App developer sees path to growth with focus on weddings

This piece is presented by the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship.

Growing Sioux Falls company Magnify Apps has launched a new app targeting brides-to-be and sees opportunity to expand as app technology evolves.

The four-person business was founded by Zach Bauer and Jacob Peterson 18 months ago and has an office at the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship.

Bauer and Peterson met while working at a marketing and graphic design company.

“We had been doing websites, logos and different projects, and apps were a part of it. We saw apps becoming more and more popular, and they were separate enough from websites and logos that we thought it was better to focus on mobile apps,” Bauer said.

“Apps are really changing drastically in technology right now. We’re just on the cusp of new apps, and we know apps are going to change over the next six months.”

As people download fewer apps from virtual “stores,” the trend is toward progressive web apps, he explained.

“Basically, the Google search bar becomes the new store for apps. You can send it with a link. It puts the app on your phone but doesn’t take up data storage. We’ve all gotten to that place where the phone maxes out and you look for the next app to delete.”

Magnify Apps has created apps for Get-n-Go, the Summit League and LifeLight.

“It used to cost thousands to develop an app, but they’re more accessible and affordable than they ever have been, and with the trend of mobile, it’s almost a must-have for businesses,” Bauer said.

The startup’s new venture, however, focuses on weddings.

The Your Wedding Day App creates a web-based mobile app that allows couples to personalize their content with maps, photos, song lists and other information about the event.

“We’re building a platform of users, so we have about 20 brides who have subscribed and are in development and using it,” Bauer said. “We’ve done a couple wedding shows and had great success with that.”

The app is a one-time $100 charge. It can be sent to users with a link by email or text and downloaded with a QR code.

“That creates a custom product that is 100 percent accessible anytime, anywhere, and it’s private,” Bauer said.

Magnify Apps moved into Zeal in August along with 5J Design, its graphic design partner.

“It’s been refreshing to be around those who are probably five years ahead of you or are kind of in the same spot,” he said. “We just love the collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit and vibe.”

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App developer sees path to growth with focus on weddings

Growing Sioux Falls company Magnify Apps has launched a new app targeting brides-to-be and sees opportunity to expand as app technology evolves.

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