Russian Call Girls In Rajiv Chowk Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service ...
Mobile Marketing 101 for Businesses Report
1. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
By: Iowa Mobile Marketing
http://www.IowaMobileMarketing.com
1
2. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
Thank you for picking up our “Mobile Websites 101 for Local Businesses”
Report! In this report, you will learn some helpful information about Mobile
Marketing and how it can help you generate more customers, sales, and
profits to your local business.
What is a Mobile Website?
The whole world is evidently undergoing significant changes especially in the
world of modern technology. A lot of improvements can be seen in
communication with major telecommunication companies enhancing their
services to make life and business easier for their customers.
Mobile phones are now a big part of most people’s lives and have become a
“must-have” for just about everyone; especially now that these phones are
becoming smarter every day. Mobile phones are now not only used to call
and receive messages, they are also use to access the internet and perform
a whole lot of other amazing tasks.
With this is mind, mobile-friendly websites are websites that are designed to
make it possible for mobile users to access your website without problems.
The reason behind the design of mobile websites is the fact that mobile
phones are quite slow when it comes to processing power. They also have
smaller screens than desktop computers, so mobile-friendly websites are
built specifically for viewing on mobile devices.
If you have ever tried accessing any website that is not mobile-friendly
using your mobile phone, then you understand the difficult time people have
accessing yours. First, the website might take ages to load a single page
and when it does, you will still have a rough time navigating through the
pages. Depending on the content, you will be required to zoom in and out
multiple times in order to view the content clearly.
We live in a fast world where everybody is in a race with time and will not
spend any extra time waiting for a certain website to load. This is why
software developers came up with the mobile websites which are easy to
access as well as navigate using mobile phones.
If a mobile website in out of reach for your local business, you can start by
creating a mobile landing page. This way, at least you will have at least one
2
3. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
web property that will come up for your mobile audience without any
problems.
A mobile landing page is not much different from a mobile website; the
main difference is that instead of making your entire website mobile-
friendly, you can create specific web pages that can be easily accessed via
mobile phones.
The aim of having a mobile friendly-website or a mobile landing page is
allowing the many mobile phone users to access your company without
difficulty and get the information they are in search of. Make it easy for
people to find you using the gadgets they are so addicted to; mobile
phones.
How Mobile Websites Increase Profits
More and more people are increasingly using mobile phones to access the
internet. The numbers are growing explosively which is why all businesses
should have a mobile-friendly website. The essence of having a website is to
attract more customers and consequently increase profits.
This means that any business should use strategies that will ensure their
website is visible to everyone regardless of the means used to access the
internet. Mobile phones are improving and becoming more useful every day.
These small, but smart devices have made internet browsing a smooth sail
for many people.
Statistics
The following mobile websites statistics confirm exactly why your website
must be mobile-friendly:
- By the year 2014, it is expected that more people will access the
internet using mobile phones rather than using computers
- 71% of mobile users expect that a website will load as fast on their
phones as it does on their PCs
- 57% of mobile users will not recommend any business that has a
mobile unfriendly website
3
4. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
- 40% of mobile users will move to competitor websites if they have a
slight problem accessing a website
- 95% of mobile users will search for local businesses using their
devices and 61% of these will call the business they find
Benefits of Mobile Websites
Increased Readability
Most smartphones can actually display all websites available online. The
main problem is that normal websites have high resolutions that make it
impossible to read website content on mobile phone screens. With a mobile
website, all your targeted traffic will easily read the content on your website
without multiple zooms.
Ease-of-Use Features
Mobile websites provide business people with features that assist them in
taking part in business deals on the go. Some of these features allow users
“tap-to-call” businesses; making them extremely accessible to their mobile
market.
More Traffic, More Profits
With a mobile website, a business is certain to get more traffic. With more
traffic comes more sales and consequently increased profits. Statistics show
that more people will be using mobile phones, as opposed to using
computers, to access websites in the near future.
So it is important that businesses make the necessary arrangements to
allow their customers and prospects to easily access their websites on their
mobile devices. Above all, mobile websites are more affordable and easier
to maintain than traditional websites.
Mobile Website Tips for Ultimate Exposure
Times are changing, and so is digital technology and all of its elements.
Mobile phones are the new device of choice when it comes to accessing the
4
5. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
internet; and this calls for a mobile-friendly website if you are a business
who wants more local visibility.
Below are important tips to keep in mind when creating a mobile website for
your business:
• Simplicity in the Layout: Mobile phones have rather small screens
and most users are in search of quick information to save time. This
means that the layout should be simple and the content should be
readable, presentable and accessible via minimal clicks.
• Minimized Load Time: Though you will have little control over the
internet speed, it is important that you minimize the load time of your
mobile website.
