Introduction

Meditation is an age-old practice where someone focuses on a particular object or thought to gain greater clarity and become more calm and peaceful.

Under normal circumstances we all face stress, anxiety, and pain. During exceptional times all of this accelerates. Many people are turning to meditation as a method to regain psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular control of their lives. With no side effects, meditation is becoming a primary solution to resolve much of the pent-up emotion. It is practiced all over the world and across many cultures.

With easy access to electronic devices and online processes, meditation mindfulness applications are springing up. There are successful ways to establish this app and perhaps you have been considering this possibility. Through this article you will see why this technique has become so popular and how you can develop your own app. We will discuss the cost, how to make it profitable, and how to avoid pitfalls.

There are actually nine types of meditations. The important factor is to find the best method for your needs. Here we will be discussing a mindfulness meditation. This is one of the oldest and most elemental types and can be accomplished without a formal teacher and is easily practiced on one’s own.

Exactly how were Meditation Apps Founded

Today we no longer use maps; we have GPS in our vehicles and phones. Most of our communication is handled in texts, through email, and as attachments. Wind-up alarm clocks are a thing of the past. We educate ourselves and our children through devices. In short, we live in the digital age.

It seems counterintuitive that to reduce theaddiction to social media and instant everything, we would turn to an app to divert our attention from isolation and stress. Yet, here it is.

The other side of the coin is the fact that since we find most of our information and entertainment through applications on desktop or mobile devices, why not? Using the most effective delivery system makes perfect sense.

Moving from a niche market, meditation apps have become popular to deal with the unprecedented isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact many app producers are partnering with local governments to help populations. Some initially offered free services to front-line service industries like medical personnel.

These programs are bridging the gap between professional recommendations to relieve anxiety and stress and the ability to enact effective measures to achieve that goal. It is find to say “go meditate” but if you have no idea where to begin, it is an almost useless recommendation. That is where the app comes in. Usually conducted by a narrator or coach it will guide you through the process. Some are accompanied by quiet or soothing music.

We have put together a detailed step to step guide on how you can build your mindfulness App.

1.Idea Evaluation

Most of the apps help the user focus their attention on their body. Usually they start with breathing exercises and consciously following the inhale and exhale of each breath including feeling the abdomen expand and contract. Some have the user count the breaths. Frequently the participant is asked to simply “be present” without worrying about accomplishing anything. Some are merely reminders without guidance and simply signal the start and end of a session. Seemingly the most effective approaches are using visualization and imagination to enhance relaxation and freeing thoughts.

For the most part, applications recommend daily sessions of about 10 minutes each, sitting comfortably in a quite place. One suggests that it be the same time each day and in the same location. While most only use the coach’s voice, some have sounds incorporated into the app including nature sounds, soft music or white noise. Those that do not add sound to the background suggest tuning your hearing to the sounds that surround you. Again, there are options about whether to keep your eyes open or closed, some let you have the option and others make suggestions. Integrating wearables to create the virtual world has proven more successful. As you can tell, you can create your own combination for the experience you want to create.

It would seem that there may be opportunities to involve some tangible elements such as meditation balls or some repetitive motion (Tibetan wheel) to increase the effectiveness of the technique.

Evaluating the effectiveness of these mindful meditation apps is difficult. However, with the increasing number of apps available combined with downloadable music or sounds, the general idea seems to be viable and offers opportunities for improvement and increased market share.

2.Competitor Research

As part of any business strategy it is important to recognize your competition and how to stand out in the crowd.

Special Qualities –You need to decide what will be different about your app than the others already in the market place. This is currently called a unique value proposition (UVP). It is not just a logo or slogan, it shows how your product solves the problem better or faster than the competition. If your app is no better than others, you need to develop some strengths. Look at how your competitors have succeeded, what they have done correctly and where they missed the mark. Then look at your own app and see its bests and worst qualities and how you will do better.

Search Out Competition –If it is a public company, you will be able to get a lot of information about their financial status. Look at their ads to find special offers and distinctive features. Look at comments especially from social media. Knowing what you are up against is one of the best ways to develop your own plan.

Marketing –Understanding their strategies including influencers and in-store sales will help you find loopholes that you can fill. See who and how they are targeting and if there is a segment being overlooked that is just perfect for you or where you can outshine the others.

Talk –Talk to people about what they expect out of the product and whether they are satisfied. Arrange for a meeting with an advisor in the industry, or in general, for ideas about how you can improve the app or unrealized markets or strategies. Attend expos and marketing conferences. Trade shows are great places to pick up brochures and to talk with their sales force.

Once you have this information, don’t stop. Good business practices means always having an eye open for the players and new enterprises.

Calm App

Right now this is second to Headspace. It is not as structured and appeals to customers who already meditate. Its color scheme is tones of blue and uses many natural images. For individuals who find it difficult to sleep or have problems with anxiety, this seems to be their go-to app. The sleep stories are professionally prepared and narrated for a smooth authoritative feel. They focus on mindfulness with a good music selection to attract those who are looking for self improvement or to increase focus. They offer a downloadable calendar that gives short inspirational directives or notice of episodes in their series.

