.
Swiftic
Swiftic is software that allows you to design apps. The interface is intuitive and simple and can be used by anyone, even beginners! It targets both businesses and individuals. A wide range of customization options is offered, letting you adapt it to your industry. In addition, you'll find many features that make it enjoyable for users to use.
Also check out our mobile app specifications template to help structure your project.
As you can see, implementing an app for your business helps optimize project management processes. It's also an opportunity to improve productivity and maximize your chances of achieving a better return on investment. The advantages of a company mobile app are numerous and accessible to everyone.
However, you may lack the time or the desire to create it yourself. It should be noted that an app developed by a professional will most likely be better optimized to fulfill its purpose.
Find a freelance mobile app developer on Codeur.com.
