Its no secret that Starbucks is doing incredibly well. If the evidence isn’t demonstrated by their ability to add two new stores on average every day since 1987, or the fact that the average Starbucks customer visits the store an average of six times each month, you can look at the quality of their product which many consider to be the best in the market as a testament to its coffee dominance. Perhaps the most convincing element to Starbucks’ success is that it is constantly staying ahead of the curve. No where is this more evident than with the release of the Starbucks mobile app. Launched back in 2009, the Starbucks mobile app allows customers to manage their Starbucks card, search for nearby Starbucks locations, or view a complete list of the company’s coffee bean selection all from their fingertips.

This app exemplifies the trend that has been taking place for much of the last several years, and perhaps no one has gotten the formula down quite as well as the coffee giant itself. As of 2011, one in four Starbucks card transactions occurs via-mobile, all thanks to their app. It allows customers the ability to order in advance, pay with their phone at drive through windows, organize their order preferences, and most importantly – add money to their Starbucks card.

What this app has brought to the table is the essence of efficiency, mobility, and convenience. But we all knew this – Starbucks is great at what they do, practically with everything that they do, especially when it comes to apps. So what can the rest of us learn from this?

Starbucks put itself on the app radar relatively early on. In 2009 apps were recognized and used though their use was not nearly as widespread as it is three years later in 2012. Starbucks was able to understand this growing trend and capitalize on it in the best way to further streamline its inbound business channels. The most important piece of all of this, is that this technology and this ability is by no means restricted to the rest of us.

We live in a world today where app development technology is everywhere, and while many of the larger businesses have already cashed in on this technology, the sky is now the limit for small businesses as well. If you’re a small business or a start-up, you’re keeping track of every penny, and who could blame you? The way you allocate your funding is one of your top concerns, which is why most of us think that a mobile app is something that can be put on the back-burner for later. What most small businesses don’t know however, is that app development has never been more widely available and affordable as it is now, and that now is the time to take advantage of this invaluable tool. Whether you’re looking for more customers, better brand awareness, easier customer service, or a whole range of other abilities, look no further than the mobile app. If you don’t believe me, just look around you at how widespread their usage has become. Creating an app for your small business allows you to put your name in front of anyone with a smartphone. So whether you’re targeting consumers, or other businesses, think about what you want for your dollar and think about where you see yourself in the future. If your answer is efficiency, mobility, and convenience then you’re on the right path.