Let’s face it, times are changing. We are in an age where technology is advancing rapidly and it’s changing the way people run their lives. The creation of the mobile app has replaced how the world uses the internet, changing businesses all over the world. People are finding apps more simple, useful, and faster than websites. Mobile apps are bringing businesses more widespread consumer mobile adoption as it enhances their corporate marketing strategies. This mobile take over isn’t just happening in the United States, it’s happening globally, so businesses need to prepare themselves for this increasingly-mobile world.

The Stats

There is a significantly increasing number of businesses who are developing mobile-only strategies that prioritize

 customer experience on mobile devices rather than desktop computers. ComScore reported that in 2012, Americans spent 511.9 million minutes accessing the Web from desktop computers, and 278.6 million minutes on smartphones. However, in 2013 the gap was dramatically smaller as they found that Americans spent 445.5 million minutes accessing the internet from desktop computers, and a staggering 410.8 million minutes on smartphones.

In just one year, mobile device usage has nearly doubled, while desktop usage decreased. With this major increase in the usage of mobile devices, app downloads are also increasing at about the same rate. Gartner found that in 2011, there were 22.9 billion app downloads. In 2012, that number doubled to 45.6 billion downloads. That number nearly doubled again in 2013 with 81.4 billion downloads. In 2014, they predict app downloads to be at 131.7 billion. By 2016, the use of mobile apps will surpass that of internet domain names, also known as websites, making it the most dominant means of engaging with brands.

Why Apps are Taking Over

Over the last decade, the World Wide Web has become more of a necessity than a commodity as it became a major part of our everyday lives from using it to pay bills, research, communicate, and much more. How could it be that what was once a necessity of our lives is now being replaced? The answer is simple- Apps are faster, smarter, and more “sticky.” In contrast to websites, apps do the thinking for the user and provide a faster experience, making it more convenient in this age where people are always on the go. Apps are portable and can be accessed instantly, unlike a website. Though it may seem accessing a website is quick enough, an app can do it even faster, and in our fast pace society, faster is better. You can open an app with just a touch of a finger, unlike a website where you have to open a browser, type in the web address, and wait for it to load. Seeking the information you’re looking for in an app is also better. They do the work for you as they save the data inputted. For example, apps will use your mobile device’s location, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Once a website browser is closed, you’re information is lost. Compared to a websites, apps have a better ability to keep their visitors frequently coming back, making them “stickier” than websites. For businesses, this means more customer engagement.

            It’s clear that the next evolution of web surfing is through mobile apps. The world is going mobile, which means so should your business. Mobile devices are rapidly replacing desktops, so you need to prioritize where your marketing strategies are headed. Having an app and mobile marketing strategy for your business could be the most important thing you can do to gain success.  According to the New York Times, mobile marketing is the most powerful media ever invented. It’s truly your key to success.