Entertainment apps are among the most popular downloads among consumers.
It's no secret that the mobile app market has exploded in recent years. In 2013, Apple announced that there were over a million applications available for download in iTunes. Many of these apps are paid apps and the market is expected to tip the scales at $77 billion by 2017. That's a lot of downloads.
Though many businesses have been developing branded mobile apps in recent years, data suggests that most consumers aren't particularly interested in downloading enterprise applications. The bulk of downloads are for entertainment. This piece of data has important implications for businesses interested in reaching new customers through mobile. Instead of relying solely on a branded application for potential customers to download, a better strategy may be to focus on an integrated approach or scrap the app idea altogether. Here's why many businesses are choosing text marketing after experimenting with mobile apps.
Entertainment Apps Reign Supreme
Recent data suggests that the most popular mobile apps are games. Nearly 22 percent of overall app downloads last year fell under this particular category. Business related mobile apps represented just 9.9 percent of total downloads. While mobile owners are using their devices to engage with businesses, they aren't necessarily doing it through branded mobile apps. Channels like social media and text messaging are popular among consumers interested in connecting with their favorite brands.
Personalized Marketing via Text
One of the reasons why many companies prefer to use text message marketing to reach their audience is because of the personalization factor. Instead of giving users a standard experience such as what they'd get from a mobile app, businesses can craft a text marketing campaign that allows users to opt-in for specific information. Companies have the option of customizing campaigns via geographic location, or tapping into data about subscribers' previous purchases to deliver highly relevant and customized offers. Businesses are realizing that in order to get their message heard above the noise, they need to focus on personalization with their mobile marketing efforts.
Text Messaging Costs Less
Developing a mobile application can be costly for businesses, and the return on the investment may not be worth the money the app costs to create. Many companies are choosing to use text marketing instead of app development because it costs less overall. Text messages are also a reliable means of reaching a large, global audience, whether you're interested in connecting with current clients, potential customers, or your employees.
There are over a million apps available for download today.
In 2015, text messaging as a means of communication will continue to grow in popularity. Companies looking for the best return on their marketing efforts should consider adding text marketing to their advertising toolkit. Campaigns can be personalized easily and texting is an inexpensive and reliable way to reach potential customers. If you are interested in exploring how you can use mobile for your business, shift your focus away from mobile apps and towards text marketing. It's a tried and true approach that works. Get started with your own campaign and try ClubTexting for free today.