Businesses Profiting From Rise in Mobile Subscription Services

In 2012, the United States had over 93 million mobile service subscribers, as the World Bank highlights. The number of mobile phone users is expected to reach 4.55 billion in 2014, according to eMarketer. As the number of people connected continues to grow, businesses continue to try and keep up by creating new ways to pull those customers in. Offering multiple ways to connect to their business is one way they are trying to connect with customers.

Shopping Apps – In June of 2012, smartphone users accessed shopping apps 17 times a day, according to Nielsen. Businesses are making it easier for customers to connect with them by creating mobile optimized sites and shopping apps. Top contenders, eBay and Amazon had 25 million unique users through their shopping apps. New online businesses have sprung up that offer daily deals, such as Groupon and LivingSocial. Other businesses are focusing on making shopping easier by creating apps that help you shop, like Out of Milk and Shopkick.

Online Coupons – Clipping coupons has long been a great way to save money, but those savings have gotten even easier with the number of mobile coupons offered by businesses. In 2013, the number of US smartphone users cashing in on coupons reached 47.1 million. With the ability to integrate GPS and device tracking into their coupons, businesses can actually offer device-specific and location-based coupons that are available right where users are. Tracking a customer’s past digital shopping history can refine it even further to coupons for only items they have purchased before.

Subscriptions and Loyalty Programs – Offering loyalty programs and deals only for subscribers is another way that businesses reach out to customers. Earning points or rewards for loyalty and frequent purchases is incentive for many to keep shopping. Others, such as Starbucks’ Passbook app allows customers to make wallet-free payments along with their coupons and deals. By asking customers to subscribe, they are also able to determine whose interested in receiving information.

Mobile Payments – Businesses are making it easier than ever to make purchases by offering easy payment options, easy account management, and mobile payment options with apps such as Chargify. Setting up accounts can give customers many options for payment, including auto-pay, single credit card charges, or recurring payments for subscriptions. One option many businesses are utilizing is mobile credit card acceptance. A mobile credit card reader allows customers to pay with credit cards no matter where the business is.

Social Media Connections – Businesses are now connecting with customers where they hang out as well as where they shop. They are Tweeting, putting up Facebook pages, and talking to customers about what’s important in their lives. Almost any business you see today invites people to connect with them on their social media pages. A more personal approach not only helps them to understand their consumers, but also offers customers a new way to be heard by the company. The move to social media has improved customers service and even inspired new ideas for some companies.