If you think that mobile apps are solely for big brands like Walmart and Bank of America, you are wrong. More and more small and mid-size businesses are following the mobile trend, understanding that an effective mobile strategy involves more than just a mobile-friendly website and that their business needs a mobile app.

In fact, these days you’ll notice that many small businesses you interact with on a frequent basis have their own dedicated mobile app—be it the corner coffeeshop or the beauty spa downtown. These companies are ahead of the game when it comes to taking their digital marketing to the next level.

In case you are still not sure why anyone would want to build their own mobile application, here are the top seven benefits of going down this path sooner rather than later.

1. Be visible to customers at all times

Statistics show that the average American adult spends an average of 3 hours and 43 minutes on their mobile device. While probably only a handful of applications make up the bulk of this total usage, it doesn’t change the fact that each user has to unlock, scroll, and scan their device for the apps they’re looking for. Being “in the way” can be an advantage to your company, as our mind subconsciously records every image and text (or well-designed app icon!) it comes across.

2. Create a direct marketing channel

Apps serve many functions: they can provide general info, prices, booking forms, search features, user accounts, messengers, news feeds, and much more.

One of the biggest benefits of having a mobile app is that all the information you’d like to provide to your customers—including special sales and promotions—is right at their fingertips. Via push notifications you’re getting even closer to a direct interaction, and can easily remind customers about your products and services whenever it makes sense.

3. Provide value to your customers

Talking about on-hand information, how about digitalizing that loyalty program you have in place? Instead of sticking to the old point-collection card, make it possible for your customers to collect their rewards via your mobile app. The result? More downloads and more return customers.



4. Build brand recognition

A mobile app for your business can greatly contribute to your brand awareness. I’d like to break this topic down into two aspects, the combination of which will make your app a true winner:

• Brand. A mobile app is like a blank billboard sign. You can do what you want with it; you can make it stylish, hip, functional, bold, or informative. But what you really want to do is create an app that has features your customers will love, while at the same time is well branded and beautifully designed.
• Recognition. The more often you can get customers involved with your app, the sooner they will be inclined to buy your product and/or service. In advertising this is called the “effective frequency”: as a rule of thumb, hearing and/or seeing your brand approximately 20 times is what will get you truly noticed.

5. Improve customer engagement

No matter whether you are selling flowers or spa services, your customers need a way to reach you. Having a messaging (or help desk) feature within your app can really make a difference in the way you communicate with your customers. Think about it: OpenTable, for example, built its entire business model around this principle. Instead of calling a restaurant for a table, you can book it with less than five clicks on their platform. Now think about it: How many customers would prefer to communicate with you via text than via phone?

6. Stand out from the competition

These days mobile apps at the small business level are still less common, and this is where you can take a big leap ahead of your competitors. Be the first in your neighborhood to offer a mobile app to your customers. They’ll be impressed by your forward-thinking approach!

7. Cultivate customer loyalty

Last, but not least, the most important reason why you should consider building your own mobile app is customer loyalty. With all the noise out there—roadside banners, billboards, flashing signs, newspaper ads, flyers, coupons, websites, website banners, Facebook ads, and email marketing—we slowly lose our impact on customers because of the immense amount of advertising surrounding us all.

It’s time to go back to making a true and sincere connection with your customers, and making them a loyal lover of your product and/or service. I am not saying a mobile app is going to save your business, but it can be a way of staying closer to your customers, and be just a “fingertip” away at all times.



The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the statutory body charged with the administration of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (the Act) which includes the regulation and supervision of the formation, incorporation, registration, management, and winding up of companies in Nigeria. Section 7 of the Act sets out the functions of the commission, as follows:

(a) Administration of the Act including the regulation and supervision of the formation, incorporation, registration, management, and winding up of companies.

(b) Establishment and maintenance of Companies Registry and offices in all the states of the Federation.

(c) Investigation into the affairs of any company where the interest of the shareholders and the public so demand

(d) Other functions as may be specified by any Act or enactment for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act, and

(e) Undertaking other activities as are necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act

BENEFITS OF CAC REGISTRATION

Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released a directive that all businesses that opened bank accounts without their registration certificate should ensure that they regularize their bank accounts or would be closed down pending regularization.

In Nigeria, an artificial person cannot open an account without registering with the CAC. When a business registers with the CAC, they can open a valid business account with the business name without hitches, which in turn helps your client trust the business regarding payment. The certificate of incorporation is issued after registration, which indicates that such a business has been registered.

