Even a few years back, mobile app development used to be a part of the marketing strategies of big brands. Big names of the business world created unique applications for reaching out to their potential customers. Back then, the functionalities offered by mobile applications were also quite different than they are now.

If you take a look at the present scenario, you will come across a new story. Changing customer preferences and rapid digitization have created a huge demand for highly scalable business applications. Present-day customers are increasingly concerned about convenience. As the consequence, businesses of all sizes and types are investing in mobile application development.

With such widespread proliferation of business apps, how is the retail sector getting affected? Breeze through this article and find out how.

What’s happening in the retail sector?

Highly functional business apps can prove to be beneficial in countless ways. By offering a standard and shared platform for effective business interactions, mobile apps ensure umpteen benefits for the retail sector. Companies can offer customized and personalized buying experiences to consumers, thus creating ample opportunities for business growth.

In a nutshell, mobile apps revolutionize the retail sector to a great extent. Let’s find out how.

1.      Immersive and dynamic shopping experience

While planning their purchases, your potential customers will surely wish to gain complete information about the services or products they are opting for. With the help of highly interactive business apps, retail business owners can deliver the desired information to their target customers.

From featuring your products along with their images or videos to integrating customer reviews, business apps will let you create dynamic shopping experiences for users.

2.      Effective business marketing

With the rapid emergence and increased usage of Smartphones, apps are no longer a thing of the future. Rather, they claim to be an integral part of business marketing, thus popularizing your products and services in the most efficient manner.

Retail business apps will help your customers gain complete information about your products, and publicize them on social media platforms. You will reach out to a wider clientele-base without spending too much of efforts or resources on business marketing.

3.      Personalized services

Customer loyalty can be a tough thing to achieve. However, that’s the only thing capable of helping you create a unique niche for yourself. Since retail businesses offer several deals, coupons, and offers to clients, scalable business apps will prove to be quite beneficial for them.

They can directly pitch sales offers and deals to targeted customer groups, thus strengthening consumers’ loyalty towards the business.

4.      Customer Relationship Management or CRM

With the help of mobile apps, retail businesses will have the opportunity to ensure perfect customer relationship management. Your business apps will fetch you reviews and feedbacks from your target customers along with helping you address their critical queries. You can also configure your apps to notify customers about new product launches and several other updates.

To sign off, we really believe that scalable, functional, and interactive business apps can really amplify the brand value of your retail business. What is your take? Let us know with your comments.

Irrespective of the time and era, indelible customer satisfaction and elevated user experience has always been the prime requisite for businesses. Whether it’s a brick-and-mortar store or an ecommerce site, customers are of paramount significance for all of them.

Since highly contented customers are incredibly valuable resources for businesses, entrepreneurs are always trying their best to ensure unique experiences for them. It is here that User Experience or UX emerges as a viable customer satisfaction accelerant. And it’s pretty much crucial for companies aiming to achieve highly satisfied customers.

Let’s get down to the basics and understand the significance of UX for your dream venture.

Having crystal clear objectives             

Before we dive deep into discussing the true value of UX, try answering this question. What it is that your business, your friend’s startup venture, and a colossal establishment share in common?

Now, that’s a simple no-brainer.

Irrespective of the differences in their sizes and nature, each of these brands or companies shares a similar objective. And that’s all about ensuring unparalleled customer satisfaction. Making your users enjoy and yearn for your services and products will prove to be the key to running a successful business.

A simple choice or crucial necessity

With customer satisfaction as their primary objective, entrepreneurs are investing time, efforts, and financial resources into UX designing and development. Therefore, UX happens to be a highly significant need for businesses and not just a choice.

While understanding the business value of UX, you will require taking note of two crucial factors. They are:

• Emotional response: The concept refers to a customer’s reaction while viewing a product or service for the first time.
• Intellectual Response: Intellectual response refers to customers’ reactions on the functioning of the product.

As a passionate business owner, you will have to take care of both these responses. You will have to make sure that your products fulfill customer expectations both by their appearances and performances.

Decoding ‘X’ in UX

If you break the term into two halves, you will get two highly crucial concepts. User Experience is all about the User and Experience. If you are successful in providing your users with unmatched experiences, they will also generate huge revenues and profits for your dream venture.