Headspace

Probably the best known meditation app at this time. It has a wide advertising campaign. Appealing to the beginner it has an introductory course as well as specific apps for insomnia, personal development, and others. They offer incentives like a free month with an annual subscription or a week free for a monthly sign up as well as student and family plans. Generously they offer a free year of their premium service for anyone who lost their job due to the COVID-19 crisis. This strategy allows them tobe generous and still be attractive to others. It is also available through Apple stores.

MyLife Meditation

Formerly known as “Stop, Breathe & Think,” MyLife targets personal feelings and then leads you to guided meditations, or videos for yoga, or acupressure, and progressive relaxation. It emphasizes thinking outside oneself and empathy for others. Geared for children ages 10 and up as well as adults, this is downloadable to iPhones, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android and is made available without charge for teachers. It does not accommodate desktop or AppleTV. It also allows you to track your progress on a daily basis. The programs have different lengths, instructors, and themes with bilingual available.

Breethe

Concentrating on the inability to sleep or sleep properly, this app promotes its 4-7-8 method as a simple yet effective method to fall asleep within one minute or to de-stress during times of anxiety. With a “personal” mindfulness coach, this program also offers inspirational messages. Emphasizing its ability to help during the COVID pandemic, it includes dealing with loneliness, grief, and panic attacks. It works through music, nature sounds, guided meditations and inspirational messages. Its alarm clock function will let you start the day with this app. Synchronized on the phone, tablet or computer, it is available at the App Store.

3.Prototyping

A prototype is a practice model of a product. In the world of software development, fidelity is the term used for the amount of detail in each version of an application. It can also be called a navigation concept.

•Low-fidelity –This is the first stage and is a storyboard of screens to be sure the client and the programmer both envision the same final product.
•Medium-fidelity –Moving on with additional detail, this will test the ability for users to navigate through the screens.
•High-fidelity –This is the most detailed yet in relation to UI and UX.

Keep in mind that each stage is used as a springboard to the next but none are fully functional as yet. They give the programmer and the client to refine and improve the application through feedback of test groups.

In the long run, prototypes help discover flaws and to resolve any conflicts between concept and final product. It can help eliminate redundancies and streamline the overall program. They help develop the best product possible before going full tilt into programming. Most importantly, they also provide better insight into the full cost of the development.

4.The difference between launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP)

A minimum viable product is the bare bones, but usable, version of your app unlike a prototype. It is a test to see if the public will respond and will be something thatwill catch on. A minimum lovable product is similar but focuses more on the emotional response of the users. MLP usually has a more developed UI and UX.

Both of these versions are early releases just beyond the prototype stage.

With MVP you want to see if the product is what you expect, or validation of your idea. It is frequently a quick release before all the testing is complete. You likely don’t fully know your target market but release it to see who is interested. The programming can be changedon the run if necessary.

With MLP you are targeting a specific group and want to provide a viable answer to their quandary. Your release is based on your understanding of the target market with the idea that you can increase or improve it to provide specific solutions. There are other apps or products out there that fill the customers’ needs, but you feel yours is better or an improved version. You have probably invested more time and money than in a MVP release.

5.Making Money

Keeping everything in perspective, the ultimate goal is to make money. A basic return on investment (ROI) is to turn a profit for the work expended, no matter the industry or field. It means you are successful. When writing any app or running any business a ROI lets you reap the benefits of your expertise. Spending money (and time) on lost causes is the best way to run out of your own and investors’ money.

Money is important because it means your company or business will continue in operation providing employment for others. Money means having some control over your life and providing for those dependent on you. It also means having the ability to give back to the community through charities and important causes.

Turning a profit is not a bad thing; it is great! When designing any app or product, all of the development and final product needs to keep the vision of how best to price the app. As you probably know there are a number of methods like selling advertising, a free download but with charges for add-ons, subscriptions, free download but offering premium services at an additional cost. You need to investigate all the options and then select the best version for your application.

6.Important tips to keep in mind while developing your app.

In developing any type of an app, there are a number of factors to remember.

Visual Design –Depending on the atmosphere you are trying to create, color plays a primary goal. For a meditation app, you probably would want to stick with pastels or calming colors like blue or green. If you are developing another type of app that requires excitement or competition, go with vibrant colors, especially red. Also be sure to keep all the fonts, buttons and labels consistent with each other. Keep the segments in manageable bites for the ease of the user, but if you have to constantly change screens or reload, it will become annoying. Basically it is a balancing act to keep things simple yet interesting and pertinent to your subject matter.

Onboarding –If you are building an app for a little known product or procedure, you will need to make the log-in and onboarding cleaver and interesting enough to pursue. Tutorials are best if they are interactive. Showing a fast version of the program can frustrate and lose a novice. It should be informative but not overwhelming. Research reports that an introduction of between 60 and 90 seconds is optimum. Log-ons may need to have options like through email or a social media account. Treat the user like an intelligent being rather than a robot. Designing is, unfortunately, an ongoing process. When you get feedback from users, be sure to listen to what they want.

Sign Up –Most users, tech savvy or not, are used to multiple methods of sign on. That includes email, and social media. The sign on is just a gateway and should be as simple as possible. The sign-in screen should be easily identifiable and in an expected location. In other words, the simpler you make it, the better the user will like it.

