For entrepreneurs today, using apps and software isn’t a choice—it’s a necessity. The old ways of running a business without relying on technology are long gone. To stay competitive and connect with customers, businesses must adapt to these tools. Ignoring this shift can lead to missed opportunities or even failure in a market that’s moving fast.
Did you know that global revenue on business software is expected to hit around 400.4 billion USD by 2029, according to Statista? That shows just how important these tools have become for business success. Apps and software can help manage operations, improve communication, and even boost customer loyalty.
But before jumping in, it’s crucial to know what your business really needs. Understanding those needs and exploring the tools already out there is the first step.
What Types of Business Apps Does Your Company Need?
Choosing the right apps and software for your business is an important decision. The right tools can make your tasks easier, help your team work better together, and even make your customers happier. Knowing the different types of apps available, what they do, and which businesses they suit best can help you make a smart choice. Here’s a detailed look at the main types of business apps and their uses.
1. B2B (Business-to-Business) Apps
These apps help businesses manage their interactions with other companies. Whether it’s ordering supplies, managing contracts, or tracking shipments, B2B apps make these tasks simpler and more efficient.
- Procurement apps like SAP Ariba help businesses easily order supplies and parts from other companies.
- CRM tools like Salesforce track business communications and manage professional relationships efficiently.
- Supply chain management software, such as Oracle SCM, ensures smooth logistics by tracking inventory and shipments.
These are best for retailers, wholesalers, factories, or any business that works closely with suppliers, manufacturers, or other partners.
2. B2C (Business-to-Consumer) Apps
These apps are all about improving how businesses interact with individual customers. They focus on making shopping, booking, or using services simple and convenient.
- E-commerce apps like Shopify allow businesses to sell products online and provide a seamless shopping experience for customers.
- Loyalty rewards apps, like the Starbucks app, offer incentives such as discounts or freebies to encourage repeat business.
- On-demand service apps, such as DoorDash, simplify booking rides or ordering food with just a few clicks.
These types of apps are best for retail businesses, restaurants, service providers, and any business that works directly with the general public.
3. Internal Apps
These are tools designed for employees to make their tasks easier and help the team work together effectively. Internal apps are not customer-facing; instead, they optimize behind-the-scenes processes and team management.
- HR and payroll systems like BambooHR streamline tasks like employee record management and payroll processing.
- Project management tools such as Trello help teams organize tasks, track progress, and meet deadlines effectively.
- Enterprise resource planning apps like Oracle NetSuite combine operations like inventory, finance, and HR in one system for convenience.
Businesses of all sizes and industries that want smoother processes and better collaboration among employees fit these applications best.
4. Analytics and Reporting Apps
If your business relies on data to make decisions, analytics apps can be a game changer. They collect, analyze, and present data to give you a clear picture of your business performance or market trends.
- Business intelligence tools, such as Tableau, turn business data into easy-to-read dashboards and graphs.
- Market analysis tools like SEMrush offer insights into competitor strategies and customer trends to refine business tactics.
These are best for data-driven businesses like e-commerce shops, financial services, or companies that want to use insights to grow smarter and faster.
5. Communication Apps
Clear communication is essential to any business. Communication apps keep your team connected no matter where they are, making collaboration simple and fast.
- Messaging platforms like Slack enable teams to chat, share updates, and collaborate in real time.
- Video conferencing tools such as Zoom make virtual meetings easy for remote teams and clients.
Companies with remote workers, businesses with multiple offices, or teams who deal frequently with clients online are those who may need these business tools.
Should You Build a Custom App or Use an Existing One?
Once you know what kind of app your business needs, the next decision is whether to build a custom app or use one that’s already available. Both options come with benefits, so your choice should depend on your budget, goals, and specific needs. Here’s a simple look at the advantages of each.
Why Choose a Custom-Built App?
A custom app is designed specifically for your business. It’s built from scratch to fit your unique processes and goals.
