Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Generation Gap

The Kiplinger Letter had results of an interesting study at the end of 2010.

To me it highlights the basic reason small business has been so slow to understand not just the importance of the web, but the transcendent effect of mobile technology.

Simply put, the folks that own the small businesses do not yet use the technologies most of their prospects use.

Here is a snapshot of the results...



Here were some other results of Generation Y's technology usage...

•   90% use the Internet
•   75% use social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
•   60% access the web wirelessly on-the-go
•   83% keep their cell phone nearby, even when asleep
•   40% don’t even have a landline

A good friend of mine from the Boomer generation bought his first smart phone - an Android -  two weeks ago today. After he had it for three days I saw him at a conference. He could not believe how it had already changed how he did everyday things.

I asked him if there could have possibility been anything I could have said to him before he bought his smart phone that could have made him understand what just a few days of having his own smart phone made him understand.

His unqualified answer was "no". Nothing I could have said could have made him understand.

I asked him if he thought he could explain it to someone who did not yet have a smart phone. Again, he said no.

This was a truely transformational event in his life. Yet he can not clearly explain it.

 It is no wonder the average small business owner doesn't understand. But if they want to work with those who do, they need to take the leap and get a smart phone - Android or iPhone, the Blackberry or Windowes phones don't count because they have no significant apps - today. Approach it with an open mind and learn what it is all about.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Mobile Marketing Questions

Angela Bray has an interesting post over on the HubSpot Blog today.

Here are my highlights. Take a moment to read the rest at...
http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/14311/6-Mobile-Important-Marketing-Questions-Answered.aspx#ixzz1Mp9BZxlw

As more and more of us rely solely on smartphones and tablets for information, mobile marketing is the growing jackpot for businesses. Technology is most ultimately the simple and convenient way to blast information in mass form. While original branded content, advertising, expert content, and video dominate the mobile market, sales, specials, discounts and user reviews are reaching their place.

What are the three most important things a small business (under 10 employees) can do to kick-start their mobile marketing campaign?
Make sure your website, emails, landing pages, etc. all display well on a mobile device. Always test everything. When creating content to send out, think about your customers and what you can do to benefit them. If you’re a retail business, claim your profile on Foursquare, Yelp and other local platforms. Also, make sure you’re optimized for search results.
What’s the average cost of a mobile site?
It isn’t necessary to have a completely different mobile version of your site; it just needs to display well on mobile devices. So, avoid flash-based platforms, as it is not supported by iPhone and iPad.

Native App vs. Web App
A native app is created in the device’s language. For example, Mac and iPhone, iPad have its own, Android has its own, BlackBerry has its own. The specific language is self-contained; it takes advantage of the device’s capabilities.
A web app is a website that is enabled to look really good on a web browser; it’s universal.

If you are ready for an app, let me hear form you at SehMobile. We will be glad to build a free sample app for your business.