1. Why did you create ApWords?
Simply, it was created to level the playing field for small businesses. It seems like everyday, big businesses are creating branded apps for their customers (just watch a few TV commercials!), while the small guy didn’t have the resources (aka money) or expertise to create them. If the future of digital marketing is on the device (aka mobile phones), small businesses needed a way to compete
Plus, it is pretty cool to have one on you phone that you and your employees can show and send out to your customers and friends!
We wanted to democratize mobile marketing for the rest of us. Namely, we wanted to create a way for businesses to market digitally that was easier, faster, and cheaper. ApWords did this by allowing a business owner to create a fast custom app and a mobile website in minutes! We also custom build apps that have additonal requirements.
2.What is this free Android app you're offering?
It is difficult to commit to buying something (without the possibility of a refund!) if you don’t have an idea how it works or looks. We allow users to create the app for their business and put it on any Droid device (remember: it will only work on Droid!). If you like it, you can upgrade to a paying plan and get your app inputted into the Android and iTunes app stores (iPhones, iPads, etc.). If you decide it is not right for you at this time, you will NEVER pay but can still keep your Droid-only app and mobile website.
3. Why do you feel that ApWords provides the only marketing framework many 21st century small business would need?
In North Carolina, 2/3 of businesses don’t have a website (Charlotte Observer 2/24/12). Ten to twenty years ago, that would be a scary statistic. Now, full-blown websites are largely becoming unnecessary for businesses in certain industries. Websites are largely being used for research, not impulse purchasing decisions by mobile consumers.
In fact, many people have stopped getting web access altogether (26.7% of US households are mobile-only: CITA); they now just surf the web on their phones. Much like how consumers have ceased using landline phones in favor of their mobile phones, the same uptrend is happening with internet service. Our economy runs on faster, cheaper, and easier. Mobile internet is fitting the bill on all three fronts.
This is the belief that drove the creation of the ApWords. Marketing platforms have shifted. It is good to have a website that can be found by the search engines, but it is better to have your app on your customer’s phones to contact them directly. ApWords provides both; you get a succinct mobile-enabled web page that provides quick, basic answers (and little to no navigation) and an app built for mobile phone use that will allow for more detailed, interactive information on the go.
4. Do you sell my business information?
5. Why do I want an app for my business?
The future of marketing is on mobile devices. How else can you influence your customers’ purchasing decisions no matter where they go, 24 hours a day? Do you want your customers being reminded of your business or your competitor’s when they check their phones countless times everyday? Statistics show that the first thing 45% of smart phone users do every morning is check their mobile phone! (ComScore)
How many people bring their laptops with them everywhere they go? Not many. Now how many people bring their mobile devices with them everywhere they go? Everyone. The forward-thinking business owner is going to want to own “digital real estate” on all of their customers’ mobile devices. ApWords allows you to quickly build your app and plant your stake on your customer’s devices.
6. What is the web address of my website?
You can retrieve this easily on the “Manage My App” page in the “Your App’s Website” section.
7. Why is your company called “ApWords” instead of “AppWords”?
“Ap” sounds weird and is sort of spelled wrong! Well, we spelled the company name that way on purpose so its name would be easy to remember!
Just think that an “Ap” is a mobile:
“A” = Application (of the mobile variety)
“p” = Page (of the web variety).
8. You really believe that? The “Ap” story is not easy to remember at all!
OK, OK, we confess.www.AppWords.com was already taken and we were too cheap to play the domain auction game and bid on it.
“App” is short for mobile application. It’s a program that is downloaded (and sits) on a smart phone that contains your business’s information.
Ummm… Do-it-yourself computer stuff isn’t for everyone. This ApWords thing may be too advanced for you at this point.
3. What is on my mobile webpage?
It is populated with all of the information that you provide when you create and modify your app. Most importantly, it also includes the instructions and link for customers to download your app to their mobile phones.
4. Does this app work on any other mobile operating platforms besides Android and Apple (ios)?
Not currently. Blackberry and Microsoft are being worked on, but there is no release date for these at this time. Roughly 85%+ of mobile phone users are on these 2 platforms, so you are largely covered. Apps are also not used frequently on these other platforms. Users with devices on other platforms will automatically be taken to your mobile website if they attempt to download your app.
5. How long does it take to create an app?
5-10 minutes if you know all of your company’s information. Then the app is immediately ready to download, as is your customized website.
6. I would prefer to have another webpage address? For example, can I change the “apwords.com/app444/joespizza” to “joespizza.com”?
