Frankly, you never thought mobile phones could be utilized for advertising right? Well looking over the past couple of years, when advancements in science & technology have brought new things to life & consumer preferences have had a major overhaul; mobile being used for advertising is just a smart marketing approach. Cellular communication in today’s life has become a necessity rather than a desire, with more & more users across the world adopting the mobile platform.
One of the biggest reasons why there is such an intense mobile density in the world today is affordability & availability. Mobiles are no longer a wealthy individual’s toy. Mass production coupled with simple technology has empowered manufacturers to ship more handsets than the previous decade. Government policies liking lowering duties in major consumer markets, helped achieve intense mobile popularity. Today, handsets are available for $15 to $1000 depending upon features & options. While basic phones may still be some light years away from Smartphones, more & more manufacturers are introducing phones that are affordable as well as feature rich. I’m not comparing Apples to Oranges or Melons to Blackberry’s but still, clever ideas coupled with mass production helps keep prices low.
The smartphone is one category that has amazed consumers across the world. The convergence of many technologies enables users to multitask on their mobiles, giving them access to emails, messenger, face-time, entertainment, web-browsing & reliable communication systems. Latest figures suggest that worldwide, over 400 million shipments of smartphones in 2011 (not kidding, as by IDC-February 2011 report). In America, over 40% of all mobile users use smartphones of a potential 250 million subscribers. Currently various companies are leading the charts including Samsung, Apple, Nokia, Blackberry & HTC.
So why should you focus on mobile app marketing for your brand:
• Popularity: Smartphones are becoming increasingly popular over the past couple of years. It’s critical to generate more sales in this fiercely competitive world. Most smartphones support interactive platforms hence you can introduce interactive apps that will impress users that could very well convert into possible leads. Smartphones are not basic phones that can be bought dirt cheap, hence if you are a brand commanding premium price, smartphone users are your target audience.
• Numbers: Simple logic – the more the people, the more is the percentage business you could generate. Stats show that just over 450 million handsets were shipped last year which is 450 million users. As smartphones become more & more affordable over years, this figure shall only rise. After-all, consumers just don’t want torch & calendar function in their phones, who wouldn’t want email or GPS-navigation on their handsets? Hence mobile app marketing is crucial if you wish target consumers directly.
• Convenience: You can reach out to your prospective customers just about anywhere. Mobile technology works on the go, allowing users to carry their world in their pockets: if you have an active mobile app running, you can capture their attention just about anywhere. Internet facility on the handsets allows users to browse the web on the go, which means in all likelihood; users have access to apps as well. If you’re a GPS provider, cell phones are most likely to be used to find the way hence for you; a mobile app is of supreme significance as it translates into potential customers in line. If you’re a regional classified listings provider, you can grab the attention of any smartphone user instantaneously, who’s looking for deals in the area.
