Top Mobile Tech Trends For 2017
By Andrew Gazdecki
The year 2017 will be a one of massive growth for the mobile market. Technologies have evolved to make app building cheaper and easier across the board. Just about every business now has the capability to develop mobile apps to serve their needs.
In 2015, mobile users surpassed PC users worldwide – how long can you go without spotting a smart phone? Having a mobile presence can help grow any business or organization in countless ways. If you’re thinking about getting into the mobile market, or if you’re already there, following these trends will keep you ahead of the curve.
Android Instant Apps Will Make Trying New Apps Easier
What if, when you go to use a new app, there was no downloading and no installation? What if all you had to do was find it, sign in, and use the app? Instant apps work like that. Found on the Android platform, this technology will make it easier, faster, and safer for a customer or employee to download and use an app which increases the likelihood of that happening.
AI Integration Will Make Apps Smarter
Artificial intelligence is being used in apps now. Most of it is in small pieces, adding simple functions. That’s leaving out the ever prevalent AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google. Soon, however, apps that allow AI to handle small tasks and assist the consumer, will be close to the norm.
Augmented Reality Boosts Engagement
Sure, augmented reality can be shelved as “just for games,” but what if it could integrated into a business that can help get the attention of your customers? Hidden messages, specials, and promo codes only visible through an app have been used to reward loyalty, etc. This is one trend that rewards creativity.
Small Business App Development Will Increase
Small businesses have been slow to adopt mobile apps. Only 1 in 5 small businesses, as of 2016, are likely to have an app. By the end of 2017, 1 in 2 small businesses will either have or be developing an app according to research by Clutch. This is largely due to the rise of affordable best app makers geared toward small businesses.
More Things Will Be Connected
The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing larger by the day. New and innovative app-meets-item products are being invented and launched all the time. It’s no longer a novelty to have a home appliance or gadget with app-related functions.
Location Will Provide Opportunity
Location Based Services (LBS), also known as geo-fencing, will help you offer incentives to customers based on their location. It can also assist them to locate your shops or services, or help you keep track of your employees when they go off site for a job.
Security and Commerce – Some Things Will Stay the Same
Most critical of all the concerns for any mobile or app developer has been security and revenue. You want your customers to stay safe, their data must be secure, and you want to grow your business. In 2017 security will be a top concern and new ways to ensure it will be developed to meet that need.
Final Thoughts
With revenue expected to grow from roughly $50 billion for 2016 to $77 billion in 2017, apps will continue to boost revenue for businesses in traditional ways, whether that’s with loyalty programs, rewards, reviews, or simply by making it easier to connect with a business. More than anything, with so many businesses adding mobile apps and services, that soon will be the standard. If you’ve been hesitating, now would be the time to pull the trigger and learn how to develop an app on your own using an affordable DIY app builder. It’s going to be easier and less expensive than you think.
Andrew Gazdecki is the founder and CEO of Bizness Apps, making mobile apps affordable and simple for small businesses. We’re a do-it-yourself iPhone, iPad, Android & HTML5 app platform that allows any small business to simultaneously create, edit, and manage mobile apps without any programming knowledge needed. Think of us as “WordPress for mobile app creation.” Many of our customers are white label mobile app resellers, marketing or design agencies that use our platform to cost effectively build mobile apps for small business clients.
