Mobile Apps - Flavour of the month and so they should be!

By Ashley

A lot gets said about mobile Apps, most of the things you read are from uber hip creatives, Journalists, planners and media people and it’s all about the iPhone. Lots of companies are launching for this high end smartphone.

Not surprising because they all have them, but it’s a small segment of the market.

Here at Bolser headquarters we know that the iPhone is a very important “totemic” device but it’s not the most important Brand in the market, that honour goes to Nokia because more people in the UK and in the world have them!

There are some really important things to consider when planning an App rather than flying in and producing one…

Here’s my quick checklist for Mobile Applications:

  • Do you have a serious need for the App, or is it a gimmick (This is ok just be honest with yourself)
  • Can you build a business case that makes money from a mobile App? – Either from a paid app or from increases in sales?
  • Will customers actually use the app rather than the mobile web? And does the app improve the general usage experience?
  • Does the App encourage user interaction? 
  • Is it a one off or ongoing usage?  Most Apps are downloaded and used just a few times!
  • Does your target market have the latest Google Android or Apple iPhone? What phone should you develop for?

The other question to ask is who should develop the thing?

I’m biased because that answer should be Bolser, here’s why:

  • We’ve done lots of them, over 150k downloads so far
  • We understand both the business need and the consumer perspective
  • We know what the phones can do!
  • We know about getting consumers to interact with brands so it’s not dry brand exposure or ultra technical backend stuff

There are some really lovely Applications that will integrate with lots of aspects of the phone, Nokia’s gig finder is one of them, Why?

  • It checks the music you have on the phone and the ones you play
  • It knows your location from the GPS built in to the phone
  • It references your local venues to see when gigs are happening and when the people you like are playing
  • It finds available tickets from the largest ticket companies on the net, like Ticket Master and Seatwave.
  • It allows you to interact with their systems to book

What a lovely App from Nokia Betalabs http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/gig-finder

We’re producing some super technical Apps and looking for major brand partners so why not get in touch and see what we can do for you….

Ashley

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