Passed on 7 April, 2025

5. Mobile apps

These days many businesses create mobile apps for customers which they can keep on their smartphones or tablets. In this lesson, we’ll cover what mobile apps are, the benefits they bring, how to determine if an app is right for your business, and the options available for developing one.

✅ Learning objectivesBy the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:Understand the role of mobile apps in business.Explain the key benefits of mobile apps for businesses.Determine whether a mobile app is right for your business.Explore different development options for creating a mobile app.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

Understand the role of mobile apps in business.

Explain the key benefits of mobile apps for businesses.

Determine whether a mobile app is right for your business.

Explore different development options for creating a mobile app.

Why mobile apps benefit businesses

Let’s find out if mobile apps could support your business goals.

The benefits for businesses

Mobile apps provide several advantages that help businesses improve customer experience, increase engagement, and grow brand loyalty.

Improved customer engagement

Mobile apps help businesses engage directly with customers. Send app notifications with updates or special offers, answer questions over messages in the support tab, or show content tailored to their preferences to keep them interested and returning.

Increased brand loyalty

Your app could also power a new loyalty programme. Customers can use it to earn points for every purchase, redeem rewards, and track their progress, encouraging repeat business and boosting customer loyalty.

Simplified actions

A simplified checkout on your app lets customers complete purchases in just a few clicks. You can also enable features like biometric login (e.g., fingerprint or Face ID) for quick, secure access, making the experience smoother and more convenient.

Better insights

Mobile apps offer valuable data on how users interact with them. Mobile attribution and analytics tools, cookies, and trackers can help you identify user behaviour, helping you improve the app experience and make updates that better meet your users’ needs.

Apps in action

Mobile apps provide incredible value to businesses, from making shopping easier for customers to streamlining operations. Here are some real-life examples of app features that are helping companies succeed.

Order management

Restaurants use apps to let customers order ahead and receive notifications when their order is ready, cutting down on in-store wait times and giving customers a smoother experience.

Scan, pay, and go

Supermarket apps allow customers to scan items as they shop and pay through the app. Shoppers can skip checkout lines entirely, making the shopping experience faster and more convenient.

Is a mobile app right for your business?

Not every business needs a mobile app. Here’s how to determine whether creating a mobile app is the right choice for your business needs.

Factors to consider

Creating a mobile app can be a great opportunity, but it’s important to weigh a few key factors to ensure it’s the right choice for your business and your customers.

How to develop a mobile app

There are several options available for businesses looking to develop a mobile app, each with its own benefits and challenges.

Options for mobile app development

There are different ways to create an app, and the best choice depends on your skills, resources, and business goals. Choose the approach that works best for what you want to achieve.

In-house development

Developing a mobile app within your own business allows you to have full control over the design and functionality of the app. This option is best suited for businesses with a dedicated development team and technical resources.

Hiring a development agency

For businesses without an internal development team, hiring a development agency can provide expertise and a faster time to market. Agency prices vary, and may not suit all projects or budgets.

Using an app builder platform

App builder platforms allow businesses to create apps without the need for coding skills. These platforms offer templates and easy-to-use tools, but may limit customisation and advanced functionality.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

PWAs provide an app-like experience within a browser. They are accessible without requiring a download and offer key features like offline access and push notifications, making them a cost-effective alternative to traditional mobile apps.

Explore how apps keep users engaged

Let’s dive into how real apps are designed to engage users. Choose a mobile app you’ve used and answer the questions below to explore how it keeps users engaged and adds value.

✅ ActivityCheck the items off as you go.What are the main features of the app (e.g., loyalty points, personalised offers)?How does each feature make the app easier or more enjoyable to use?Think about how a mobile app could improve customer engagement and loyalty.What’s one small change you think would make the app even better?

Activity

What are the main features of the app (e.g., loyalty points, personalised offers)?

How does each feature make the app easier or more enjoyable to use?

Think about how a mobile app could improve customer engagement and loyalty.

What’s one small change you think would make the app even better?

Check your knowledge

Let’s check and see how much you’ve learned about mobile apps and how they can benefit businesses.

Question 1 of 3

Match the mobile app feature to its benefit.

Engages users in real-time

correct

Increased brand loyalty

correct

Seamless and convenient experience

correct

Submit

Submit

Yes.You matched each mobile app feature to its benefit correctly. Understanding these features helps you see how apps can enhance user engagement and brand loyalty.

Question 2 of 3

Fill in the blank to complete the statement about Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)Progressive Web Apps provide an app-like experience without the need to  ____________.

Progressive Web Apps provide an app-like experience without the need to  ____________.

Progressive Web Apps provide an app-like experience without the need to  ____________.

Download

Login

Subscription

Submit

Submit

Yes.That’s right! PWAs don’t require a download and run directly in a browser.

Question 3 of 3

Which of the following statements about app development options is correct?

In-house development is best suited for most businesses.

Hiring an agency is the cheapest option.

App builder platforms are easy to use and require no coding skills.

Submit

Submit

Yes.App builder platforms allow businesses to create apps without the need for coding skills. These platforms offer templates and easy-to-use tools, but may limit customisation and advanced functionality.Agency prices vary and may be a better option for some projects and businesses. In-house development can be a good option for larger businesses or those with coding expertise.

Agency prices vary and may be a better option for some projects and businesses. In-house development can be a good option for larger businesses or those with coding expertise.

Agency prices vary and may be a better option for some projects and businesses. In-house development can be a good option for larger businesses or those with coding expertise.

Your mobile apps checklist

Now that you’ve completed the lesson, here are some action items to help you apply when considering a mobile app for your business.

✅ ActivityCheck the items off as you go.Explore how similar businesses use mobile apps to engage customers.Identify simple tasks your customers could perform through an app, like browsing products or checking an order status.Research mobile app development platforms and what they offer for businesses like yours.Think about how a mobile app could improve customer engagement and loyalty.Consider whether your business has the resources to invest in app development.

Activity

Explore how similar businesses use mobile apps to engage customers.

Identify simple tasks your customers could perform through an app, like browsing products or checking an order status.

Research mobile app development platforms and what they offer for businesses like yours.

Think about how a mobile app could improve customer engagement and loyalty.

Consider whether your business has the resources to invest in app development.

Download PDF

Download PDF

Lesson complete

Great job!You’ve learned how mobile apps can boost customer engagement, build loyalty, and provide valuable insights for your business. You’ve also explored different development options to help you get started.Next up, we’ll dive into chatbots and how they can enhance customer service and automate interactions.

You’ve learned how mobile apps can boost customer engagement, build loyalty, and provide valuable insights for your business. You’ve also explored different development options to help you get started.Next up, we’ll dive into chatbots and how they can enhance customer service and automate interactions.

Next up, we’ll dive into chatbots and how they can enhance customer service and automate interactions.

Next up, we’ll dive into chatbots and how they can enhance customer service and automate interactions.