It is obvious that the registration of a business is very important for a business’s authenticity, good reputation, and legal recognition. When a business in Nigeria is registered, the business owner has a separate legal identity from the business itself. Thus, the business owner gets separate legal protection. Where liability arises from the business, the owner will not be held personally liable or responsible.

Also, it is easier to secure loans from banks with a registered business, compared to a personal loan application. Funding is critical in any business; and when it becomes necessary to source it externally, especially from banks, your legal business documents facilitate the process. This is because your company is seen as a legal entity and it can be tracked and accounted for. This gives credibility and trust and ensures confidence.

Other reasons you should register your company are

1. you can easily obtain a visa and travel to any country for business purposes,
2. it helps your business remain relevant on the record of the corporate affairs commission,
3. it gives your potential customers confidence that they are dealing with a reputable business,
4. It gives the business owner an edge over other businesses that have not been registered and many others.

Conclusively, the importance of business registration cannot be overstated as ownership of the registration certificate is necessary to confer the right to operate a business legally and make available all rights and privileges accorded to companies in Nigeria.

A business can be registered as a business name, partnership, limited liability company, unlimited company, or incorporated trustees. There is no better time to register your business than Now!

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

For every business that wants to thrive in this digital age, there is a need for such business to invest in search engine optimization (SEO).

Have you considered the benefits of SEO for your business? In this article, we will be sharing with you 7 Benefits of SEO & Why Your Business Needs Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

What is SEO?

According to SearchEngineLand

SEO is the process of getting traffic from the “free,” “organic,” “editorial” or “natural” search results on search engines.

1. SEO targets quality traffic

The good thing about SEO is that it is an inbound marketing strategy.  Inbound strategies are all about being found naturally rather than aggressively pursuing leads through in-your-face tactics. Unlike traditional marketing which involves reaching out to consumers whether they want to hear from you or not, inbound methods are concerned with making it easy for your target audience to find you when they want information.

When you are keen on attracting individuals that are interested in your products or services, you’ll be more effective in reaching your target audience which can ultimately lead to sales.

2. SEO does not require paid ads

If you have strong SEO standings, you do not need to run ads on search engines. Your website traffic can grow without having to pay per click.

3. SEO naturally builds trust

If your website appears on the first page of a search engine, this naturally builds credibility and trust in the minds of people who search for your keyword which is very good for business.

4. SEO brings higher close rates

According to research by the Search Engine Journal, it showed that an average of 14.6% close rate is achieved from SEO leads, compared to a 1.7% close leads from outbound (traditional) leads.

While SEO leads where the individual makes an inquiry or research of your products or services, it brings higher close rates.

5. SEO promotes your business 24/7

Another benefit of SEO is that it promotes your business every time even when you are not there. Your rankings on search engines do not randomly disappear. So once you have a high ranking in search engines, be rest assured that your business is going to be promoted at all times.

6. SEO encourages cost management

SEO helps your business to lower the cost of advertising.

When your website is high ranking, there would be no need for you to pay for ads to your website.

7. SEO gets more clicks than Pay-Per-Click

Organic listings receive 90% of clicks than ads on search engines. I personally skip paid advertisements on search engines.

By investing in SEO you are most likely going to get more traffic to your website.

Conclusion

We cannot out list the benefits of SEO, they are numerous. It is the smartest marketing investment every serious business should make in this digital age we are in.

SEO helps your business generate traffic, increase your leads and ultimately skyrocket your business sales. Take advantage of the numerous benefits SEO gives.

We really hope you’ve found this article helpful.

If you need help or guidance in improving your website search engine optimization (SEO), simply Contact Us. We’d be happy to assist.

Do you have questions or comments concerning search engine optimization (SEO)? Please feel free to leave a reply below.

What is Rebranding?

Rebranding is a marketing strategy that has to do with changing the corporate image of an organization. A business cannot be run the same way forever, like the saying “change is constant”.

According to India Times, Rebranding is:

a market strategy of giving a new name, symbol, or change in design for an already-established brand. The idea behind rebranding is to create a different identity for a brand, from its competitors, in the market.

In this article, I’ll be sharing 5 Ways to Know It’s Time to Rebrand Your Business.

1. You don’t feel confident giving people your business cards

Yes! Do you go for business or even casual meetings and you’re not confident giving out your business card? This is a sign that you need to rebrand. What you simply need to do is reach out to a branding agency, they’d take it up from there.

