Apps are essential for many digital services. Before being able to use these services, apps must be downloaded from Apps stores such as Google Play, Apple App Store, or Huawei App Gallery. Although this isn’t much work for the user, many users don’t want to install yet another app without first trying it.
In fact, most people don’t like the idea – some even hate it – of having to download apps in order to use digital services. But installing apps is very popular with companies and it’s often the first step in a smart connected product’s setup.
However, a recent Heady.io survey shows that even though 91% of users don’t like being forced to use apps to do business with a company it is still done by almost half of users. Women are particularly annoyed at the requirement to have an app. This isn’t something men enjoy more than women, but it is slightly more common for women to find this business practice “extremely irritating.”
Rahul Kosla, Heady’s CEO, says it best: “You wouldn’t propose to move in with someone on your first date. Apps are a long-term commitment.”.
But all in all, it is a good thing for brands to have apps, because approximately half of the users will install an app. Brands could view the app installation step as a way of distinguishing serious customers from casual customers. This is because those who install it are more likely to become paying customers. The downside is that businesses miss out on an opportunity because they have made it difficult for them to sell their products. They’ve also pre-affected potential future customers, making them less likely to choose some of their products in the future.
Although it can be risky from a business standpoint to force users to jump through hoops, the potential benefits may outweigh any risks. It is easy to see that a user visiting a mobile website does not result in any “action.” On the other hand, businesses that have customers install an app gain access to the lives of their customers. Businesses can reach customers anywhere, access additional data such as location, and customize communications based on the permissions granted to an app. They are basically carrying your business in their pocket around.
Billions of lost revenue
A third of customers saved more than $100 by not installing an app to make a purchase. Another 30% of customers saved between $20 and $100. This adds up quickly to billions of dollars in lost revenue for businesses. However, these results should be taken with a grain of salt, as the survey was based on only 412 respondents (all were U.S citizens). Taken together, this shows a high demand of businesses to provide a seamless online experience.
Zero Install Apps
To overcome the hurdle of app installations, IKANGAI offers qonnect Zero Install Apps. Apps can be used immediately without downloading and installing them. All you need is a link. These links can be easily distributed using digital touch points such as barcodes, NFC, Bluetooth beacons, geo fences, and the like. This distributed, “physical” app store model has a major advantage: users don’t have to search for specific apps in the app stores. Users can simply interact with the environment (e.g. by scanning a barcode) to use the service.
Benefits of Zero Install Apps
Easy Discovery. Zero Install Apps can be found in different (physical) locations. This creates an app store distributed with many entry points so users can find digital services near them.
No entry barrier. It is super easy to interact with digital services without the need for an app. Users can start and finish an experience in seconds.
Maximum Audience. Zero Install Apps work for all users on any platform. They can be scaled to any size screen and are responsive. Your app can be served by any device capable of accessing the Internet via a browser. This makes it possible to give your app access from as many devices as possible.
Lightweight apps. Zero Install Apps utilize the progressive web application technology stack. They can be downloaded in a matter of seconds and are available to users within a few seconds.
Seamless App Updates. Seamless app deployments and updates are also made possible by the underlying progressive web application technology. Users can immediately get updates for existing apps.
No App-Store taxes. There are no app store fees that businesses must pay when users use digital services.
Cost effective. Developer costs are much lower than native app development, because it is not necessary to create each app for every platform.
Are you interested in Zero Install Apps to help your business? Get in touch with IKANGAI. Do you want to see the Zero Install App in action? You can check out the IKANGAI blog app or the call a BOX app.
