Why Wait to Start a Mobile Marketing Strategy?

This Halloween, I lost count of the ghouls and goblins ringing my doorbell at 46, but didn’t lose count of their adult guardians on their smartphones. That number was eight. Our mobile devices are part of nearly each and every aspect of our day. If you are like me, you need these devices to be helpful or they go by the wayside for something bigger, better or faster.

I periodically go through the apps on my tablet and phone and remove ones that no longer serve a purpose. I generally wonder: Why did I download some of them in the first place? Sometimes it’s because it was a good review or suggestion from a friend, but I know if it doesn’t perform the way I want or need, I won’t go back to the app.

On the other hand, when a company engages me on my mobile device, they have me for a long time. Why is it then that more companies are still waiting to fully engage in mobile marketing?

Every prediction and statistic proves it is the quickest way to deliver a message to an audience. Mobile marketing reaches your consumers when it’s convenient for them. Statistics show that even when we are in a stand-alone retail location, we are often searching for that exact store’s website or app for more specific product or company information. And we have proven that when the user mobile experience is poor, the customer, or potential customer, will leave and go to the competitor.

A line I picked up from a Silverpop white paper titled “6 Key Marketing Trends for 2013” says: Not having mobile-friendly presence is the same as not being in the phone book just a few short years ago. No business would have entertained the idea of not being listed.

Lowes, Home Depot and even Iowa-based grocery chain Hy-Vee are all paying attention to the user experience. They have mobile sites and apps designed to help us and keep us coming back for more.

Is your website mobile friendly? How does it help consumers? Can they make quick and easy transactions?