Gain a statistical insight, and you will see that businesses offering unsurpassed user experiences have achieved a 37% hike in their revenues. If your target customers face critical issues while navigating your site, it won’t take them long to abandon it. The same thing applies for complex and non-functional apps.

Turn to statistics again, and you will see a whopping 86% of apps getting uninstalled because of their inhibited functionality.

The reality         

With these statistical evidence mentioned above, it’s not just enough to develop a highly attractive website or application. Complex navigations and restricted functionality will take your website or application nowhere. And it’s here that UX enters into the picture.

Signing off

While it’s highly essential to design unique products for your customers, it’s also imperative to create experiences too. A great User Experience will make them believe that you care for them, thus fostering the spirit of collaborative development.

With the ever-increasing importance of attractive business websites, there has been a dramatic surge in the demand for effective web development frameworks. And it’s here that Ruby on Rails fits into the picture with great impact. As a highly scalable and flexible web development framework, Rails makes your web development project highly affordable. That’s not all; this particular web development framework also offers opportunities for swift development and improved performance.

However, web developers will require considering quite a few significant aspects while using Ruby on Rails. There is no denying the cost-effectiveness or numerous other benefits offered by this particular framework. At the same time, it’s also imperative to know when and where to use Ruby on Rails.

Here’s a guide for all those passionate web developers out there.

Projects demanding Ruby on Rails

If you wish to create a customer-friendly, sales-oriented, or social participation sites, Rails will turn out to be the best solution. Check out the following categories, and see of Rails is an ideal option for you.

1.      Membership sites

If you are into building social networking sites or social participation platforms, Ruby on Rails will emerge as the greatest option. With a unique range of plug-ins, Rails will help you combat every critical social networking site.

2.      Ecommerce sites

Ecommerce platforms depend on two crucial aspects. In simple words, your ecommerce development project will rely on two significant approaches. High sales and effective customer engagement are the two most important factors in this context.

With Ruby on Rails, ecommerce site owners will find a modular approach. The unique features offered by the framework will help developers integrate site functions such as site updates, bulk uploads, custom price algorithms, along with photo cropping features for thumbnail creation.

3.      Content management systems

As one of the highly scalable web development frameworks, Rails allows easy navigation to its users. If your website involves a lot of content creation, uploading, and management, Ruby on Rails will prove to be the best solutions.

4.      Custom database management systems

Digital transformations have led businesses towards embracing innovation. Every new-age entrepreneur today strives hard towards establishing a strong business model. Quite inevitably, that creates the demand for custom database management solutions. Ruby on Rails offers the fastest and most cost-effective way of creating such systems.

When to avoid Rails

In spite of these amazing benefits and unique features, Ruby on Rails fails to meet the requirements of quite a few site development projects. The following conditions will help you know when to avoid Rails.

        I.            Building brochure sites

First-time entrepreneurs have countless things in mind while creating their business websites. Most of them opt for brochure-styled websites capable of offering a lot of information to potential customers. These websites have an attractive appearance and also contain crucial contact information about the company.

      II.            Creating blogging sites

If you wish to integrate blogging as functionality in an extensive internet site, Rails will turn out to be the best solution. But, if it’s a dedicated blogging platform, choosing Ruby on Rails will not be feasible.

Conclusion

We would love to hear your words on this piece about Ruby on Rails. Do write in to us and let us know your thoughts.

With the swift proliferation of mobile devices and connected things in everyday life, Internet of Things or IOT is gaining unsurpassed popularity in the industrial sector. Take a look around, and you will inevitably find most of the enterprises embracing the power of IOT. Tech leaders and IT experts are increasingly prioritizing IOT, and present-day businesses are carrying out crucial functions through connected devices.

Quite naturally, these aspects have transformed IoT into a new business revolution. With enterprises adopting this technology at a lightning pace, it won’t be long before IOT becomes the next big thing in the virtual arena.

Before we take a look at the aspects that make IOT special, let’s develop an idea about what it stands for.

