Mobile applications have become part of our daily lives, from ordering food to securing our homes and even booking concert or flight tickets – today there is an app for nearly everything you can think of.
While it may seem impossible at times that people can come up with newer and better mobile apps, the market has been steadily growing at a robust pace each year.
During the height of the pandemic, and most throughout 2020, consumers and mobile smartphone users downloaded more than 218 billion apps, an increase of 6.86% from the previous year according to TechCrunch.
With consumers coming online more aggressively and scouting the internet for the best apps to accompany their digital journey, businesses have been throwing billions of dollars into app development over the last few years.
Mobile apps have approached ambiguity on a global scale and for some startups and entrepreneurs, the business opportunities are looking increasingly endless.
In an earlier release this year, it was found that close to half, or around 48% of businesses currently have a mobile app or some of the sort which they use to connect with their customers or other customers.
As businesses look to become more digital, advancing their innovative drive, mobile apps will only become more sophisticated, helping startups and small companies to reach a new frontier of consumer experience.
With all this being said, the upcoming year holds a host of new opportunities for startups or entrepreneurs looking to break through the glass ceiling and bring their businesses to the frontline through smartphone applications.
With a plethora of digital tools already available on the app store, what are some new and under-the-radar market segments startup entrepreneurs can use to penetrate the consumer market?
Decentralized Finance Money App
Throughout the last couple of years, decentralized finance (DeFi) in collaboration with blockchain technology has become synonymous with the modern economy. Nowadays nearly every person knows what blockchain and cryptocurrency technology are.
While it may still be some time before digital currencies or similar derivatives are integrated into our financial system, users are currently limited in their choice of apps that allow them to send and receive digital funds, follow their investments, and help them monitor market performance in one location.
There might be a bit of regulatory paperwork one will need to consider and understand, but consumers are actively looking for more convenient ways to put their digital currencies to better use.
Multi-Marketplace Listing App
It’s quite possible to find anything and everything you want or need online, and through the use of apps it’s even easier to quickly add some items to your basket, proceed to checkout, and place your order.
Though in some instances, it would require you to shop across multiple apps or websites before having everything you need. Instead, it could be possible to establish an on-demand app that oversees multiple marketplace segments, that can use different geolocations, price compare, and improve the user experience through Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help keep shopping algorithms more personalized.
Virtual Cloud Meeting App
With consumers constantly connected and on the go, and the onset of remote work, many are now seeking ways to improve their virtual meeting experience, whether it’s used in a social or professional environment.
The virtual office or remote working office space has become ambiguous with modern-day business, and for employees, constantly on the move, it could be more convenient for them to host or attend virtual meetings through a dedicated app. Using cloud-based technology, the application would be more scalable, and it would be easier for developers to add or remove any features.
Appointment Booking App
While not all our meetings can be virtual, those that need to be attended in person could be better scheduled and managed through one dedicated platform.
An appointment booking app can be used in a variety of businesses and market segments, such as doctor rooms, consultations, or even booking a co-working space boardroom for a meeting.
Making appointment booking more streamlined will help businesses better control their schedules, and also helps consumers be more informed about when an appointment is coming up, or whether there is availability for their chosen date.
Virtual Reality App
Virtual Reality or VR has been around for quite some time, but only more recently has been captivating consumers with the introduction of the Metaverse concept.
While we might still be a few years away from the Metaverse, it’s possible that VR can be used in other scenarios such as building a layout for a house, redesigning a room, or using it as a plug-in with another software system.
VR and Augmented Reality have made it possible for businesses to provide clients with a (virtual) real-life presentation, while consumers can be more informed about their choices.
Car Service Managing App
Not all drivers may have the experience or expertise to know exactly when their car is due for a service, let alone find a trustworthy service company that has availability for that specific vehicle.
Having a car service management app would mean that both the driver would know when their car is due for a service, which parts have been replaced during the most recent service, and how long driving-life they have left on each of these components.
Additionally, car service companies will also be able to gauge whether a car has been properly last serviced, manage their appointment bookings, and effectively communicate with drivers about any requirements or estimated waiting period before their vehicle has been finalized.
Reservation And Booking App
While similar apps may already exist within the marketplace, it’s good to know that some establishments, such as restaurants, theaters, or even concerts may not all have an app that allows both ends of the line to be able to manage their reservations.
For starters, restaurants will be able to manage their reservations or bookings for specific days and make more accurate estimates in terms of staff and items required for busy periods.
On the other hand, clients will also now better know what they can expect from a restaurant, and know whether there is availability for their chosen dates. Not only this, but it would also help them to effectively communicate with the restaurant or establishment about any needs, or requirements well in advance to ensure that they are better prepared.
Home Security App
Home security companies have been coming up with some incredible advancements, helping homeowners and renters keep their houses safe.
And while these developments are exciting, some companies still lack the initiative to integrate mobile applications that would seek to help homeowners control and monitor their security system when they are not around or present in the event of an incident.
Designing a home security app makes it possible for those in control to get a bird’s eye view of their home, their belongings, and everything that they value as important.
Food Bank App
Instead of having the food in your fridge go to waste, or not knowing what to do with all the leftovers from last night’s dinner, consider donating it via a food bank app.
The need for apps that focus more on community service and uplifting has some incredible opportunities and could help non-profit or non-government organizations receive the donations they desperately require throughout the year.
What’s great is that an app such as this can be connected with different food shelters or charities in a specific area, and provide information related to their requirements. A food bank app can be used to help connect nonprofits with the community and the people they seek to serve.
Animal Shelter App
Animal shelters, just like food banks, often require a bit of support from the direct community, whether it be monetary, volunteering, or simply donating some food now and again.
Although some organizations exist out there that oversee some of these activities already, most of their interactions still only take place face-to-face, or only on social media.
With a mobile application, they can inform potential adopters about any new intakes. Additionally, they can also help adopters know when their newly adopted pet is due for a checkup, its vaccine, or any dietary requirements that it might need.
This will help animal shelters be in better contact with their community and the people that support and adopt their pets throughout the year.
To Finish Off
Mobile applications have become an integral part of how we conduct business, and for startup entrepreneurs, it allows them an opportunity to bridge the gap between a need and a solution.
In the coming year, we could see a host of exciting startup businesses taking on the mobile app scene, bringing ingenious developments to the palm of our hands.
Published First on ValueWalk. Read Here.
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