Here are five strong and growing trends in mobile marketing:
Digital Wallets - You can review checking account balances, pay bills, even locate the closest ATM with the latest mobile banking applications. And, mobile check scanners mean you never have to visit a bank to make a deposit. The banking industry is expecting mobile banking users to grow around 30 million in the next few years. In recognition of that, Discover Financial is scheduled to launch a smartphone payment system next year by teaming up with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. They'll offer phones that make use of RFID technology. A simple wave of your phone at checkout will pay for purchases at your favorite mall store, supermarket or restaurant. Similar technology debuts this month in New York City with a partnership between Bank of America and Visa.
Consumer Purchasing - Say that you've found a great deal on a new flat-screen TV.
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Facebook Innovations - Foursquare with it's recent takeover of Time Square, Gowalla and Booyah have been blazing new ground with location based social media marketing. Facebook won't be left behind - it recently announced the ability for users to "check in" and establish Places on their accounts. It will be interesting to see how the competition pans out with Facebook joining the group. Once some obvious privacy issues with such applications are resolved, retailers, restaurants, theme parks, resorts and other venues will ultimately drive the success of checking-in with quality "checkincentives."
Application builders have caught on with the creation of successful apps like Medical Encyclopedia and Universal Doctor Speaker. Additionally, BeWell Mobile Technology has created smartphone-based patient engagement software. It collects real-time patient data, allowing healthcare providers to track patient progress. In turn, patients can access information about their treatment, medications, doctor notes and more.Hospitals are also using online and mobile resources to manage their own reputations and market their physicians by using YouTube to broadcast bios and available services. As more patients research their healthcare online, hospitals optimizing their web presence for smartphones and embracing mobile technologies will reach this audience first.
Retail Marketing - There are more than 4 billion mobile technology users worldwide. That fact alone should make anyone interested in reaching consumers take notice. The National Retail Federation certainly has, launching its "Mobile Retail Initiative," which offers best practices for retailers entering mobile space. And, on the back of the initiative, 74% of online retailers either have in place - or are developing - mobile commerce strategies. The NRF expects consumers to use their mobile phones to purchase goods and services worth $120 billion by 2015.
Smartphones are quickly reaching into all business sectors. You might not need a custom app, but at the very least your website should be optimized for mobile viewing. How are advances in mobile technology going to affect your businesses?
Crafting "mobile marketing initiatives" and mobile website development are just a few of the services we offer (and if you DO need an app, we can help with that, too).
James C. Conrad, Principal
Axon Design and Marketing
207-780-1700
