Why Your Business Needs a Mobile App in 2024: Real Talk from a Developer

The Truth About Mobile Apps for Businesses

Last year, a restaurant owner called me asking if he needed a mobile app. His exact words were: "Everyone says I need an app, but I don't know why."

This happens all the time. Business owners feel pressure to "go mobile" but don't understand if it actually makes sense for them.

I've built mobile apps for restaurants, retail stores, service businesses, and startups. Some apps were huge successes. Others were complete wastes of money.

In this guide, I'll share exactly when a mobile app makes sense, when it doesn't, and what you should know before spending money on one.

When You Actually Need a Mobile App

Not every business needs an app. I turn down clients when I know an app won't help them. Here's when an app actually makes sense:

You Need Repeat Customers

Apps work best for businesses where customers come back regularly. Think coffee shops, gyms, subscription services, or delivery restaurants.

A clothing boutique I worked with saw customers visit their app 3.7 times per week on average. They had a mobile website too, but people only visited it once every 2 weeks.

Why? The app sat on their phone's home screen. Convenient access drives repeat visits.

You Want to Send Push Notifications

This is the biggest advantage of apps over websites. You can send notifications directly to customers' phones.

A pizza restaurant I built an app for sends notifications for:

• Daily lunch specials (11 AM every day)
• Friday night deals (5 PM on Fridays)
• Birthday discounts (on customer's birthday)
• Order status updates in real-time

Their online orders increased 89% in the first 3 months. Most came directly from push notifications.

You can't do this with a website. Email open rates are around 20%. Push notification open rates? Over 90% according to my clients' data.

Customers Need Offline Access

Apps can work without internet connection. Websites can't.

I built an app for a tour guide company. Their guides use it to show information to tourists even in areas with no cell signal. The app stores all tour information locally.

This wouldn't be possible with a website alone.

You Need Device Features

Apps can access phone features that websites can't:

• Camera for scanning QR codes or barcodes
• GPS for precise location tracking
• Biometric login with fingerprint or face recognition
• Access to contacts for easy sharing
• Local file storage

A fitness studio I worked with uses the camera for scanning member check-in codes. A delivery service uses GPS to track driver locations in real-time.

When You Don't Need a Mobile App

I've turned down projects where apps didn't make sense. Here's when you should stick with a mobile website instead:

People Only Visit Once or Twice

If customers rarely return, they won't download your app. Why would they waste phone storage for something they'll use once?

Examples where apps often fail:

• One-time service businesses (moving companies, wedding planners)
• Niche information websites
• Event-specific businesses

A wedding photographer asked me about an app. I told him honestly: "Your customers use your services once. Build a great mobile website instead." He saved $15,000 and got better results with the website.

You Have a Small Budget

Let me be real about costs. A basic mobile app costs $8,000-$15,000 minimum. Mid-level apps run $20,000-$40,000. Complex apps? $50,000+.

Plus ongoing costs:

• $99/year for Apple App Store
• $25 one-time for Google Play Store
• Server hosting: $20-$200/month
• Maintenance and updates: $200-$500/month

If your budget is under $10,000, spend it on a great mobile-responsive website instead. You'll reach more people and get better ROI.

You Haven't Proven Your Business Model Yet

A startup founder once wanted me to build a complex app as their first product. I advised against it.

Start with an MVP (minimum viable product)—often a simple website or landing page. Prove people want your product first. Then invest in an app.

Apps are expensive to change. Websites are much more flexible for early-stage businesses.

Real Numbers from Apps I've Built

Let me share actual results from client projects. These are real businesses, not made-up case studies.

