While the E-Commerce trend has continued to flourish, it’s brought about the sub trend dubbed by some as “M-Commerce,” aka, mobile shopping.
Web-capable mobile devices are everywhere, and people are using their smart phones and tablets more and more commonly to shop for anything and everything. Further, many cell phone and tablet users research products and prices from their device. I recently posted about the “SoLoMo Revolution” – Social, Local, Mobile search trends and how mobile devices are changing things. According to a recent report from Experian Simmons, at least 41 million Americans now report using their cell phones for shopping related activities.
So what does this growing trend mean for business owners and marketers? Mobile internet users are more constantly connected throughout the day, and studies show they are more receptive to advertising because of this constant connectivity. In the old days, you had to purchase a bus advertisement to be visible to a potential consumer riding the bus to work. Now, it’s very likely that same consumer is connected to the web via their smart phone. Don’t use the bus ad. Use mobile marketing. Some ideas:
- Text Based Campaigns. If you can get a potential customer to sign up for text alerts, you’ve done well. Think about what campaigns you can promote via text: Contests, Coupon Codes, Promotions, Social Activity.
- Email Campaigning. People check their email more than ever with mobile devices. Take note and promote.
- Strategic Ad Dollars. Consider your target market, and spend accordingly. What about advertising on popular mobile apps, like Pandora? Or popular tablet sites, like hulu.com? Whatever your target market may be, do the research on what apps and sites they are using, and advertise accordingly.
- Social ads that promote connectivity on social networks are effective. For example, seeing an ad and then being able to “like” the promoted product on facebook, share it on your own page, or comment on the ad experience – these are all ways to make the potential customer feel like they are a part of the ad.
People are more connected than ever, which means more frequent opportunities to get in front of your target market. Don’t let mobile marketing opportunities pass you by!
Stark Logic can always help with Internet Marketing strategies. Give us a call today at 888.915.6442. We’ll give you a free analysis to see how effective your site, and your marketing strategies, will be for your target market, and discuss ways to improve them.
