Everyday, I hear people talking about the need for a mobile app. This may seem like a given, since Zeek builds mobile apps as one of our core competencies. But I’m not talking about work calls – I’m talking about having conversations with friends and strangers outside of the office.
The general sense is that if you have an idea for an application, it must be a native mobile app. While it’s true that very specific applications need to be mobile apps, many don’t.
You can validate your idea as a web application first
Let’s be honest – not every idea is a great one. But how will you know? Assuming you’ve vetted your idea and it seems worthwhile, one of the best things you can do is test the concept as a web application first.
You likely know this already, but people can easily use a web application on their mobile devices if it is developed correctly.
So why not test and validate your idea as a web application first?
You’re going to want a web application anyway, right?
We are on our phones all the time. We know that. People are constantly staring at their phone. But you know what’s also true? While there are an average of 60 applications installed on a device, people only use 6 regularly.
More importantly, we also know that you’re going to want to support people who are at their desk. And if that’s the case, it’s easier and faster to start with a web application and follow up with a mobile application. If developed correctly, most of the code you wrote for the web application can be re-purposed as you build a mobile app.
Here’s what you don’t want when it comes to mobile apps
A couple years ago, everyone was building apps for their companies. These applications were barely functional. They were a simple way to tell a customer that you had an app in the app store, but that was about it. The apps were extensions of the business, but not a fully fleshed out application on it’s own.
Others put their product catalogs or service manuals into the app so that their customers could carry this information around with them on their devices. It seemed like a good idea at the time…until they realized that they had to update all that data in multiple mobile apps (for iOS and Android).
When it comes to mobile apps, what you don’t want is to find out that your data is siloed in these proprietary platforms that require costly developers and mobile development agencies just to make data changes.
Here’s the good news
The good news is that we don’t build mobile apps that lock you into depending on Zeek. While we’re happy to build a long-term relationship with you to help you with your mobile strategies, we’re not coding mobile apps in a way that will lock you up forever.
There’s more good news: We’re experts in helping you figure out if you really need a mobile app. We’ve walked down this road with hundreds of companies, and we can help you.
You may not need a mobile app developed for your business. But if you do, the good news is that we’re here to help you get it done.