App creation is an ever-growing aspect of software development that has gone from strength to strength. As developers continue to find new ways to improve the functionality and interactive features of apps, more companies have benefited from them. We tend to associate apps with the retail and hospitality sectors – anywhere where consumers can use apps to access deals or make orders to get what they want. We have loyalty schemes for all kinds of brands and AR tools to try on goods. We can access almost anything we want to purchase and have it delivered at any time of day.
This area of app development is highly saturated, but the ideas and success stories open doors for similar apps in other service sectors. Industries that are more focused on helping people and providing basic care can take advantage of similar tools to connect with users. Below are some examples in the healthcare, education, and environmental sectors – areas that can all benefit from enhanced connectivity and audience interactions.
Mobile Apps And Healthcare
First up, there is great potential in software development for healthcare apps. Many apps will revolve around giving patients and clients access to information or services related to that brand. It’s a way for companies to stay connected with everyone on their books and ensure everyone gets the support they need at all times. For some users, this could mean little more than the ability to make appointments at any time or to see a breakdown of treatments and schedules on their dashboard. For others, it could also mean greater access to information about additional services and customer support. Users can feel more respected and put their minds at ease far more easily.
There’s also a growing market for mental health apps that help patients with self-care and personalized care plans. Traditional therapy sessions are great when patients are engaged with the process and see the benefits of regular treatment. However, many people dealing with stress, anxiety, and other conditions don’t want this sort of one-on-one care. Apps can bridge the gap between therapists and prospective patients by offering insights and tools to use in their own time. Simple breathing exercises and journal prompts may be enough to engage users. There’s also the option of using gamification strategies for habit-building.
Mobile Apps And Education
The next sector that can benefit from mobile development consulting is the education sector. Again, there are different ways that you can approach this. It’s a good idea for schools and colleges to have apps for both parents and children. The apps for parents can help schools build a stronger online community where everyone can stay up-to-date with information and ask questions. For example, there may be ways to create calendars, find out about field trips, or sign up for bake sales. As for the kids, they can benefit from their own online portals where they can see records of their work, find aids to help with their homework and stay up to date with their responsibilities. As with the healthcare apps, gamification and age-appropriate designs go a long way.
Another potential use for apps in the education sector is through distance learning and personal development. Many of us will have some form of language app on our mobile devices where we take part in short lessons to build knowledge. There is room to expand this style of learning app, with its daily lessons and levels to complete, and apply that to other areas. Small steps in the right direction add up to big wins with learning goals, especially when users are trying to learn a skill over their lunch breaks or in a spare hour each evening. You could create something based on math skills, history courses, geography facts, or anything at all. What matters is that users feel they are learning something of use and will keep coming back to learn more.
Mobile Apps And The Environment
Finally, there’s the potential to develop apps for environmental agencies and non-profits. It’s far too easy for people to feel disconnected from the natural world and environmentalism when working busy schedules in big cities. Apps that connect them to bigger causes can help them feel as though they are making some sort of difference. Citizen science apps are a good example of this, as are apps that reward efforts and gameplay through charitable work. For example, some apps let people cash in the rewards earned for completing levels and use the points to plant trees or provide meals to third-world countries. You can also create apps that are purely educational, such as kids’ apps that explain the importance of recycling or that provide facts about local wildlife.
Could Your Business Benefit From An App?
Do you have a business or non-profit in one of these sectors but no app to go with it? It’s understandable if you thought an app was an unnecessary expense or something that wasn’t suited to your industry. However, it is worthwhile taking some time to consider what you might be missing out on. An app could bring you closer to service users or potential donors and help make essential services more accessible. You could further a cause and help people get the help they need by providing access to tools and services on their mobile devices. They may use the tools, benefit from them, and never interact with you any further from there. That still means you’re helping them, and they know that you’ll be their first thought when they need further help or want to refer someone to a suitable service.
When you work closely with software development companies specializing in healthcare, education, or environmental apps, it will pay off. They can use their expertise in app development to build those engaging games and levels while also building a design around your brand. Take a look at the options available, discuss your ideas with a skilled app developer, and see how they can benefit you in the year ahead.
Photo credits: Coworking London