• Reduce Graphics: The essence of having a mobile website is to
make it more accessible - not more difficult for mobile phone users.
Most people accessing the internet using their mobile phones are
simply looking for information and this is exactly what you should give
them. The more graphics your mobile website will have the longer the
load time will be.
• Finger Clickable Elements: Most people are now using touchscreen
mobile phones to access the internet and in most cases the light pen
is absent. To increase the number of people accessing your site, make
items clickable using fingers.
• Use a Good Theme: Your mobile website design should be inviting
with a simple layout and friendly colors. Put white spaces between
your content items to prevent a confusing and jumbled look. It is
advisable to have a white background and use black fonts. Anything
different might cause readability issues.
• Put the Important Content at the Top: Mobile phone users access
the internet to get information quickly and will want to know what you
have to offer by just looking at a few sentences at the top. This
means that you should do your best to place important content that
your visitors will be looking for when they visit your website. This
includes your phone number, address, a description of your product or
service, and more.
5
6. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
• Add Great Content: You will be working against space so it is
important that you maximize what you have. Mobile phone users do
not have the time to read lengthy content so your content should be
on point and as brief as possible.
Consequences of Ignoring Your Mobile Audience
Due to the onset of massive mobile usage over the past years, there is no
doubt that the future of businesses includes mobile phones. There have
been many advances in the communication department and mobile phone
companies are restlessly working to provide consumers with devices that
they can’t live without.
The business world is seeing some major benefits from the many
improvements made in digital communication. Businesses are always
looking for new ways to attract and maintain customers to keep their
business running and profitable.
Mobile phones have become important gadgets in our lives, especially now
that they are slowly replacing PCs when it comes to internet access. So it is
crucial that all businesses have mobile websites to accommodate the many
users that are increasingly using mobile phones to surf the internet.
The main reason mobile websites were introduced is to let mobile phone
users access websites without difficulties.
There are many benefits to having a mobile website and not having one has
its own fair share of consequences.
A large number of internet users use their mobile phones to browse the web
and it’s expected to grow at extremely fast rates in the coming months and
years. This means if your business’ website is not mobile-friendly, you will
not enjoy as much traffic as you could. Less traffic means fewer sales. This
means that your website will not achieve the results that it was created to
generate.
Statistics show that most people who access the internet with their mobile
phones have high expectations when trying to access a website. They will
expect that all websites will load with the same speed as they do on their
6
7. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
computers. This means if your website is not loading as fast as they expect,
they will not waste any time moving on to other websites that are mobile-
friendly and easy to navigate; which will most likely be your direct
competitors.
Users are more likely to recommend your business if they have an easy
time browsing and navigating through your website. This means your
business will miss out on some of these referrals if users are continuously
having problems accessing your site.
Mobile Website FAQs
What is a Mobile Website?
A mobile website is a website designed to make website access and
navigation using mobile phone devices easier.
Why Do I Need a Mobile Website?
The normal websites that you access using your PC are large and have a lot
of items that make it difficult for mobile phones to load them. With
projections stating that there will possibly be 4.5 billion mobile phone users
surfing the internet with their devices, it is only important that you make
your website mobile-friendly to enjoy high traffic. You therefore need a
mobile website to let your customers find you easily.
What is the Difference Between Mobile and PC sites?
The main difference is that most PC sites do not work well on mobile
phones. They take too long to load and the navigation is pathetic. Mobile
sites on the other hand, give users a great experience because they are
designed for small screens and are made with touch and keypad features in
mind. These sites give users the ability to access important information on
the go.
Will the Mobile Website Replace My PC Site?
No, your mobile website will simply enhance your online presence by giving
your targeted visitors a quick and easy way to connect with your business
from their mobile devices. Your PC website is there to let your visitors know
all the details revolving around your business, while the mobile website will
provide your mobile audience with what they need to know while on the go.
7
8. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
Both sites will be complimentary to each other and work towards ensuring
your customers get a great experience while accessing your site regardless
of their device choice. It is possible to have the mobile website only as it will
work well on both PC and mobile phones.
Will My Mobile Website Increase My Site’s Visibility on Search
Engines?
Yes, if your mobile website has been created using the best practices
according to search engines, then it will definitely improve your ranking in
mobile search engines. This can be enhanced through the incorporation of
keywords and linking to social media sites.
What are the Benefits of Mobile Websites?
With projections showing that more people will be accessing the internet
using mobile phones, it is clear that all businesses need mobile websites.
Without a mobile-friendly websites, you will lose most of your customers to
your competitors. If people can access your websites quickly and easily, you
will naturally experience an increase in traffic, referrals, and sales.
