In today’s high-tech world, digital media plays a massive role in our lives. However, many small business owners still think having a website or a Facebook page is enough to bring in customers and stay in touch with them, which isn’t true. Today, every business—even a tiny business—needs a mobile app.

With an estimated 5.31 billion unique mobile users by the beginning of 2022, mobile phones will be used by more than two-thirds (67.1 percent) of the world’s population. During the last year, 95 million additional mobile users have joined worldwide, an increase of 1.8 percent.

Mobile business applications have become a necessary marketing tool for all businesses, regardless of the size of their industries. Many business owners may think that making and having an app is too expensive or an investment they don’t need to make.

However, a mobile app can help a small business connect with and build its customer base, increase sales, and improve its reputation in the market.

Here are five reasons a mobile app is essential for every small business:

1. Great Marketing Investment

If you build it, they will come, right? Many small business owners believe they shouldn’t spend money on marketing because they are already marketing their products online with a website.

While having a website is helpful, it won’t bring the customer right to your door. For example, you may have a website that shows off your business. Does your website appear at the top of the search results if someone is looking for a local product or service and types in your company’s name?

Mobile apps are a great way to market your business because it gives you a digital presence, interact with customers directly on their phones, so they don’t have to look for you, and build trust with your customers. Your app will allow customers to easily find your business near you to receive your services and products.

2. The Most Effective Way to Engage Customers

When you offer a mobile app to your customers, you’re not only promoting your company but creating a digital footprint that customers can access from anywhere. The fact is, most customers prefer to communicate with businesses digitally.

As a result, an app provides customers with an opportunity to share their ideas, ask questions, comment on products, and more.

3. Helps Small Businesses Generate More Sales

Since more than half of people use their phones and tablets to access the internet, a mobile app will help you reach a bigger audience and make more sales. If you have an app on your phone, you can check the status of your online orders, see if there are any deals or specials in-store, and even buy things without going to your store.

4. Increases Customer Retention

When customers are happy with their experience, they will likely come back. A mobile app will allow you to maintain better communication with your customers, making you more accessible and building trust between you and them.

If customers don’t like your product or service, they’ll probably look for something else that meets their needs. However, if you talk to your customers well and meet their needs, they will likely stick with you and keep coming back.

5. Boosts Brand Awareness

When customers like your products and services, they share them with their friends and family, which normalizes your company and builds brand awareness. Not only does an app help you stay in touch with your customers, and helps your business reach a larger audience and build an audience of its own.

An app will help you stay relevant, engage with your customers, generate more sales, and improve your company’s brand awareness.