Mobile Websites Will Grow Your Business

Would you believe me if I told you that mobile marketing and particularly mobile websites will be more and more important in the weeks, months, the year ahead?  These small web sites for smart phones will soon overtake desk top computers as more and more consumers begin to use their phone as a computer.

If you want to be involved with Mobile Marketing you will have to have a mobile website. It doesn’t matter what you sell, if you don’t optimize your website for mobile visitors, you can’t even hope to use any of that traffic to grow your business.

Each day more internet searches are being initiated with a smart phone. Today it is incredibly important to start thinking about how your website is appearing on your customer’s devices.

There are some awesome mobile websites and squeeze pages that you can put together:

Would you choose where to buy a cup of coffee  based solely on a mobile website?  Listen to this:

You own a coffee shop. Suzy Q.  is driving around and can’t wait to check out that book she just bought. She grabs her Droid, hits Google Places and does a search for ‘Coffee Shops.’

The search shows her three options, all of which are about 2 miles away. Two of those coffee shops have standard websites that make her scroll and zoom in and don’t tell her what she’s looking for. The third option has a mobile website, built specifically for her device, that gives her exactly what she needs – front and center.

Which option do you think she’ll choose? Exactly, the coffee shop with the mobile website that catered specifically to her request.

Mobile Websites Are Integrating With Google Maps

Why do you think Google has released their own mobile phone?  They want to OWN the device they’re streaming ads to…  Google Maps, Navigation, Browsing and Gmail all tie into one common element: advertising.  They make all the information in the world accessible through mobile websites…

What you may or may not realize that Google is building it’s Maps application for a reason: to crush GPS companies. It thinks that since the information is ‘crowdsourced’ it will be more reliable than if a company like Garmin controls it. And it’s right!

Mobile websites will be driving so much business growth it’s not even funny…

Mobile Websites – How Can You Use Them?

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of confusion about mobile websites… What can they be used for? Should you have lots of info on them? Are they more beneficial to have than normal websites…  Stuff like that.

It’s important to remember that you only have a 3″ window to communicate to someone, so use it wisely.

Here are some things you can do on your mobile website that will drive growth in your business:

Mobile Squeeze Page

Collect information on your mobile website in exchange for a free download or a coupon. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it should include an Aweber opt-in box and a video/catchy headline.

Mobile Landing Page – Check Out

Treat your mobile websites as a landing page for your main product or service. Sell it right from the screen. Make sure that it looks with images and has a sign-up or check out box.

Mobile Landing Page – Call Info

I’ve worked with nonprofits who needed mobile websites to funnel traffic to their hotline. We designed a simple mobile site with a headline, “In Trouble? Call 1-800-###-####” We hotlinked that number so when you clicked it, it dialed the phone and placed a call. It worked like gangbusters because it was direct and simple.

There are really so many things you can do if you put your mind to it. These are just three examples I’ve built that work really well.

Why Mobile Websites Work?

By now, I’m sure you’re asking yourself why having a mobile website will work for your business?

Think about it… On a mobile phone, there is very little screen real estate. There are no distractions. Not like normal websites anyway. There are lots of banners and links and things that call your attention away from the reason you’re there in the first place.

On a mobile device, it’s you and your phone. Properly designed mobile websites won’t have any distractions. It’ll be you and the signup form. In fact, properly done mobile landing pages convert as high a the high percentile.

How To Get A Mobile Website

This is new to everybody.  If you want to be ready for the next marketing explosion you need to talk to someone soon about mobile marketing and the new search optimized mobile websites.   Give me a call, I’ll get right on it and show you how we can make your business the best place to be tonight.

If you’re broken down on the road, you probably don’t have a towing service on speed dial. And you probably don’t have access to your home computer. But you do have a phone, and the first thing you’re going to do with that phone is Google for a towing service.

The one with the best mobile website often wins.

The same is true for a locksmith and even electricians and plumbers. If your pipes burst or your power dies in your home and you’re a smart phone owner, you probably don’t take the time to run to your computer.

Instead your whip out the phone in your pocket and try to find the first result you can for a plumber or an electrician.

If a business has urgency similar to these service providers, it’s well suited for your mobile website services.

A Mobile Website will give your Prospect Familiarity

When your order a pizza for delivery, how do you do it? Over the phone!

The same is true with most food delivery services. If you can think of local services that are predominately frequented via the phone, then it makes sense that those businesses should have a strong mobile presence!

 Appointment Based use for a Mobile Website

Spas and salons of all types often require appointment based booking systems.

There are great opportunities to offer the user the ability to send them a text notification via phone for their appointment and also when an appointment spot opens up due to a cancellation.

Plus, most of their appointments are booked via phone as well. So they’ll need to look up a number to call the business, right? You might as well make it real easy for them with a nice mobile site.

A Mobile Website will Provide an Enhanced Experience

Real estate agents can give virtual tours of their property listings through a mobile website. This is much better than a rinky dink flier.

You can provide mobile website coupons for users in exchange for their email address and/or phone number… right in the store!

(This material courtesy of Mobile Pro)

Mobile Marketing from Boost Contact on Vimeo.

  If your content is worth scanning,  the novelty of QR codes will be enhanced and embraced by the viewer if you are offering something useful and fun.

EMarketer revealed in a recent study that most customers scan QR codes to access discounts and additional information about a product or service. The more valuable the information linked to your QR code, the more people will want to scan it.

