New App

[14049752]

I like it. The main thing it adds is convenience for the customer. If their computer goes down, and they have your app that can call you or request service etc, I think you will be their first choice.

I still don't see how the app is any more convenient than storing the phone number in contacts.

 

[jimbojambo]

i think it looks good. u could use qr codes to advertise it and use them to download. lets face it if they have the app installed and dont use it chances are they will notice it every now and again and its mini advertising. if they have a problem then suddenly remember the app ur quids in.

i think it has scope for further potential. a track ur computer progress feature would im sure get customers attention.

 

[TopLevelComp]

I like it. The main thing it adds is convenience for the customer. If their computer goes down, and they have your app that can call you or request service etc, I think you will be their first choice.

Will it bring you a lot of additional business? Maybe, maybe not. But I think adding your business presence to the app world can only be a good thing.

Most of my customers, if their computer goes down, they call me, they don't want to have to open an app.

Here's my thing. People aren't going to search for "Victorville Computer Repair" or "Top Level Computers" in the market place, they are going to search for those in Google Search. They go to my website, or they find me on Google Maps.

To me, if it was free, I'd probably get it, but to pay for it? No thanks. I got PhoneGap for that

 

[cmonova]

Most of my customers, if their computer goes down, they call me, they don't want to have to open an app.

But, they are going to open their contact and look for your name? It's no different and the same amount of time.

Here's my thing. People aren't going to search for "Victorville Computer Repair" or "Top Level Computers" in the market place, they are going to search for those in Google Search. They go to my website, or they find me on Google Maps.

You are correct they are not. The same as my customers are not going to search and realize we have an sms program and send out messages to them. But, they do know about it becuase we tell them, we tell them about specials we run and how we send them out thru SMS and the deals they can get. This is the same concept, we tell them about the app and what it can do and they will utilize it. Plus in the D.C. area our customers are "always" on the road sometimes for hours each and everyday, obvioulsy they don't have a computer with them but they do have their phone.

To me, if it was free, I'd probably get it, but to pay for it? No thanks. I got PhoneGap for that

No idea how PhoneGap would be compared to what i'm talking about

 

[14049752]

we tell them about the app and what it can do and they will utilize it. Plus in the D.C. area our customers are "always" on the road sometimes for hours each and everyday, obvioulsy they don't have a computer with them but they do have their phone.

Ok, so....how do you pitch the app? Because, honestly...I don't see how it really does anything worth making an app. It can call or e-mail you. That's built into the phone already. You can leave a rating? That's a one time deal, customers shouldn't be rating you more than once, in my opinion. It loads the website? Big deal. About us? You already said it's an app for people that already know about you.
You're comparing it to your SMS program....but this app isn't something that allows you to push news to the customers that do install it like that.

Honestly, I don't care about the app that much...it's not like it's bothering me...I just don't see how it does anything useful that would make anyone want to install it, as opposed to just saving a contact. I certainly wouldn't have paid to have it made...because despite your optimism, it seems like a waste of money.

Edit: Ok, seems I missed the "specials" section. So, it does allow that. I'm still curious how you'd pitch it, otherwise...because I'm assuming that the specials doesn't give notifications, and the customer would need to manually look at it.

 

[cmonova]

Well truthfully/honestly I really don't care if you or anyone else thinks it's a good idea Not trying to be an a** or anything but if I was to listen to anyone that said "that is stupid" or "that won't work" well then I could sit and think about the thousands of dollars I have made off things I did because I thought the process out.

ex.....PC Dice..."dumb idea", "nobody will buy them" etc....Have sold thousands upon thousands of them to the point that it's now amusing especially with the wife....

SMS works for our business, mobile sites work for our business, and this will work for our business. Plus, the big picture when we do things we utilize "everything" we do in our community i.e. offering advertising on portals, sms for other businesses, mobile sites for other businesses and now it will be APP's for businesses. I am going away for a week and when I come back I already have 2 businesses that know what i'm doing and they both want them done and they will be sold for a heck of alot more than was paid for them. This will not only work for our business but we will make thousands off doing it for others.

 

[TopLevelComp]

But, they are going to open their contact and look for your name? It's no different and the same amount of time.

Open Contact, click the phone icon (for android), and they are calling me.

With the app, they have to open the app, click on "Call Us" and then how does it call?