Decoding Internet of things

The term IoT or Internet of Things refers to quite a few physical objects capable of storing, gathering, and exchanging data through the Internet. These physical objects or devices have wireless sensors that tap into internet connections, thus carrying out the process of data collection and storage.

·       At the business level, IoT ensures umpteen benefits for companies working with a customer-centric approach. The technology establishes effective communications between devices, thus making every moment of your life convenient and hassle-free.

·       As the result, businesses have the golden opportunity of performing data analytics, thus engaging their customers even more than ever.

With this, we arrive at discussing some of the unique aspects that make IOT a critical business need. Take a look.

1.     IoT is here to say

Unparalleled growth and development is what IOT aims for. And it’s here to stay. According to market predictions, there will be a dramatic surge in the number of connected devices by 2020. The number of connected devices might be anything from 20 to 50 billion by 2020. And that speaks a lot about the growth prospects of IOT.

2.     Cost-effective for businesses

By enhancing operational efficiency by quite a few notches, IOT ensures cost reductions for businesses. The surplus revenues can be channelized into developing innovative customer-engagement technologies, thus expanding growth opportunities for the business.

3.     Unsurpassed customer experience

Although IoT happens to be the acronym for Internet of Things, it’s all about users and services. The presence of connected devices can result in effective data analytics, thus driving innovations in enterprises. Another unique aspect of IOT is its capability to identify customer preferences and usage patterns. Businesses gain the opportunity of reaching out to their customers and offered tailored solutions.

4.     Innovative problem solving

Finding solutions to their critical problems is the best way to ensure customer satisfaction. One of the beneficial aspects of IOT is its power to solve critical business issues. If you are an entrepreneur, you can identify the severe issues plaguing your business, and try to address those problems with Internet of Things.

5.     Power of data production

IOT plays a vital role in business transformations. As the result, the technology yields huge amounts of data. Passionate entrepreneurs must devise perfect strategies for managing, monitoring, and analyze this data, thus obtaining actionable insights.

Final thoughts

Internet of Things is here to revolutionize the world as we look at it today. And these five unique aspects show us why IoT holds a special appeal for every
business establishment. 

If you belong to the digital space and have also launched a brand out there, User Experience or UX won’t be a new term to you. For present-day website owners, UX will prove to be the ultimate necessity. It is here that we come across the most crucial question.

What is User Experience and why is it the buzzword in the tech arena?

Let’s begin with an appropriate definition.

Defining User Experience

The term UX or User Experience refers to the concept of UX design, which happens to be the parameter for customizing and tailoring your business website. In simple words, user experience relates to the practice of comprehending an individual’s relation with technology. It is a way of ensuring unmatched web experiences for customers.

UX encompasses quite a few critical aspects. Since it involves both human behavior and technology, User Experience amalgamates domain-specific knowledge, behavioral science, and web development features.

It’s the key to ensuring great customer experiences, which inevitably makes it an important aspect of website development.

Statistical insights

Get into the skin of your target consumers and try answering this question. How would you feel to visit a site that offers poor browsing experience? Although your reply is assumable in this context, let’s take a statistical reference.

According to market statistics, almost 88% of online customers will refuse to return to your website, if it offers a poor first-time experience. Therefore, the first impression is highly crucial in this context.

When it comes to leaving an indelible impression on customers’ minds, there’s nothing like including the best UX designs. Reliable market statistics state that almost 94% of users consider UX designs while developing ideas about your website.

That brings us to a point, where we know what the best UX designs can do for your website. On that note, it is imperative to gain a crystal clear idea about its significance.

Why is User Experience important?

Even if you happen to be the owner of a highly functional business app, it would be of no use, if your target consumers are completely unaware of its use. An app or website with scalable and unique UX designs will enhance its comprehensibility, thus helping consumers use it in the perfect manner. Some of the other aspects that make UX important include:

        I.            Digital resource development

When it boils down to developing exceptional digital resources such as websites and apps, UX plays a highly crucial role.  A business website with attractive UX designs will inevitably fetch more customers.

      II.            Improving experiences

Well-thought and deeply-researched UX designs are the prime factor for improving user experiences. UX determines the appearance and navigation of your website. Websites without clutter-free UX designs will be chaotic, and untidy, thus offering poor navigation.

