How Task Apps are Disrupting Long-Established Industries
Task-oriented apps such as TaskRabbit and Move24/7 are rapidly becoming the easiest, most affordable way for people to find assistance with everything from yard work to moving. Much in the same vein as Uber, the allure of task apps is that they enable anyone with a skill and some free time to offer their services to local residents. Meanwhile, consumers are freed from the typical marketplace, which opens up a wide range of price options.
Task Apps Increase Competition, Thereby Driving Down Prices
In the past, if you wanted help moving and didn’t have a group of friends willing to pitch in, you had to turn to a professional moving company. There are many perks with this, of course, including the fact that movers are insured. However, the average cost of using one of these services to move within the same state is a staggering $2,300, which is broken down by $200 per mover, per hour.
Moreover, as Business Insider pointed out, it’s no longer necessary to pay an hourly fee of $200 to get great service. Their example shows hourly rates on TaskRabbit within New York City ranging from $30 to $136. Even on the high end, that makes it possible to save a lot of money.
Task Apps Can Work Hand-in-Hand with Existing Businesses
One of the biggest things that people enjoy about using a task app is that they can swiftly find a good price for the service they need. This doesn’t have to be harmful for local businesses, though; in fact, following the lead of these industry disruptors can provide everyone with a win-win.
IKEA proved this point by buying TaskRabbit. The app will still work the same, but now the furniture giant has an easy to access resource for customers who need help assembling furniture. Additionally, Ikea Group’s President and CEO Jesper Brodin said that the company “will be able to learn from TaskRabbit’s digital expertise.”
Other similar partnerships include Midwestern supermarket chain Meijer joining forces with personal shopping service Shipt to deliver groceries and Maryland-based MedStar Health working with Uber to help patients get timely rides to their appointments. In all the previously mentioned examples, the larger company will benefit by using the flexibility of a task-based service. In this way, the industry disruptors are proving that there are better, more efficient methods for assisting consumers, and big businesses would be well-advised to heed this lesson.
Building Consumer Confidence
Studies have proven that 91 percent of consumers now use online reviews to help them make a purchasing decision. This isn’t a small part of the process, either; 84 percent of Americans believe that online reviews are just as trustworthy as receiving a recommendation from a friend.
In only four years, consumer reliance on reviews has shot up by 6 percent. TaskRabbit and other similar apps leverage this by offering a user review system. This can help offset the fear some people feel when they first begin exploring alternative options to meet their needs.
The Future of Service Oriented Tasks
It’s unlikely that TaskRabbit will ever completely eclipse local and national service oriented task companies. However, the steps that are being taken right now have the potential to change several industries for the better. Consumers will also become empowered by an ever-widening selection of choices.
Regardless of someone’s budgetary or time frame needs, they’ll be able to quickly find a skilled individual or business to help them. In a world where more than 70 percent of people report feeling high levels of daily stress, task apps are well-poised to relieve some of the pressure.
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