Jul 9 2011

Why Your Business Needs a Mobile Website Today

website mobile friendly 300x225 Why Your Business Needs a Mobile Website TodayThe mobile web is growing. Fast. The industry is expected to have a significant growth in the coming years, with more and more web surfers accessing the internet through their mobile devices.

The following lists 10 reasons why a person with an online site must need a separate mobile site.

1. Google owns a separate mobile site index
Since the index is separately maintained and it is quite empty, the mobile directory lacks most of the information. For instance, the directory style information is missing.

2. Your regular site is not going to cut it
A basic design difference exists between a regular and a mobile website. The screen space is very limited on a mobile. You must have identified the inconvenience of side scrolling. This inconvenience is further magnified on a mobile. Though there is the option of turning the device to lengthwise direction, the resolution is small even here. Mobile phone emulators can easily show how your regular website may look on a mobile. You can then experience the terrible experience of a mobile user. Find one here at http://www.iphonetester.com

3. Nearly 1/5 of Americans access mobile web daily
The rate is further increasing annually. It has thus turned to a competitive ground that it is now very essential to represent yourself on mobile web before your competitor does.

4. Mobile web is expected to surpass desktop web in just five years
Mobile web is being used and adopted at a very rapid pace than the desktop. Hence it is certain that the expected growth will be reached much faster. It is obvious that a vast majority of your site visitors will be on a mobile in the near future.

5. In 2009, $1.6 billion was obtained from purchases in mobile devices
This is the most motivating information regarding mobile web. In case, millions of people are using mobile web and not purchasing anything, most commercial sites need not worry about their mobile existence. But the current statistics prove purchases from mobile devices are already in billions. Though studies prove that consumers are less confident in making purchases from a mobile than from a desktop, spending levels are increasing owing to the increasing comfort levels.

6. 93% of Americans own their mobile phones.
Though not all the mobile phones have internet access capabilities, it is the current trend. Internet accessibility is available not only in smart phones but also in some standard phones. But in the future, it is probable that all phones have some online access.

7. 5% of the top 500 online retailers possess a mobile site/ iPhone app
It will be rather surprising to know that the number is so low. However, this is great news to those who are outside this 5% range. If your ranking is not as high as expected, this may mean that your competitor may be in a better position. And if you are currently reading this, it is obvious that you are a step ahead in your industry.

8. Budgets for mobile marketing is expected to cross $6.5 billion in 2012
Spending on mobile advertising is a major indicator of the current industry status. If a marketer is ready to spend his hard-earned money by displaying products and services on mobile web to capture audience, there must be a good reason behind it. Besides, if they are planning to increase the budgets, it is obvious that their previous investments have been successfully paid off.

9. Internet users are using it on an average of 13 hours a week, which was just 7 in 2002
As internet usage improves irrespective of the device employed, accessibility is the next target factor that will be aimed on to increase the usage. Previously, only desktop or laptop was employed to access internet, but currently the internet-enabled mobile phones have made the accessibility very easy and mobile.

10.There are more than 2 billion mobile phones estimated worldwide
nuff said.

 

If you would like to see what your mobile site might look like – we’ll make a quick mockup based on your current site – no cost, no obligation. Its much more affordable than you could imagine and soon no business will be able to afford NOT to have one. Use the form to the right of the site and see your business at just the right size for a phone. Click here to talk with us about your mobile website.

Jul 3 2011

How Many Friends Do You Have? Facebook Builds Loyalty

facebookconnect How Many Friends Do You Have?  Facebook Builds LoyaltyThere’s a lot of buzz around social media marketing, and for good reason. Let’s take a few minutes to look at how facebook builds loyalty.

If you’re like most people, then you probably have a personal facebook account, where you keep track of your friends and family. You might have located an old high school sweetheart, or found out that your old nemesis from sixth grade is now a preacher in middle America.

Whatever the case may be, facebook is a fun way for people to connect.

It’s also extremely addictive – and that makes it a super effective marketing tool – one of the best, least expensive ways to build loyalty. While you might be one of the few folks who does stay off facebook in your personal life, people like you are few and far between. Let’s take a closer look at why facebook is such an important part of any social media marketing campaign for small, local business!

Build Loyalty

Have you ever noticed that the more stake you feel you have in something, and the better relationship you feel you have with an entity, the more likely you are to feel loyal toward it? Whether your company offers a certain type of service or a certain product, having a presence on facebook and inviting your customers and potential customers to join will help you build a loyal following.

Facebook Accounts Build Themselves

Well, not really – you do have to interact to make the most of facebook. But, as social media marketing goes, facebook is easy.

Here’s an example:

You build a facebook profile with basic information about your business and a few snazzy snapshots.

Now you’re up on facebook, but you don’t have any friends yet.

Don’t worry – they’ll show up.

Once you’ve gotten your profile up, it’s time to start looking for people you know. Go through your customer list, and look for them on facebook. Invite these people to be friends or fans! Once you have some friends or fans, invite them to participate in a special offer – let’s say you have a coffeehouse:
Facebook Friday! Friends and Fans get a latte for $2. Come in and see our new fireplace!
You’ll be swamped on Friday, and you’ll be building brand loyalty through social media marketing. So, take a look at facebook, see what different companies are offering, and come up with your own plan. If you are pressed for time, consider hiring a consultant to help you with this aspect of marketing your business via social media – you’ll be thrilled with the results.

To be effective search engine optimization must include a social media factors. Get in touch with an seo consultant.

Related Articles

Does your company need  Social Media?
Why you need a mobile website.
To review whether Groupon is good for your business or not check out Groupon.
Jul 1 2011

Email Marketing For Small Business Owners

email marketing for small business 150x150 Email Marketing For Small Business Owners Who hasn’t been the victim of targeted email marketing, where someone has sold your email address and all of a sudden you’re the lucky recipient of things like ‘Try this little blue pill!’ or ‘Use this credit card – you can’t live without it!’  As a small business owner, you certainly don’t want to fall into the same category as these unwanted messages do: that category is Spam!

On the other hand, you can run an effective email marketing campaign that your customers will enjoy. Let’s take a look at what a good email marketing campaign is, and why it works so well for businesses of every size.

What Is Email Marketing?

Email marketing is a method for telling customers or potential clients about a product, service, or combination of the two, that you have. It’s a way to give them insight about what is going on with your business, and it’s a great way to build a good working relationship with them.

This is particularly true if you have a consumable product or service.
The fact is, people have a lot on their minds, and they are constantly barraged with a whole host of messages from every direction. Failing to communicate with your customers puts you at risk of being forgotten.

How Does Email Marketing Work?

While it is possible for a business owner to send out little reminders to a group of customers on a regular basis, doing it the old fashioned way is not the best use of your valuable time.

Here’s the best way to do it:
1) Come up with a message, or set of messages. You might run regular sales or service specials, or want to promote a lunch or dinner special for your restaurant on a regular basis.
2) Remember, talk to people like they’re your friends, because in the end, they are. Customers can make or break your business, and you want them to love you. Make your message friendly.
3) Take advantage of an email autoresponder.

Load your email contacts into the autoresponder, and get your message to your customers.
Just like every other aspect of online marketing for small businesses, using email marketing and autoresponders  is something that requires a certain amount of finesse.  Get together with your online marketing specialist, and create a specialized plan that will work wonders for your business!

Hey, I’m working on a way to use video with email. If you’re interested in using this for your local business, let’s talk -


Want to Learn more?
* indicates required




To discover what email autoresponder we use, check out Chimp Mail – there’s a free version.
logo Email Marketing For Small Business Owners