There’s always a certain level of anxiety new businesses have when a trend sweeps through their industry. Along with the fear of what it would cost them to embrace that trend, there’s the fear of being left behind by their competitors.
No business wants to be Blockbuster trying to launch a streaming service years after Netflix pioneered and dominated the streaming video model. Similarly, no one wants to be among the numerous cupcake retailers that grew aggressively, only to watch the nation’s interest in high-end cupcakes quickly spike and decline.
It’s understandable, then, that although there are a seemingly endless number of mobile apps on the market created by startups, a majority of small businesses still haven’t taken the plunge into the mobile app world. Many of the businesses with mobile apps may have developed one out of fear of being left behind. A lot of those businesses without an app may be afraid of sinking time and money into something with little ROI for one.
Related: How and When to Get the Most Valuable Feedback on Your Mobile App Prototype
As with any trend, there is an element of risk and reward involved in developing a mobile app for a startup, but some preparation in advance can help mitigate the risk and maximize the reward.
For example, it’s important to determine whether or not a mobile app is even right for your business. Unless it provides a strong incentive for customers, developing an app may be a waste of time. In other cases, simply optimizing your website to be mobile-friendly may make a mobile app unnecessary.
However, if you find that a mobile app could solve problems for your customers and create a strong ROI for your business, you’ll need to prepare yourself for the app development process. This involves finding an app developer that will work best with your startup’s organizational goals, while understanding your business and your customers.
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It also means setting achievable goals and a realistic budget for the development team, as well as making sure the app is tested carefully prior to being released into the wild. Before you decide to take the risk and jump into the world of mobile apps, consider the advice in the following guide. Developing a mobile app for your startup is a big decision, so make sure you’re not being motivated solely by fear before making your choice.
