The mobile phone has become so important to our everyday existence that we feel lost without it!
It is truly a personal digital tool that has transcended it’s “phone-i-ness”. The killer app started simply as the “voice phone” – imagine you could connect live with any person – from anywhere and any time of day. Next, and building this past year, it has been about connecting this device to the Internet – The Mobile Web.
By connecting the mobile device to the Internet, the “phone” has become a personal web enabled information machine. You can get to a portable website, and handle any web based application – anywhere you are. Suddenly it is in fashion to make your website mobile friendly.
Today we are standing at the forefront of the next evolutionary chapter – and retailers need to listen up!
That ‘oh-so-indispensible’ device is about to give your wallet a run for its money.
By linking our personal mobile device to everyday transactions, enter the next “can’t do without” – mobile commerce. Purchase anything, anywhere – and use the device to move currency!
There are 3 formats most often used for mobile commerce today:
1. Text message donations – recent earthquake relief put this format squarely on the map for moving currency very seamlessly – for good! The Red Cross received well over $22 million in text based donations in January 2009 for Earthquake relief in Haiti.
2. Mobile web page checkout – through Google Check out or others such as Paypal and even Amazon, retailers have many options now to create a mobile website and get a shopping cart front and center for mobile buyers
3. Near Field Communication - NFC is a short-range, high-frequency, wireless communications technology that enables the exchange of data between devices over four inches apart. The 2010 Mobile World Congress is underway this week in Spain where a key topic is ‘contactless mobile payments’. It is being tested in many areas around the world now.
2. Mobile web page checkout – through Google Check out or others such as Paypal and even Amazon, retailers have many options now to create a mobile website and get a shopping cart front and center for mobile buyers
3. Near Field Communication - NFC is a short-range, high-frequency, wireless communications technology that enables the exchange of data between devices over four inches apart. The 2010 Mobile World Congress is underway this week in Spain where a key topic is ‘contactless mobile payments’. It is being tested in many areas around the world now.
With all of this focus on new mobile payment formats, every retailer needs to have mobile commerce on their radar now. Mobile web readers will soon become mobile web buyers.
How will mobile payments help to ease transactions between buyers and sellers? What do you need to do now to prepare for this inevitable future?
We present the top 10 things every retailer should know now about mobile commerce:
1. Mobile Internet usage continues to grow – US mobile web usage alone grew over 110% in 2009. Retailers that do not have a mobile commerce site will be behind the curve in 2010 as more people conduct transactions on mobile.
2. Mobile Drives In- Store Commerce – Mobile search for a retail locations will become among the number one uses for the device. Store locators on mobile sites are a quick way to assure that the mobile consumer will find you when they are out and about.
3. Shopping All The Time – Further breaking the ‘bricks & mortar’ boundaries, mobile retail allows customers to make transactions even when they aren’t in front of the computer.
4. Powering the Impulse – The mobile Internet is great for impulse shopping. Mobile couponing and in store discounts really help to create excitement for buying.
5. Comparison shopping – Mobile sites help customers to comparison-shop while they are out and about – further in store comparison shopping will be huge!
6. Inventory management– Consumers can check in-store availability via a retailer’s mobile site the ultimate great experience for your customers.
7. Marketing – Retailers can ask consumers to opt-in to receive coupons, special offers and ongoing mobile “just in time” specials.
8. Check order status wherever, whenever – A mobile site also serves as a 24/7 customer service representative. Consumers can check their order status right from the retailer’s mobile site.
9. Location-based services – Retailers can use mobile to target consumers who have opted-in and are close to their retail locations. Special promotions by geography will be welcomed by those who choose to receive them.
10. True Multichannel and Brand Alignment – Be there or be square - that's right- your teenagers will get it immediately. The mobile channel needs to be a part of any retail brands offering.
The Top 10 adapted from information provided byGiselle Tsirulnik, Article from The Mobile Marketer
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