Chew on this: According to Nielsen, the average consumer spends about 3.5 hours a day on their smartphones. 90% of that time is spent on mobile apps.

No matter whether your business is small or large, that statistic is one in which you need to take notice. For the first time ever, mobile Internet usage has exceeded PC Internet usage. Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of this mobile craze (which shows no signs of slowing down) and position your business so that you’re always just a tap away from your customers. Here are three reasons why your business needs a mobile app:

1. Sell After Hours

One of the most important benefits of creating a mobile app is its ability to integrate with an online booking and management system. If you’re like a typical service business, open from Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm, you’re probably only making appointments and sales during those hours as well.

With online booking, you’ll be able to capture bookings during non-business hours–giving you ⅔ more availability than the standard business day! Creating a mobile app will make it easy for your potential customers to book their appointments and the 24/7 booking capabilities will allow you to increase appointments merely by offering a platform for customers to book after your operating hours. With a simple few taps on their mobile device, they’ll have an appointment confirmed with your business.

Creating a mobile app will make it easy for your potential customers to book appointments 24/7 @getbooker Click To Tweet

2. Book More Appointments

With 50% of all local searches done on mobile, you’ll find that creating a mobile app will increase your overall audience of potential customers. This rising mobile trend coupled with the ability to sell and book after hours will increase your business’s bookings. With a mobile app, your customers will always have access to your business and your “book now” feature. Always being just a tap away, your mobile app reduces the barriers between a customer and their next booking.

It’s been estimated that 78% of small businesses in the US don’t have a mobile app. Creating a mobile app will help for your business to differentiate itself from your competitors and funnel in greater bookings.

3. Engage Existing Customers

A key benefit of leveraging the use of a mobile app for your small business is the ability to engage your existing customers. With the use of push notifications, you’ll always be able to alert your customers on specials, promotions, sales, and even new services or products you may be offering. With automated push notifications, you’ll be adding to your customer retention strategy, without even lifting a finger.

Remember, mobile is the way of the future. Capitalize on the steady rise of users glued to their smartphones and watch your business grow. To start building your own mobile app, check out basic services like AppMachine, or a tool like the Booker Customer App that allows you to completely customize the app with your company’s branding and messaging.

Does your company have a mobile app? Tell us how it’s helping your business on social or in the comments below!