How do I sell my affordable apps?

[Abiee Lucas]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and I'm looking for some help.

I started my business a couple of months ago building affordable mobile apps for small businesses. I definitely think there's a gap in the market for this and I believe I can genuinely help grow businesses.

I decided to start out by targeting hair and beauty salons but I'm not getting much look so far.

I have tried Facebook ads, direct contacting hundreds of businesses via Facebook, Instagram and email.

What is the best way to market my business? And what is the best sales technique?

Thank you in advance.
Abiee

 

[mattk]

What do your apps "do"? Are they simply static apps which contain business details, so a mobile equivalent of a web site?

What benefit do your apps offer to a business? Why would I want one for my business?

 

[Abiee Lucas]

What do your apps "do"? Are they simply static apps which contain business details, so a mobile equivalent of a web site?

What benefit do your apps offer to a business? Why would I want one for my business?

My apps can offer a whole range of features! If we're talking about just salon specific businesses I can include a booking system, in-app loyalty feature for customers to earn exclusive rewards, reviews page, galleries, events, menu/prices etc. You can even send push notifications directly to app users to notify them of exclusive offers, news and events.

I believe having one of these apps should definitely increase customers with the ease of booking appointments outside of salon opening times and it should increase customer loyalty and positive online reviews - all leading to increasing revenue!

 

[fisicx]

In other words, you aren’t offering anything that isn’t already available.

Can I download your app from app stores? Is there a free version?

 

[Abiee Lucas]

In other words, you aren’t offering anything that isn’t already available.

Can I download your app from app stores? Is there a free version?

Very true however I am definitely offering a much better price than other companies i have researched.

All apps I create will be free to download on iOS & Android and I also include a Progressive Web App

 

[tony84]

If we're talking about just salon specific businesses I can include a
booking system - chances are they will probably use a diary? Which has probably worked for 100 years.
in-app loyalty feature for customers to earn exclusive rewards, - I think this can be done on facebook
reviews page, - facebook/google/trustpilot etc
galleries, - facebook/instagram
events, - facebook
menu/prices etc. - facebook
You can even send push notifications directly to app users to notify them of exclusive offers, news and events. - facebook

What you are offering in the main can be done on facebook for free. I could be wrong, but most hairdressers I know are either 20-30 year olds more interested in make up and instagram than they are making their business more IT dependent or incur any costs when there are free versions of it out there. Most salons are one shop and so no real need to automate processes etc.

You are probably aiming your apps at the wrong industries. As a one or two man band, I can run my business on spreadsheets and so on. However as I have a want to expand to maybe 5-6 people I will need to find ways to automate a lot of things and I have invested a decent amount in IT recently.

I would think about the industries you need to target, where there is likely to be a demand from companies who would benefit from the app AND the cost of the app.

 

[fisicx]

Very true however I am definitely offering a much better price than other companies i have researched.

That's not a USP

...and I also include a Progressive Web App

A what?

I've just looked at the app on your website and can't see the point of most of the features. It's only ever going to be used by your existing clients so having a location or reviews feature is pointless. My wife goes to the same hairdresser every month, when she has her hair cut she makes an appointment. The day before the appointment she gets a text. No need for an app.

 

[saythisinstead.co.uk]

Abbie,

You need to walk into hairdressers/beauty salons and ask them directly whether they would see your app as something that would offer them a genuine business advantage. That is the only kind of research that tells you anything

If you ask them [your target market] for their opinion you'll get immediate useful feedback.

I suspect [if I'm off the mark then please forgive me] that you found a way to make apps. Then you thought that it might benefit hairdressers/beauty salons. Then you reached out on Facebook. Then you 'contacted direct'...using Facebook, instagram and email.

What you didn't do....and this is where you got it badly wrong in my opinion, you didn't just go and ask your target market face to face whether they would pay actual money for the kind of product you were thinking of creating.

Had you done that a number of times, you'd have learned many things....including whether there was a demand for your idea. Opinions on a public forum can be really useful. Opinions from your target market are pure gold.

All is not lost however.

Why not go out and start talking to business owners now. Explain what you've done. Tell them the truth about how it performed and ask them if they have any ideas on what WOULD interest them.

There are plenty of books on this subject. Try 'The Pumpkin Plan' by Mike michalowicz

Good luck....don't give up yet.