You are correct they are not. The same as my customers are not going to search and realize we have an sms program and send out messages to them. But, they do know about it becuase we tell them, we tell them about specials we run and how we send them out thru SMS and the deals they can get. This is the same concept, we tell them about the app and what it can do and they will utilize it. Plus in the D.C. area our customers are "always" on the road sometimes for hours each and everyday, obvioulsy they don't have a computer with them but they do have their phone.

How often do your customer utilize the app? As 1404 mentioned, some things on there make no sense. "About Us", if they are a past customer, they don't need to know about you, because they already know about you. "Call A Tech" does this allow them to call a specific tech, or does it call your front office, if it calls your front office wouldn't it just be simpler to have them inserted into their contacts? "Visit Our Website" what would they need to visit your website for, unless it was after hours, more than likely the only time someone is going to go to your website when they have this app is to find out pricing, it'd be easier to just make this app display services and prices by just opening a webpage on your server that you can update. "Request Support" seems redundant to "Call A Tech".

No idea how PhoneGap would be compared to what i'm talking about

Allows you to develop an App that is web based, you can then package it to all platforms. This is great for this type of application, so you're never having to always update the app, but instead, updating the webpage the app points to.

 

[14049752]

I wouldn't have said the PC Dice were dumb. I see the novelty in that. I'm not saying this is necessarily dumb....I just don't get it...at all. I really am curious how you'd present it to a customer, though... I've asked five or six people today (outside of the industry) if they'd use an app like that and the answer was always "no"

 

[cmonova]

Open Contact, click the phone icon (for android), and they are calling me.With the app, they have to open the app, click on "Call Us" and then how does it call?

Open app, click "call us" and calls our number that is part of the app.

"Request Support" seems redundant to "Call A Tech".

Why? What if they want to fill out the form which is no different then a contact form and submit it? Maybe they are at work and don't want to call. Maybe they are sitting in traffic and don't want to call. Also, can easily change it if I want. I use PCRT and if I wanted I could have an icon to check status of ticket or whatever I want.

I've asked five or six people today (outside of the industry) if they'd use an app like that and the answer was always "no"

How did you ask them? Are they your customers? That is the basis for the whole thing.

 

[PaulRome]

I think it's a great idea. I hope it works out well for you.


Best of luck

 

[ATTech]

I don't think people are calling this a dumb idea, they're just questioning the implementation of it. I don't think an App is a bad idea, but I can't see the point to it as a sub for a mobile website. If they can use it to check the status of repairs, view invoices, etc, then sure, I can go with that. If you don't want/care about about voicing negative opinions, then I would update your post to indicate that. Something like "Positive feedback only, please" would suffice.

 

[cmonova]

I don't think people are calling this a dumb idea, they're just questioning the implementation of it. I don't think an App is a bad idea, but I can't see the point to it as a sub for a mobile website. If they can use it to check the status of repairs, view invoices, etc, then sure, I can go with that. If you don't want/care about about voicing negative opinions, then I would update your post to indicate that. Something like "Positive feedback only, please" would suffice.

Never said I care if someone post their opinions or not. I said "Well truthfully/honestly I really don't care if you or anyone else thinks it's a good idea" and that was based on someone saying "Honestly, I don't care about the app that much"..

I've said before the app can be used to check status of repairs, view invoices or whatever one wants. I have it setup the way I want.

 

[iptech]

Wow, I can't believe the nastiness in this thread, even by Technibble's new constitution of 'sucker them in' some of the comments here are way out of line. We have mouthy chancers coming on here selling regurgitated bullcrap as 'toolkits' and 'ebooks' for $illymoney.99 (let's not go a Cent over the price barrier ) yet someone who obviously has time-served experience gets castigated for offering-up his 'no-cost to anyone on Technibble' marketing suggestion gets his ass ripped.

I've always respected Daniel's input, he's clearly done the job and got his hands dirty, yet he gets castigated for his genuine marketing initiatives whilst others with entirely self-serving motives get celebrated for their deeply-flawed thinking because it's sold as podcasts, ebooks, toolkits or other narcissistic bs.

It's no wonder this forum has become so parasiticical thesedays.

 

[Bryce W]

Daniel is definitely a great contributor with many years of experience behind him. If you post this on a forum, you have to expect people are going to reply to it. It seems he got all sides here, some saying its a great idea, some asking for clarification and some saying they dont see the point. People can take it or leave it.
I dont really see Daniel getting "attacked" here.

