How Businesses Are Becoming More Mobile

Businesses are becoming more mobile every day. As Smartphones get smarter, businesses are migrating many essential functions of their business and website to a completely mobile platform. Cellphone apps and mobile-friendly websites permeate the business landscape. Today’s highly advanced mobile apps allow consumers to acquire goods and services from the palm of their hand, at any time. They even allow employees to do their jobs in a timely and more efficient manner. Employees can schedule service and delivery appointments, and resolve customer issues with the swipe of a finger. Apps and mobile sites allow business owners to improve cash flow by processing payments and moving money at the speed of the Web. Here are a few more ways mobility in the business world is changing and getting more intuitive.

Cellphone Focused eCommerce

Customer service is key to any business. Smartphone-savvy consumers want immediate responsiveness and speedy transactions. They want to get their questions answered without dialing the phone and waiting on hold. The addition of an in-app live chat help function makes that possible. Both employee and customer can chat from their phones. The employee can access the company’s CRM and other back-office functions while communicating on the front-line with a customer. They can transmit documents and transfer funds. In-app live chat lets businesses work in tandem with customers on every transaction and can be built right into your business website design.

Here are some specific ways that businesses across many sectors are getting more mobile:

Restaurants

Mobile apps let customers order, pay for and schedule delivery of food from quick-serve restaurants. They can make and cancel reservations and pre-order food and drinks at bars and casual dining restaurants. Restaurant owners can schedule servers and delivery personnel, and ensure they have the necessary ingredients in stock. Fast food apps now offer customization of orders and items and pre-order options so food is ready to be picked up once the customer arrives. Coupons and codes are also useful mobile modernizations that allow customers to save money — which gets more customers in the door.

Retail

Location services allow retail establishments to offer coupons, loyalty programs, and in-store specials to shoppers. Business owners can get real-time information about visits to their locations. They can also use this information to determine peak times and plan stock and inventory. Some retail services are offering more mobile shopping options and ordering capabilities that allow for customers to order the products they want online and are able to go in-store to get them once they arrive. This is a lot more convenient for both store shipping, and customers who don’t live close or visit stores often.

Product

Mobile technologies put your showrooms on the Web. Customers can browse inventory, buy and pay for merchandise, track shipping, and mange returns and exchanges online or from an app or mobile website. They can view items, specials, and interesting new finds right from their phones or on the site. This can even help with in-store shopping by getting customers the right product from the moment they show you the picture.

Service

Clients can book spa, salon, barber-beauty, and medical and dental appointments. HVAC and other home repair contractors can use push notifications to send time-for-service reminders to clients. Professionals can offer paperless billing and automatic payments from their mobile app.

Businesses are Going Mobile

Businesses improve productivity and increase profitability by using mobile-friendly websites and phone apps to:

• Improve customer service;

• Give employees and owners more job flexibility;

• Speed up the sales cycle.

As consumers become more Smartphone-focused, businesses must follow suit. The right mobile strategy helps businesses position themselves both in the forefront of customers’ minds and at the head of their industries.

Eileen O’Shanassy is a freelance writer and blogger based out of Flagstaff, AZ. She writes on a variety of topics and loves to research and write. She enjoys baking, biking, and kayaking. Check out her Twitter @eileenoshanassy. Check out ways to sell Iphone 6 models and get your business a better mobile platform here.

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