This concludes our 5-Day “Mobile Websites 101” E-Course. I hope you have
found this information useful and are starting to see how a mobile-friendly
website can enhance your business by allowing you to connect with more
local consumers.
What is Text Message Marketing?
“Text message marketing” refers to marketing strategies revolving around
short message services, commonly referred to as SMS. It is also a very
powerful strategy known to link organizations and businesses directly with
their customers around the clock.
A lot of people are now proud owners of mobile phones and keep their
devices close to them at all times. This means that businesses can take
advantage of this fact and communicate continuously with their clients.
Mobile phones have features that allow users to send bulk messages to
different recipients. Mobile phones are an important part of our lives and
sending and reading text messages is an addiction to most people.
8
9. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
Businesses have positively embraced the use of text messages in their
marketing strategies and you should not be left behind. This marketing tool
involves collecting your customers’ mobile phone numbers and making a list
that you will be using when sending your message to target audiences.
The reason why text message marketing is becoming popular is the
affordability and ease of use. All you need is a recipient list and your
message will be sent to multiple recipients with a push of a button.
Text messages have different features that make marketing a whole
different and effective strategy:
Bounce Ad
This is an automatic responder that will send a message when requested by
a user. Businesses have to create pre-set messages that will be sent to
mobile phone users when demanded.
Broadcast Feature
This is a service that enables businesses to send an unlimited amount of
text messages to as many subscribers as possible. This can be easily done
via a desktop or laptop.
Time Release Text
This feature allows business to create broadcast campaigns that will be used
in future. The business can select dates during which their messages will be
sent to their subscribers. The feature allows businesses to save multiple
campaigns therefore making work easier.
Multi-Media Messaging (MMS)
This enables businesses to include customer images or coupons in text
messages. This feature is effective especially when you want to promote a
new item or when you want to attract more customers by offering coupons
through text message marketing.
Text message marketing is simply the most affordable way to create
product awareness and promote small businesses. The fuel behind the
success of this marketing tool is the fact that more and more people are
9
10. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
using mobile phones to communicate along with the fact that text message
marketing is extremely cost-effective.
How Text Message Marketing Can Increase Profits
In order for businesses to succeed, there is a great need for an effective
marketing strategy. Mobile phones have become a permanent attachment
to most people, so they have also proven to be excellent marketing devices
in the business world.
People always carry their mobile phones with them everywhere they go;
making these small gadgets the new-age mini billboards. Text message
marketing is an effective tool with a boatload of benefits.
Prior to looking at the benefits, it is important to first look at statistics that
will show you how important text marketing is if you want to increase your
profits:
Text Message Marketing Statistics:
- More than 30% of mobile phone users will rather send an SMS than
call
- About 50% of mobile phone users receive text messages from
businesses with offers
- 70% of users say location based coupons are useful
- 98% of text messages will be read within a few minutes of being
received
- 30% of mobile phone users interact with brands using text messages
- Mobile phone based coupons are 10 times more likely to be redeemed
as compared to traditional coupons
- Over 90% of text messages sent will be received and read
10
11. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
These numbers just give a picture of how effective text message marketing
can be for any business interested in boosting their profits.
Benefits of Text Message Marketing
According to the above statistics, text message marketing will significantly
increase the number of customers to your business. Statistics show that
text message marketing has the ability to increase customers by 25%. This
means that your business will also enjoy an increase in profits.
Running the text message marketing campaign is quite easy. All you need is
the list of mobile numbers and this can be obtained by requesting existing
and potential customers to subscribe to your list willingly. If the messages
you are sending to your recipients are useful to them, they will not hesitate
to recommend your business to their friends and friends – causing a viral
marketing effect.
Let’s say you’re having a slow day. You can send out a quick text message
to your list with a coupon offer for 20% off. Let’s say just 20% of 100
people respond to your message – that’s an additional 20 sales to your
business.
People appreciate when a business informs them about things they are
interested in. If your customers are kept up to date on the products,
services, and special offers you have, they will reward this gesture with
loyalty. You will enjoy increased profits because your recipients will always
be your customers as long as they remain subscribed to the service.
Using Mobile Coupons to Increase Foot Traffic
Mobile marketing is undisputedly effective and affordable. It is the new way
businesses can connect with their clients and improve their traffic
considerably. If you want to include mobile marketing in your marketing
strategies, mobile coupon marketing is a great point to start.
A mobile coupon is not that different from the conventional coupons we are
all used to. The only difference is that instead of being in paper form, it is
sent to customers through their mobile phones.
11
12. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
As you probably know, a coupon is a discount given to customers. It
involves redeemable offers and is usually setup as a free product with the
purchase of two or a percent discount.