You’ll also need a clear call to action. What are you offering? What happens when your code gets scanned? Where does it take your customers? What do you want them to do once they reach your landing page?

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. If you were confronted with your code and call to action, would the offer compel you to reach for your phone, download an app and scan the code to view your content?

If the novelty of your QR code doesn’t get you excited enough to scan it, it won’t excite your customers either.

Internet radio station Y-Not Radiouses QR codes on fliers distributed at concerts. Scanning the code with a smartphone opens a page that links to downloadable radio appsfor iPhone, Android and BlackBerry.The apps let listeners stream the station on the go.Make it worth your audience’s time to scan your code and reward them for their effortspost courtesy of aweber.

QR codes possess a novelty factor that makes them fun to interact with. That also means that not every smartphone user is going to know what to do with your code.Providing some quick instructions will help clueless customers engage with your content.

Kelloggs has a fun qr code campaign

on boxes of their Crunchy Nut cereal. Where does your prospective client wind up when they scan your code?Remember that not everyone has a smartphone. Give customers another option, like Kellogg’s does here. If your QR code links to a landing page, include the URL with the code so those with mobile web access but no scanning apps can still interact.

You should also consider your code density – the number of small dots your code contains. QR codes that contain a lot of data are denser and harder to read. If you’re linking to a long URL, use a link shortener to keep your code easily readable.

Below is a quick image demonstration of scanning, reading, and output on a mobile phone of a qrcode.

If they are traveling, if they are shopping, reading a magazine, anywhere they may be on the go; perhaps at a lunch meeting or even wasting a bit of time while their car is being serviced.

It is good practice to print a QR code on a business card, or on a flier        (for additional details) but not in your digital newsletter itself. You may be able to access the newsletter from the code however that may be printed on a card, flier, ad, or other off line print medium.

Remember that it isn’t convenient to scan a code if they can click a link. It is all about ease of use. If the contact is off line, it works but if they are online it complicates the process. The best use of a QR code is always the most convenient for the time, place, and event.

How To Create an AutoResponse from Boost Contact on Vimeo.

QR codes are everywhere.

If you haven’t noticed them on signs, direct mail pieces or store windows, you’re just not paying attention. QR codes (Quick Response codes) are a way for your prospects to interact with your marketing, and your business should consider getting on board.

Every business has the potential to use QR codes in an unexpected way. If your business innovates its marketing campaign with QR codes, you’re bound to enjoy a healthy ROI in addition to increased customer interaction. Keep reading for our list of six interesting places we’ve found QR codes.

QR Codes for Menus
Print a QR code on your menus to engage restaurant diners. The QR code could direct them to a video of the chef preparing an entrée or even nutritional information. Somewhat obvious caveat—if the food’s fatty enough to make guests lose their appetite, stick with a server bio or something else to spark a diner’s interest.

QR Codes on Invitations
Event invitations with QR codes can link to a landing page where invitees can RSVP or check out directions to the venue.

QR Codes forReal Estate Lawn Signs
Realtors are attracting passersby by printing QR codes on their listings’ lawn signs. The link leads potential buyers to sites with video walkthroughs of the house and all the details included in a sell sheet. QR codes help realtors hook prospects before they walk past the home and forget about it. Sold!

QR Codes on Receipts
Most consumers research a business online before patronizing it. Make sure your online presence is strong and then print QR codes on your business’s receipts. Link to a landing page inviting them to comment on your stellar service and enjoy a boost in your number of online reviews.

QR Codes forCoffee Bags
Starbucks recently rolled out a QR code campaign that takes an educational approach to the QR code trend by linking to videos of coffee experts or music samples from the region where the coffee beans are picked. Faithful sippers now have even more reason to congratulate themselves on drinking coffee.

QR Codes on The Back of Your Head
We don’t really expect that you’ll have a QR code shaved into your head, but it’s been done before and it gained a lot of attention. The entire starting lineup of the UK’s Bromley football club had shockingly realistic QR codes shaved into their heads for a recent match. No word on whether any fans actually tried to scan them.

email and text messaging

Why Using Email And Text Messaging To Build Your Customer Base Is Important

You need to begin using email and text messaging to build your customer base. There are numerous marketing techniques that you can use but you may find that using email and text messaging to build your customer base will provide you with the best results possible. Through these forms of marketing you have the opportunity to reach customers quickly and easily. Email and text messaging provides you with a way to invite all customers (old and new) to ask for more information from you. As soon as they do then of course their details can be immediately included into the mailing list that you are creating of those who remain interested in what you are offering after they have been provided with information by you. Plus should any of these people wish to there is the option for them to opt out of  email and text messaging and what you are offering at any time. This is one of the most inexpensive ways for you to actually advertise your business and allows you to reward those that remain loyal to you. Plus as you own the information that your customers provide to you they will be grateful that it is being kept safe and private as you aren’t providing it to mailing list suppliers or telemarketers. When you do send out an email or text message it is important that you offer them something in exchange for them actually bothering to respond. Certainly one of the best things that you can do is offer them a coupon so when they make a purchase from you they get the item at a discounted price. Not only is this a great way of getting rid of any inventory you no longer require but also will help you to track how your text messaging or email campaign is going. As you will soon discover when it comes to using email and text messaging to build your customer base it can prove a very fruitful venture. Plus they can also prove to be one of the most effective tools that you can employ when marketing your business if you know how to use them correctly.