Can You Make an App for Your Small Business?
Can You Make an App For Your Small Business?
If you’re running a small business and wondering whether building an app is worth the time or cost, the answer is: yes, it absolutely can be. Apps for small business are no longer just for big brands or tech startups. With the right mobile app developer, your business, whether it's a coffee shop, takeaway, salon or gym, can benefit from having its own app in more ways than you might think.
At Thrive Digital, we help businesses across Gosport, Hampshire and beyond create practical, good-looking apps that do more than just sit on someone’s phone. They work hard behind the scenes to drive loyalty, increase orders and make life easier for your customers.
Why Small Businesses Are Going Mobile
We live in an age where people expect convenience. They want to book, order, check opening times and collect loyalty points without having to call or search online. According to recent stats, mobile apps account for over 70% of time spent on digital media. That’s a huge opportunity for small businesses to put themselves right in the pocket of their customers.
A well-made app can streamline the way you work. You can manage bookings, send out special offers with push notifications and keep your regulars coming back with digital loyalty cards. More importantly, it puts your brand front and centre every time your customer unlocks their phone.
Real-World Results: From Takeaway to Bookings
Let’s take a look at how this works in practice.
We recently worked with a local dessert delivery company to launch their app for takeaway. They wanted a simpler way to take orders without relying on third-party platforms that charged high commissions. Within a month of launching their app, they saw a 32% increase in repeat orders, largely thanks to the loyalty card feature and easy reordering system. Customers could order in just a few taps without digging through menus or logging into other websites.
Another client, a small fitness coach in Portsmouth, came to us looking for a better way to manage class bookings. We built a clean, functional app that let clients book sessions, pay in advance and even get automated reminders. Not only did this cut down on admin time, it also meant fewer no-shows and more consistent income.
These aren’t multi-million-pound businesses. They’re just like yours; local, growing and doing their best to keep up in a competitive market.
What Can a Small Business App Actually Do?
When most people think about apps, they think of big brands or social media.But in reality, apps for small business can do all sorts of things that make a genuine difference:
- Let customers place orders and make bookings 24/7
- Replace stamp cards with digital loyalty programmes
- Send push notifications to promote events, deals or changes to opening hours
- Offer click and collect or delivery services
- Let customers contact you easily through one central platform
- Sync with your website or social media to keep everything joined up
Whether you run a takeaway, hair salon or dog grooming business, an app can save you time and help you stay in touch with your regulars.
Don’t Worry – You Don’t Have to Build It Yourself
This is where we come in. Thrive Digital is a mobile app developer that builds fully branded apps for small businesses that are simple to use and packed with useful features.
We use GoodBarber , a reliable and user-friendly app platform to build custom apps that look great and work smoothly across iOS and Android. We handle the whole process from design to launch. No tech headaches. No jargon. Just an app that works.
And because we’re based in Gosport, you’ll always have someone nearby who understands what your business actually needs.
How Much Does It Cost?
You might be surprised. Creating an app used to mean thousands of pounds in development fees and months of back and forth. We’ve flipped that model on its head.
At Thrive Digital, we offer affordable plans with no massive upfront cost. That means you can spread the cost of your app over time and start getting value from it straight away.
Your app will be fully branded, include all the features you need and be available in the App Store and Google Play. We also provide ongoing support and updates so your app stays fresh as your business grows.
Is an App Right for Your Business?
If you’re still not sure, ask yourself a few quick questions:
- Do your customers place repeat orders or book services regularly?
- Would it save you time if customers could manage their bookings or orders themselves?
- Are you currently using paper loyalty cards, Facebook messages or third-party apps to handle things?
- Do you want to build stronger loyalty and increase repeat business?
If you said yes to any of those, then an app could be a really smart move.
Let’s Chat
Building an app for your small business might seem like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be a complicated one. At Thrive Digital, we keep things simple. We’ll help you figure out what you need, build it quickly and support you as your business grows.
Whether you need an app for takeaway orders or want something that helps manage bookings and customer loyalty, we’re here to help.
Ready to take the next step? Drop us a message via thrivedigital.ltd or give us a shout on social media. Let’s bring your business to life on your customers’ home screens.
