By Ian Bush

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Philadelphia pizza shop is getting a big sales boost with a smartphone app that gives customers another way to order a pie; and it could be a way for other small businesses to get in on mobile money.

To promote the app, Slices, located at 4249 Ridge Avenue in East Falls, went old school.

“Every order we sent out had a big note about it,” says co-owner Jim Williamson.
Williamson says more than 1000 people downloaded it, and online sales have more than doubled.

“Our customers love the convenience and they also love the fact that a small, independent pizza shop has something as cutting-edge as its own app for our customers to go to,” explains Williamson.

Zach Segal, sales manager with Philadelphia-based AppCreatorPro.com, says what they’ve developed is an inexpensive way to level the playing field with the big guys.

“The apps are around a dollar a day for most businesses and organizations. So it’s easy to afford and it’s also easy to maintain and update the app,” explains Segal.