Build Mobile Apps That Will Boost Your Business

Mobile apps selection

The buzz around mobile apps is getting louder. Particularly, business owners people are realizing that making sales is as easy as acquiring a mobile app and utilizing it accordingly. However, there is an elephant in every room when it comes to choosing the best mobile app developers in Kenya for a business person.

Why is this so? Well, not every mobile developer in the market can deliver the expected results within a short time. Some take longer than necessary probably because they have not mastered their art. Others do not do their research well to understand the needs of their potential clients.

Another category of developers charge exorbitantly for the services. With all these issues, you can be stranded, and sometimes frustrated in finding  app developers Kenya.  This is where we come in handy!

What Is In For You?

You are probably wondering- how exactly do you benefit as a business person by seeking for our mobile apps services? Well, mobile apps offer you the easiest way of reaching potential clients with your products or services.

Anything that they ever needed will be found on your app. Your clients will remain excited and interested in your business as they view the app. You can even make offers that they cannot resist when you want to boost sales.  

Building customer relationships is easy with a mobile app. You have a chance to interact with customers every hour on  their mobile devices. People are addicted to their phone screens.

Are you tired of reaching out to customers without a response? Yes, customers get tired of mass emails and text messages. Mobile apps boost customer engagement with your products and services.

Mobile apps act as a social media platform for your business. You can ask questions and conduct simple survey on the app. All these come at low costs. 

Mobile apps also give better outcomes in promotions and marketing campaigns. As long as the app installed, notifications will prompt users to view the campaign. Potential customers can claim any discounts or offers instantly via the app.

Much More to Gain!

Additionally, mobile apps will enhance your productivity at work. You will stay organized at all times as you utilize apps, which in turn will increase your efficiency.

Even more, it becomes possible to inspire your workers to maintain some level of discipline and organization during work. You could even hire some competent workers using the best mobile apps. 

You increase the visibility with a mobile app. The convenience of reaching customers on their mobile devices also means they constantly see your brand. Do not allow your competitors to get ahead with mobile technology.

We Care

We understand your needs, and through extensive research, we already know your fears.  We are concerned about your financial well-being and your progress in achieving your business goals.  We are a team of competent mobile app developers Kenya with the necessary experience in IOS and android apps development.

Engage us today for more information, guidance, and tips on choosing the best app for your business.

9 Things to Prepare Before Requesting For a Quote from Mobile App Developers in Kenya

App developers receive bulk messages and emails every day with requests for quotes. When you read about a company that offers great app design services, the next question that comes to mind is the cost. Should you request for a quote immediately and then think of its functionality later? Our advice, prepare a list with the following 9 items before contacting mobile app developers in Kenya. You can negotiate a good deal when you know what will work for your business

1. Overall goal or objective

Why do need an app for your business? Are you simply keeping up with the latest trend or have a specific goal you intend to achieve? Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals applies to mobile app development. For instance, do you want to create a social network for your clients?

Competent app designers in Kenya will ask you for the overall goal or objective. Setting clear goals will help you prepare the other items on this list. In addition, you will compare your results after launching the app with your goals to measure its effectiveness. 

2. Core features

What should the app do? Every app developer will expect a straight answer to this question. Well, a good app should help users accomplish most of the tasks that relate to your core business. For instance, they can chat with your support team, order for products, access your business website, and rate your services among other functions. If you need a utility app or an innovative solution, the final product should have all the basic features for that function.

Do not give vague answers about the functionality. Otherwise, you will get a generic app with basic features. If you need an effective communication channel, define the communication features or functionalities needed. What kind of content can users share with the app?

3. Preferred platform

What mobile platform are you targeting with the app? Will it run on Android or iOS? The development process varies with the target platform. You may need to conduct a bit of research to determine the platform that your clients use.

If your target market is in Kenya, check survey results of the most popular platforms in the country. You can pick the leading platform for your app to reach the majority of your target users and then develop for other platforms after the launch.

4. Online and offline functionality

One downside of mobile apps is that they consume large amounts of mobile data. The target users will not always be online. Can the user access some functions while offline? The best mobile app developers in Kenya will advise you to build an app that is functional offline.