 

[AMSUSER]

The best way to sell your app to a company is to research them before. If you think your idea is innovative, then just prepare a small pitch deck on what your product is and why you think its better than the existing solutions. Share it with people who might be interested in your app, like companies which have note taking apps, or people who are into app design etc. Anyone who might benefit from your product.

 

[Mr D]

The best way to sell your app to a company is to research them before. If you think your idea is innovative, then just prepare a small pitch deck on what your product is and why you think its better than the existing solutions. Share it with people who might be interested in your app, like companies which have note taking apps, or people who are into app design etc. Anyone who might benefit from your product.

What is a small pitch deck?

 

[AMSUSER]

A pitch deck is usually a 10-20 slide presentation designed to give a short summary of your company, your business plan and your startup vision. Pitch decks also serve very different purposes, from trying to get a meeting with a new investor, to presenting in front of a stage, and each one of them should follow a different structure.

 

[Chi Doan]

Did you join FB groups or Google + community to ads for your app, it's quite usefult for our app, not sure it's the same for you

 

[AMSUSER]

You can also try

Start talking about it on high traffic forums with screenshots this should happen close to release.

Buy a banner ad at a very famous review site. To come in eyes of reviewers if you can afford it. Run it after 8 hrs. of release.

Search keywords related to you app on google and post about your app if relevant. so you appear in top searches.

 

[money road]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and I'm looking for some help.

I started my business a couple of months ago building affordable mobile apps for small businesses. I definitely think there's a gap in the market for this and I believe I can genuinely help grow businesses.

I decided to start out by targeting hair and beauty salons but I'm not getting much look so far.

I have tried Facebook ads, direct contacting hundreds of businesses via Facebook, Instagram and email.

What is the best way to market my business? And what is the best sales technique?

Thank you in advance.
Abiee

From my perspective:

• I always visit the same barber shop and my GF as well.
• Usually I book my time by calling.
  
• I do not think this niche need apps.
  
• If market do not need, then you can not sell...

Let's look from business perspective:

• Hairdresser builds an app which need to be care of (upkeep to the latest phone OS versions).
  
• As a business it has to change loyal customer behavior, so everyone start using app.
  
• What benefits business can get and why to bother, have more headache creating an app?

I can quite understand majority of this industry are womans and they likely even to go in such places with friends. While waiting have a chat about kids, life and etc...

 

[AMSUSER]

You can also connect to someone, or some service, that will help you connect with buyers.
For that, you can work with brokers, or post your app on marketplaces dedicated to sell projects.
Once you got the word out, you may be in touch with buyers. When you are on this step, both of you need to run due diligence about the other. For instance, on your side, you need to ensure that this person is legit, not a competitor trying to get details about your service, and is serious in buying.

 

[fisicx]

@AMSUSER not quite where you get your ideas but this one just isn’t going to work. The reasons are given the other posts on this thread.

 

[Abiee Lucas]

You can also try

Start talking about it on high traffic forums with screenshots this should happen close to release.

Buy a banner ad at a very famous review site. To come in eyes of reviewers if you can afford it. Run it after 8 hrs. of release.

Search keywords related to you app on google and post about your app if relevant. so you appear in top searches.

Thank you for all your suggestions!!

 

[Abiee Lucas]

Abbie,

You need to walk into hairdressers/beauty salons and ask them directly whether they would see your app as something that would offer them a genuine business advantage. That is the only kind of research that tells you anything

If you ask them [your target market] for their opinion you'll get immediate useful feedback.

I suspect [if I'm off the mark then please forgive me] that you found a way to make apps. Then you thought that it might benefit hairdressers/beauty salons. Then you reached out on Facebook. Then you 'contacted direct'...using Facebook, instagram and email.

What you didn't do....and this is where you got it badly wrong in my opinion, you didn't just go and ask your target market face to face whether they would pay actual money for the kind of product you were thinking of creating.

Had you done that a number of times, you'd have learned many things....including whether there was a demand for your idea. Opinions on a public forum can be really useful. Opinions from your target market are pure gold.

All is not lost however.

Why not go out and start talking to business owners now. Explain what you've done. Tell them the truth about how it performed and ask them if they have any ideas on what WOULD interest them.

