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mobileapps1The opportunity to target your customers increases because of the continuous growth of the mobile trend. Mobile marketing provides much easier channels for customers to connect in a way that is even more targeted than typical online advertising. Mobile promotion enables you to reach clients when they are out and about, not stuck behind a laptop or PC at their home or workplace.

How Small Businesses Can Take Advantage of Mobile Benefits

As Main Street begins to regain its steam, small businesses alike have many opportunities to increase their digital marketing efforts without having to empty their pockets on an agency. As digital merges more closely with the in-store experience, business owners should begin to see the potential that lies in their consumer’s hands, and take advantage of what marketers have deemed the “SoLoMo” trend.

“Get Social, Think Mobile, Spend Local”

According to a study by Pew Internet & American Life Project, 74 percent of smartphone users utilize location-based apps and services such as foursquare and Yelp to find information on local restaurants and retail stores, and 18 percent of these users actually “check-in.”

I will preface by saying that not every small business can afford, nor should they need, a branded mobile app to boost their in-store experience. By signing up and claiming your business on foursquare, Yelp and Facebook, you will be able to communicate directly to your customers and provide them information such as store hours, check-in deals, product reviews, directions to your store and all that fun stuff. It also allows you to boost your customer service by responding to any customer complaint or concern.

The mobile benefits for small businesses have over large retailers or chain restaurants are their uniqueness, or their place in a niche market. Every small business has products or services that serve a specific target, and as social influence becomes a staple of digital marketing, your in-store experience is how you will get your current customers to become advocates, and how you will grow your consumer base on social media through ‘friends of friends.’

Empower Your Customers

The mobile benefits are a huge advocacy opportunity that should be built around your social media efforts.

Consumers these days want emotional connections with the brands and businesses they support; they want to feel empowered, and brag to their friends, usually through social channels, how they received 10 percent off because they are now the “Mayor.”

With small niche businesses, your consumers have a specific mindset; they’re looking for something to do and something to buy. Through mobile recommendations and reviews, they can see how your in-store experience stands up against your competition. For example, if they turned to Yelp and noticed numerous reviews on how bad your customer service was, they’d immediately search for other options before stepping foot in your store.

The Future of Mobile Payments

According to an article on AdAge, mobile payments will total around $1 trillion by 2014, up from $162 billion in 2010. The incentive for mobile payments lies in the dynamic opportunity to deliver targeted coupons and deals based individually on your customers purchase patterns and location.

You can view the original article here.

Mobile Benefits

Mobile devices have taken communication one stage further, allowing customers to check on their email, order takeout and also listen to music with the touch of a button. Business owners are now rapidly developing their business marketing strategies with mobile phone technology.

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