Nearly two-thirds of people in the United States own a smartphone. Some 19 percent of Americans rely mostly on the cell phone for Internet access, and 7 percent only use their cell phone to go online. People aren’t just ditching print media, they're also putting away their laptops and PCs and turning to hand-held devices to connect, shop, and find entertainment. For businesses looking to draw an audience and make a sale, this shift is a signal that it's time to rethink advertising strategies and whole-heartedly embrace the world of mobile marketing. Here's a little more about why:
We Live in an Increasingly Mobile World
We're a fast-paced society in general, and now that's reflected in how we access media: 51 percent of our time on digital in the United States is spent using mobile technology versus desktop computers at just 41 percent. Why, then, do studies show only 8 percent of corporate advertising dollars are allotted for mobile marketing? That disconnect is literally costing businesses money. Consumers can only choose to align themselves with the companies and products they know about, making a solid and memorable online presence integral to the success of any marketing plan.
Google is the New Yellow Pages
A Google-funded study found that 70 percent of people searching for a business using their mobile device called that business directly from the listed search results. No one is thumbing through a phone book anymore; instead, they're typing in keywords and making buying decisions based on who comes up first and how those listings – or, in many cases, those ads – look. By incorporating search engine optimization (SEO) into mobile marketing strategy and viewing ads like information cards (including a phone number, physical address, and URL, for instance) business can start capitalizing on the mobile movement.
Mobile Marketing is Empowering and Immediate
Consumers are more likely to react positively to ads they feel they have okayed ahead of time. When it comes to in-app or pop-up ads or ads playing before videos, 62 percent of smartphone users were fine with having to view 15-30 second marketing spots in exchange for access to free streaming video content afterwards. IN addition, 70 percent of mobile searches translate into action within an hour, versus a whole week when searches are conducted via laptop.
Apps are Awesome
Of all the time people spend fiddling with their mobile phones, 89 percent is spent using mobile apps. Even more interesting for those interested in generating online sales is that mobile apps accounted for 42 percent of the mobile sales generated by the top 500 businesses. Interactive advertising through apps delivers actionable content right into the consumers hands, and more and more people are choosing exercise their buying power via a simple click.
Smartphones are Open 24/7/365
Unlike your office, the Internet never closes. An IDG Global mobile survey found that mobile users were basically accessing the web all the time. Some 42 percent used their phones while commuting, 69 percent used it in the office while working, 73 percent signed on in the evenings, and 51 percent on the weekends – the latter three times proving even more productive for those using tablets to connect. Marketing your business using print media, television, or radio restricts your audience, but opting for online ads literally gives you round-the-clock exposure.
Author Biography
Sophorn Chhay
Sophorn is an inbound marketer specializing in attracting targeted visitors and generating sales qualified leads. Through Trumpia’s SMS marketing automation solution he helps businesses and organizations communicate effectively with their customers or members. Trumpia is offering a free Mobile Marketing Success Kit so don’t forget to grab your free copy.