There are studies that show a possible increase in the use of mobile
coupons in the near future; therefore, all businesses should venture into
this blooming marketing strategy.
Florists can use mobile coupons to remind their customers that Valentine’s
Day is just around the corner so it’s time to pick up their roses – and offer
them a 20% repeat-customer discount.
Auto oil change shops can use mobile coupons to remind their customers
that it’s time to change their oil – along with a 15% off coupon.
Depending on the type of business, mobile coupons are one of the most
profitable and cost-effective forms of marketing to exist today.
Statistics show that mobile coupons are much more likely to be redeemed
than traditional coupons. This is because your customers will always have
their phones with them every time they visit your store. More people are
now interested in signing up for text message marketing and coupons are a
plus in efforts to increase traffic to any particular business.
Another huge plus is that the mobile coupon will have a website address
which users can share with their friends and at the end of the day, your site
will have more visitors who will gradually transform to customers.
First, you should identify the target group of people you want to attract to
your business. This should be followed by campaigns that will get them to
sign up for text message marketing service that you will use to
communicate. As a business, all you need is a list of recipients and you are
good to go. You can use MMS to send coupons to your customers and
encourage them to visit your business.
Mobile coupons are quite effective in increasing traffic because unlike the
traditional coupons, they are in a gadget that people carry will all the time.
A lot of people find it easy to collect traditional coupons but rather difficult
to redeem them because they forget them at home. When the coupon is in
their phone, everything is easier and your business will enjoy increased foot
traffic.
12
13. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
Text Message Marketing Tips
Text messages are very important and not just to our personal lives, but
also to our business ventures. More and more people are using mobile
phones for different tasks apart from communication. Texting is currently
the most utilize mobile phone service and businesses are taking advantage
of this cheap yet effective tool to market and promote their services and
products.
Below are some important tips that you should keep in mind when dealing
with a text message marketing campaign.
- Know Your Clients: Text message marketing is no different from
traditional marketing when it comes to knowing your customers. You will
have to understand your target audience and important information about
them. This will assist a great deal when creating a message that will not
only get them interested, but one that will lead them to taking the
necessary action.
- Keep it Short and Straight to the Point: Text message can be likened
to writing a message on a small note pad. Space is not on your side so you
should make everything brief and straight to the point. It is advisable to use
shorthand to maximize on space but make sure people understand what you
mean.
- Make all the Offers Special: People will not give you their phone
numbers easily; you will have to go an extra mile to make them want to
give you their numbers. This can be in the form of special offers and
irresistible promotions. If your budget is limited, special discounts will do
the trick.
- Messages with Value: Desist from sending any message without value
to your customers. Provide messages that are useful to your recipients and
ensure they contain interesting deals.
- Be Respectful: Provide your customers with an easy opt-out option so
that they are able to leave your list when they want. This will show them
13
14. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
that you respect their privacy and they will only want to be associated with
you more.
- Business Name: As you market your services and products do not forget
that you are also popularizing your brand. You should incorporate your
business name in the message to remind people that you exist. Make sure
the business name is at the beginning of your message to ensure that your
customers know the sender before they read the entire text.
- Call to Action: The message you send should be aimed towards calling
people to do something and it should be effective enough to make your
recipient want to do something.
Text Message Marketing FAQs
What is Text Message Marketing?
This is a marketing strategy involving the use of text message services to
link businesses and their customers.
What Does a “Keyword” Mean?
A keyword refers to the specific word you choose to use as your campaign’s
main name. It can be the name of your business or you can choose a word
that is relative to your campaign.
What Does “Opt-in” and “Opt-out” Mean?
Opt-in simply means subscribing to your text message marketing campaign
and opt-out means unsubscribing from the campaign.
How Will the Text Message Campaign Work?
It is simple; you will first be required to promote your campaign. This can
be through any advertising channel such as radio, TV or the print media.
The main aim is to create awareness and get as much people as possible to
opt-in to your list. You will have to create great offers that will entice your
target audience for the best results. But once they’re on your list, you can
send them offers through text message from time to time.
What Should I Do About Spam Complaints?
14
15. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
You shouldn’t worry about this too much in the beginning. The moment an
individual opts-in, they are saying that they are comfortable with receiving
text messages from you. This, however, does not mean that you have the
freedom to bombard your recipients with multiple messages within a day.
You should only send important messages with content that is highly useful
to your customers from time to time.
What is the Message Limit in a Day?
There is no clear limit to the amount of messages you should send in a day
but it is ethical to keep them on the low side. This means that you will only
send messages that have special offers and promotions or something that is
valuable to your recipients. Sending multiple messages that are valueless to
your customers will only lead to them unsubscribing.
