Mobile technology is proving to be a vital asset to businesses looking to expand their client base. With over 2.7 billion smartphone users, it is one of the fastest-growing markets. Mobile apps are projected to reach $189 billion in revenue in 2020, and business owners need to embrace this technology and the opportunities it offers them and their clients.
What Are the Best Mobile Apps for Businesses?
Running a B2B or a B2C business requires immense organization and efficiency. With most CEOs on-the-go, there are some key mobile apps available that make it easy to keep track of the business’ day-to-day operations.
Google Analytics is a key tool to help shape your business and perfect your strategy. The iOS-friendly app provides access to real-time data and insights, behaviors, and conversations. By understanding where your audience is rooted and which areas bring in the most customers, you’ll be well-equipped to develop your plan of action wherever you have access to your mobile device.
Those looking to stay up-to-date on industry trends should consider LinkedIn Pulse. This B2B mobile app organizes the relevant news within your industry and allows you to customize your page to your business’ interests. The ability to join conversations and professional groups create a dialogue among colleagues where interests and ideas can be shared.
QuickBooks has become a consistently top-rated app for business professionals in need of a financial organization. It boasts a user-friendly interface and offers real-time services on any mobile device. Whether you’re sending or collecting invoices, approving estimates, or reviewing balances, businesses large and small can reap its benefits. There are advanced features like cheque printing for additional fees.
Trello: The iOS App Every Business Needs
This app helps businesses with their project management and enterprise organization needs. It allows communication between departments and includes over 100 integrations with the most common tools already in use by most businesses including Slack and Google Drive. The app includes clickable links in checklists and comments, as well as an appealing UI that makes it easy to use.
Because Trello works on any platform and reformats itself to match any screen size, you can use it in the office or on the go. Colored labels allow for easy prioritization of projects and users can follow updates and discuss project details in real-time. There’s even a streamlined voting system allowing users to support or disapprove of ideas.
With so many features useful for businesses of any niche or field, it’s no surprise that many businesses are making the switch to Trello.
Spotlight: Apple’s Core ML
Apple is continuing to prove itself as a pioneer of innovation in mobile technology. The first version of the Core ML — Core Machine Learning — was released in June 2017. This allows developers to combine machine learning models into their apps running on Apple devices. The models remain on the device itself, so the data is never lost. It also guarantees that the app remains responsive and fully functional even when offline.
The Core ML makes it possible for any skilled and reputable iOS developer to optimize a cloud-trained model for Apple products, but with CML, the Mac will essentially double as a server.
The overall goal is to improve performance and save battery life. As Apple has described, “Core ML is optimized for on-device performance.” This means minimizing the memory footprint and well as power consumption.
What You Need to Know Before Getting Started
Before you begin the hunt for your developer, you should first have a complete understanding of the objectives you hope to achieve with your new app. Larger, established businesses may want to look into in-house hires to have someone who can become a long-term partner. If you’re a startup, look for a lean developer that can accomplish your goals and stay on budget.
No matter the avenue, your developer is meant to be your partner in every step of the process. Beginning with the concept, through creating the wireframe and the UI, to the testing and official launch of the app — with consistent communication and a clear objective, your developer should be able to help get your idea off the ground to great success.