User Profiles –To avoid irritating your new user at the outset, build the user profile to get only the information essential to the app. However, the user does need easy access to history on their last meditation session(s), progress and subscription plan status. It is also nice if you cancustomize it to the specifics of the user.

Recommendations –Headspace and Calm both have machine learning that allows artificial intelligence to learn which meditations the user is downloading and then recommend other similar sites. If programmed correctly it can suggest by theme or narrator or even a mood shift. As an example, leaving an awful meeting but then getting yourself perked up for another one…change in attitude.

Trackers and Statistics –Similar to recommendations this process will provide a method to follow progress. This is very useful in identifying patterns and showing progress. For people who are, for instance, tracking their sleep patterns, it can show whether the app is helping them go to sleep quicker. If the user applies a little effort to journal progress, it can be extremely beneficial.

Push Notifications –Probably one of the most used features is the reminders section. Less intrusive than an alarm, these can still help especially the newer user develop the best pattern for them to use on a daily basis. Of course, the best option would be for a customized notification to allow for some specific times but others that are less rigid or even optional. Using at least a single reminder or push notification has shown that to be an encouragement to stay with the program. Setting too frequent reminders can be an annoyance so it may take some trial and error to find the right times and pattern.

Settings and Support –Just like with any type of application or program, the user needs to be able to change passwords, adjust reminders, and adjust their accounts. Support can come in two different capacities. Not every user is going to be tech savvy and they will need technical support to navigate some of the features. The other side is providing a professional, somewhat like a personal trainer, to help guide or overcome hurdles. Both of these are important to older adults who simply prefer working with a live person than with a dictionary provided by a Help menu. You could also offera chat box option for those who don’t mind electronic responses.

Payments and Admin Panel –Let’s face it, you are doing this for the money or at least enough money to keep the app going. That means you will need to decide what to charge for and how much. It also means you need to determine what payment forms you will take like credit cards or PayPal, etc. You will also need the proper programming to accept those payment securely. To keep your customers interested you will need to keep adding or changing the program material. That may mean different voices or sounds, rename categories, etc. In order to make those changes, you will need an Admin Panel.

7.Building Cost

The bare bones of building a mobile app is the number of platforms, design requirements, and complexity. Simple apps run about $80,000 and those with multiple features will go for about $250,000. Expect the time to delivery from a few weeks for something simple or around three to nine months for something complicated. That is based on everything going smoothly. You may find it less expensive with some programmers but be cautious. Sometimes the initial cost is not the final cost after add ons, changes, upgrades, etc.

Costs include the developers, server price, and maintenance and support. Most personnel costs are billed by the hour and the time will depend on whether it is an iOS, Android, or server side.

You can find programmers all over the world and the prices range from the highest in North America to the least expensive in India, with Eastern Europe somewhere in between.

Conclusion

If you are still interested in creating an app, for meditation or other purposes, the basic questions to ponder are:

•Financial –Do you have a realistic plan to create and maintain a revenue stream? Can you recoup the initial investment in a reasonable amount of time and will the app generate enough ongoing income to sustain it over a period of time?

•Technical –Can this app really be made? If so, are you the person, or can you find the staff, to actually complete the project? What are the obstacles creating and implementing the app?

•Competition –If someone is already doing this, how many versions are there available right now? A glutted market will be no place to launch a new app. What are the ways you can differentiate your product from the rest? If your plan is to just improve upon existing apps, what will be the legal implications including accusations of plagiarism or copyright infringement?

These are only a few of the questions you should be considering as you exercise your entrepreneurial spirit into the wonderful world of apps.

Posted On: 18 June 2020

Once mobile phones were being used for more than making and receiving calls, there was potential to make some money off the applications that seemed to spring up overnight. The industry is fast paced and there is no telling when the next improvement will pop up and your hard work will seem amateurish or obsolete. There are legitimate ways to capitalize on your ideas and to maximise the revenue you can generate.

Because most apps are free to install, the developers need to be conscious of how to actually make money off the product as well as continue the income flow in order for the company to stay afloat, creating upgrades and new apps, as well as paying the employees a reasonable salary.

In all of this it is important to keep your customers happy. Too many ads that obscure the game or too many key features that require purchase will not only frustrate the user but can drive them to find a more compatible app that will make their experience more palatable.

It is hoped that this discussion will make it easier for you as the developer and owner to come to the best resolution for your product and fill all the requirements of monetization and customer satisfaction.

WHAT IS MOBILE APP MONETISATION?

Mobile app monetization is a marketing technique that will influence the user to action. These actions can be to finalise sales, upgrade the current app, or even jump to a different site that offers another product that will complement yours. For many existing apps, the success will depend on the right combination of multiple techniques and strategies to create the highest return on their investment.

There are several popular options to increase income for your app. The first is to sell ads to another company. This may mean sharing information about your clients/users and knowing where and when to place the ads so they are the least distracting and yet effective. Another idea is to offer some incentives, like a discount on the first upgrade or some freebee.

When you settle on your choices, you will also need to determine if they are effective. That will include how long the customer continues to use your app and how much money you have made from that person. It will also tell you if interest is flagging and whether it is time to initiate improvements or scrap the app.

