More phone users than ever are adopting mobile to talk, share, and search while on the move. Networks are offering mobile devices with data plans (internet access) at a cost effective price. It only is a matter of time that rates will be affordable for the whole family. With access to the web on mobile devices, it becomes more important for companies to compete in mobile.
Using Mobile to Connect on Facebook
Facebook’s mobile applications make it easier to socialize and connect for business. Recently, 65 million users update their status through a mobile device. This also allows for users to share pictures, videos, and even chat. They even have a place where friends can find out where each other are and connect while on the move. With a user base of over 400 million users world wide it only makes sense to compete here. Fan pages have been a great way to connect with customers. 10 million people become a fan of a page every day. It allows you as a company to offer something special to those who love your brand allowing them to become and advocate very easily. You can find out their needs and concerns and communicate with them on a daily basis.
Twitter on the Go
Twitter Logo
Twitter also launched a mobile site at the request of users and can be lucrative to business. Although the limited 140 characters may seem restrictive there has been a fairly large adoption of the platform. According to an article published by Tech Crunch, there were over 20 million U.S. Twitter Users in June 2009.
Twitters simplicity also makes it easy update your status and engage customer. Facebook, your website, and your blog can all have the feed appearing in each venue. Many companies are using this to update their customers about new product lines, events, discounts, sales, contests, and giveaways. It also gives companies the chance to connect with their followers (advocates) and listen to their interests and needs. You also can follow what is being talked about in Twitter’s live feed. You search based on location and keywords and then send a tweet engaging that person with discounts to entice them to buy from you. Google also is searching Twitter constantly allowing more ways for you to appear in search results.
Google Maps, Mobile. and Your Local Listing
Google Mobile Navigation Picutre
Google Locals Listing
Google’s Map Navigation for Mobile makes it more important to have your business listing verified. Yesterday, Google launched Map Navigation which allows mobile device users to receive turn by turn instructions while on the go for free. This also equips the user to search for products and services that may be along the route such as attractions, hotels, restaurants, and movies. How this effects your company is that visibility becomes more important. If you don’t appear in search results and especially in local search thenyou will likely missed opportunities. Especially if Google begins offeringadvertising to those who are using the turn by turn directions. If you could imagine offering an ad at around lunch time and an easy go here now button that will redirect you to that location. So get your company listed and get in the Local Search ten pack and watch Google to offer advertising in the near future.
Mobile Sites and Accessibility
Mobile sites will have become a necessity with the advent and adoption of smart phones. With data plans dropping and mobile devices become easier to use it won’t be long before everyone is using them. Have you ever searched or browsed a website on a mobile without a mobile site? It is both cumbersome and difficult to navigate. It won’t take long for a user to move on to the next website that does use it. What a better way to get visibility to your potential customers when they look for you. It is like having great location and an inviting atmosphere on the digital highway. It is true that it may be expensive but it will become more important as mobile become common place.
Mobile Conclusions
Mobile is impacting our culture and the world. Its ease of access to the internet demands that companies and advertisers make use of it. Social platform such as Twitter and Facebook allow for companies to connect with customers while on the go. Even Google’s local search will make companies consider how they are appearing in local search results. While customers are visiting their favorite social sites to find friends and using Google to get there, it demands that business consider how they connect with their target audiences.