1. Fits Exactly What You Need
A custom app is made just for you, so it matches your business operations perfectly. For example, if you run a delivery service, you could create an app that tracks both driver schedules and customer orders in a way that fits your workflow.
2. Stand Out from Competitors
With your own app, you can include features that others don’t have. For instance, a clothing brand might launch a custom app that lets customers design their products. This makes the business unique.
3. Grows with You
Over time, you can add more features or scale the app as your business grows. Custom apps are built to change as your needs expand.
4. Better Control Over Security
A custom app can include top-notch security features tailored to how your business manages sensitive data.
However, creating a custom app can be expensive and take a while to develop. It requires a bigger upfront investment of both time and money.
Why Choose an Existing Market App?
Market apps or off-the-shelf apps are pre-made solutions that you can start using quickly. They’re built to solve common business problems and come with ready-to-use features.
1. Affordable
Off-the-shelf apps are usually cheaper than building one from scratch. You’ll typically pay an upfront cost or a subscription fee that covers most of what you’ll need.
2. Quick to Start Using
This is ideal when you need a solution fast. For example, if you need a payroll system, apps like QuickBooks or Gusto can be set up in just a few hours.
3. Tested and Reliable
Popular apps have already been tested by many users, so they are less likely to have serious problems. They also often offer customer support if issues arise.
4. Regular Updates
Most off-the-shelf apps are updated often to fix bugs or add new features, so they keep improving based on user feedback.
That said, off-the-shelf apps might not fit your business perfectly. They could include features you don’t need, or they might not have all the functionality you want.
What Is Business Application Development?
Business application development is the process of creating software designed specifically to meet your business needs. This can be anything from an app that tracks sales to one that helps manage inventory. The goal is to simplify processes, solve problems, and help your business grow efficiently.
Developing a custom app isn’t something you do overnight. It’s a step-by-step process, and here’s how it works:
1. Understanding Your Needs
The first step is knowing what you want the app to do. What problem are you solving? For instance, if you run a restaurant, maybe you need an app to manage online orders and reservations. This phase usually involves discussions with business analysts who help clarify your goals and match them to your app’s requirements.
2. Planning and Designing
Next comes the planning stage, where you figure out how the app will function. Designers create the layout and visuals to make the app easy to use. They focus on making sure the app is not only functional but also looks good and is user-friendly.
3. Building the App
Once the plan is ready, it’s time to create the app. Developers write the code and bring the ideas to life. This part may take a while as it involves ensuring every feature works as intended. Developers work closely with the team to solve problems and make sure the app aligns with the plan.
4. The Team Working Together
To develop an app, you need a team of skilled people. This includes:
- Business Analysts to identify what’s needed.
- Developers to build the app.
- Designers to make it visually appealing and easy to use.
- Project Managers to keep everything on schedule.
- Quality Testers to ensure it works smoothly.
Each person plays a different role, but they all work together to create the best app possible.
5. Testing the App
Before launching, the app is tested repeatedly to catch any issues. Quality assurance testers use the app just as a customer or employee would. Their job is to find any mistakes or technical glitches so they can be quickly fixed.
6. Launching the App
Once testing is done, your app is ready to go live! It’s rolled out to your business or customers, and everyone can start using it. This is an exciting phase because all the hard work finally pays off.
7. Maintaining and Improving
Even after the app has launched, it’s important to keep it updated. Over time, you might want to add new features, fix any bugs, or make improvements as your business grows. Developers usually handle this, ensuring your app stays current and effective.
Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Business
Choosing between a custom app and a ready-made app doesn’t have to be hard. If your business has unique processes or you’re planning for future growth, a custom app might be the best choice. It’s built just for you and can grow with your company. If you’re looking for something affordable, quick to use, and reliable for common tasks, a pre-made app could do the trick.
Sometimes, a mix of both works best—start with a ready-made app and switch to a custom one as your business grows. The key is to take your time, think about your needs, and pick what will work best for you.