All of this will help you decide whether you are making the most of your mobile app and whether it is popular with the public.

HOW DO I MONETISE A MOBILE APP?

Just because you have a killer app doesn’t mean you need to stop there. You can increase revenues by monetising it. First you can promote your app for free. Another option is to allow others to advertise on your app. These come in forms like banners and requests for more information. When you deal with these, be sure that the subject matter is compatible with your product or service. Something irrelevant can easily upset your users and if the ads are too frequent, the user will just move to another mobile app similar to yours that is not as annoying.

If your app is really that good, you may have offers to sell the bare bones so that another company can use your work. This can be done through licensing. If your app has about reached its lifespan, you may want to consider selling the code to someone else.

Basically you are trying to increase your app’s usage through more users and trying to leverage your standing by offering incentives for others to advertise on your site, or sell your code in some way. What follows are some options to consider for either of those strategies.

Email

Regular emails to your clients is a good way to keep your name in front of them. That means your name is probably going to be in the memory mix when someone needs your service or product. When you ask for an email address and you offer some incentive, you are more likely to receive a positive response.

There are also a lot of ways that email can be used like notifying people of an upcoming sale or campaign or even offering an upgrade. Planting a code that gives an added incentive, including a discount is another way to generate interest.

Partnership

The first step is to find a company that caters to a similar group as you do. Then you both benefit. People who are using the partner’s app get to see your logo or opportunity to explore your product. Of course, this is reciprocal. You feature the partner in your app.

In this way you both share in the advertising and promotions and can open your app to a whole new database. There is also the potential for click through where the user can go straight to your app. If the partner is not exactly what they are looking for, you gain a customer.

Just choose your partner carefully.

Advertising

If your app is without charge to users, it will be very attractive to download…everyone wants something for free. It will be more likely to be downloaded than one that comes at a price, even a low one. The way you recoup the cost is by including advertising.

It is just very important that you choose wisely. You need to pick companies that will appeal to your current customer base so they will have less chance of being annoyed and still relate to your brand. Also, preview what the advertiser wants to run so that it won’t interfere with the encounter your user wants. That should also rule out anything that is potentially offensive or amateurish.

Add-on Purchases

Sometimes these are called “freemiums”. This is a charge for additional services. Generally found in games, you can upgrade for a price to make the app more fun or add features. It can also be applied in a business arrangement to give the customer more payment options or shipping choices.

When building this into your app just be cautious to have a good balance between having too many services free and not enough value for the extra charges, which will reduce your object of monitisation, and having too little at no charge and then gouging the customer with the extras necessary to do business with you.

WHAT KINDS OF MOBILE ADS CAN I RUN?

It is unlikely that anyone will buy your service or product if they don’t know it exists. That is why advertising is so important. It gets the word out.

If you are thinking about offering your app to others for advertising (and so you will earn a little incremental revenue in the process) or are ready to take the plunge and buy some space, there are things you need to know.

First mobile advertising is not like traditional promotions. There are a number of techniques that advance the company or product’s name as well as different types of ads and approaches, not to mention cost.

Because mobile phones are on most of the time and are carried around everywhere, there is a greater chance that your information will be seen. Ads can be geographically targeted based on the location of the phone. The messages can be personalised based on the data you have mined. The users can also follow you on social media accounts or you can make their experience more interactive by creating a game.

The information you get is one of the key advantages. Each mobile has a unique identifier so it makes it easier to find patterns and turn that raw data into usable statistics so that you can target needs more effectively.

There are different types of ads that will appear and here are some descriptors.

Banner Ads

These don’t cost much to install and they are usually images versus text. Generally they appear at the top or bottom of the user’s screen. For the advertiser they are a good way to make their product or service known and the banner is clickable to take the potential customer right to the site.

The disadvantage is that all browsers are not created equal and the ad can slow down the system. They can also be more distracting than attractive. For you as the host, it can mean the user moves on to the information in the banner and loses interest in the original search that will bring money into your business.

Interstitial or Full Screen

Interstital means placed between sections or layers. These ads are placed at natural breaks in the material. They seem to be less frustrating to users since they don’t particularly stop the user from operating your app. Similar ads are scrollovers that will appear on top of the content. Because it blocks the material the customer is looking at, they are annoying to the user and less likely to warrant a click. So, they are bigger than banner ads so will get more attention, but can cause the user to eventually uninstall your app because of the aggravation.

Notifications

These are sometimes called “push” ads. This is straight advertising with no information component. In fact, these can appear on a mobile device even when the user is not browsing.

Right now, they seem to be a hot ticket because when the user clicks, they are immediately transported to the landing page. Statistics are showing that these clicks are resulting in good conversions.

However, they are not necessarily popular with the original app owner because the users are associating your app when they see this ad that is unexpected and unwanted. This could damage your reputation.

Overlay

This is sort of a hybrid. The ad appears at rest points like an interstitial but they are generally more transparent and can look like a banner. Beneath the banner portion a video will run and the user can click on the video whenever they feel like it.

For the advertiser it is very inexpensive to produce and works into host apps quite easily. For the user, they don’t need to wade through the entire video or text, when they are ready, they can click anywhere in the process.