Coffee Shop Chain - 5 Locations

Investment: $12,000 for app development

Results after 6 months:

• 4,200 app downloads
• 82% of orders come through the app (vs 18% website)
• Average customer visits increased from 2.1 to 4.3 times per month
• Push notification redemption rate: 34%
• Revenue from app users: 67% higher than non-app users

Paid for itself in: 4 months

Boutique Fitness Studio

Investment: $18,000 for app with booking system

Results after 4 months:

• 1,800 downloads (they have 2,100 total members)
• Class bookings increased 156%
• No-show rate dropped from 18% to 6%
• Staff time saved: 12 hours/week (no more phone bookings)
• Member retention improved by 23%

Paid for itself in: 3 months

Local Delivery Service

Investment: $25,000 for app with driver tracking

Results after 8 months:

• 3,100 customer downloads
• 89% of orders through app (11% through website/phone)
• Customer support calls reduced by 71%
• Average order value: 34% higher on app
• Driver efficiency improved 28%

Paid for itself in: 5 months

How to Know If You're Ready for an App

Ask yourself these questions honestly. If you answer yes to most of them, an app probably makes sense.

The Reality Check Questions

Do you have 500+ engaged customers?

If you don't have existing customers, focus on getting customers first. An app won't magically create a customer base.

Do customers interact with you weekly or more?

High-frequency businesses benefit most from apps. Low-frequency businesses should stick with websites.

Can you invest $10,000-$30,000?

Be realistic about costs. Cheap apps usually fail because they're poorly built.

Do you have someone to manage the app?

Apps need ongoing management: updating content, responding to reviews, monitoring analytics, fixing bugs.

Can you market the app to customers?

Building an app is only half the battle. You need a plan to get customers to download it.

What Goes Into Building a Mobile App

Most business owners underestimate what's involved. Here's the reality of app development from my experience:

Planning Phase (2-3 weeks)

We map out every screen, every button, every feature. This prevents expensive changes later.

Questions we answer:

• Who will use this app and why?
• What's the main action users should take?
• How will users navigate between screens?
• What data do we need to collect?
• How will this integrate with existing systems?

Design Phase (2-4 weeks)

Designers create mockups of every screen. We test these with real users before writing any code.

Good design makes or breaks mobile apps. Users judge apps in under 3 seconds. If it looks unprofessional, they delete it immediately.

Development Phase (6-12 weeks)

This is where I actually build the app. For most projects, I build for both iPhone and Android simultaneously using React Native.

Why React Native? It saves money. Instead of building two separate apps (one for iPhone, one for Android), we build one app that works on both platforms.

This cuts development time in half and reduces costs by 40-60%.

Testing Phase (2-3 weeks)

We test on real devices, not just emulators. I typically test on:

• iPhone 13, 14, and 15 (latest models)
• iPhone 8 (older model many people still use)
• Samsung Galaxy S22, S23, S24
• Google Pixel phones

Every button must work. Every form must validate correctly. Every screen must load fast.

Launch Phase (1-2 weeks)

Submitting to App Store and Google Play takes time. Apple reviews can take 2-7 days. Google is usually faster at 1-3 days.

Then we monitor closely for the first week, fixing any bugs that only appear with real users.

How Much Do Mobile Apps Really Cost?

I get asked this constantly. The answer: it depends. But here are real numbers from my projects:

Basic App ($8,000 - $15,000)

Features:

• User login and profiles
• 5-10 screens
• Push notifications
• Basic content display
• Contact/support features

Good for: Loyalty programs, simple booking apps, content apps

Mid-Level App ($20,000 - $40,000)

Features:

• Everything in basic app plus:
• Payment processing
• Complex booking systems
• Real-time chat
• GPS/mapping features
• Admin dashboard
• Advanced analytics

Good for: E-commerce, delivery services, service marketplaces

Complex App ($50,000+)

Features:

• Everything in mid-level app plus:
• Real-time multiplayer features
• Video streaming
• Complex algorithms
• Third-party integrations
• Advanced security features

Good for: Social platforms, fintech apps, enterprise solutions

My Honest Recommendations

After building apps for 2+ years, here's my advice for different business types:

Restaurants and Cafes

Yes, get an app if you have 2+ locations or do significant delivery/takeout business. Focus on online ordering and loyalty rewards.