The app can notify the user when the internet connection is interrupted or when trying to reconnect. Users can also queue tasks that the app will automatically complete when the device is reconnected to the internet

5. Integration

Integrating the app with your website or internal system should not come as an afterthought. While comparing different developers, prioritize those that offer reliable integration services as well. Integration goes beyond other platforms such as your website or bulk SMS services. Muva Technologies offers payments integration in Kenya including Mpesa and Paypal integration. The advantage of integrating your app from the start is that users can complete a transaction or process directly from the app.

6. Timeline

When do you want to launch the app? Developers queue tasks based on their urgency. If you want the app completed as fast as possible, you may be required to pay more. You may be looking for the best deal but you do not want to wait in line forever. If the mobile apps development company in Kenya has enough internal developers, your app will be complete within your given deadline.

Communicate your expectations with the developer in terms of when you will review the app. The app should be completed before the launch date so that you can review and recommend any changes. The developer will need time to fix any issues with its functionality or add missing features.

7. Budget

How much do you want to spend on the app? You may want an app with multiple features and within a short period but your budget is limited. The items on this list will help any developer estimate the cost of building your app. App developers work around your budget to build the best app possible.

Do not be discouraged if the developer proposes that you eliminate some functions because of cost constraints. Remember that you can redesign and improve the functionality of the app after launching. Our recommendation is that you develop version 1 of the app with all major functions and a version 2 with additional features in the future.

8. Personal design

Mobile app developers in Kenya prefer to build apps and websites from scratch. However, if your budget is tight, you can develop a design internally and give it to the developer. You may get a reduced budget if the right tools are used to create the design. This works for companies with internal developers with basic app development skills. Feel free to ask if the developer can improve your current design and give you a better look.

One caution when using this approach is to avoid insisting on a design that does not work for the developer. While you have the final say on your app, your preferred design may be outdated. Choose trusted developers who are interested in the success of your business and not just the paycheck.

9. Required services after launching

You can easily agree on all services and processes that lead to a functional app. What do you do after the developer hands over the app to your team? Will you need further support or services? How will you update the content and features?

Most clients focus on getting a good app and ignore the processes after launching the app. You will need the help of the developer in the future to integrate new services or features as new mobile app trends emerge. In addition, effective marketing strategies are required after the launch to inform your target users about the new app. App developers may not be part of your marketing team but can offer a useful guide on how to launch and market the app after development.

It is okay to approach a developer with a basic idea of the app you need if you have little information on how mobile apps work. At Muva, you will get a list of questions with these and other factors that contribute to the cost estimate. However, developing your own list beforehand saves time and boosts your confidence when negotiating with different developers.

Are Delivery Apps The New Frontier in App Development in Kenya?

The discussion around app development in Kenya before Covid-19 was about loan apps. Everyone was concerned about the interest rates and the need to regulate digital lenders.

Kenyans were complaining about the recovery process and threats for defaulting on small amounts. Then came Covid-19 and the discussion changed.

The restriction of movement has led to creative ideas and innovation.

Increase in demand for courier services

Staying at home or working from home has been on top of the list of precautionary measures. This means that firms had to figure out a way of delivering their products to their clients to stay in business.

Unfortunately, the crisis was unexpected and its effects on businesses unpredictable.

The wait and see approach does not work for a business that sells perishable products. At the same time, most of the businesses did not have their own courier services before the crisis.

The result has been a sudden increase in the demand for courier services.

Glovo and Uber are among the tech firms that have benefited from the demand for services.

The challenge has been keeping up with the demand from individuals and companies while protecting the drivers from Covid-19.

Luckily, the Ministry of Health provided sufficient guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the disease.

Restaurants and fast foods

Restaurants and fast food joints have experienced perhaps the worst effects of the health crisis.

The government was quick to shut down social places because of the crowds they attract.

How do such firms stay afloat without allowing customers into their premises? Courier services have been the answer.

Customers can order food online. The restaurants then organize the delivery process.

Many such businesses have been operating without a mobile or online store. The much they do is advertise their business on social media.

Covid-19 has pushed business owners to start thinking about app development in Kenya.

The discussion now is not just about a business app but a delivery app as well.

Kenyans are quick to spot such opportunities in the market.