As the app owner you need to realise that this overlay may hide or obscure the material the user is originally looking for and, so, can be an bother.

Capture Form

This is one of the more common forms you will find. When the person clicks on the ad, it leads them to a form that will give the user the opportunity to subscribe to newsletters, give them incentives, register for information, etc. They are used a lot on gaming sites.

These are frequently as few as two clicks to enroll. They are intriguing and are generally at the top of the page. They can be brief, which usually generate more leads or they can be more detailed, which prove to provide more solid leads.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MOBILE AD PROVIDERS?

Because of the significant increase in mobile apps and users, companies are finding ways to expand their advertising. Econ 101 taught us that there are two sides to business: Supply and Demand. Mobile apps are the middlemen in the operation.

These ad apps are designed to significantly improve business opportunities as well as provide a laundry list of reports and statistics on the effectiveness of the ads produced and the media used.

Effectiveness of mobile ads is measured in eCPMs. That translates to “effective cost per mille”. That is the price the advertiser will pay the host app based on each thousand visitors to the ad. There are formulas that will help calculate the success.

One of the early entries was AdMob and after its acquisition by Google in 2009, emerged as a top contender. After that are Reddit and TikTok who each offer enticing options for use on Facebook and Google. Some of the smaller players are Applovin, Vungle and others. These are less effective in the overall picture but they might warrant watching.

Here are some of the frontrunners and features that might interest you:

Google Admob

This is one of the most popular programs, as you might expect. It has been designed to work across a number of platforms including iOS, Android, and Windows 8 and 10. It claims to be a single place for search and display whether you are looking at a standard site or a mobile application.

It also offers the opportunity to sell another of your apps or encourage their installation. AdMob will only promote this new app to those who have not already installed it. This will allow you increase revenues by playing off your current customer base.

Facebook Audience Network

This is not just the ads that you see when scrolling through Facebook. The program will let you widen your reach to non-FB sources but with the same criteria for targets as on the program. For advertisers, this can mean a wider range of customer base because the same type of ads will track around the internet. This project is also available on Instagram. There is also chatter about including it on Messenger. The formats for these ads are adaptable so that it is more pertinent to the advertiser and expected to result in better performance statistics.

In February 2020 it was announced that this program will end in mid-April. It is currently uncertain about its future.

MoPub

In 2013 Twitter acquired a start up corporation, MoPub. It works on iOS and Android and helps advertisers with managing their ad campaigns as well as evaluate the data and produce reports. They have a kit that includes budgeting and targeting elements. It has the capacity to work in banner, full-screen, video and native ads.

They claim to help increase revenue through a unified auction of a variety of sources like demand-side platforms (DSP) and cross selling. They work on a platform of Advanced Bidding which they claim is more efficient than traditional real-time bidding.

Google Ad Manager

This is a platform designed for larger companies who deal with direct sales. In order to use this program it is necessary to have a Google account including a Google AdSense. It operates on a larger spectrum including desktop, mobiles, videos and smart tvs.

This opportunity comes in two varieties: Ad Manager for small and medium businesses and is free, and Google Ad Manager 360 that charges a fee and must be contracted through a Google sales rep.

Even the free version offers some respectable features and reports but 360 is where the details happen, including a dashboard reporter and access to Google Support.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF MOBILE APP MONETISATION LOOK LIKE?

In short and realistically, who knows! However, here are a couple of pieces of advice: Keep up with the latest news and be ready to change strategies quickly.

Latest Info

Reading the latest statistics and blogs should give you some insight on what is trending or failing.

For decades advertising has proven successful. With mobile apps the types of ads have changed just as the use of outdoor advertising (billboards) was affected by radio and then television. Advertising will probably continue in importance but it is critical that the mobile app provider keep updated on the innovations and data on the best methods to use.

Focus on Users

Developers are definitely paying more attention to the mobile app users. There is a definite need to balance between in-ads that will appeal to the customer and their being considered spam. Another indicator is whether the size of the ad obscures the screen or in some way interferes with their enjoyment of the game or shopping experience. That will include the number of ads and how easy it is for the user to interface.

Subscriptions seem to be holding their own. People are willing to pay a fee to binge watch programs or to hear their favorite tunes through Spotify. Another popular feature seems to be the “freemium” where the initial download is free but for a small additional charge that will expand the usefulness of the app. Along with this is keeping an eye on the economy. In an economic downturn, people will have less money to spend on these programs and will focus on covering their basic needs.

Prioritise

Mobile app producers are seeming to lean toward creating the best app for the purpose and giving the user a good experience rather than only looking at the extra revenue that ads can produce.

The bottom line is to stay flexible and stay on top of any changes in the rules and the developments and fads that come onto the scene.

CONCLUSION

Basically, there is nothing wrong with capitalising on your mobile app. You just need to decide what is best for you.

Begin with looking at your objectives, what the app does, and its overall purpose. When you look at this information you will be better equipped to decide on which model to use to increase your revenues.

Next, look at what your competitors are doing and see if they are successful. If they are, you might want to think about how you can improve on their success for your business. This can include identifying gaps or a different approach, or just better graphics. If they are not, see if you can figure out why or simply opt for a different alternative.