    III.            Critical for startups

A new brand certainly won’t have a strong reputation to depend on upon. Therefore, it is the web experience offered by them that creates the entire buzz around their services and products. That way, it’s a critical success factor for startups.

Concluding note

UX designs or User Experience is not just an integral part of web development. Rather, it is a unique way of enhancing the credibility, appeal, desirability, value, and usability of your brand.

Revolutionary technological advancements have taken the entire world by a storm. Amongst several other sectors, it is the business arena reaping the benefits of tech innovations the most. From integrated business functioning to cloud computing, there has been a revolution in the business world. And the consequences have been quite impressive. Businesses have become more productive than they were a few years before.

The latest addition to this list of extraordinary tech innovations is termed as Internet of Things or IOT. By establishing strong connections between numerous devices over the virtual platform, IoT apparently makes it easier to carry out crucial business functions.

From connecting security cameras and sensors to production machines and vehicles, IoT integrates every operation within your existing business framework. What you achieve as the result is a superbly connected and highly functional enterprise.

If market predictions are anything to go by, then you can expect to have nearly 14-billion connected things and devices by the end 2022. It is this prediction that arouses a crucial thought in our minds. Is the ‘Internet of Things’ or IoT worth the popularity and buzz it’s enjoying. Or is it just another simple tech discovery?

Discovery or innovation

Most of us don’t possess a crystal clear idea about integrated business functioning. We often fail to comprehend the true connotation of ‘connected devices.’ Developing an idea about these two critical business aspects will help you dive deep into this discussion.

According to the technical definition of ‘Internet of Things’, it is the technology that connects various devices within your enterprise, thus resulting in smooth business operation. And the most intriguing fact is that IoT proves to be beneficial for business owners as well as consumers.

Here’s how.

Benefits for businesses

Connected devices offer you access to crucial business data. And by now, we all know the significance of data analytics. As a passionate entrepreneur, you will have the opportunity to delve deep into new insights provided by these data sets, thus opening up new avenues for unique business models, new insights, as well as revenue streams.

Business owners will also have the chance to create new products and services capable of complementing their existing business technology. Some of the other advantages include:

1. Business-customer interactions: IOT plays a highly significant part in revolutionizing business-customer interactions. Customers and businesses no longer meet just at the sales point but engage in a productive relationship over a long period. As long as the consumer places reliance on your services and uses your products, this relationship continues.
2. Using connected devices personally: Using IOT devices personally, will also bring about numerous benefits. Consumers will enjoy a highly comfortable, secured, and entertaining life with connected devices. Cost savings, proper resource allocation, and efficiency gains are some of the exclusive benefits ensured by IoT.

Final thoughts

IoT takes the machine-to-machine or M2M concept even further. While M2M solely focuses on device connections, IOT takes it further by connecting things, users, and enterprises along with it. With such features, we can reliably tout IOT as the next big thing in the tech arena.

With mobile innovations gaining unparalleled popularity and importance, mobile app development has become highly essential for present-day businesses. If you own a business and still don’t have an app, then you are clearly missing out on unique opportunities of revenue generation.

Look around and you will find most of the customers choosing to perform every task on the go. From booking cabs to booking movie tickets, there’s nothing they don’t wish to perform on the move.

Now that inevitably creates the demand for highly functional mobile applications. By offering a robust and scalable business app to your customers, you will take the first step towards gaining a competitive edge in the market.

So, here we arrive at the main question. Is it right to invest in mobile app development? Here are some reasons that will prove it is.     

• Marketing on the go   

Having your business app on their mobile devices will help your customers build proximity to your brand. Your app will give them liberty to access your products or services anywhere and everywhere.

That will increase their reliance on your services and products, thus reinforcing your brand even more. It will truly emerge as the best marketing strategy for your dream venture.

•       User-friendly

A business app encompasses numerous crucial elements. While taking up mobile app development project, make sure your app grants access to your company’s customer service and support team.

