With mobile marketing being lauded as the next big thing, we thought it would be interesting to explore some of the things going on.

We dug up some examples of recent discussions taking place for consideration:

• Latest research from the Institute for Mobile Media Research at Ball State University found that 99.8% of students on campus have a cell phone, and smart phones now account for 49% of mobile communication devices. (Source: Smartphones displace computers for more college students, Ball State University News Center, June 15 2010).
• Some 75% of 12-17 year olds now own cell phones (Source: Teens and Mobile Phones, April 20 2010, Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project). This report includes some very interesting points on texting habits of teens, as well.
• In the comScore’s blog last week, they referred to data from comScore research showing that smartphone penetration in the US market has grown from 11% of mobile subscribers in April 2009 to 20% in April 2010. (Source: blog.comscore.com)
• More than 100 million active users are currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices (Source: Facebook Press Room, June 15, 2010)

We’re not statisticians and don’t have a crystal ball, but it sure looks to us like we are in the middle of something big, again.  With people relying more and more on their mobile phones as a way to access online information and to manage their professional and personal lives, it’s time to consider the following:

(1) What does your current website look like on a mobile phone? Can people easily navigate information on your site via a mobile device?

(2) If you are going to create a mobile version of your website, what content should you include? Who are your site visitors and what do they want from your site? Think user-centered design.

(3) If you do email marketing, what do your emails look like on a mobile phone?

(4) Early adopters are exploring innovative ways to connect with potential and existing customers via this channel—through online games, apps, location-based technologies, and barcode solutions. Are you keeping up-to-date with these new opportunities?

Tomorrow, we are posting part 2 of The Now Big Thing. We did this great interview with Princeton-based mobile marketing firm, JAGTAG (www.jagtag.com), and can’t wait to share this with you.

 

Photo courtesy of William Iven on unsplash.com