Examine your target market and find out what they want and what makes them annoyed. If you are trying to up-sell, be sure you explain the value of the purchase. See if you can determine how much they are willing to pay.

Don’t underestimate professional advice. If you have a mentor or someone you bounce ideas off, start there. Consult with your financial advisor and even an attorney. Try to make the best decision for your mobile app and see what happens.

Posted On: 17 June 2020

You may have heard the term “progressive web application (PWA)” and wondered what it was. To start with, there are three basic types of apps, a native app, a web app, and a PWA. A native app is coded in the language of the device, like Camera+ for an iOS. A web app is used over a network, like a company intranet, or can be used for online forms, like a shopping cart.

PWA is written in a common language like HTML and can work on any platform. It can use data captured while online but use it without an internet connection. It is also versatile because it will work with any browser or type of device.

PWAs are gaining popularity because they have a good range of uses, are dependable, and offer the user a good experience. They are particularly applicable to small and medium sized businesses.

Benefits

PWAs are easily available. You don’t need to purchase them from an app store. They can be retrieved through a search engine. They use HMTL, JavaScript, and CSS, so coders are plentiful and can probably be hired at a reasonable cost.

From a financial standpoint, progressive apps are significantly less expensive. After the material is produced, updates are generally unnecessary.

So for a company that uses an online catalog, it won’t need to be reloaded to view it. This will make the user happy.

Downloads are quick.

SEO content is always an important feature and it is nice to know that information in a PWA is included in the search optimization. With pertinent and distinct material, this will help the business get noticed. Using tools through Google, you can even check your effectiveness.

The convenience of navigation make it a good choice. Just like other apps, screen buttons and other aids will help reach your target audience and keep them engaged. Push notifications are also available through PWAs. These text-like messages are crucial to advertising sales, events and other features.

Since they are highly effective on mobile devices, they are becoming widespread in the business world. Coupled with the ability to keep browsing without an internet connection, this is a definite advantage to the seller.

Is it for You?

As you enter the wonderful world of ecommerce, it is a given that you will need a good app to work on mobile devices. Studies are showing that phones are now the preferred device for accessing web information with tablets a close second. Desktops and even laptops are losing favor with shoppers.

Because of the speed of operation and ability to engage and retain user interest, PWAs are starting to outshine native apps for new and existing businesses. But you need to decide if it is best for your operation. Look at your target customers and decide if your app will help them do what they set out to do. You don’t need to jump in with both feet. Start with a single product line and see how things go.

Start by deciding which features are going to work best for your ecommerce situation and what is most important to your operation and growth. If you are unsure, consult with someone who is already using the system or a Software development company.

The bottom line is that just because it is a hot item and easy to implement, don’t feel you should commit to it if it isn’t right for your circumstances.

Give Business a Boost

What you want as a business owner/operator is something that will bring in more business. Here is what a PWA can do.

When someone accesses your website and adds the PWA, it will automatically stay on the home screen as an icon. That means every time the user needs your site, it is already there and won’t need to be downloaded over and over. Easy access can mean returning customers as long as you have a product or service they need.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the important factors in a PWA. Any of the major search engines can access your information and, in turn, publicise your brand. In addition, a PWA does not need a network connection to be effective (unlike a native app).

Once a user downloads your app, you can draw on the data he or she provides by seeing which pages/products they are seeking and then shooting them additional news, special services, or deals you are offering. This offers you the best chance to convert hits into sales and to retain customers long term.

All of this is available at an affordable price. It is a quick install into your system and is significantly lower in price than a native app. With a native, you need to wait for the app store to sell and distribute but with a PWA, it is right there when you need it.

For the user it is an easy download and the icon is automatically found on the home screen. When they re-access the app, it is only a few seconds before the site appears. In a time when speed is priceless, you will be ahead of the game.

Disadvantages

Those large company native apps that are sold in stores like Android have a definite marketing advantage. They have built-in advertising and a large audience to draw from. A PWA pretty much means you are on your own. In that same area, developers find it difficult to compete in advertising or find funding.

PWAs generally have limited features which will, in turn, mean limited uses. End users like a realm of possibilities and functions and a PWA just can’t compete with the native apps.

In the same sphere is that not all the communication options (like Bluetooth) are possible, creating another limitation.

As long as the user has a relatively new device and browser, things are fine. However, compatibility with older models does not lend itself to a PWA. There is hope for a solution, but if not, customers trying to get as much mileage out of an existing phone or desktop will probably not want to deal with a PWA.

Mobile users will notice that a PWA takes a toll on battery power. The phones simply have to work harder to translate the code into the display. There have been some counter arguments to this issue, but if you want to be sure, try it out yourself.

Conclusion

Progressive Web Apps certainly seem to be effective for many business enterprises. They are easy to program and download and are proving to drive more business to ecommerce operators. Statistics are beginning to verify the success especially for small to medium sized concerns. At this point indicators show over 60% increase in traffic and over 50% in conversions.

Since they don’t need a distribution system (app store), they are easily accessible and to the user they feel like a standard app. Advertising is adaptable to a number of different ecommerce models and push notifications increase sales opportunities.

