The use of smartphones among consumers continues to grow as they continue to use apps for purchasing goods and services and search for different brands. Gartner recently reported that smartphone sales in the fourth quarter of 2012 went up to 207.7 million units, which was a record, and worldwide smartphone sales to end users have been predicted to reach 1 billion in 2013.
With the growth of smartphones, companies are focusing to increase their brand visibility and sales through smartphone apps. Here are some innovative apps that can legitimately increase a company’s brand presence as well as sales.
1. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a social media management app that businesses can use to increase their social media presence. With the app, they can schedule posts on popular social media channels such as Google +, Facebook and Twitter, and handle multiple accounts simultaneously. Social media is increasingly important for business of any nature, and this app provides convenience due to multi-functionality.
Apart from scheduling posts on social media sites, it also allows companies to look at analytics, which enables them to make strategies on how to attract people to their company pages. It’s available for iOS and Android.
2. DoubleDutch Events
It’s one of the top event apps that provide a platform for businesses to interact with their customers. The app allows for two-way scheduling, allowing companies to communicate with their customers by presenting them interactive content from any remote location.
For example, customers attending an event organized by a company can see virtual participation from company officials who are not physically present at the event. The app is available for iOS and Android users.
3. Yelp
Yelp is a popular review site that’s used by consumers to leave reviews about local businesses. Yelp has a huge community, and the reviews on the site are read seriously. Yelp is one smartphone app that businesses should start using to increase their brand presence and visibility.
Yelp will allow company owners to keep track of whatever information is being posted about the company. They can participate or hire someone to participate on the behalf of the company to generate leads and participation. Studies have shown that participation can also change the opinion of consumers who have a negative view about a company. Yelp’s available on iOS and Android.
4. Instagram
Instagram is a photo sharing app that is now owned by Facebook. The smartphone app supports sharing on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr and FourSquare. Recently, Instagram also launched a web app that displays the feed of photos uploaded via mobile app on desktops.
Why businesses should use Instagram? It has a huge community, and businesses can increase their presence by being different. They can use the app to share staff experiences, upload photos of new products and services, show customers how the company looks from inside and do similar things for increasing engagement. Instagram is available on iOS, Android and other platforms.
5. FourSquare
FourSquare allows customer to check-in different venues. Businesses, especially restaurants and cloth retailers who are not using FourSquare are missing out on a big opportunity. Businesses can use this app to increase brand presence and sales.
The app lets businesses detect who’s checking in. They can use the app to reward first-time customers or friends who check-in together. Businesses of different nature can also collaborate to increase sales through the app. For example, a hot dog seller beside the cinema can send a message to customers checking-in to drop by before or after the movie. FourSquare works on iOS, Android and other smartphone platforms.
Conclusion: Use Apps to Enhance Your Brand
These 5 apps, when used properly, will help businesses to increase presence, drive engagement and increase revenue.
Hi Damian,
Thanks for this resourceful post. My main problem with Hootsuite is the fact that scheduling posts doesn’t exactly stimulate engagement since all that automation really does a number on business to customer interaction. Are there other apps like Hootsuite you can recommend?
Alana
Hi Alana,
Have you tried Sprout Social?
That is a good alternative to Hootsuite.
Damian
Damian,
Thanks for the heads-up! I just checked out the Sprout Social page, and what I love about it is how inexpensive it is. At the same time, the app seems to have so many other goodies that Hootsuite doesn’t have (it keeps a log of all your conversations with clients on social media, which is pretty awesome). I am going to sign up for a one month trial, and I’ll let you know how it goes.
Best,
Alana
Hi Alana, yes Sprout Social works quite good.
BTW are you working with the Portent guys?
Hi Damian,
Yes I am; I hope that’s not a problem! Love the blog; I’m taking in so much information and learning new things I can apply as a budding internet marketer.
No, Alana, not a problem at all. I know they have a clear set of guidelines, so it is fine.
Feel free to send me your work at damian {at} idaoconcpts [dot] com so we can see on whether we can collaborate on projects together.