Go Mobile or Go Home: Further Evidence That Mobile Is Taking Over Business

Not so long ago, customers found what they wanted by word of mouth, TV commercials, looking in the phone book or through print advertising. Now, whether they are sitting on the couch, at their desks at work or at a red light, people can find out who sells what they want with a quick Internet search on their phones or tablets. And people are increasingly placing orders from their mobile devices, saving themselves a trip to the store or to their desktop computer. Strategy Analytics research found that smartphone use exceeded one billion users in 2012, and is expected to double that by 2015. Businesses without mobile marketing and mobile sales capabilities will miss out on this huge customer contact opportunity.

Always On

The advent of mobile technology has enabled more people to stay connected to friends, family, school and work. The more people are connected with and to technology, the more opportunity for businesses to get to know customers. Businesses with websites that don’t have mobile capabilities aren’t as available for customer interaction as those with mobile capabilities and marketing.

Cloud-Based Apps

Mobile technology is more than just sales opportunities. It also means more effective and efficient business operations. Business computing tools are changing from proprietary software to cloud-based applications. Advances in business computing technology are making cloud-based apps for almost every major business process cheaper and easier and enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow and compete in different ways.

QR codes on products and print and communication materials like business cards are helping businesses in the mobile world by pointing customers to customized information and sales offerings. Something as simple as business card printing now enables businesses to provide a wealth of information and marketing to customers with mobile Internet capabilities.

In-Store to Online and Back to In-Store

Mobile technology is optimizing payment options. The online shopping experience is transforming into more universal retail offerings. Businesses are expanding on opportunities presented by customer with mobile devices and constant Internet connectivity with marketing and payment options that blend the online and in-store experiences. Major online payment processors such as Paypal are starting to enable in-store mobile payments.

Shift to BYOD

BYOD (bring your own device) is being widely adopted as business owners realize the advantages of a BYOD policy, including increased flexibility and productivity of employees working with one personally preferred device versus separate corporate equipment. Although BYOD introduces security and liability issues, good security coordination including policies, encryption, regular backup and remote wiping capabilities make BYOD an attractive and viable option.

Sales

The opportunity for increased sales is the biggest reason for businesses to go mobile in 2014. Branding Brand Mobile Commerce Index showed huge increases in shopping via smartphones for Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales in 2013. Mobile sales increased by 128 percent over last year, and close to a quarter of all ecommerce traffic was from smartphones. Sales opportunities like that are a convincing reason to invest in mobile for 2014.