Couple this information with the low cost of development, the fact that the PWA is very user friendly, are SEO compatible, and can even work offline, and you may find yourself jumping on the bandwagon. Native apps still have some advantages and before taking the plunge, a reasonable entrepreneur will study both types before making a final decision.

Posted On: 25 March 2020

We are fortunate to live in times when we have the technology to work remotely. Especially during a crisis, telecommuting is a viable and sensible tool. In uncertain periods it is critical to maintain as much normalcy as possible. That includes conducting business. This keeps your employees occupied and paid. It prevents additional economic downturns associated with situations beyond our control.

By having your business continue operations, it means the company stays afloat. Projects are completed on time. Customers have been retained and your doors will remain open. After the dust settles, it will be an excellent marketing tactic to point out that it was business “almost as normal” during this period. This can also stand in good stead when talking to investors or financial advisors. It will increase employee loyalty knowing that you are able to adapt to their needs and an excellent selling point when trying to attract new employees.

For employees it means income to cover rent and mortgage payments, food, and utilities. It also lessens the stress about navigating the highways during hectic events (like the Olympics). For issues like isolation or quarantine, it will give the employees opportunities to keep occupied and less time to worry about the “what ifs” of the situation. Positive attitudes have proven to be some of the best medicine.

There are excellent technology tools available to help communicate and help with the insecurity that often comes with being physically apart. Creative uses for the tools we have mean that, as a society, we continue to help each other to survive even the toughest of times.

Remote Operation Tips

There are some practical steps to take as an employer and as an employee to make telecommuting successful.

• Hours – As an employer you need to establish standard hours during which the employee will be available. Just because the employee is around the house 24/7 is no reason to expect that they will be working for you during all that time. In the same respect, the employee should be available for clients at reasonable hours. All of this will demonstrate the professionalism of the employee and of the company.
• Space – Have a designated space to work, preferably separate from a common area. That way you have a clear boundary to maintain a balance between work and your other life. It can also serve as notice to children or roommates that interruptions should be avoided. It helps you focus on your job and away from household tasks that seem to take more time than necessary.
• Dress up – While it may seem fun to work in your jammies, it will be less professional for those video meetings. It also adds to your self respect to maintain appropriate demeanour to your work tasks.
• Technology – As an employer it is important to provide the proper technology for home mobile devices and any support that may be necessary.

The Good and the Bad

There are both positives and negatives to a remote workforce. In fact, some of the factors are both good and bad at the same time.

Pros – Employer

• Better Pool – Because there is less concern about hiring someone whose personality will not mesh with the group, there is a greater choice for hiring. It also opens up the world rather than just those people in your city.
• Lower Rent – Less space means lower lease costs.
• Wages – Hiring remote employees in a part of the country or world that has a lower base salary can save some big bucks.

Pros – Employee

• Commute – The flexibility of not fighting traffic or running for public transportation saves time and money.
• Health – Being able to avoid that one employee who comes to work with the sniffles and then shares with the rest of the crew, is a definite plus.
• Satisfaction – In general, people who work from home seem to enjoy their work more.

Cons – Employer

• Supervision – Because the work is performed off site you must rely on feedback from clients about any problems or compliments.
• Miscommunication – Because the final product is frequently the first time you see the project, if the employee was off target could mean a significant amount of time wasted and even a deadline missed.
• Allocation – It can be difficult to be sure you are allocating the projects appropriately. You have no idea of someone is just slow at the job or they are slacking off.

Cons – Employee

• Loneliness – There is no one to chat with at the water cooler. Social interaction is a great part of the work world to share ideas and opinions.
• Staying Organized and Focused – It can be difficult to remain motivated and handle some of the mundane tasks. There is no one to prod you into action. It is also tempting to handle some household jobs like just a couple of loads of laundry that actually eat into the paid work time.
• Internet Connections – Not all areas of the country or even city have reliable or fast connections. It also brings up the question of whether the company should pay for some of the ISP charges or you need to pick up the entire tab.

Communication

One of the ways to resolve some of the negatives is to maintain regular group and one-on-one conferences. A daily call would not be out of order so that all the parties remain in touch and go over current assignments, completion dates and any critical information. That doesn’t preclude the idea that either the boss or worker bee can just pick up the phone or dash off an email to be sure everyone is on the same page.

Solid communication should be the basis for strong team relationships even if no one is in the same room. It can also alleviate some of the solitude of self isolation.

Here are some mobile-friendly apps to consider:

• Slack – This is a system that works through channels. You can organize these channels any way you want to suit your needs. It integrates with existing apps to assure the efficient flow of data and everything is on a public channel to keep abreast of activities or to review what has happened.
• Microsoft 365 – This is a hosting service that will work within your organization or can post live events for the general public. A major plus is this service is being offered at a free one-year subscription during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Proof-Hub – This software incorporates individual conversations, group chats, discussion groups and the ability for teams and individuals to join at will. It works on iOS, Android, Windows and web.
• Chanty – Based on AI technology, this is a communication app that incorporates chatting, video calls, threaded messages and screen sharing. It integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox and Teambook. Teambook lets you see all messages, contacts and tasks at a single site. There is also unlimited history.
• Troop Messenger – Another top app, this has a user-friendly admin dashboard. Missed conversations are available. There is also the ability to send messages and attachments to multiple users and groups through Forkout.

