It’s no secret that we’re living in a mobile world. Things are changing. iPhones, iPads and other smartphones are showing up everywhere. So, it’s no surprise that we’re getting more and more questions about mobile apps. But, does your business need one?

The short answer is probably not. While mobile apps are definitely increasing in popularity, they are still expensive to create and unnecessary for most businesses.

What is an app?

An app, or application, is a program that you install on your smartphone (iPhone) or tablet (iPad). The Apple App Store has 350,000+ of them; ranging from simple gaming apps to full-blown productivity apps for business. Some are free and some require payment (usually a few dollars).

Want one or need one?

Based on recent conversations I’ve had with clients, it seems like most businesses are interested in having an app because of the “cool factor.” After all, it would be pretty neat to see your company name in the App Store, right?

But, after digging a little deeper, most clients don’t have a clear vision or purpose for the app. They don’t need one. They just want one.

For most companies, mobile apps are not necessary unless you have a specific purpose for them. For example, if you’re an insurance agency, perhaps you create an app to facilitate the claims process in a unique way. The app can send the claim details directly to you, pictures and all.

As an example, Allstate has an app like this. You’ll find it here.

Pay to play

Since Forge3 doesn’t create mobile apps, I called a few places to find out what’s involved. For even a simple app, most companies I spoke with quoted $25,000. If you’re going to spend that type of cash, you’ll definitely want to have a solid game plan in place first.

A better approach for most companies is to create a mobile friendly version of their website. This process is often much easier and less expensive than creating a mobile app.

Question submitted by Inner Circle member James. Thanks, James!

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