According to a 2017 survey by Deloitte, 88% of Australian consumers own a smartphone, and this number rises to 95% for young adults aged 18-34*. Think about the implications of this for a moment: wherever they are, the majority of adult Australians have a mobile device in their pockets or hands, capable of everything from sending emails to making credit card payments. If you can find a way to capitalise on this technology, you will find small business client management easier and more effective than ever before.
As a savvy small business owner, you have the opportunity to tap into the technology that Australians love to use, and in the process deliver amazing and responsive service whether your customers are busy mums with questions to ask while they wait for the pasta to boil, shift workers who hate having to call during business hours to make appointments, or young professionals who want to cross 'pay invoice' off their packed to-do list while they wait for their morning latte.
Of course, the downside of going mobile is that setting up a website or creating a customised mobile app both require time, technical expertise, and ongoing fees for hosting or maintenance. While this may seem to put connectivity out of the reach of small business owners, there are alternatives which are worth considering.
Perhaps the simplest option is to use an app like Pencil In. Designed and maintained by experts, it allows you to sign up, provide information about your business, and get started straight away on scheduling bookings, accepting online payments, and even automating client reminder texts. You pay only for the services your business needs (scheduling services are free, while reminders and payments each attract a small monthly fee), and your customers are guaranteed a seamless experience right from the start.
In the current era of smartphones and connectivity, customers expect to be able to book and pay for services on the go. This means that, in order to thrive, small businesses need to plan how they will engage with - and benefit from - mobile technology. What will YOUR strategy be to bring an amazing mobile experience to your customers?
* Source: Deloitte (2017) Smart everything, everywhere: Mobile consumer survey 2017, the Australian cut. Downloaded 16/8/2018 from https://www2.deloitte.com/au/mobile-consumer-survey