There are plenty of books on this subject. Try 'The Pumpkin Plan' by Mike michalowicz

Good luck....don't give up yet.

Thank you for this!!

 

[Abiee Lucas]

If we're talking about just salon specific businesses I can include a
booking system - chances are they will probably use a diary? Which has probably worked for 100 years.
in-app loyalty feature for customers to earn exclusive rewards, - I think this can be done on facebook
reviews page, - facebook/google/trustpilot etc
galleries, - facebook/instagram
events, - facebook
menu/prices etc. - facebook
You can even send push notifications directly to app users to notify them of exclusive offers, news and events. - facebook

What you are offering in the main can be done on facebook for free. I could be wrong, but most hairdressers I know are either 20-30 year olds more interested in make up and instagram than they are making their business more IT dependent or incur any costs when there are free versions of it out there. Most salons are one shop and so no real need to automate processes etc.

You are probably aiming your apps at the wrong industries. As a one or two man band, I can run my business on spreadsheets and so on. However as I have a want to expand to maybe 5-6 people I will need to find ways to automate a lot of things and I have invested a decent amount in IT recently.

I would think about the industries you need to target, where there is likely to be a demand from companies who would benefit from the app AND the cost of the app.

I think you're right that I should start targeting other industries. Just from contacting two tattoo studios I already have them both lined up for meetings which is more than I've had the past month of contacting salons!

 

[Abiee Lucas]

That's not a USP

A what?

I've just looked at the app on your website and can't see the point of most of the features. It's only ever going to be used by your existing clients so having a location or reviews feature is pointless. My wife goes to the same hairdresser every month, when she has her hair cut she makes an appointment. The day before the appointment she gets a text. No need for an app.

well... it is a USP..
There are not many app developers out there that are offering this service for prices as low as mine so.. unique..

Also have you just come here to criticise my business or are you going to offer any helpful suggestions like others have?

 

[Leonardo Gonzalez Dellan]

Your rankings in the App store play a huge role to get your more downloads and sell your app in the most pleasant way possible.

 

[SashaZ]

Go to Salon International show. That is the biggest UK hairdressing show. Its on very soon in Excel London. Meet some people and have a look round. Then you could exhibit there next year with a tiny stand. Its another avenue I guess.

 

[Paul Murray]

You need to walk into hairdressers/beauty salons and ask them directly whether they would see your app as something that would offer them a genuine business advantage. That is the only kind of research that tells you anything…

It's not the businesses she needs to convince, it's the end-user, the salon clientele. If the clientele are using an app, then the business will follow, not the other way around.

well... it is a USP..
There are not many app developers out there that are offering this service for prices as low as mine so.. unique..

There's probably a reason why, likely there's no real market for it or profit is so low its not worthwhile.

Why would someone want to install an app for a particular salon. What purpose does it serve that a mobile site doesn't? They can just visit the website site or pick up the phone to make a booking.

However, if you had something like an app that allowed salons to notify local customers when they or a certain stylist have a cancellation, well that might be a good reason for both markets to use it. Most just use social media, which means a vast majority of their customers will never see that there was an opening until it's too late.

 

[Sunny Days]

Hi Aibee.. I use an online booking system for our salon that has an app but I won't use their app (as it advertises other local salons too!). I think most beauty salons want more than just a booking system (they usually include accounts, reports and a lot of info)

However, you may be able to help me as I want a app that's separate from our beauty diary and online booking system. I'll message you

 

[garyk]

I
Why would someone want to install an app for a particular salon. What purpose does it serve that a mobile site doesn't? They can just visit the website site or pick up the phone to make a booking.

^^^ That.

You need to put yourself in the customers shoes, what do they want, what would they find useful?

Its a tough market and the reality is people don't want to download dozens of apps. Most people use their smartphones for social networking; instagram, facebook, fb messenger, whatsapp etc.

chatbots are the way ahead, I've started using something called 'manychat' and you can build some amazing interactions with it. In fact I've just a watched a video on fb of a guy that has built a complete loyalty card system for coffee shops using a chatbot. It's incredible. If you go onto FB, look for 'manychat community' and join the group and look for a video by Duncan Felix and you'll see what I mean.

The key thing is you are keeping people where they already are; in social apps.