App Development in Kenya

Jumia and Twiga foods

We have known Jumia to sell all types of household products but not groceries. However, the pandemic has made shopping for even basic items like groceries a risk.

The recent partnership between Jumia and Twiga foods has solved the equation for Kenyans.

Shoppers can buy groceries on the e-commerce platform alongside other items.

The groceries are pre-packaged and include items that every home needs such as potatoes, tomatoes, milk, and fruits among other items.

In addition, customers save on the cost of these items. The partners promise up to 50% savings based on the prices of the products in local supermarkets

Another benefit is the same-day delivery within Nairobi and its suburbs at no extra cost.

Although Covid-19 has fuelled such partnerships and innovation, the deals are likely to continue even after the crisis.

Similar deals among other firms are likely to come up as Kenyan shoppers have already adapted to online shopping.

Uber

You mention Uber and taxis come to mind immediately. Uber Eats is still growing in Kenya but it has come in handy during the crisis.

Taxi apps have formed a huge part of app development in Kenya, after Uber, Taxify, and Bolt hit the market.

However, with the instructions to stay at home, the demand for taxi services has reduced.

Uber introduced two apps in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The move was unimaginable to many business owners who have been forced to downscale their operations.

The first app was Uber Connect, which enables families and friends to send packages to different cities.

With social distancing, delivering simple packages like documents, clothes, gifts, or house items is impossible.

Uber Connect deliveries packages without endangering the lives of senders, couriers, and recipients.

The second app that the tech company released is Uber Direct, which is an extension of its food app, Uber Eats.

Uber Direct poses competition to Jumia because it delivers household items and groceries from supermarkets.

The edge that Jumia and Twiga have over Uber Direct is competitive prices.

The two companies have also built a strong brand in the delivery of products in the Kenyan market.

Sendy couriers

Dominating the logistics market

Many developers and innovators have been responding to the crisis by creating apps around it.

Most Coronavirus or Covid-19 apps focus on notifying users of their distance from an infected person. Other apps help health care workers to handle the disease efficiently through accurate and timely data.

What happens after the crisis? Will we still need the apps?

Some innovators are seeing the light! There is a new frontier in the field of logistics.

It may take some time before the coronavirus threat is eliminated. The arguments against its vaccines and possible treatment may delay the process further.

As mentioned, Kenyans have already adapted to the new reality. In fact, the crisis has proved to many shoppers that they can survive for weeks without going out.

With an e-commerce platform or app, businesses can serve a significant percentage of their clients online.

The challenge now remains in providing affordable, efficient, and timely delivery services.

Some companies like Kobo360 and Sendy have already identified the gap in the logistics market in Kenya and Africa.

Business owners have suffered for years in the hands of rogue truck drivers and logistics companies.

Kenyans need to wake up to the opportunities in the market instead of leaving everything to foreign companies.

The companies that started earlier have reaped extra benefits with the Covid-19 crisis. The extra income will continue until new entrants interrupt with better or differentiated courier services.

Final remarks

The worst of situations can present business opportunities for those who are keen to identify them. We have given you a hint for app development in Kenya. The big question now is if you will take action or wait for another foreign investor to take the opportunity.

A simple delivery app that all types of businesses can use is likely to attract thousands of users. Entrepreneurs have learnt from the crisis the need for current technologies and reliable logistics to cushion their enterprises.

Mobile Apps Development Trends: Voice-Enabled Apps

Businesses develop mobile apps for different reasons. The main objective is to improve their interactions and relationships with potential customers with higher sales in mind.

Today, every leading brand has a mobile app. Small businesses have also joined in and developed apps to keep up with the trends.

While businesses try to catch up with functional apps, the trends are already changing. Brands have moved from the usual type and swipe interfaces to voice search.

The latest trends in mobile apps development now include voice-enable apps. Some brands like Pandora and SnapChat have already shifted to this trend.

Here is the challenge with many brands. Technology changes every other day as brands try to give their users the best experience possible. Unfortunately, most brands are slow to implement new trends.

Do you remember the response when mobile friendly websites were introduced? Many companies continued with their old website designs until it began to affect their traffic and sales.

Voice search has been here for a while with the likes of Google Assistant, Siri, and Amazon Alexa.  You must have tried these searches by now. The trend is now infiltrating mobile apps development.