Conclusion

It is prudent to take advantage of any opportunities that will allow you to continue as a productive member of society. As a business owner you have a responsibility to customers and to your employees. As a consumer, it is important to continue to patronize your suppliers to the best of your abilities. As an employee, to give a fair day’s work for fair pay.
In times of distress, it is even more important to be prudent but still continue as ordinarily as possible. There is a lot of technology at hand and it is essential that we use it well.

Here are 2excel we have always had the flexibility to work remotely. We have discovered what works and what doesn’t through trial and error. Through this time of crisis we are offering help to businesses that don’t yet have the remote option but wanting to implement a remote working environment.

Clients/Customers would always prefer to hear “Business as usual” than “We are closed for business.”

For more information give our friendly team at 2excel a call on 1300 768 277. “Don’t wait until its too late!”

Posted On: 10 August 2018

How many Twitter followers does your business have? It’s tempting to ignore the question—but your Twitter following could grow your business more than you think!

Your following isn’t just a vanity metric. It can be a sign of whether your audience, leads and current customers are interested in your content. If you have a bigger following, you can end up with valuable influence in your industry, more leads, and attention from big industry names, even if you’re just a little company.

Twitter is a go-to social network for engaging with customers for a reason—it’s fast-moving, simple to use and so easy to get out engaging messages to your ideal audience. So how can your business build up your followers?

Tweet More Often

Twitter requires a more aggressive and consistent content strategy than other platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Because Twitter is so fast-paced, it’s fine for businesses to lean towards posting more often—the ideal number of tweets is between three to seven tweets per day to maximise engagement.

This might seem like a lot of content for your business to produce, but the good news is there’s plenty of simple ways to promote yourself that won’t take long to put together! A few simple ideas for your tweets include: sharing tweets from your followers, relevant industry articles, breaking news, exciting statistics, product updates, and personal updates—there’s endless possibilities.

Ensuring your feed is filled with fresh content is a great step to encouraging people to follow you—if they see your content is engaging and interesting, they’ll be much more likely to follow your business account.

Time It

The scheduling of your content can have a big impact on who sees your posts. There’s a heap of research out there about the best times to post on social media, with the most common consensus being companies usually get the most engagement in the early and late afternoons, on weekdays. These timings might vary a little depending on your ideal audience and time zone, so do your research on the best times to post for your business.

To save time, you can use social media scheduling software to set up a content queue and send out tweets without having to dedicate hours of your day to sitting on Twitter. Using this type of software will help you to attract new followers around the clock with minimal effort.

Get Visual

If you’ve been on Twitter before you’ve probably noticed your eyes are drawn to tweets with visual content like photographs or illustrations. Statistically, tweets with more visual content more likes, shares and retweets, which is great for getting people to engage with your brand. Infographics in particular get shared three times more often than any other type of content on Twitter.

When you’re planning your tweets, think about inserting some colour, video, illustrations, GIFS, memes or photos to brighten up your feed and attract new audiences.

Hashtag It

Hashtags are a great way to jump on Twitter trends and get involved with different online communities. By using popular hashtags about current events (awards, sporting events) or light-hearted community hashtags like #MondayMotivation, you can get the attention of followers who might not otherwise have noticed your brand.

Adding a hashtag takes only a few seconds but can bring huge benefits in terms of gaining followers and having your content shared. Research has shown tweets with at least one hashtag receive more engagement than those without—just be careful not to go overboard, as too many hashtags in a tweet can seem like you’re trying to send people spam and become difficult to read.

Using Twitter analytics, you can find the top hashtags that work for your industry and leverage them to gain new followers and audiences.

Engage

Potential followers will get interested in your profile if they can see you’re genuinely interacting with your followers, customers and other relevant accounts. You don’t have to spend hours on it every day, but a few minutes here and there spent replying to customer, tagging other people, retweeting feedback introduces more eyes to your brand and your brand’s attitude to your customers.

If there’s companies or people out there that you admire, let them know. Give them a shoutout or tag them in a post—chances are they’ll share it themselves and introduce you to new audiences or customers. Retweeting your fans and followers only takes a few seconds and not only shows them you care but can help introduce you to new audiences.

Clean Up Your First Impression

A quick cleanup of your profile can make your profile more attractive to first-time visitors and leave a great first impression. Check your profile photo is clean and high-resolution—make sure it’s either a clear facial photo or brand logo. Ensure your profile bio is clear and easy to read—describe what your company does, where you’re located, and include any relevant tags or industry keywords. Use your bio to inject a sense of your company ethos or personality, so you stand out amongst the crowd. This will take a few minutes and make it much more likely people will have a great first impression of your account.

Direct People To Your Twitter Account

An incredibly simple way to direct people to your Twitter profile and gain more followers is to promote your account in all of your business communications and other social media profiles. Include links to your Twitter account at the bottom of emails, on your website, or include a link on your Facebook pages. If you’re interested, there’s a ton of nice social button plugins you can use to make the link look appealing. It’s become so commonplace these days that there’s no shame in plugging your account!