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Are Mobile Apps Just a Fad?

By D. Bucholtz

Are Mobile Apps Just a Fad?

June 14, 2012

 

I have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people on a daily basis and everyone I talk to (that doesn't already know me) wants to know specifically what our company does.

As the buzz of 'mobile apps' continues to grow, and I explain to people what our company does - what I hear over and over again is "I don't need one of those". This comment, of course, forces me to ask what people know about mobile apps. The resounding result of this answer is usually that people don't understand the technology and what it brings to the table.

Let's face it - Mobile apps for businesses are relatively new but what's happening now is no different from when websites became all the rage. And look what happened with that! Who do you know that's in business and doesn't have a web site? And today, a web site isn't even enough. You need a business Facebook fan page, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.

Right now, in 2012, we are just beginning to scratch the surface of mobile app technology and growth. Multiple predictions are that mobile apps will outnumber personal computers by 2015 by 4 to 1. That is pretty astounding but it shouldn't be. Look around you - we are in a completely mobile society. We want information instantly accessible, no matter where we are. I recently attended a networking meeting of about 100 people. As the speakers were in the from of the room giving their speeches, what I noticed as I looked around was the number of people that were using their phones. While I won't get into the etiquette of using your phone while people are speaking - what I will tell you is that I was completely shocked at just how many people were typing away on their smart phones, tweeting comments on the screen behind the speakers and so on.

So where does mobile marketing come into the mix?

Consider this. There are billions of smart phone users who have their phones on or near them 24/7. With mobile marketing you have the opportunity to have each of these users carry around your company brochure 24 hours a day. The opportunity to get your business name and/or brand in front of billions of people 24 hours a day is priceless!

So anyone that thinks that mobile marketing with an app is a fad should probably think again. Mobile apps are not going anywhere! So get on the train before it pulls out of the station without you!

Are Mobile Apps Just a Fad?: http://EzineArticles.com/7113119

Is your business on your customers phone?

By D. Bucholtz

Is your business on your customers phone?

June 10, 2012

As your customers are quickly adapting to the ever changing mobile marketing technology, the way you market to that customer is changing too. You want an application that reflects your business and provides value-added services to you customers. Having a mobile application for your business allows you to put your business in the palm of your customers. Smartphone's are much more than a phone; they are your link to millions of digital users.

Ask yourself this question: Do you want your business on your competitor's phone?

A custom mobile app for your business is a comprehensive sales and communication solution. It creates a personal experience between the user (your customer) and your business through engagement. Your customers carry around your marketing information with them via their smart phone, and statistics show that most people have their smartphones near them 24/7. Having your own mobile application and/or mobile website can be the difference between the customer coming to you or going to your competitor. Mobile applications can boost sales and reward loyalty.

Below are some facts on mobile applications:

~There are 52 billion smart phones in use

~Mobile applications are expected to top $58 billion by 2014

~By 2015, mobile applications are predicted to outnumber computers 4:1

~Apple had 25 billion apps downloaded between June 2008 and January 2012.

~Google had over 10 billion apps downloaded as of December 2011.

Here are just a few of the things that a mobile app could do for your business:

~GPS: Provide location and driving directions

~Push Notifications: Reach out to your customers by using your customized web portal to generate and send messages to your customer's mobile devices. These messages appear in the user's application. They can reach the message and take action.

~Promotion: Turn your customer's mobile device into a marketing tool that you can use to send promotions and drive business.

~QR Codes: This is a great way to engage your customer to link the code to coupons, videos, websites or customer loyalty programs. Your customers scan the QR code and are taken to the destination that you choose.

~Social Media Integration: Connect your customers with your businesses social networks to promote your business. Social media is an important part of any marketing. Being able to share your information through social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter are integral to your marketing and end user experience with your mobile app.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dani_Bucholtz

Kick your business up a notch by embracing technology

By:  D. Bucholtz

Kick your business up a notch by embracing technology

March 13, 2014

Let’s face it, I think it’s a natural tendency to be complacent in what we know and we tend to put off new things.  Learning about new things like digital marketing, updating websites, mobile applications.  None of these are new ideas, concepts or products but many still have not been adapted by business owners to help grow and streamline their business.

I have had meetings with so many business owners (of varying ages) that tell me that even a website is not a necessity for their business.  I had one owner tell me that “it’s just an online brochure” and my customers don’t use it.   If this is you, it’s ok….you don’t know what you don’t know and technology probably isn’t your business but I would bet that your competition is using technology.

I am here to tell you that if this is your train of thought that you better hop off that train before it derails.

If your business has been running along fine without the utilization of technology, it is just a matter of time before you crash.  Technology is not going away, it just keeps evolving.  As it is right now, more people utilize mobile devices in the form of smart phones and tablets that personal computers.  People are using these to replace most of the things they did on their personal computers.  They are easier to carry to meetings, travel with, get through airport security, etc.

That just covered the main technology.  What about Social Media?  If you think that Social Media outlets are just a form of communication for families and friends, then you need to re-educate yourself on the realities of how it is impacting businesses on a global scale.  Social media is the quickest way for you to interact with your customers, to build your brand and presence and build rapport and trust in an online community.  It can also be the quickest way to tear down a brand if you don’t pay attention to it but the Pros of utilizing social medial definitely outweigh Cons of not using it.

A perfect example of an amazing community built through social media is Zappos.com.  This company rocks at what they do and their online presence embodies the culture and brand of the company.  I will gladly pay more to buy from Zappos.com because through their online community they have established trust with me and I know that they got my back.  Therefore, I am a loyal customer for life.  And how many people do you think that I have told about Zappos.com and how awesome they are???  It’s been so many that I can’t even tell you but I should probably have earned some free shoes by now (a plug for Zappos.com when they read this).

A perfect example of ignoring social media.  In doing research on a new employer I found a complaint on the first page of Google before this company even showed up as they were on page 3.  This raised some red flags with me so I researched the owners of the company and discovered that they had numerous lawsuits citing non-payment of wages to former employees.  When the company contacted me with a job offer I politely refused and when asked why, I stated what I discovered online.  They had no idea, because they had no social presence and nobody keeping tabs on things like this.

You don’t need to know everything about technology/social media your just need to know what it does and then put the right people in place to get the job done right.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dani_Bucholtz