I Have an Email Newsletter; Do I Still Need Text Message
Marketing?
Yes, look at it this way; how many unread emails do you have in your inbox
right now? Probably many. Most people read all of the text messages they
receive, so it is best to send text messages in addition to emails for the
absolute best responsiveness.
How Will My Business Benefit from Text Message Marketing?
Text message marketing is basically the cheapest, yet most effective forms
of marketing available for growing businesses today. Your business will
benefit majorly by being in direct communication with your customers;
nothing is more powerful than this in terms of marketing and visibility.
What is a QR Code?
QR (Quick Response) codes are 2-D bar codes created by digital dots that
are similar to the UPC codes you see on most products in markets around
the world. However, when scanned, they will not give you price information.
Instead, they will give you access to the embedded digital media.
The information can be in form of contact details, special offers, coupons,
mobile websites, online videos and many more. With QR codes, people now
do not have to remember contact information or important URLs; all they
15
16. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
need is a smartphone with a camera in order to receive the information
instantly.
Quick response codes are commonly seen on magazines, newspapers, print
advertisements, television, websites, and billboards. They are basically
black and white squares and come in different formations. They are
designed to take information from transitory media into your mobile phone.
They look like small crosswords and might appear useless by just looking at
them. They, however, carry important information and can easily be
scanned using mobile phones instead of a cumbersome scanner such as the
one used to decode standard barcodes.
The good thing about QR codes is that they can be placed on a wide range
of items. They can be printed on T-shirts, business cards, products, menus,
store signs, billboards and any place where it will be easy for the public to
see. With imagination and creativity, QR codes can open new doors to
success for businesses. It is an infant strategy in marketing but with a
bright future especially now that everything is revolving around mobile
phones and associated technology.
QR codes are gaining massive popularity because of their different uses.
Using a mobile phone camera and the necessary application, users will be
lead to the destination you embedded in the code.
If you want to have different information embedded on the QR codes, it is
not a must that you get new codes. You can simply use existing ones and
change the destination. When people scan your codes, they will be taken to
the latest destination you setup.
Or you can simply use multiple QR codes for different purposes that lead to
different destinations. No matter how simple, or weird they look, QR codes
are becoming more popular by the day and soon will be a part of us just like
mobile phones are.
How QR Codes Can Increase Profits
While most people are still trying to figure out what QR (quick response)
codes are, some businesses are enjoying increased sales thanks to these
black and white squares. Prior to looking at the benefits and statistics of QR
codes usage, it is important to understand what they are.
16
17. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
Originally created in Japan, Quick Response codes are 2-dimensional
barcodes that are used to store important information and when scanned
using mobile phones, they lead the user to the embedded information.
Statistics
- A large portion of the people scanning QR codes are between 18 and
35 years
- 5 out of 10 people have seen or know what QR codes are
- 30% of mobile users have scanned QR codes
- 87% of people who scan Quick Response codes do it to get more
information on products and services
- The largest number of scans comes from newspaper and magazines
- Businesses across all industries are using QR codes to market their
products and services
These statistics are strong indications that QR codes are becoming more
popular every day.
Benefits of QR Codes
Saving on Printing Cost
The cost of printing is always rising due to different factors in the market.
Small businesses have to spend extra money when advertising their
businesses and this affects their income. With QR codes, this amount is
minimized as the codes are not as expensive as printing any other
information on magazines, newspapers or billboards. All you need is to
embed the information you want your audience to go and put them
wherever you like.
Customer Excitement and Instant Gratification
People are always curious and will want to know what information is
embedded in your QR code. This will lead to multiple scans and if what is
behind the black and white squares is of good value, you will eventually see
an increase in sales as a result. Consumers also crave instant access to
information these days and QR codes are a great way to fill that need.
17
18. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
Instead of having to wait until they get in front of a computer, consumers
can be directed to your QR code destinations immediately upon scanning
them with their mobile phones.
Save Time
Just like the name suggests QR codes stand for fast response. Your target
audience will not have to look for information anywhere else. When they
scan the codes, their mobile phones will decode the embedded information
and take them where you want them to go. People want fast action and this
is one way to give it to them.
Ways to Use QR Codes in Your Business
If utilized properly, QR codes are very powerful for marketing products and
services. You can easily drive more traffic to your website and transform
your visitors to customers using these codes. The good thing about QR
codes is that they allow you to embed any information you would want to
pass to your audience including contact info, promotions, mobile website
links, website address, and much more.
Below are a number of ways you can use QR codes to benefit your business:
- Business Cards: This is a great way to use QR codes since you’re already
giving out your business cards. To maximize on the small space, only
include important information on the business card then have the QR codes
printed with embedded information linking to social media sites, your mobile
website or with important business information you would like to share with
your clients.
