A web app can seriously boost your business’ productivity. It is all a matter of defining how your business works and how can you translate its processes into its own web app.
Every piece of software worth mentioning undergoes a design process, where its purpose and architecture is specified. An app allows the user to solve a problem, whether it is ordering food or planning its day-to-day schedule. When thinking about building a web app, the business owner must learn to think in terms of processes, so it is possible to automate and optimize them.
Not every single business should have its own web app; although it is getting difficult to find any that don’t. The question of whether to develop a dedicated business web app can be answered by asking these 3 simple questions:
1. Are social networks not enough?
For some businesses, working with social networks is more than enough to meet their needs. Social networks provide online presence and tools for interacting with customers. Instead, when choosing to make our own web app, the possibilities are much broader.
The web app can provide better customer support, an improved selection of products, shopping carts, rating systems, email subscriptions and personalized user experiences. In essence, the app is supposed to turn a business into an interactive platform for both users and business-owners.
Nonetheless, both social networks and web apps require maintenance of some sort. One must be careful in determining the pros and cons of each option. Usually, the better idea is to use social networks and build a web app.
On the other hand, if there is a shortage of funds, business needs or complexity, it is better to settle with dedicated pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and so on.
2. Are the business processes thoroughly-defined?
Have you ever taken the time to write down what is it that your business offers and how the product or service reaches the customer? Because this is exactly what a software development project manager will do as soon as you both sit down for the first meeting.
Software development requires that the process behind the business idea is very clearly defined. Project managers will resort to standardized tools to note down what their client needs, and more often than not, the client does not have the slightest idea.
To save up time and money, the business owner must sit down on its own and then try real hard to put its business into comprehensible terms. Try to use flowcharts, drawings and any visual tool available. These processes are exactly what the software developer needs to understand before writing a single line of code.
The software development process takes up several stages. Nowadays, the most common methodologies manage to provide the client with a functional app very early in the process, with an improved version in the subsequent cycles. These cycles or iterations are where the project manager will sit down with the client and verify that the whole project is going in the right direction; that is, the direction of the original business idea.
3. Are there enough funds to pay for the development of an app?
Finally, developing anyone’s own web app costs money. The client must pay the software development team to design and implement the app, while also keeping in mind that at some point down the road the app will need maintenance. A web app must be hosted on a server, which is another cost to consider.
It is important to make some calculations beforehand and determine if the increased profits caused by the app will be worth the investment. The main idea behind developing a business web app is to increase sales and customer engagement; if that’s not possible, then perhaps a web app is not the right solution.
Finally, if the answer to these three questions is “yes,” then you may go ahead and start looking for software development companies. Have a clear idea of your project and don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have, even if they may appear silly or unnecessary. It’s your business, after all.
