Did you know that 95 percent of mobile users research local businesses online before visiting them in person? With numbers like this, it’s easy to see why companies are tailoring marketing strategies and explicitly targeting users who are on-the-go.

Additionally, as much as 15 percent of online shopping is performed on mobile devices – despite the prevalence of home computers and the fact that many consumers are still new to mobile technology. For tech-savvy marketers, it’s a rapidly growing niche that is too enticing to avoid.

Reach Out To The Local Community

There are several steps you can take to establish your market presence or strengthen engagement amongst current and future customers, including:

• Reach out to local users through marketing efforts first and foremost – Not only are they prime candidates for any early testing phases, but they are crucial when it comes to building a reputation as a startup business.
• Encourage your users to leave their own reviews on sites like Google, Yelp or TrustAdvisor -This is a great way to get your name out there and build a base of dedicated, local customers.
• Utilize next-gen solutions – Use marketing strategies like geofencing, which take advantage of the latest in mobile and RFID technologies to provide targeted consumer ads and promotions based on their physical location. Geofences cover larger areas, including several city blocks or more, as well as smaller areas like specific businesses and even departments.

It takes a strong disposition for public relations and an in-depth knowledge of your product or service in order to properly engage your local community, but it also helps if you know exactly who you’re dealing with. For that, there’s no other choice but to perform some preliminary research.

Research Your Target Audience

Always take the time to thoroughly research your target audience before implementing any new marketing strategies. Pay close attention to their mobile usage, including any trends or restrictions. If you’re advertising in areas that have limited connectivity or slower internet speeds, consider minimizing your use of flashy graphics or advanced features.

Research and statistics surrounding past, current and future consumer trends are readily available on the internet. While this is great if you’re starting a traditional business or offering a standardized service, it does little for the more innovative startups and niche markets. In this case, you’ll have no other choice but to get your hands dirty and perform some marketing research on your own.

Implement Responsive Design For Maximum Compatibility

Responsive design refers to a practice of web design that focuses on usability and compatibility across all devices – from personal home computers and laptops to next-gen smartphones and everything in between.

The purpose of responsive design is twofold. Not only does it make your digital storefront or e-commerce site accessible to a wider audience, but it ensures a seamless and similar experience when users access your site from their various devices.

In short, it provides a fair playing field for the plethora of computers, gadgets, smartphones and other devices that users currently rely on to connect to the internet.

Invest In Complementary Apps

Businesses are using proprietary and third-party apps in useful and exciting ways, and it’s a practice that is occurring more frequently in the marketing industry. The decision of whether or not to create an app – or even to invest in an app – is never a decision to take lightly. It depends on many different factors, including:

• Market saturation. Does your idea mimic the functionality of other apps? If so, how do you plan to capture your share of the market?
• The app’s purpose. Does your app fill a useful role or provide a necessary service, or are you blindly following the latest trends?
• Future plans. Do you plan on supporting your app through new features and functionality, or are you planning on releasing the app and forgetting about it?

Questions like this are critical when determining whether or not an app is right for your company. Regardless of your decision, it’s still important to cater to mobile customers with content that is created specifically for them.

Produce Content For Mobile Customers

With more mobile users shopping online than ever before and as more join the fray, it’s important to design marketing content that is meant for their demographic. According to recent studies, more than 60 percent of users won’t return to a site after they’ve experienced accessibility issues, so it’s important to get this right the first time.

How HJR Global Can Help You

As mobile users now account for approximately 70 percent of online media consumption, it’s no longer a marketing niche – it’s a global phenomenon. The professionals at HJR Global can help you take advantage of this and other trends that are sure to be driving factors in 2019 and beyond. Contact us today for more information!

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