- Product Labels: By including QR codes on product labels, customers will
want to scan the codes and get more information on the product or simply
find out additional information about your business and what else you have
to offer.
- Displays on Storefronts: Since most businesses are not open around
the clock, you can still make sales online by including QR codes linking to an
online store. The codes can be placed on the front window of your
establishment where people can easily see and scan them.
18
19. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
- T-shirts: T-shirts have been used for promotion purposes for a long time
and are still effective. You can have your QR codes printed on a number of
T-shirts and give them away or sell them at a low price. Your customers will
do the marketing for you by simply wearing the T-shirts. If you have the
ability, get interns and have them wear them on a special event.
- Be Creative: When the QR codes are being designed, have your logo or
business name incorporated to make it look funky and interesting. You can
even add a little color. When you do this, make sure the codes are tested
thoroughly before having them printed in bulk only to be useless.
- Get Social Follows and Likes: It is quite easy to get more likes on
Facebook and more followers on Twitter by embedding the necessary
information on your QR codes. The more likes and followers you have the
better the chances of converting all these to sales.
Consequences of Not Using QR Codes
QR codes (quick response codes) are the black and white squares that look
like mini crosswords that have started to pop up everywhere. They are on
newspapers, magazines, T-shirts, business cards, brochures, billboards and
a whole lot of other places.
Well, most people have not yet grasped the concept behind these 2-
dimensional codes. They are similar to the barcodes that you see on most
products, the ones the cashier uses to price the product at the counter using
a scanner. They are similar in the fact that both store information but QR
codes can store much more information than just the name and price of a
product.
There are several consequences of not using QR codes in your business if
you are in a competitive industry. People today crave “information” so as a
business, you should be aware of methods that will provide ample
information on your products and services while keeping the expenses low.
QR codes can be termed as “infant” in the world of business marketing but
have a number of benefits that can be quite useful to any business. Not
using QR codes in this technology-driven world could cause your business to
fall short of its full potential.
19
20. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
One major consequence your business will face for not using QR codes is
increased spending on marketing. If you are not using QR codes, it means
you are using conventional methods to create product and service
awareness. These methods are expensive and will only stretch your budget
to the extremes. QR codes, on the other hand, are easy to create and do
not need expensive maintenance. Therefore, they are a cheap yet effective
way to market a business.
It will be unfortunate for your business if you are not using QR codes and
your competitors are. They will be reaching customers in places you cannot
touch; giving them a substantial edge over you. The main goal of any
business is being an industry leader and beating competitors in attracting
customers.
Without proper marketing strategies such as QR codes, it is easy to lose
your customers and business to your direct competitors.
QR Codes FAQs
What are QR Codes?
QR (quick response) codes are barcodes that can be read by smartphones
to reveal information embedded in them such as links to websites without
manually typing the URL. They act as a bridge that exists between the real
and the digital world and allow customers to access more information on
your business.
How Can QR Codes Help My Business?
QR codes have the potential to create a unique experience that will bring
about the buzz needed in effectively marketing a business. The codes will
save time for smartphone users and are convenient when it comes to giving
information on products and services. It is interesting to get content from
just scanning black and white squares so more and more people will want to
know what is behind your quick response codes.
How Do QR Codes Work?
When a person identifies QR codes they are interested in, they will use an
application on their smart phone to scan the codes. Some of the modern
smartphones come with these applications already installed so it is an easy
20
21. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
task. The application will then take them to the embedded information such
as a mobile website or a link to a promotion or different offers.
How Much Will it Cost Me?
Amazingly enough, most of the processes involved a free. Unless you are
interested in custom work or decide to work with an experienced
professional, you will pretty much not pay for anything. The only spending
will be on printing the QR codes on magazines, newspapers, T-shirts and
what have you.
Can I Customize QR Codes?
Absolutely! It is possible to include a brand logo, change colors and a lot of
other custom factors. You can use Photoshop to do this and with the 30%
error correction, there is room for a lot of customization.
What Can be Included in QR Codes?
QR codes are known to support not less than 9 types of data. These include
events, phone numbers, location, plain text, URL links, contact info, email
address, SMS, and wi-Fi network key. It is up to you to choose which type
of data will best market your business and create a buzz that will lead to
more people scanning your QR codes.
What Are the Benefits of QR Codes?
QR codes are effective especially because people will always want to know
what you have for them behind the codes. They fulfill that “instant
gratification” need that most consumers today have. QR codes are also
inexpensive to create and maintain - making them a great marketing tool.
What is a Mobile App?