 

[cmonova]

@iptech....It's all good...I do things and I throw them out there for others and they can take it or leave it. I have no vested interest if 1 or 1,000 do this...But, i'm pretty sure that those that have already will get the use and benefit out of it.

 

[14049752]

How did you ask them? Are they your customers? That is the basis for the whole thing.

Here's how the conversations went down, in a nutshell:
If a computer shop had a mobile app, would you install it? "What does it do?" It allows you to contact them through phone and e-mail, view their site, leave a rating, and view deals. "No. I can already use another computer and my phone for that."

One person mentioned 3C Body Shop. (I'm not sure how big they are, but they're a body shop that advertises a LOT around here.) They have a phone app that they say will let walk you through the process of getting all of the info you need for insurance, taking pictures, then contacting them for an estimate. That, to me, makes sense...because it's serving a function more than just contacting the shop. That's where I see the difference being....your app doesn't seem to do anything other than provide a way (a redundant one, in my opinion) to contact you. The specials are a function, but I can see it being an annoyance if it auto-notifies....or if it doesn't, I can't see anyone checking it regularly.

I've said before the app can be used to check status of repairs, view invoices or whatever one wants. I have it setup the way I want.

This is the first time I've read this. I also don't see how to do that in the app. Am I missing something with your app, as it is....because THAT part of it makes sense to me.

 

[14049752]

Wow, I can't believe the nastiness in this thread, <snip> someone who obviously has time-served experience gets castigated for offering-up his 'no-cost to anyone on Technibble' marketing suggestion gets his ass ripped.

Being one of the ones that I assume is "being nasty"...I'm not really sure what you're talking about. Nothing I've said is an attack on anyone. I think the worst I said was "seems like a waste of money"....and honestly, to me...it still does. I don't see the value.

It's really no different than the thread "Blogs are stupid" from a day or two ago. I see value in blogs, some others don't. It's a difference of opinion, we're discussing it, nobody's really fighting. It might seem that way, if you want to read it that way...because it's easy to add any sort of inflection to text.

 

[aburwig]

My wife tells me my two cents isn't worth a plugged nickel. Now I don't really know what that means, but it doesn't sound good. That being said, here's my two cents anyway...

I like the idea of an app, for a couple of reasons. The first is from a marketing standpoint. As a business owner, the more ways I can keep my name in front of my customers, the better. This app, I assume, would exist as an icon on the customers mobile device, thereby creating another reminder of my company and my services - this is always a good thing.

The second reason I like this is that if I can offer my customers several paths to contact me, the results will likely be positive. Someone asked if I wanted an app from my mechanic, and my answer would be a definite yes. If I could schedule a basic service (oil change, new tires, etc) through an app, I would do it. Customers who don't want an app will continue to use standard communication channels. Those who do want to use it will. Functionality will be key, but an app like this can be a great tool.

I can easily picture a secretary or manager using an app like this and being able to tell their boss that the tech is on the way before the boss has even finished telling them why it needs to be fixed.

 

[cmonova]

@aburwig...don't feel bad the wife tells me "I'll let you know if I want your opinion"..

I like the secretary analogy.....

@14049752...Not missing anything I don't do the PCRT on my website for customers to track repairs but I know others use
the function that was an example I was stating. It can be done, i choose not to.

See my conversation will be the same that we use for the sms deal...customers we have we ask them "hey have you seen that we have a new app for our business"...Of course the answer is no becuase we don't expect them to search the market place for the app...Then myself or one of my people will show them the app and the functions and explain what it does. Then click on "specials" and say "see right here is a "free diagnostic coupon" or a "10% off any service coupon" and while doing that we tell them "why don't we just give you that discount today seeing that you did not know about the app...But, while your here why don't we just install it on your phone for you...

Simple, easy and it works...Did it for SMS and still do and it works. Everything in this business is all about presentation and believing in what you do.

 

[14049752]

Simple, easy and it works...Did it for SMS and still do and it works. Everything in this business is all about presentation and believing in what you do.

Ok, so I understand the presentation now...and that makes complete sense. Most people with the phones would probably let you install it, if only as a way to get the discount.

I still find myself asking what happens after that. I guess I have some of the answer, where maybe some people will retain the app and remember to check it when they (or someone else) needs computer help. I'm not saying that I'm entirely convinced, but that post did go a long way towards making me understand the app.