The new iPhone application market has been growing significantly, thanks to online companies allowing users to create their own. These companies do not charge much compared to what it would cost for an application to be coded and programmed from scratch. Most companies have a monthly rate, some with an additional starting fee. Many of the users creating their own applications were looking to market their services or products by connecting directly to their potential customers. The article gave an example of a wedding video business that was able to create their application in a single day, leading to new sales and leads.
To be honest, I had never heard of these do-it-yourself websites until I read this article. A couple of weeks ago, my roommates and I were sitting around our common room brainstorming ideas of ways to get rich fast. The subject of iPhone Apps came up, but was immediately dropped when we realized we would not be able to program or code it ourselves. With these companies, any idea can become a possible future app in the iTunes Store.
These online companies allow smaller firms or local businesses to advertise or promote their services affordably. This is great way of connecting users to information through available means of technology. In the past, these applications may have only been for larger companies with a greater budget, but now anyone looking for new ways of acquiring business can participate.
The article mentioned that some of the do-it-yourself websites use the GPS location of the iPhone in order to send out advertisements to potential customers. It gave the example of a grocery store sending mobile coupons to customers while they are inside the store.
As a student at Loyola University, the Crazy Man Restaurant Group comes to mind. After subscribing to their text specials, I began to receive weekly texts with special deals at S’Ghetti Eddie’s and Alonzo’s – restaurants less than five minutes from my dorm room. I would not be surprised if they were to invest in an application to promote their deals on pizza, subs and drinks.
The applications could be far more effective than investing in other means of marketing, such as in magazines and newspapers. Those types of advertisements are offered to the general public and may not reach their intended customer. However the iPhone applications can be connected directly to their desired customer. I think their personal phone is as direct as it gets.
While there is some belief that the do-it-yourself websites may not be as efficient as hiring professional programmers, the websites have an increasing demand and are looking to match what the programmers can do.
We all know that the i-phone is coming out with new apps daily. This apps improve our lives with the vast options available. The applications make it simple to do virtually anything from finding a restaurant to making purchases on ebay. I think it is very necessary to expand the ability to make specialized applications by other business because this would connect the consumer to even more than they were before especially places and establishments local to them. The app for spghetti eddis and Alonzos is very neat because it is so close to campus and now we can be directly connected. If there was an app for every place we went personally the iphone would be more specialized to an individual person. Having applications to local places is a very effective way to market businesses in area. By having an app for local establishments the marketability of these places will greatly increase. Alot can be said about an establishment that has its own i-phone app!
ReplyDeleteGerry I like the point that you make when stating that advertisements in magazines and newspapers may not reach the intended customer. I too think that the introduction of these new IPhone applications will allow for businesses to be able to reach their desired customers. Not only with food industries but with all sorts of businesses they will be able to present information on offers and deals in a fast highly accessible way. The Iphone continues to amaze me as this article is another example of how Apple and the Iphone are easily becoming the focal point to technological world we live in. Their innovation through specific means of IT serves as an example for what many other technological industries should strive to accomplish.
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