Mobile Applications (better known as “Mobile Apps”) are causing a major
buzz in the mobile phone world. Mobile software developers are
continuously creating software aimed at making the lives of mobile phone
users more interesting and convenient. In addition, mobile phone users are
constantly searching for mobile apps that are fun, engaging, and helpful.
21
22. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
Mobile apps instantly connect mobile users to Internet services that are
usually accessed on desktop computer. These apps enable smartphone
users to carry out different tasks on their mobile devices without a lot of
hassle.
Some examples of mobile apps would be a mobile website bookmarking
device, a mobile-based instant messaging system, instant access to
coupons, and more.
The first mobile app was created by apple for their users but with time,
software developers ventured into all types of smartphones; making apps
easily accessible to the whole world.
Basically, mobile apps are simple software that run on mobile phones
without any problem and assist users in different functions. Due to the low
processing power of mobile devices when compared to PCs, these apps are
created to be completely compatible with mobile phones to avoid any
technical glitches.
Most people use mobile apps without even knowing it. For instance, if you
have a smartphone and you use a mobile phone browser, then you are
using a mobile app. Some mobile apps are pre-installed on smartphones,
such as compasses, calculators, calendars, clocks, and many others.
These are some of the more simple mobile apps, but there more
complicated ones that can perform quite a range of amazing tasks. It is
believed that there is an application for almost everything in life. From the
first application, the world of mobile apps has evolved extremely fast to
what we have today.
People are addicted to mobile phones and apps play a major role in this. For
this reason, businesses are quickly changing their marketing strategies and
creating space for mobile apps in their marketing campaigns. There are
mobile apps that have already made a name for themselves, such as social
media sites. But this does not mean that you cannot create one for your
business and get desired results.
With the number of mobile phone users increasing and communication
companies designing smarter phones every day, one of the best ways to
reach out to people is through mobile phones; applications to be precise.
Mobile apps are an important part of the future for any business. Therefore,
22
23. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
it is crucial that you evaluate your business to see how mobile apps can help
you increase customers, sales, and profits.
How Mobile Apps Can Increase Sales
The most important part of any business is effective marketing. Business
owners are determined to create brand awareness and let as many people
as possible know that his or her business exists.
With the availability of affordable smartphones and millions of amazing
mobile applications, everyone literally has their eyes glued to these
gadgets. For business owners, this is a great opportunity to effectively and
affordably market their businesses. If you want to increase sales, you
should know what mobile apps are and their benefits to your business.
The main aim of having mobile apps is ease and simplicity. Give this to your
customers, and watch your business flourish. If your customers realize that
they can easily find you without having to go through countless hoops on
their mobile phones, your business will always be on their radar.
A mobile app allows your business to be available right at their fingertips,
which will bring your business closer to your customers. With just a simple
click, they can get what they want from you. When your customers can give
you a call or visit your website with a quick press of a button, they will
become happy campers.
Mobile apps allow your customers to instantly access your business via their
mobile devices without much hassle and this will work positively towards
increasing your sales. People like being connected to businesses and if you
can provide that much-needed connection, you will be rewarded with loyalty
from your customers.
Mobile apps also include text messages, which are very effective. Only
approximately 20% of emails you send to your customers will be read while
98% of text messages you send will be received and read. This means that
by using text message mobile apps, you can grow your business by
generating repeat sales over a short period of time.
In addition, if you include a promotion on the app download, chances are
that anyone who downloads the application will actually visit your physical
23
24. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
store for the discount of offer. They will have a chance to see what else you
have for them and might buy something else.
If you have a lot of interesting items and your application is cool, then they
will recommend your business and in no time, your sales will be up and so
will your profits. If you have a small business, do not be afraid of venturing
into mobile applications; they can open many new doors for success.
Mobile App Tips for Your Business
Mobile apps are great tools that not only make life interesting and
convenient for smartphone users, but they also make tasks much easier to
perform on mobile devices.
This means that mobile phone users are always on the lookout for new and
exciting apps that will add a spark to their lives. With this in mind, it is
important that you, as a business owner, do everything you can to provide
your customers with an application that is not only irresistible, but one that
will enhance the communication between you and your prospects.
The following are some ideas you can incorporate in your mobile application
to ensure that it achieves your set goals.
• Create an Interesting Icon: Most people will click on an icon that
looks cool regardless of the contents. To get more people clicking and
downloading your application, you should ensure that the icon is one
that invites people. You can have a fancy company logo or anything
that will look attractive to your target audience.
• Make Sure Your Application Fits Your Business: Since you are
interested in creating a communication channel between you and your
customers, you should ensure that your mobile app is useful to them.
Otherwise, it could be a complete waste. Consult an experienced
mobile app developer with a creative mind and you will have an
application that will be envied by your competitors and a “must-have”
for your customers.
