Everywhere you look, you’re bound to see someone scrolling through newsfeeds, messages or even news articles on their mobile devices. Smartphones are no longer considered so much a luxury as they are a necessity.
In the U.S., 72 percent of the population reports owning a smartphone, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. Additionally, millennials are much more likely to report having a smartphone. As the largest generation in the country, and the one that’s increasingly taking on more spending power, it’s important that companies cater to these mobile-oriented customers.
The most obvious way to target customers who seemingly have their smartphones attached to their palms is through their mobile devices. To a budding business or a smaller company, mobile marketing might seem either complicated or unnecessary. However, with a little effort and the right resources, you’ll find that it’s neither.
Three ways you can jump into mobile marketing are:
1. Update your website
If you don’t have a website yet, you’ll need to remedy this right away. Every business benefits from having an online presence they are in charge of. But a good website is only doing its job part of the time if it’s not mobile compatible.
With many people accessing websites from their tablets or phones, your website needs to be just as functional, informational and attractive on a smaller screen as it is on a desktop.
If you built your own website, you may need to update your code so your website will adjust based on screen size. Udacity has detailed information on how you can do this quickly and easily.
Or, if you used a tool like WordPress, search for themes that are mobile friendly. This will sleekly update your site without excessive work for you. Colorlib noted that most mobile-friendly themes are also great for SEO and website usability.
Many small- and mid-sized businesses outsource their website development to an expert in HTML, CSS and JavaScript. If you chose this route and your website isn’t mobile-friendly, or the mobile version is difficult to navigate, it might be time to invest in some upgrades.
2. Use social media
Your website shouldn’t be the only space online where your message and branding can be found. You should have social media accounts like Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn set up. This will allow you to communicate with your customers, see what they’re saying about your products and services and respond to any issues they may have. People like to know that their favorite companies are listening to them, and you can easily show this through social media platforms.
In addition to communicating with your audience, you can create ads on these platforms, Entrepreneur pointed out. Taking advantage of these advertising options is smart. It’s fast, easy, inexpensive and actively targets your mobile customers.
3. Send a text
SMS marketing is one of the most direct ways to get your message to your customer. Texting is the communication mode of choice for many consumers today. As a result, SMS marketing can feel incredibly personal to the consumer. As such, it can be highly effective when used correctly.
Business2Community offered some advice on how to best utilize SMS messaging as a marketing tool:
- Don’t send information that can be easily found on your website or social media accounts. This platform is for exclusive or one-of-a-kind messages.
- Offer incentives, like in-store discounts or freebies, for signing up for SMS messages.
- Use a vanity short code. This will serve as your phone number for the purposes of your customers – they’ll send messages to this short, easy-to-remember code.
Mobile marketing is something that entrepreneurs can no longer ignore. It’s crucial that your business be easily accessible on any connected device. A responsive website, social media use and SMS marketing are three great ways to get your brand into your customers’ hands.
