Mobile software capability has become essential to having a thriving business. Smartphones have made it easier to accomplish the same tasks that previously required a computer. Being able to meet users where they are is important for growing your business. Adapting your business to meet your customers’ needs is the next step in this process, and it starts with developing a mobile solution. The ability to conduct your business over mobile ensures the longevity of your company in a world where startups launch every day in hopes of killing a traditional business. Without deploying a mobile solution, you’ll find yourself with an aging business unable to adapt with its customers as they move away from traditional marketing methods and seek immediate responses.
Ride Sharing
A great example of an adapting business is the ride share industry. With the rise of companies like Lyft and Uber, it revealed the huge technological gap taxi companies faced. Consumers are now able to order rides on demand, schedule trips, or even carpool to work or split fees amongst their friends. The taxi service was slow to respond to this change in the transportation economy and have been fighting back ever since to regain a control of the market. The rise of scooters poses another interesting layer in this technological trend as Bird and Lime offer quick solutions to get around without necessarily waiting for transportation. While this industry still has significant opportunities to grow, such as looking at autonomous vehicles, the ability to adapt will be critical to have a thriving business.
Travel Agencies
Similarly, travel agent companies are facing the same challenge the taxi industry saw as people are less likely to contact them to set up their travel. People increasingly use a multitude of apps and websites to find their best deals. However, there is still a lot of opportunity for travel agencies because searching through the sea of travel-related apps to find the best deal and create a custom travel package is time consuming. Easing this frustration is the best opportunity for travel agencies because they can secure transportation, lodgings, discounts and special accommodations simultaneously through the relationships they have with vendors, something a self booked travel package will likely not be able to do. It just takes a software solution that feels “DIY” for the traveler but leverages the agent’s benefits.
Healthcare
Healthcare has seen a lot of developments in a variety of related fields such as insurance, medical delivery services, health tracking wearables, and the list goes on. More specifically, there is huge opportunity for developing technology focusing on telemedicine. This creates the flexibility of seeing a physician from home and saves time for everyone involved while providing access for people who might live in rural areas or moved away from their physician. There are still challenges to overcome related to examining a patient remotely, but some companies have started combining a remote expert with a local examiner to provide quality care. Furthermore, it opens up the opportunity to transmit health records digitally and give patients more access to their own test results and history.
Clothing
Clothing has seen a lot of reinventions thanks to technology. Delivery options have expanded to include same day in-store pick-up, warehouse to store delivery for pick-up, and or free 2 day shipping (popularized thanks to Amazon Prime, followed much later by Walmart and Target). Subscription services have become another option, allowing consumers to pay only for the clothes they want or receive custom shipments of clothes based on their taste/style. For brands breaking into the market, they must weigh whether they want to offer a digital shopping experience, a brick-and-mortar one, or both. Online shopping is convenient, and tools like Instagram’s ability to let customers buy clothes in photos they like make it clear a digital-only presence is possible. For stores that still want the feel of a brick and mortar experience or the option to have customers try on their clothes immediately, the use of mobile vehicles (basically food trucks for clothes) or pop-up shops provide a flexible alternative to a permanent location.
Conclusion
The world of mobile is sticking around, and as more accessories (AirPods, smartwatches, etc.) are developed, we’ll be constantly connected. Companies who can use mobile effectively will quickly become more responsive to their customers and find new ways to draw others in. Without mobile, you’re at a distinct disadvantage as customers can immediately find a new solution if yours isn’t working for them. Innovation and new technology makes consumers’ lives easier, so any opportunity your company can take to implement them will make an impact.
Do you have a traditional business that needs to innovate? Let’s chat. We can help you find the best opportunities to hit your next milestone.