24
25. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
• Use Promotions: Mobile applications must be downloaded and to get
people to download them, you need to come up with an effective
campaign. People are attracted to offer and promotions and thus you
should use this to your advantage. Have a promotion campaign
running for every download and you will be surprised by the number
of people who will download your app. This will also ensure that they
visit your physical store to redeem the offers, which will lead to more
sales.
• Produce “Quality” Over “Quantity”: When the app is being
created, make sure that the customer gets valuable information only
and not a lot of content. Most people will be interested in brief details
that are straight to the point rather than lengthy contents.
• Make Your App Irresistible to Your Target Audience: The main
reason why you are creating a business app is to give your customers
a quick, easy, and valuable way to interact with your business. If you
want more and more people to download and use your mobile app,
you have to make sure that it meets all of those standards.
Consequences of Not Using Mobile Apps
Initially developed by Apple for their iPhone users, mobile apps have since
spread to other smartphones and have evolved to more complex versions
that are both interesting and amazing. Mobile applications are a great tool
for business people to use in their marketing strategy.
Mobile apps create an instant connection between businesses and their
customers, so not using them could have a negative impact on your
business.
The driving force behind mobile application is to make life simple and easy
for mobile phone users – including your customers. This means that with a
business mobile app, a user can easily access and contact your business.
Without mobile applications, it means that life for the user in relation to
your business will be more difficult.
This is because they will have to go through different processes to find or
contact you; such as search the web for your information. This could be a
25
26. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
pain – especially if your business is not optimized for mobile visibility and is
not mobile-friendly.
Ignoring business apps in your marketing strategy is not a wise move
especially now that more and more people are using smartphones. These
people want everything to be fast and easy and if you do not give them that
through mobile apps, your business has a potential profit leak.
Mobile apps can give your business an edge over your competitors who are
not taking advantage of mobile marketing. On the other hand, if you are not
using mobile apps in your business, your closest competitor may be
snatching some of your customers and enjoying the advantages of this
effective tool.
The ultimate price you can pay for not having a mobile app for your
business is not reaching more potential customers and not being close to
your existing customers.
Marketing is crucial in any business and so is the communication between a
business and its customers. With this in mind, you should not suffer all the
consequences that come with the absence of a business mobile app. Mobile
technology is moving extremely fast and your business must move just as
fast in order to stay in front of your local customers and prospects.
Mobile Apps FAQs
What is a Mobile App?
Mobile applications are software developed for use on smartphones. Some
of the common applications include clocks, compass, calculator, browsers,
downloaders, among many others. However, there is a wide-range of
mobile apps on the market today. The first mobile application was created
by Apple for their iPhone but software developers came up with many
others that can be used on different brands of smartphones.
What are Mobile Apps for?
Mobile apps are created to assist mobile phone users in making tasks easier
and injecting some fun in the use of smartphones. While some mobile apps
are purely for fun purposes, some are more functional and business
26
27. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
oriented. There are probably many different ways your customers and
prospects would benefit by having a mobile app for your business.
How Will My Business Benefit from Using Mobile Apps?
A lot of people are now using smart phones and depend heavily on these
gadgets for almost everything. One of the easiest ways to reach your
customers who use mobile devices is to have a mobile app. This will create
an instant communication channel between your business and them. Your
business will benefit from fast and effective advertising as well as chance to
get feedback from your customers.
How Effective are Mobile Apps?
Considering the number of people using mobile phones on a daily basis,
mobile applications are quite effective in marketing a business. If you get a
lot of people to download and run your app on their mobile phones you will
enjoy effective advertisements and your customers will have access to your
business with a simple click.
Where Do I Get a Mobile App?
The best way to get a great mobile application for your business is to
consult a qualified and experienced mobile app developer. Together, you
can brainstorm about how mobile applications can benefit your business in
particular. Then, you can develop a plan to have your app created.
How Do I Get People to Download My App?
It is not easy for people to just download your app without being “pushed” a
little. You should offer incentives in the form of discounts and offers to get
people to download your mobile app. If your app is engaging and provides
value to your customers, they will start telling other people about your
business app; increasing your marketing reach without any additional work
on your part.
What Kind of App Should I Create?
This will depend heavily on your business and your target audience. One
thing to keep in mind is that the app should be interesting, provide value to
your mobile customers, and it must be extremely relevant to your business.
27
28. Mobile Marketing 101 for Local Businesses
This concludes our Mobile Marketing 101 Report! I hope you have found this
information useful and are starting to think of ways you can implement
mobile apps into your business to increase profits.
If you would like more information about Mobile Marketing, or are ready to
get started, contact us at http://www.IowaMobileMarketing.com for a free
consultation.
28