As the result, your target customers will find solutions to even the most critical problems, when they need it the most. Your brand will emerge as a customer-friendly company, thus adding to its popularity

• Real-time data capture

With the help of mobile apps, you will have the golden opportunity of performing advanced data analytics. Highly scalable business applications will help you offer opt-ins to your customers. That will help you improve customer experiences, by creating better services and products.

• Boosts interest and enthusiasm

With an application in their Smartphones, customers will always be on the lookout for latest products and services. Irrespective of their location, they will have the chance to make quality purchases. And that will play a pivotal role in increasing their interest and enthusiasm about your brand. They will also check out your mobile app regularly if you provide them with lucrative offers.

• Diverse and extensive clientele

There is no denying the unmatched significance of customers in ensuring unparalleled business popularity. Therefore, you will always strive hard towards reaching out to diverse and extensive clientele.

By investing in mobile app development, you will make sure your app caters to the needs of a diverse clientele.

•   Tapping into social media

Look around and you will find almost half of the population spending hours on social media. Getting your brand on social networks and platforms will prove to be the most effective way of popularizing it. By investing in mobile app development, you will build proximity to your target consumers as they will have the opportunity to share, review, and discuss your products.

Get prepared

With these interesting benefits, mobile app development is certainly not a dud. Rather, it will prove to be one of the best investments of your life.

Of late, Internet of Things or IOT is capturing the entire buzz in the virtual arena. Whether it’s about IOT’s role in revolutionizing the tech landscape or about its contribution to the service arena, this particular innovation is getting people to talk and how!

IOT or Internet of Things emerges as one of the latest tech innovations in the digital landscape. With enterprises investing in collaborative business technologies, this particular innovation has gained immense popularity.

Take a quick look at the following article, as it discusses the 12 most incredible facts about Internet of Things.

•       Huge popularity

From big business establishments to SMEs, everyone seems to embrace the IOT technology with open arms. With market giants considering IOT as an integral part of their business operations, this particular innovation seems to have a bright future. According to reliable stats, almost 96% of entrepreneurs or senior business leaders are planning to use this technology in the next three years.

•     Unlocking exceptional opportunities

Internet of Things will not alienate your business operations. Rather, it will integrate into your existing business processes, thus unlocking new opportunities for better performance. And that’s what even senior business executives believe.

Almost 30% of C-level executives believe that IOT is capable of generating huge revenues.

•       Huge ROIs

As a passionate business owner, you will surely wish to have huge returns on investments. And what better than an integrated business technology can make that happen for you. IOT has successfully ensured huge ROIs for 94% of entrepreneurs. That’s enough to believe in its power and significance.

•    Revolutionizing customer service

By connecting critical business operations, IOT will enhance the efficiency of your customer service and support. Business owners will earn better opportunities of customer management.

•       Reduced downtime

Internet of Things will ensure speedy operations within your enterprise. With IOT, you will experience a 35% cut-down on downtime and 25% on asset maintenance.

•      Saving operational costs

Internet of Things not only connects devices but also establishes connections between vehicles. According to market reports, you will have the chance to save approximately $970 on vehicle costs per fleet.

•      A great impact

With almost 38% of enterprises placing trust on IOT, it will inevitably have great impacts on the business world, in the next 3 years.

•   Upgrading the infrastructures

There is no denying that IOT has established itself as one of the latest tech innovations. If market predictions are anything to rely on, then almost $41 trillion will be the expenditure for improving IOT infrastructures over the next 20 years.

•     Increasing GDP

A technology possessing the power to enhance a country’s GDP will be of paramount importance for the nation. Statistics and market predictions state, IOT will contribute close to $10 to $15 trillion to global GDP.

•   Boosting data traffic

Embrace IOT and witness data traffic increase by 22 times, within the year 2020.

1. 11.  Possibilities in the past

IOT had some great possibilities in the past too. Although the concept gained popularity now, the first inception was way back in 2014, when there were just 0.06% of devices and things to be connected.

1. 12.  Foreseeing the future    

Internet of things seems to have a bright future. By 2020, connected sensors will be responsible for generating large amounts of data.

With these 12 interesting facts on Internet of Things, there’s no reason to be apprehensive about its importance.