5 reasons why mobile is finally going to take off!

No-one can argue that mobile access to the Internet has not become a popular activity, but has it hit the mainstream? Has it got to the point for marketers that it can only be ignored at their peril?

The evidence

Here are 5 reasons why I believe that, for the big brands at least, it has:

1 - Smart phones

Two stats: 2012, smartphone shipments will exceed shipments of PC; and 40% of iPhone and iPod Touch users go to the internet more via mobile than they do on a computer.

2 - Apps

iPhone and Android apps (not forgetting Nokia's Ovi apps, of course) have changed the way people use and see their phones. They are no longer primarily about voice; they are a portable connection to the digital world.

3 - Google Instant

The best explanation for me for Google's move to Instant is how it improves search for mobile phone users. Now that I've used Instant on my PC for a few days, i can say that it hasn't really changed anything for me. But from my phone it's a different story, as predictive text is the norm, saves time and delivers a real benefit.

4 - Social Networks

Keen users of social networks, the vanguard responsible for most of the activity, are doing it from their mobile phones. The characature of the Blackberry addict of a few years ago has morphed into the iPhone user who can't stop Tweeting. 100 million people access Facebook from their mobile phone!

5 - Location based services

The development of location based services offers a new opportunity for marketers online. Facebook's roll out of Places will see the early work done by Foursquare and Gowalla taken to the next level. Advertising dollars should ensure the development continues.

So what?

For those of us who are not big brands, it is perhaps overkill to have a mobile marketing strategy just yet. That said, I'd thoroughly recommend that your web acitivty is user friendly for smart phone users, as you can be sure that they are using your site and a bad experience is a bad experience.

Published by: Mr Tom Barnes

Published 16th September, 2010

Add comment