Mobile marketing or mobile internet marketing is an important opportunity for 
businesses to explore. B2B or B2C, business marketers are investigating ways to tap into the popularity of smart phone usage as well as mobile browsers increased usage.
Its powerful to have potential customers scan a code that takes them to a landing page on their phone with the latest specials or sales, plus has the ability to dial immediately or buy the item, without ever leaving the cell phone!
It’s not difficult to get into the web word of mobile web marketing.
Here are 3 great tools to get you started!
1. QR Code – These black and white codes are actually a gateway to any information that you want to share. One great way to use these is to direct the QR to a landing page. This page can be part of your existing website, or it can be hosted elsewhere.
The QR code works by embedding the information into a black and white square where the pattern is readable by an application that is downloaded onto a cell phone. There are two types of “Quick Response” codes, “QR” or “TAG”. Even with competing technology, most readers will interpret both types of code. Most used, however is the QR code, which is black and white, although the tag code is prettier and uses more colors. The application takes advantage of the camera on the phone to snap a picture of the pattern which is then translated to the webpage or information that you’ve identified. Some of the applications that I’ve used on my iPhone are i-Nigma, RedLaser, NeoReader and Grip’d.
2. Text Message Marketing or SMS – Many cell phones now offer unlimited text plans and if you are a parent of a teenager, you are probably familiar with how popular this is a a form of communication. There are even medical syndromes associated with texting like “texting thumb syndrome”! Utilizing text messaging used to be considered taboo, but now it’s become an extremely effective way to reach your customer.
The customer opts into the program by texting to a pre-designated number and they control whether they want pictures or just text to come to their phone. Why would someone opt into this? Perhaps they want advance notice of specials or deals that you offer. Or they may want to know that you have a table ready for them at your restaurant. It may be sharing campaign information for a candidate, or updates for a school to share with parents. The uses of text messaging are growing as more and more cell phone users have unlimited text message plans.
Some text message plans are expensive where you pay per subscriber and you pay per message. I like the program offered by KXText because it’s simple and easy to understand. Their program is $395 per year for unlimited subscribers and unlimited text messages. I’ve even purchased a subscription for my campaign. There are other programs available, so if you’ve found one you like, I’d be interested in hearing more about your experience. (Disclaimer – I have an affiliation with KXtext, although I’d recommend them anyway).
3. Mobile Internet Ready Website -If you have a WordPress site or you are hosted on Hubspot, you are in luck. There is an easy way to have a mobile ready website. A mobile ready site is one where the navigation is easier and the site is re-configured so it may look a bit different than the site would if you were on your computer. For most websites, it’s preferable to have a mobile configuration and as more and more people find your site on their phone, you definitely want to make it easier to get the information quickly and efficiently.
Within Hubspot, there is an option under settings which will automagically convert your website (no programming needed). Be sure to check your mobile phone browser to see what your mobile website looks like after enabling this option. (If you’d like to experience the power of Hubspot, we offer a FREE 30 day trial.)
For WordPress sites, there are multiple options. I like WPTouch Pro for ease of use and because it works. There is also a plug in offered by iThemes as well as other plug-ins that are continually being developed and marketed. That’s one of the cool things about WordPress – it’s open source so there are tons of new features. The downside is that not all of these work as WordPress continues to evolve versions, so be sure to check your mobile website after each upgrade to be sure the plugin still functions correctly.
What other applications and mobile web marketing tools have you discovered? I’m interested in your thoughts and experiences. What’s worked for you and what hasn’t worked, and do you think that mobile marketing will continue to grow?
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