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Demand for Mobile Technology for Small Businesses in 2016  

April 21, 2016 by Ed Becker

 

We are already seeing a trend in replacing laptops and desktops with tablets or smartphones. It is not yet widespread, and it is most prevalent in food service and construction. It is hard to imagine that all laptops and desktops will become obsolete, especially in business. But the reality is that mobile devices are here to stay and consumers as well as businesses are using them more and more.

 Demand for Mobile Technology for Small Businesses in 2016

Is your small business up to speed on your mobile technology?

There are many aspects about ‘going mobile’ for small businesses. If you are a small business owner you probably utilize social media, at least for marketing. You may or may not have a mobile website for your company, but you definitely should. Your company maybe somewhere in between having an online presence and just dabbling in social media. The reality of the mobile device era that we are in, is that you have to be immersed in mobile presence and availability.

  • Social media- is not just for marketing or posting specials. It should be a large part of your marketing plan and your customer experience process.
  • Website- even if you are not an e-commerce company you need to have a website that is optimized for all devices. Customers need to be able to find your company on the go, on their tablets or smartphones. Your site needs to be user friendly to enhance customer experience.
  • Apps- some larger companies have their own apps, such as Amazon, Walmart, etc. Small businesses may or may not have a need for an app, or the budget for one yet. But it is something to consider if it’s something that your competitors are using.
  • Google+/Business pages- this is where customers can find your location, hours, specials, coupons, etc. Keep this up to date.
  • mobile perks- these can be discounts for social media check-ins, punch cards for loyal customers, places for reviews and kudos, etc. These can be attached to a website or an app. Make sure you are familiar with them, it would be a shame to miss out on a gadget that could benefit your company.

The benefits of mobile technology

  • Data- consumers can find information about your company. You can gain insights into your customers with analytics; demographics, where they found you, what they searched, etc.
  • Contact- with mobile availability consumers can get information instantly; they can be contact 24/7 not just during business hours.
  • Time sensitive- Cloud based apps allow you to manage your business 24/7 from anywhere, and it is usually fast and easy.
  • Move your employees to cloud based apps to allow them more freedom and also 24/7 access. Maybe working 24/7 doesn’t sound very appealing, but if wouldn’t it be easier to log into the cloud on Sunday night to go over a document instead of driving to the office just to pick it up?

In this era of constant mobile use, everyone carries their smartphone everywhere they go, if you are not taking advantage of the mobile technology yet, you are giving your competitors a head start. You cannot afford to slack in this area as it continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

It is all about speed and multitasking these days. Everyone is on the go and they expect the companies that they support to be there when and where they need them. Ensure that your company is available to them, is user friendly and creates a positive customer experience and community.

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