Why Mobile Coupons Work to Bring in Local Traffic
March 11, 2013 by Lisa Santos · Leave a Comment
Have you ever thought about offering your customers mobile coupons to keep them coming back to spend money with you?
Mobile coupons really aren’t any different than the coupons we are all used to getting in newspapers, magazines, or circulars. The only real difference is that they are provided through mobile phone text messages. Mobile coupons, however, carry the same function as the normal coupons. They all aim to provide customers with a way to save money, collect freebies, receive discounts and earn rewards.
If you are looking for an effective method that will work positively towards marketing your business, then mobile coupons may be what you need. Consumers in general are in love with any opportunity that they come across to save them money or give them something free.
Most people today are going through tough times economically, so coupons have never been hotter than they are right now. This means that it is important for any growing local business to use mobile coupons to attract more customers who are interested in what they have to offer.
As mentioned above, customers will come to your business repeatedly if they feel like they’re getting a good deal and saving money. Mobile coupons can easily be sent to customers with a touch of a button and this cuts both time and cost.
When a customer receives a text with a coupon code, this will act as the incentive that will get them to come into your business to enjoy the offer; and while at it, they might see something else they want.
Instead of carrying printed coupons around, a customer will simply need to have their phones with them in order to redeem the mobile coupon, which is not a task since most people have theirs within arm’s reach at all times.
From a customer’s point of view, coupons sent by a business in the area is more likely to be redeemed since they can come in physically and since it’s so easy to claim.
In addition, there are no costs associated with mobile coupons, unlike the printing costs associated with traditional coupons. Now only does this save you money, but it also makes your business “greener.”
For business owners, mobile coupons are an easy method to attract more local traffic to physical locations without having to risk anything or spend a huge chunk of your advertising budget.
Understanding the Power of Mobile Websites
December 13, 2012 by Lisa Santos · Leave a Comment
It is unfortunate that most local businesses are missing a lot by ignoring (or not knowing) how mobile-friendly websites can generate more sales and profits.
Most business owners are not aware of the problem that their customers and potential customers are going through when trying to access their websites using a mobile device.
Most people today use their mobile phones to perform a wide variety of tasks including searching the web, chatting, paying bills, banking, playing games – just to name a few.
In fact, mobile internet usage is gaining popularity at an amazing speed and is expected to exceed desktop internet usage soon. Millions of people own mobile phones and a large number of them carry them everywhere they go.
But what happens when they click on your business website and it doesn’t load? What if it does load, but they have to scroll all over the place just to find your phone number or address? When visitors run into problems like these, they usually leave the site quickly.
A mobile website is one that allows easy access via mobile phones and related devices. Most traditional websites are designed for computers, which is why they give mobile phone users a hard time. Due to the processing power and the small screen size of mobile phones, users are forced to wait for minutes before a traditional website loads on their phone.
If you want to market your business using a website, you should not half-step on the process; you should ensure that your customers and potential customers can access your website no matter what method they’re using to access it.
Try going to your website using a mobile phone and if it gives you a hard time, it means that you need a mobile website. Most people do not have the time to wait minutes for a website to load; so they will move on to a faster loading website, which probably belongs to your direct competitor.
The fact that people are attracted to businesses with mobile-friendly sites means that all local business owners should do their best to set up a mobile-friendly version of their websites. People who access the internet on their mobile phones are usually “on-the-go” and you should make it easy for them to visit your website if you really want to make them happy. This will work well towards increasing the traffic to your website as well as increasing sales and, ultimately, profits.
Mobile Websites Are a MUST for “Mobile-Only” Web Users
March 6, 2012 by Lisa Santos · Leave a Comment
Can you believe that some Internet users ONLY access the web from their mobile phones? Considering the explosive popularity the mobile market has experienced in recent years, it really isn’t that hard to believe.
While still in the minority, a significant percentage of internet users (approximately 25%) exclusively access the web through mobile devices. Whether due to preference or circumstance, these consumers do their browsing through their cell phones rather than more traditional desktops and laptops.
What does this mean for your business? With traditional marketing becoming less effective as targeted internet advertising gains popularity, companies that do not offer a web-based option will continue to struggle when it comes to attracting new business and retaining existing customers.
Extending conventional internet presence to include a site optimized for mobile users simply just makes sense. Most people are shocked to learn that consumers who are over the age of 65 make up a huge share of the mobile market.
As a matter of fact, many “mobile-only users” tend to be older – often folks who did not embrace new technology early on. This group found that the dual purpose phone/browser permits them to participate in the online community with a minimal investment of time and money.
With growing numbers, this population owns more than 75% of U.S. wealth, offering more buying power than the all of the younger, more tech-savvy generations combined.
Then, there is the younger generation who seem to be literally glued to their mobile phones at all times. They’re usually too busy to be tied to a desktop computer so they do most of their web surfing right from their mobile devices.
As you can see, catering to the mobile-only preference is a very smart way to hone your company’s competitive edge. Making sure your business website is “mobile-friendly” is the first step. Without it, you’re missing out on a lot of new and repeat business – bottom line.
Can You Afford a Mobile-Optimized Website?
January 19, 2012 by Lisa Santos · 1 Comment
The more important question is can you afford NOT to have a mobile-optimized website?
Consumers are using their mobile devices on the go today more than ever. And they make instant decisions about where to spend their money based on how easily they can access needed information from their mobile devices.
When it comes to “easy mobile access,” mobile websites are one of the most important pieces of the mobile puzzle.
Mobile-optimized sites are designed to fit smaller screens, so users can see the most critical details on your website, such as location, price, and contact information… all in one glance.
Scrolling and navigating traditional pages on a tiny display can quickly lead to frustration, driving your customers away from you and to a more user-friendly option.
Mobile-optimized pages offer extra benefits if well-designed, such as “one-click” features that will help them make a call, find directions, or make a purchase without having to type in a bunch of words.
As with any marketing plan, there is a cost associated with the development of a quality mobile-optimized website. However, this cost must be weighed against the risk of losing patrons simply because they can’t find the data they want quickly enough.
As more organizations are turning to web-optimization to ensure a quality customer experience, those that do not meet consumers’ advanced expectations will be left behind.
Although it does cost money to get a mobile-optimized website, there are affordable solutions available. For instance, if you simply need a basic mobile site where users can easily find your information, you may be able to get a mobile website for a just a few hundred dollars.
However, if you need a more robust mobile website with advanced features and options, you may spend quite a bit more.
Whatever the cost, the benefits will surely be worth it. Not only will you generate more leads, customers, and repeat business, but you will also have a sound mind knowing that you’re not neglecting a huge portion of your consumer market – the mobile market.