Should you consider the trend or “wait and see”? Before you brush off the idea, let us look at some of the benefits of voice-enabled apps

Stay ahead of your competitors

Very few brands have voice-enabled apps at this time. In fact, some brands are still trying to fix bugs in their apps while the world is moving to voice search.

Your brand can be the first in your industry to add voice commands to your mobile app. Do not sit back and wait to see how the trend goes. Many phone users are already using voice search daily instead of typing.

You have an opportunity as a business or brand owner to stand out before the next trend comes. Voice capabilities can be a marketing tool on app stores and other platforms before your competitors catch up with the trend.

Hands-free operation

Why do users speak into their devices instead of typing? In most cases, they have no time to sit and type every letter. Phone users are looking for capabilities that minimise distractions from their work or activities.

Phone manufacturers identified this need and introduced voice recognition capabilities. Now, phone users can open their devices, call or send a message and exit without touching the screen.

The capabilities enabled phone users to multitask. They can confirm a meeting while on the move. They can order a product while working out.

Voice enabled apps provide the same convenience. Your target customers can search for a product or request for information about your brand while on the go.

Once users know they can give such commands easily and fast, they will interact with your app more every day. Increased interactions will lead to higher sales, especially from returning customers.

Quick search results and insights

Voice capabilities enable customers to find the information to make a purchase decision fast. Customers can easily find out if an item is in stock.

The search results are fast in comparison to a whole page of results that an app gives when a user types in a query.

Your business benefits further from quick insights based on the customers’ queries. You can tell the kind of products that your customers are looking for from their voice commands.

In addition, your app can recommend related or complementary products to the customer while they interact with the app.

All the customer has to do is answer yes or no to the queries and the items are added to their carts.

Low development costs

You might be thinking that voice capabilities will cost you an arm and a leg to implement. No, the trend is affordable. You can redesign your current app to include the capabilities.

When speech algorithm was first introduced, app developers would take years to fully implement it. It is now an easy and fast process with a speech SDK.

Your part is to identify the right mobile app developers that know how to embed speech recognition capabilities to apps.

If you are considering redesigning your mobile app or developing a new app, voice capabilities should be part of your list of features.

User friendliness

A simple task like checking the price of a product will take many taps or clicks to complete. Even if you try to minimise the number of clicks, the customer will still spend more time locating a product.

Voice search makes an app more user friendly because we naturally speak faster than we type. Some devices are also slow in responding to commands.

Speech recognition capabilities enable customers to bypass many steps, which improves their experience with your brand.

Users will begin to associate your brand with speed, convenience, and improved customer satisfaction. In addition to loyalty, you will get more recommendations to potential customers from your satisfied customers.

Remember that e-commerce is only getting better and more competitive. You need every opportunity to market and differentiate your brand.

Customers will expect it

Enabling voice search is not just a matter of keeping up with mobile apps development trends. Mobile phone users have already shifted to voice commands on search engines.

Speaking into devices instead of typing or swiping is the new norm. In the near future, customers will not consider the new technology as an advantage.

Instead, customers will expect competitive brands to have voice enabled apps. Customers expect that businesses follow and implement trends.

If you lag behind, you may lose some customers and opportunities to market your brand as a leader in the industry. Your competitors should not set the pace for your brand to follow.

Final thoughts

Mobile apps owners must wake up to the reality that the voice-enabled apps are now a trend. Voice search is becoming the most preferred way of interacting with brands, especially when searching for products or services online. As the technology advances, customers will prefer brands that keep up with trends to give the best experience possible. If you seek to maximise e-commerce sales and increase brand competitiveness, consider embedding voice capabilities to your app.

Benefits of E-Commerce Apps: Best Programmers in Kenya Advise


Even the best programmers in Kenya sometimes have a hard time explaining the benefits of mobile apps to business owners.

Entrepreneurs with successful e-commerce platforms ignore mobile apps.

The problem is that the entrepreneurs do not understand the benefits an app could add to their businesses.

Let us assume that you jumped onto the e-commerce sites’ ship really fast. You built a successful online business long before mobile apps became a thing.

You are still earning well and wondering why everyone is running to apps. Let us talk further before you dismiss the idea.