2. People can’t differentiate you and your competitor

When people tend to mistake your brand with your competitor or vice vera, it’s time to rebrand. It is important for your audience to easily remember your brand, so if you use a generic or simple name, logo as your competitor, you might just be hurting yourself.

Remember that branding is all about competitive differentiation. Think about your unique selling point and push it out so you stand out from the competition.

3. Your brand isn’t perceived as credible

If your brand does not consistently meet up to your audience expectation, then your brand lacks credibility. Know what expectations your brand message is creating, and make sure it aligns with what you’re doing. Ensure your brand correctly represents what you do.

4. You’re not appealing to your right audience

Rebranding allows you to redefine yourself with the goal of reaching your exact target audience. So, if you find yourself appealing to the wrong audience, there’s a need for your business to rebrand. It could also mean that there may be a disconnect between your business and your branding.

5. Your business has matured

As your business progresses, your brand may not fully represent what your business has eventually become. Here, rebranding helps to refine the brand to better fit your business.

Conclusion

Your brand should be a reflection of your company’s beliefs and ideas. Also, remember that even the best companies rebrand.

We hope you’ve found this article helpful.

If you need help or guidance in improving your branding, simply Contact Us. We’d be happy to assist.

Do you have questions or comments concerning branding? Please feel free to leave a reply below.

If your website is not optimized for search engines, you might be missing out on so many potential customers who are constantly searching for your product or service online.

For you to have a website, that means you want traffic, and you probably want to make sales on your site. But if you are not optimizing your website for search engines, how will it be easy for your potential audience to find you? There is no way they are going to the last page of your keyword search (I wouldn’t either, would you?).

According to Techjury, 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine.

Interested in knowing why your website needs SEO? Then this article is just for you! I’ll be sharing 5 compelling reasons why your website needs SEO.

Let’s begin!

1. Earn more traffic

One of the compelling reasons you need to optimize your website is to increase the number of people who visit your website.

Having a website means you want to be seen and SEO helps you do just that. It improves your website’s ranking in search engine results.

And higher search engine rankings result in more traffic, more leads, and higher sales and conversions.

2. Builds credibility & trust

When your page ranks organically on the first page of a search engine it automatically builds your audience’s credibility and trust in your brand and this is very good for business.

This can also position your brand or business as a thought leader in your industry.

3. SEO is cost-effective

Without a doubt, Search Engine Optimization is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies today.

It enables you to target people who are seeking or are interested in your products and services on the internet.

It should be noted that SEO is complementary to other marketing strategies and should work hand-in-hand with them.

SEO is an organic approach to generate traffic to a website, it may take time but it is authentic compared to search engine ads (PPC).

4. Stay ahead of competitors

SEO can put you ahead of competitors.

Take for instance two websites that are offering the same service (Website A & B), Website A is optimized for search engines while Website B isn’t. Who is more likely to make more sales and garner more traffic to their website? Yes, Website A.

SEO is an aspect of digital marketing your business mustn’t ignore.

5. SEO improves user experience

There is a common misconception that SEO is only about links and keywords, this is false.

Good SEO practices help you improve the user experience of your website.

Making your user have a great experience on your website is very important. It seeks to answer questions like:

Is your website fast to load pages? Is it secure? Is it easy to navigate? Do you have quality content that engages your users? etc.

Conclusion

Without SEO, your marketing efforts could go in vain.

To enable your business to thrive in this time and age, it is important your website is optimized for search engines. SEO will garner you more website visits which will turn into having reliable leads.

Do you have questions, comments? Kindly leave a comment below.

As a business owner in Nigeria, having an ecommerce website can be beneficial for several reasons. The growing youth population, expanding consumer power, and increased smartphone penetration have strengthened online commerce and financial technology in Nigeria. [1].

With an ecommerce website, you can reach a wider audience and tap into the growing e-commerce market in Nigeria. The current e-commerce spending in the country is estimated at $12 billion and is projected to reach $75 billion in revenues per annum by 2025. Having an online presence can help you take advantage of this growth potential and increase your revenue.

An ecommerce website also provides a convenient and efficient platform for customers to make purchases, which can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. It also enables you to manage and grow your business more effectively, by providing real-time access to sales and customer data, streamlining your operations, and reducing overhead costs.

Therefore, as a business owner in Nigeria, having an ecommerce website can help you reach a wider audience, take advantage of the growing e-commerce market, improve customer satisfaction, and manage your business more effectively.