If you've been thinking about getting into mobile marketing, now is the time. Many marketers have been predicting for several years that mobile "is going to be big" - and they were right. Over time, mobile marketing may in fact become one of your primary marketing channels.

Why? Morgan Stanley Research tells us that by 2014, more of the world's Internet users will be getting online with mobile devices than with desktops and laptops. In other words, two years from now, if you were forced to choose between creating a mobile-optimized website or a traditional website, the smart marketing money would be on the mobile website.

Predictions like these make a compelling case to get into mobile marketing, but the stronger case is made by the results that it is delivering today.  Many marketers have found mobile marketing to be highly effective in acquiring new customers and staying connected with current customers. To do this, they are taking advantage of a host of mobile technologies, including: QR Codes, text messaging (SMS), mobile websites, mobile apps, and near-field communications (NFC).  To some, these may sound exotic, but they are within easy reach of the small business marketer, and no more difficult to use than "traditional" digital technologies like email or video.

To help you better understand how mobile marketing can help your business, here are just a few of the ways that small business owners and marketers have been using it to drive success.


Acquiring New Customers

  • For several years, real estate agents have been using QR codes on lawn signs to provide additional information to prospective homebuyers.
  • Restaurants and small retail shops have been offering QR code coupons on flyers to increase foot traffic to the store.
  • Small businesses have even found opportunities to create mobile applications to deliver offers and content to customers and prospective customers.

Staying Connected with Current Customers

  • A small winery uses QR codes on its wine bottles to send customers to mobile web pages offering information about tours and tastings.
  • A perfume company promotes brand loyalty by rewarding its frequent customers by sending them text alerts with exclusive promotional offerings.
  • Small retail stores are using "GEO-fencing" technologies to send promotional information to the mobile devices of participating customers when they get near the storefront.
  • An ethically-sourced coffee roasting company uses QR codes on its product labels to let customers know exactly where their cup of coffee originated from.

Examples like these demonstrate the real power of mobile: giving small businesses new and meaningful ways to connect with customers and prospects alike.


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WHAT NEXT?:

This article shows you how mobile marketing can help your business, with several short examples to inspire you. To learn how pbSmart Codes can help kick-start your mobile marketing program, see our guide to getting started with pbSmart Codes.

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