5 Reasons Now is the Right Time to Launch an App

Five years ago, building an app was a bold move. Today, it’s essential. With over 7.3 billion smartphone users worldwide and around 90% of mobile time spent inside apps (DataReportal 2025), deciding to launch an app isn’t just about keeping up but more about how modern businesses stay connected, competitive, and visible.

We’ve seen small coffee shops, barbers, and independent gyms grow faster once they launched their own apps, often saying their biggest regret was not starting sooner.

If you’ve ever thought about creating an app but didn’t know where to begin, here are five reasons why right now is the perfect time.

1. Mobile usage is unstoppable

It’s official… mobile-first behaviour isn’t limited to Gen Z anymore. From parents ordering dinner to retirees managing loyalty cards, almost every age group lives through their phone.

Recent data shows that the average person spends 4 hours 58 minutes per day using mobile apps (Sensor Tower, 2025). That’s practically a workday on a screen.

For businesses, that means your customers are already primed to interact through apps. Whether it’s browsing, ordering, booking, or checking loyalty points, they’re expecting it.

In our experience, companies that introduce push notifications see far higher engagement than with email or SMS. Customers don’t just open them, they act on them.

2. Customers expect convenience

Convenience isn’t a perk anymore, it’s the price of admission. People expect to do everything in a few taps: order, pay, collect rewards, and book again next week without leaving the app.

According to Deloitte’s 2025 Consumer Index, 68% of customers say convenience now drives brand choice more than price.

We’ve seen takeaways and salons double their repeat orders after adding in-app payments and instant re-booking. Once users experience that level of ease, they rarely go back to phoning or browsing through websites.

A mobile app meets people where they already are, i.e. in their hand, on their terms.

3. Apps build stronger relationships

Email inboxes are noisy. Social algorithms shift constantly. Your app, though, gives you a direct line to your customers – one that you control.

Apps aren’t just communication tools; they’re personalization engines. You can send offers based on user habits, location, or purchase frequency, creating a tailored experience that keeps them coming back.

“Brands that personalise push notifications see up to 9x more engagement than generic messages.” Adjust, Mobile Marketing Report 2025

We’ve seen restaurants use geo-based push notifications to trigger lunchtime deals, and sell out of specials by 2 p.m. It’s simple, relevant, and it works.

4. You own the channel

With rising ad costs and the decline of organic reach, owning your communication channels has become critical.

Platforms change their rules overnight, but your app remains your space with no algorithm deciding who sees your updates.

HubSpot’s 2025 research shows direct-owned channels like apps and email deliver 45% higher ROI than paid ads.

In our experience, businesses that start sending push offers directly to customers often cut their paid-ad spend within a month. When you own your customer base, you stop renting attention and start building real equity.

5. No-code builders make it fast and affordable

Gone are the days when launching an app meant spending tens of thousands on developers. No-code platforms like AppInstitute let you build iOS, Android, and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) in hours, not months.

You can drag-and-drop features like food ordering, loyalty, and push messaging, then publish directly to app stores. It’s that simple.

“No-code tools now power nearly 25% of all new digital products worldwide.” Gartner, 2025

We’ve seen first-time entrepreneurs create full ordering apps in a single weekend. They launch faster, test faster, and grow faster without technical headaches.

The Competitive Edge of 2025 Apps

As AI and personalization evolve, apps are moving from static tools to smart assistants. They’ll learn from customer behaviour, recommend offers in real time, and integrate seamlessly with loyalty and CRM systems.

Businesses that start now will already have the data, habits, and brand equity to thrive as these intelligent features become standard.

We’ve seen early adopters add AI-driven menus that adjust based on popular choices and their average order value rose almost immediately.

The message is clear: start early, and the future of your customer engagement belongs to you.

Launch An App – FAQs

Why should small businesses launch an app in 2025?
Because customers now expect mobile convenience, and no-code builders make app creation faster and cheaper than ever. An app strengthens loyalty, cuts ad costs, and helps you stand out in saturated markets.

How much does it cost to build an app without coding?
Using a platform like AppInstitute, small businesses can often build and publish an app for a fraction of traditional development costs – sometimes under a few hundred pounds.

What’s the difference between a native app and a PWA?
A native app is downloaded from app stores, while a Progressive Web App runs through browsers but feels like a mobile app. Many businesses publish both using the same build.

How long does it take to create an app with AppInstitute?
Depending on complexity, most users complete their first version within a day or two – some even in a single afternoon.

Which industries benefit most from mobile apps?
Restaurants, salons, gyms, e-commerce, and local services see the strongest gains – especially those using loyalty and ordering features.

Last Updated on November 4, 2025 by Becky Halls