SmallBusinessNewz

Consider the growing adoption of smartphones and other Internet-ready mobile devices. People are taking the web (and applications) with them everywhere they go. A recent study from Nielsen shows that the mobile web has grown by 74% in just 2 years. You can see below the rise of mobile Internet users in the US alone:

Have you considered offering coupons that consumers can simply pull up on their mobile phones? The inspiration from this post actually came from one of you - a SmallBusinessNewz reader, who left a comment on an article about coupons a while back. Anthony Wayne said:

The best success we have had in couponing is mobile coupons.  The great thing about sending a coupon to the mobile phone is that you often reach a person when he/she is out in the town.  So, the incentive to go to the store is even greater than usual.

Moreover, the person always has the coupon with them.  How many times did you wish you had the coupon, but it was left at home or you failed to cut it out of the newspaper.

Also, you can reach the person exactly when you want to reach them.  If you own a Subway store, for example you can send mobile coupons right before lunch time.

Wayne links to (presumably) his site, which cites a study by Juniper Research claiming that mobile coupons represent the fifth most popular use of mobile marketing. Now this isn't exactly an endorsement for this site. I have never participated in its services, but the concept is certainly one worth exploring for small businesses looking for new ways to reach their customers.

WebProNews recently spoke with Mike Wehrs, President and CEO of the Mobile Marketing Association in a good interview here. He notes that people have their mobile devices with them 18 hours a day. "Why wouldn't you want to be able to deliver relevant information to them?"

He also says that the best mobile marketing is not an advertisement. It provides something that consumers are already looking for. If you're new to mobile marketing or looking to explore that path, take a look at the Mobile Marketing Association, an organization that aims to provide "an industry forum to meet, discuss, plan, and work cooperatively to resolve key industry issues."