More than half of the nation’s smartphone users report that shopping apps play an increasingly important role in their purchasing decisions. Smartphone apps are an easy way for customers to comparison shop, search for deals, and discover new products, services, and retailers.

As a retailer or small business owner, you need to be aware of how powerful apps are. If your business doesn’t appear when a shopper uses an app, you’re shut out of the conversation. The shopper chooses from the businesses they’re presented with – and that’s it. These are sales you’re losing.

Apps for Retailers and Small Business Owners

Currently, the most popular shopping apps for the iPhone include Groupon, RedLaser, and ShopNearby. Top apps for the Android include Groupon, LivingSocial, and RetailMeNot. These apps offer consumers the ability to shop for deals in a wide number of categories, from restaurants and retail to amusement parks and personal services.
There are apps that have a narrower focus. The Vow app helps shoppers design and shop for engagement rings; Pet Supplies helps shoppers in search of dog food and toy bones.

As part of your digital marketing strategy, you want to know what apps your customers are using when they’re shopping in your category and in general. Think about your customer. How do they shop for what you offer?
The engagement ring shopper, for example, tends to take a long time considering the purchase and checking out different looks, while the pet food shopper tends to move faster: they generally know what they want, and are much more price oriented.

Choosing the Apps That Are Right for Your Business

Knowing how your customer shops, and what’s important to them in the decision making process, can help you decide which apps are most relevant to your business. Talk to your customers. Ask them what apps they’re using. If your customer base contains a hard-core cadre of Groupon users, then Groupon may very well be an app you need to embrace. If no one mentions Groupon, you may want to think about whether this app has the potential to introduce your business to new customers.

If you need help figuring out which apps present the best opportunity to market your small business, or you’ve already decided but don’t know how to get started, give us a call! We’re here to help you make your digital marketing work for you.