Today, any professional thinking about developing an app for a professional practice might be intuitively tempted though not yet certain what the point would be.
Apps are still quite dominated by the media, magazines, books, directories, games and tools. But, where there’s technology, there are also early adopters. So, here are a few examples of apps for professional practices and related businesses, along with our thoughts about the rationale for taking the plunge!
The point of this architect’s app?
- To leverage the multimedia capabilities, high picture quality and accessibility of mobile technology to showcase the firm’s portfolio. Imagine sending a link to download your app to a qualified prospect that’s reading your initial proposal or inquiry from a smart phone. How easy was that to not only look sharp but current and service oriented?
My Accountant Friend
The point of this accountant’s app?
- To offer clients the convenience of an easy and portable way of keeping track of expenses, as a supplement to the practice’s accounting services.
AltMeds
The point of this natural healthcare app?
- This is a straightforward extension of a resource heavy website. It was designed to make it really easy for members of the originating website to look up their healthcare questions, on the go. This app will likely have the effect of sealing loyalty with members, as well as encouraging some viral activity about the handy tool.
Naturopaths International
The point of this natural healthcare app?
- This app is entirely focused on generating awareness about a not for profit organization’s efforts to give the public the opportunity to ask a naturopath a question. Its charm is in its simplicity, which doesn’t give the visitor any reasons to get distracted from this ultimate mission.
The Kelly Law Firm
The point of this law firm app?
- This app is a terrific way of reinforcing this firm’s position as an expert in internet law. Even if the app were a simplified version of the firm’s online presence, as many apps are, it would have offered great value, given this firm’s focus. This app goes the distance, however, as it offers the client access to project management software, secure files and online payments. Beyond the obvious client service message inherent in these features, there is a subliminal message that this firm is on top of the constantly evolving world wide web.
As apps become mainstream, the option to build one for your practice will be more tempting.
Yes, an app offers opportunity to support your SEO strategy but there are other easier and cheaper ways to accomplish this. An app is also an impressive showpiece, regardless of functionality but in most cases this benefit won’t have a direct relationship to ROI.
So, what’s the point?
Apps offer great potential as a gateway to the next iteration of our virtual lives. As such, they play a key role in terms of extending a practice’s professional identity, reach and positioning. This opportunity goes far deeper than the inclusion of a logo and introductory statement and has yet to be explored to its full potential.
As we can see from these early experiments, the real question that will need to be considered on a firm by firm basis is how to tie, not only the look and the message of your app to your professional identity, but its very functionality.
h/t Robert Ambrogi, Garry Wise
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