1. Reaching a wider market

Look at popular platforms in Kenya such as Jumia or Kilimall. The owners started with e-commerce websites and made a kill. They still make money but have a gone a step further to create Android and iOS apps. The mobile apps have similar features with the websites.

The owners have understood that some buyers will always prefer apps to sites. Even with a mobile-responsive website and a flawless experience, the buyers will always result in an app. The market segment enjoys comparing prices and products on different apps.

We do not mean that you shut down your online store or give it less attention. We are simply pointing to some potential customers that you have locked out without an app. Your competitors may think of starting with an app but your e-commerce site puts you a step ahead.

2. Constant communication with clients

Online shopping means one thing to clients; shopping never ends with a sunset. You have probably experienced this with your e-commerce site. Some clients will wait until night to scroll through your catalogue to order.

What happens when they cannot complete a transaction after working hours? Customers know that you will not deliver at night. However, they expect to find help from your customer care staff at all times.

The beauty of an app is that communication with your clients is easier and faster. You get instant notifications on your phone whenever an inquiry is placed. The type of notifications you receive will depend on your settings. In short, you can get an immediate notification when an issue arises that need your attention.

The good part is buyers have the same convenience. You can stay in touch with both potential and real buyers 24/7. The SMS notifications do not just remind them of their orders or carts but of your brand as well.

Best Programmers in Kenya

3. Creating brand loyalty

You have worked hard to build a strong brand with your e-commerce site. As mentioned, you are already a step ahead of entrepreneurs that go straight to the best programmers in Kenya for an app. The efforts to create an e-commerce site in the times of mobile apps are not in vain.

The same clients that you attracted to an online store are more likely to use your app than new clients are. Adobe conducted a study on mobile revenues. The researchers discovered that nearly 70% of online buyers prefer an app from a brand that they know. If their favourite brand has a new app, buyers will rush to install and use it.

The statistics partly explain the dominance of e-commerce platforms in the world of mobile apps. The same entrepreneurs that built e-commerce sites years back have taken over the mobile apps. You can have the same results if you step into the unknown and create an app for your existing customer base.

4. Faster speed

The best programmers in Kenya will tell you that mobile apps load faster than e-commerce sites. Even with the best development process, a mobile app is likely to load faster than a website. Remember that online shoppers are quick to run to another website when your platform takes long to load.

Sometimes the traffic to your online shop may slow down the loading speed. Kenyans are big on using mobile data bundles. The experience with your store will depend on the chosen mobile network. You cannot control their choice of a network but you have control over their experience with your business.

The pages of the mobile app will load faster. That means that most of your loyal customers as mentioned above will go to the app for new purchases. Think about the convenience of switching from one app to another.

The buyer must go to the app store, download, install, register, link a payment method, and then make a purchase. The process takes longer than waiting for a page on your app to load. Give clients the best loading speeds on both the website and app. However, you are likely to record higher sales on your app depending on how you market it.

Also Read: Android App Development Trends

5. Cheap marketing platform

Online marketing is no cheap affair. The competition is high to attract internet users. Entrepreneurs that understand the power of digital marketing will give anything to reach their target audience. Where does your business stand in this stiff competition?

When we talk about a cheap marketing platform, we do not mean that your brand becomes automatically visible with an app. Here is the trick. Every loyal customer becomes a channel for you to reach their connections on social media. The same study by Adobe revealed that friends and family are the greatest influence on buyers.

You gain visibility and new leads whenever a loyal customer shares a link to your app or store. Here is another advantage. The best programmers in Kenya will include a feature on your app that allows users to share your app on social media.

Think about it. You spend thousands on social media marketing. Sometimes the results are disheartening. Your customers on the app become a free channel to reach thousands of their followers on social media.

As long as your products or services are of high quality, a satisfied customer will be quick to recommend your business. Even if the customers end up on your online store, you will still make money. The message moves from your current customer to new leads that you might never reach with a website.

What next?

We have told you about the benefits of having both a successful e-commerce website and a mobile app. The article highlights the top benefits but the advantages of mobile apps are numerous. Your next step is to analyse your business in light of this information.

Software development requires a good plan right from the features of the app to financing. Set a timeline for the new move and then contact the best programmers in Kenya. You will come up with a plan together to help you achieve your goal within the set timeline.