Yes. You would just need to purchase the domain name from a provider like GoDaddy.com and forward it to your ApWords website. In our example, you would simply purchase www.JoesPizza.com from GoDaddy.com, pick the forwarding option on the GoDaddy.com website, and input “apwords.com/app444/joespizza” as your forwarding web address. There is no extra charge for this.
1. What are “keywords” and why should I input them into my app?
Keywords are the words that best describe what your business does. More importantly, it is the way that search engines (like Google) help consumers find your website!
2. Please tell me more about how ApWords uses SEO (search engine optimization) on my ApWords webpage?
There are thousands of books written on SEO, so this explanation will be as concise and only discuss how the SEO is constructed in your website’s code:
a. The title tags are the name of your business
b. The description is the tagline you inputted
c. The keywords are the 3 that you entered, as well as the city, state, and zip of your business location. There is no action required by you to make this happen after you have created your app (and consequently your mobile website); this is automatically populated into the code of your website.
1. This app is great! Do you have any ideas on how I can get this out to my customers?
Of course! On the “Manage My App” page, go to the “Market My App” section. There are prompts to market your app quickly and easily which include:
a. Adding a button to your existing website so users can download your app (HTML to cut & paste into your website is provided)
b. Sending out your app via e-mail and social media for download (“share” buttons provided)
c. When with your friends and customers, you can share your app with them directly from your app on your phone!
d. Adding the link of your new website to your e-mail auto-signature
Example: “Download ‘My Company’s’ App on your Phone to be a VIP and get our App-Only Coupons & Special Offers!” with the web page link either typed next to it or embedded in the text.
2. I’ve heard that I can create my own “Group-On” with my app. Is this true and how would I do it?
ApWords has no current affiliation with Groupon. You can create a similar effect by posting great discounts to your App and advertising them.
3. Why would customers want to put my app on their mobile device?
There are many reasons, but one that matters much more than the rest. The coupons! When customers are on the go, they want an easy way to see what deals are available at their favorite places. They will click on your app to see what these deals are!
4. Why do I want my customers to want my app?
Consumers are on their phones all the time. When they are waiting and clicking through their apps, they’ll see your business logo that will automatically bring you to the top of their minds (mind share). They could be with a friend that they could easily share your app with (referrals); there is no pen required- just a few key strokes! Digital real estate is powerful!
5. What can I do to make money with my app?
Coupons are big, but the biggest draw is the instant notifications that can be sent to everyone who has your app downloaded on their phones; instant notifications are similar to a text message, but give a message that opens up into your app when clicked.
Instant notifications are effective! Statistics show that marketing e-mails have a 4% open rate and are opened in 48 hours on average. Instant notifications have a whopping 97% open rate and sit on the mobile device until they are opened!! This is the best way to alert mobile customers of limited time offers and events.
For example, a local BBQ place in Charlotte had close to an empty restaurant on a rainy Wednesday. They have their company’s app downloaded by 700 different customers and they sent out the following instant notification to all of them at 3 PM:
“$1 Beers and free appetizers from 4 – 6 PM for happy hour tonight! Come on down!”
By 4:30 PM, the restaurant was 3/4 full! Instant notifications are a powerful tool!
1. I don’t like giving out my mobile phone number, but do want to receive customer text messages. What do I do?
Your cell phone number is not published anywhere. However, customers will be able to see your cell phone number if they attempt to text you. We’d recommend using another mobile phone for incoming texts if this is a big concern.
2. I like the app, but want to add more features. Can I do this?
Yes. You would just need to e-mail (Customize@ApWords.com) or call us at (704) 612-0134 so we can discuss what you would like to have done.
3. How many separate apps can I create?
As of now, there is no limit!
4. How do I make changes to my app? How long does it take for the changes to take effect?
You would just need to go to the “Manage My App” page and go to the “Edit My App” section to make the desired changes. The changes happen in real time on the website and register on the app as soon as the user reopens it.
5. My business doesn’t have a physical address. Can I still make an app?
Yes. In that case, the address and address 2 fields should be left blank. The city, state, and zip code are still required fields. If you feel this information is still too revealing, you can fake your nuclear bunker location.
6. My business hours are irregular. Can I have my app reflect this?
Not currently. We would recommend not publishing business hours (aka unchecking the “Business Hours” box) if that is the case.
7. My business operates out of my home. Do I need to publish my street address?
No, the city, state, and zip code are the only required location fields.
1. When customers try to download the Free app from my website, the e-mail and/or text message they receive doesn’t have a live link to click on. How do I fix this?
The customer would need to go into their individual phone and change the settings so their phone has the ability to receive live links. They can also input the link address directly into their mobile browser to access the download page.
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