Apps of tomorrow – The most important app ideas amidst COVID-19

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 Apps of tomorrow - The most important app ideas amidst COVID-19
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The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected almost every country, city, and business, in one way or another. As these unprecedented events unfold right in front of our eyes, it is creating a lot of chaos and panic among business owners and entrepreneurs. As more and more people confine themselves within their homes, a section of the society is forced to seek alternatives.

However, amongst all this disorder, technology and mobile solutions have stepped up as saviors for entrepreneurs, businesses, and entire industries.
Let’s see how!

Why should you take your business online?

The increasing demand for online management tools like Trello and communication platforms like Zoom is just the start. Where the global pandemic has depleted supply chains and international trade, a decline of around 1% of global economy is projected by the United Nations, it has opened up a new line of business opportunities boosting innovative take on entrepreneurship.

Despite the global and economic crisis of Coronavirus and its aftermath, the mobile app spending is expected to double by 2024. Besides, by 2024, the mobile app downloads are predicted to reach 183.7 billion, showing a lift of 9% over the forecast made before COVID-19.

The organic nature of online business models allows reduced human contact, which is the need of the hour. Hence, a shift to online businesses seems to be the most organic and best thing that could happen right now. It is the wiser decision as it also saves a lot of resources, facilitates customers, and provides a second chance for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Across the world, there has been a rise in online shopping. Hence, soon after the government actively started practicing lockdown, Amazon announced that they are running out of stock of household items, which is why there will be a delay in deliveries due to unprecedented pandemic related demand. Online shopping and deliveries are permissible, and often they are recommended by authorities in most of the areas. Encouraging self-quarantine and social distancing, online businesses are truly supporting the economy and people in these trying times.

High-demand app ideas amidst COVID-19

Now we know that online businesses have the potential to rise above the challenges of these times and even enable a few businesses to grow in the future. Besides, modern technologies have stepped up as the answer to a lot of problems. For example, health leaders are capitalizing on High-demand app ideas amidst COVID-19 Now we know that online businesses have the potential to rise above the challenges of these times and even enable a few businesses to grow in the future. Besides, modern technologies have stepped up as the answer to a lot of problems. For example, health leaders are capitalizing on AI-based research to bring more automation in checking of symptoms and development of treatments, and they are also using robots to reduce the transmission of the virus to doctors and health workers. However, businesses not necessarily have to incorporate advanced technologies to be impactful in these times. There are a few verticals within the umbrella of online business with the promise of futuristic growth. Let’s look at a few app ideas with the capacity to flourish in the times of this global pandemic.” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>AI-based research to bring more automation in checking of symptoms and development of treatments, and they are also using robots to reduce the transmission of the virus to doctors and health workers.

However, businesses not necessarily have to incorporate advanced technologies to be impactful in these times. There are a few verticals within the umbrella of online business with the promise of futuristic growth. Let’s look at a few app ideas with the capacity to flourish in the times of this global pandemic.

Online education app

As educational institutions around the world are regulated to shut down, and this has started the rise of online learning programs. Whether it’s conducting online classes on zoom or downloads of the mobile educational apps, institutions and parents globally are looking for alternatives to ensure minimal loss of students and kids are as productive as possible. Along with enabling people to cope in these tough times, it is also giving direction to the future of the education industry.

There is a lot of scope for some tremendous online education apps and space to be creative and innovative for mobile app developers and entrepreneurs.

Grocery delivery apps

Did you know Grocery delivery apps Did you know downloads of Instacart, Walmart’s grocery app, and Shipt have increased by 218%, 160%, and 124%, respectively? With people being stuck in their homes, online grocery shopping has been raising off the charts. Going out to grocery stores is either not an option for a few of us, or some of us are avoiding it as a precautionary measure. However, the stock in our houses isn’t going to last forever, which makes a lot of people order online. But, there are just a few online grocery apps that are catering to increasing market demand. Hence, this is another space for entrepreneurs to explore and grocery store owners to adopt a new way of living and make a big difference.” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>downloads of Instacart, Walmart’s grocery app, and Shipt have increased by 218%, 160%, and 124%, respectively? With people being stuck in their homes, online grocery shopping has been raising off the charts.

Going out to grocery stores is either not an option for a few of us, or some of us are avoiding it as a precautionary measure. However, the stock in our houses isn’t going to last forever, which makes a lot of people order online. But, there are just a few online grocery apps that are catering to increasing market demand. Hence, this is another space for entrepreneurs to explore and grocery store owners to adopt a new way of living and make a big difference.

Healthcare consultation app

One side of self-quarantine and hospitals trying to keep up with the whole COVID-19 crisis, it has presented a new challenge for doctors and healthcare professionals to continually take care of their patients without them stepping outside of their house. Hence, people need digital outlets for remote healthcare solutions that can help them better navigate the impact and consequences of the virus outbreak. And not let it affect their health.

A Manchester-based online healthcare platform, called Push Doctor, saw a 30% increase in weekly consultations and a rise of 70% in the following week, during the lockdown.

There is a dire need for apps that enable people to reach their doctors or healthcare professionals digitally. Entrepreneurs can come up with several mobile solutions with online healthcare apps that solve specific problems people face.

Fitness and wellness apps

Over a few years, the awareness about living a healthy lifestyle with a special focus on fitness and overall wellness has increased. However, health and fitness centers and gyms are among the businesses that have been severely affected by this epidemic. But, according to the Business Insider, people are progressively moving to fitness apps and digital workout programs that help them maintain their exercise schedule from home.

Social distancing has empowered digital platforms to come through as a blessing, bearing new opportunities for the fitness and health industry. From meditation and yoga apps to online training apps, there is an excellent potential for growth in the section.

Pickup and delivery apps

A lot of businesses are trying to adapt to this new way of living as smooth as possible, but of course, not all of them will be able to come up with a business app. Hence, pickup and delivery solutions have become a life-savior for such companies, and even people sitting at home. Delivery solutions are one of the few businesses that have observed a spike in demand amid the Coronavirus widespread.

On-demand services
These are unprecedented situations and require some new, forward-thinking, online solutions. It is challenging for businesses with brick and mortar model to find sustainability in the market. However, the faster you realize the role of digital media and plan a diverse revenue stream, the better. Among these dark times, many businesses have a golden opportunity to find an alternative by reaching their customers online and giving their sales a boost.

According to a study, online sales have increased by 52% in comparison to a year ago, along with an increase of 8.8% in the number of online shoppers, since the outbreak.

It means people still want to buy, and they want you to offer your services online. Whether you want to create a food or medicine delivery app or take your offline store on the app stores, make sure you find a way to rise above the pandemic outspread.

Apart from this, even the outsourcing industry is stepping up. For e.g. in the F&A domain, outsourced CFO services have for a very long time rendered a wide variety of accounting services to organizations worldwide through remote consultation and communication. Now, many CPA consultants and firms are towing along the same lines are working to build apps that can help them continue their business model of offering financial and accounting related assistance to firms through the use of a singular platform.

Wrap up

For the entire business world, COVID-19 has been a bolt out of the blue. While there are no tried and tested standard practices for dealing with these unprecedented situations resulted from the widespread of the virus and the lockdown, the app ideas listed above can help a lot of businesses survive these tough times and even help them emerge as an industry leader.

However, I understand mobile technology and digital solutions are still a futuristic thought for some people, but it’s the need of the hour. So, whether you operate an offline business or you plan on investing and making your mark, now is the time to act.

Asim Rais Siddiqui
An innovative business technologist and strategist with over a decade's worth of experience in building scalable platforms and disruptive businesses.

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