Start with a simple ordering app. Add features later based on customer feedback.

Retail Stores

Only if you have strong repeat customers. Otherwise, invest that money in a great mobile website with easy checkout.

If you do build an app, include in-app exclusive deals to incentivize downloads.

Service Businesses

Great for businesses with regular appointments: salons, gyms, medical practices, tutoring services.

Focus on booking, reminders, and easy rescheduling. These features reduce no-shows dramatically.

Startups

Wait. Prove your business model with a website first. Apps are expensive to change when you pivot.

Once you have product-market fit and steady revenue, then consider an app.

Common Mistakes That Kill Mobile Apps

I've seen apps fail even when the business model made sense. Here are the biggest mistakes:

Making It Too Complicated

One client wanted 47 features in version 1. We launched with 8 core features instead.

Result? 4.7 star rating and 85% user retention. Simplicity wins.

Start simple. Add features based on what users actually request.

Not Marketing the App

Building an app doesn't mean customers will magically find it. You need a marketing plan:

• Email existing customers about the app
• Offer in-app exclusive discounts
• Train staff to mention the app
• Put QR codes on receipts and marketing materials
• Run social media campaigns

Ignoring User Feedback

Monitor app reviews religiously. Respond to every review, good or bad.

I check reviews daily for my clients' apps. Issues get fixed within 48 hours. This maintains high ratings.

Forgetting About Maintenance

Apps need regular updates:

• iOS and Android release new versions yearly
• Security vulnerabilities need patches
• Bugs emerge with real-world use
• Features need improvements based on usage data

Budget $200-$500/month for ongoing maintenance. Apps aren't one-time purchases.

Your Next Steps

If you've decided an app makes sense for your business, here's what to do:

Step 1: Document Your Requirements

Write down:

• Main goal of the app
• Key features you absolutely need
• Features that would be nice to have later
• Your budget range
• Your timeline

Step 2: Look at Similar Apps

Download 5-10 apps in your industry. Note what you like and dislike about each. Take screenshots of features you want.

This gives developers clear examples of what you want.

Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes

Talk to at least 3 developers or agencies. Compare:

• Price (but don't just pick cheapest)
• Timeline
• Portfolio of similar projects
• Communication style
• Post-launch support included

Step 4: Start Small, Scale Later

Launch with core features only. Get real user feedback. Add features based on what users actually want, not what you think they want.

This saves money and leads to better apps.

Questions Business Owners Ask Me

Should I build for iPhone or Android first?

Build for both simultaneously using React Native. It costs only 20-30% more than building for one platform, and you reach 100% of smartphone users instead of just 50%.

How long does app development take?

Simple apps: 2-3 months. Mid-level apps: 3-5 months. Complex apps: 6-12 months. Anyone promising faster is cutting corners.

Can I update the app myself after launch?

For content updates (text, images): yes, if we build an admin panel. For code changes (new features, design changes): you'll need a developer.

What if my app idea already exists?

That's actually good news—it proves demand. Focus on doing it better or serving a specific niche. Most successful apps aren't 100% original ideas.

Do I need a separate app for iPad?

Not necessarily. Modern apps scale automatically to different screen sizes. But you should test the design on iPad before launch.

Final Honest Thoughts

Mobile apps can transform businesses, but they're not magic. I've seen them succeed brilliantly and fail miserably.

The apps that succeed have:

• Clear purpose that solves a real customer problem
• Business model that benefits from mobile features
• Realistic budget and timeline
• Commitment to ongoing improvement
• Marketing plan to drive downloads

If your business doesn't check these boxes yet, focus on building those foundations first. A mobile website might serve you better right now.

There's no shame in waiting. Better to launch an app when you're truly ready than waste money on something that sits unused.

If you have questions about whether an app makes sense for your specific business, feel free to reach out. I'm always honest about whether an app is the right move.