With the vast majority of tech consumers around the world spending their time on their smartphones rather than PCs and tablets, companies from all industries and niches are investing their time and efforts into developing their mobile campaigns, strategies and client outreach via mobile.
Here’s how the mobile industry is changing the market and opening new opportunities for merchants around the globe.
Optimizing Websites
With technological advances reaching the eyes, hands and ears of the public every single day, businesses are assessing the ratio between PC and mobile traffic going in and out of their websites.
Interestingly enough, with so many people on the move each day, it becomes far more convenient for audiences to experience and enjoy their favorite content and make decisions on the go.
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While the “ancient” battle of app vs browser still rages strong, pending its Hollywood rendition no doubt, it seems that the browser does have the upper hand at the moment, and it plans on keeping it that way.
The premise of this turn of events is simple – people would rather experience your content through their browsers, like they would on their PCs, than stuffing their smartphones with numerous apps which can not only damage their phones, but also be impractical.
Therefore, merchants have the opportunity to present a unified experience and a united brand story and image both via PC and mobile platforms. Rather than creating an expensive app, you can optimize your website for mobile so that it creates a seamless feel and provides a fast transition process from product selection to checkout.
Increasing Customer Acquisition
With the vast majority of consumers transitioning to mobile devices, a whole new world of potential is opening up for the global merchant.
Businesses are now able to target the mobile demographics and optimize their services and products for the newly defined, mobile lifestyle.
Take mobile gift cards for instance. The industry has boomed over the past few years with the expansion of mobile technologies, reaching $130 billion in gift card sales in the U.S. alone, with an anticipated rise to $160 billion by 2018.
This is all due to the rise of mainstream payment methods going mobile, and becoming more secure and user-friendly than ever before.
People find it easy to pay for goods and services with a single touch, and thanks to companies such as Corporate Prepaid Gift Cards spearheading the rise of the industry, we now know that gift cards are a great way to increase customer acquisition and retention.
With the ever-changing demands of the consumer market, merchants have the opportunity to sell their gift cards both physically and online as it is important to support virtual and physical gift cards alike and make sure they are compatible with popular apps.
Some of the leading benefits of gift cards are portrayed in the increased brand recognition, higher sales and boosted physical traffic in stores, along with creating more efficient pulling strategies and a stronger USP.
Broadening the Scope of Services
Mobile technologies are opening new doors and creative solutions for business around the world. New and exciting features are made every day to satisfy mobile audiences and provide consumers with a true desktop experience in a small shell.
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With a new market on the rise, merchants are able to provide their customers with personalized and practical features like mobile orders and delivery, messaging services, mobile gift cards and in-car voice ordering.
One of the most interesting applications of mobile technology lies in the way Starbucks has made it easy for loyal customers to order their drinks via a mobile app. Customers can now place their orders with an virtual barista and even redeem Starbucks gift cards using their favorite mobile payment method when purchasing, all with a simple click of a button.
Mobile technology is swiftly taking over the world. The rising trend shows the way the consumer market is going to develop, and businesses are taking note.
These changes are opening sizable opportunities for both merchants and customers, and if those opportunities are seized the right way, at the right time, the rewards and benefits for both factions will continue to grow exponentially in years to come.
Guest Post by – Emma Miller is a Sydney based writer with a degree in marketing. Her interests are digital marketing, social media, start-ups, and the latest trends. She is also a contributor at bizzmarkblog.com.
