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Picture this: you're a B2B merchant trying to grow your business in today's fast-paced and ever-evolving market. You're juggling multiple platforms, hindered by outdated technology, and burdened with the tediousness of manual processes and costly legacy solutions.
Add to that, the challenge of rising customer acquisition costs, low conversion rates, and limited lifetime value.
Sounds like a nightmare, right? But this is the reality of most B2B businesses out there.
Well, don’t worry! We got you.
According to a recent study, 80% of B2B buyers use mobile devices at work, and nearly half of B2B researchers use mobile devices throughout the entire purchase process.
It's clear that mobile technology is becoming increasingly important in the B2B space, and merchants who fail to adopt a mobile-first approach risk falling behind their competitors.
In this blog post, we'll be diving into the world of mobile apps and how they can help B2B merchants in the wholesale space overcome these challenges. So, let’s get started!
The B2B market is constantly evolving, and there are some exciting trends that are worth keeping an eye on so that you can thrive in the industry. Let's take a closer look at some of the current trends that are shaping the B2B market today.
More and more businesses are moving online, and Shopify has made it easier than ever to set up an online store with highly customizable experiences that can help increase order value and streamline operations.
In fact, according to a recent survey by McKinsey, 96% of B2B companies have shifted their go-to-market models in response to COVID-19. As part of this modernization, many B2B companies are investing in e-commerce platforms that offer a more personalized and intuitive buying experience.
Another trend that is gaining momentum is the DTC-like buying experience for B2B buyers. Mobile apps in DTC commerce are huge and empower B2B merchants to create personalized experiences and offer easy self-purchasing for B2B buyers.
For example, Fastenal, a leading supplier of industrial and construction products launched its mobile app in 2019 which enables customers to search and purchase products, access their account information, and manage their orders on the go.
The app also includes features such as barcode scanning and voice search to make it easier for customers to find and order the products they need.
The results? Improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately driving revenue growth for the company.
Millennials are also in power in the B2B market. As a highly agile and innovative medium, mobile apps can help merchants easily adapt to new buying behaviors and create personalized experiences for any buyer.
A report proves just this and states that 73% of millennials are involved in B2B purchasing decisions and 33% are the sole decision-makers. That’s a major chunk.
The pivot toward digital-first B2B is also becoming increasingly popular. Mobile apps make it easy to offer purchasing options that fit your buyer's needs across all channels and markets, making it easier than ever to meet your customers where they are and provide the best possible experience.
In fact, According to Salesforce's Q3 2021 earnings report, their B2B Commerce platform revenue grew 35% YoY, which is a testament to the growing importance of e-commerce in the B2B space.
So there you have it - the latest trends in the B2B commerce industry. With mobile apps leading the charge, B2B companies can tap into new opportunities and reach more customers than ever before.
As we’ve seen, mobile apps have now become an integral part of the modern business landscape, particularly in the B2B sector. Let’s have a look at the benefits of having a mobile app for your B2B commerce and how it can impact your bottom line.
1. Boost your sales (fast)
Mobile apps can help businesses increase sales by making it easier for customers to make purchases. They experience an improved customer experience through a better user interface and faster load times. With just a few taps on their phone, customers can place orders, track shipments, and even access customer support.
And the more convenient it is to buy from you, the more likely customers are to do so. This means you can capture sales that might have been lost if customers had to wait until they were back at their desks to make a purchase. It's a win-win.
2. Higher Customer Lifetime Value
Mobile apps can also help businesses improve customer engagement and loyalty ultimately leading to a higher customer LTV.
By providing a personalized experience and offering features like dynamic pricing, push notifications, in-app messaging, and exclusive offers, businesses can keep their customers coming back for more. And we all know that repeat business is the key to long-term success.
If you’re a Shop2App user, you can integrate with Klaviyo to power personalized push notifications. Learn more in this blog about how a mobile app can boost customer retention of your business.
3. Increased efficiency
Mobile apps enable businesses to conduct transactions and communicate with other businesses more efficiently. With the help of mobile apps, B2B transactions can be completed on the go, without the need for any physical documentation or lengthy procedures.
Streamlined ordering and payment processes through mobile-friendly checkout and payment options save a significant amount of time and resources, ultimately increasing efficiency.
4. Stand out in a crowded market
A mobile app can help businesses stand out from the competition. By providing a seamless and personalized experience for customers, you can differentiate yourself from other B2B companies that haven't yet embraced mobile technology.
And in today's hyper-competitive market, standing out is key.
5. Personalized Marketing Capabilities
Mobile apps offer B2B businesses new opportunities to market their products and services to other businesses. Features like push notifications, in-app advertising, and social media integration can help businesses reach their target audience more effectively.
It also provides them with enhanced data analytics and insights through mobile app usage data which helps them to personalize their campaigns while marketing their product.
Also, read why the e-commerce industry needs mobile apps today.
Now that you're aware of the pros of having a mobile app for your Shopify store, it's time to start building your own money-making machine- your very own mobile app!
By creating a mobile app for your store, you can unlock new revenue streams and tap into a growing market of mobile shoppers. Without wasting another second, let’s get you started.
There are many mobile app development platforms available that allow you to create a mobile app without coding. Each of these platforms has its own set of features, so it's important to research and compare them to find the one that best fits your needs. You should also consider the cost of the platform and any associated fees for publishing your app in the app stores.
Shop2app is one such popular mobile app builder that offers you a drag-and-drop interface to be used to create a mobile app for a Shopify store. Shop2app offers a range of features such as customizable design templates, push notifications, and real-time synchronization with your Shopify store. Additionally, Shop2app provides a free trial period and affordable pricing plans for businesses of all sizes. Read why Shop2app can be the best option for your Shopify store.
Once you've connected your Shopify store, you can customize your app by selecting a theme, colors, fonts, and layout. You can also upload your logo and add custom pages to your app. The app builder provides a drag-and-drop interface, which makes it easy to customize your app without any coding.
You can add products and collections to your app by selecting them from your Shopify store. The app builder will automatically import your products and collections, and you can customize how they are displayed in your app.
Before launching your app, make sure to thoroughly test it to ensure that it's functioning properly and providing a great user experience. The app builder provides a testing feature that allows you to preview your app on a simulated device.
Once your app is designed and tested, you can publish it to the app stores (Google Play and Apple App Store). The app builder provides a publishing feature that guides you through the app submission process.
You'll need to create a developer account with each app store and submit your app for review. The review process can take several days to several weeks, depending on the app store. Once your app is approved, you can promote it to your customers and encourage them to download it.
After launching your app, it's important to continue maintaining and updating it. Make sure to fix any bugs and add new features to keep your customers engaged. The app builder provides an update feature that allows you to push out new versions of your app to users.
Ta-da! You now know how to build an app for your Shopify store.
We know you're wondering what kind of results you can expect from a mobile app. Well, let us share an inspiring success story of Dry Eyes Rescue Pro.
Dry Eyes Rescue pro is an American company based out of Florida that offers a range of eye care products for people who experience dry eyes. They partnered up with Shop2app to build a mobile app for the B2B segment of their business.
With Shop2app’s no-code mobile app, the company has actually revolutionized its B2B sales strategy and taken its wholesale business to new heights. The results have been nothing short of amazing, with sales skyrocketing by 5x and breaking all the records.
Wish to know where they are today? Read more here.
Today, people are constantly on the go and rely heavily on their mobile devices to stay connected and informed.
So, don't get left behind in the digital age. Take action now and start building your mobile app and meet the needs and expectations of your customers.
With the right app in place, you can take your business to the next level and stand out in the crowded B2B marketplace. Book a 14-day free trial with us.
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