You know your market is online using their Smart Phones, so how can you take advantage of the craze?

The technology and idea of advertising on mobile devices can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. For most businesses, it is just something you have to do and find what works best for your business. The marekting days of "creating it and forgeting it" are over. With the rate that user behaviors change, what works today may not work tomorrow, so you have to stay involved.

Every website should take into consideration how their content will appear on a smart phone. Make sure your website is easy to use and read.  If you sell to consumers, have a retail store or have an e-commerce website, you should be taking advantage of the mobile market. Smart Phones and their applications can make the Internet easier and more fun to use than ever. When users are on their phone, they are more engaged and focused in what they are doing versus the multi-tasking desk top user; so your advertisements and information is more likely to be seen and action taken. Since we use the phone in the everyday things we do, providing valuable coupons or information will more likely get results.

Some things to consider with your mobile marketing campaign include:

• Localize: 50% of users utilize the map service and default their system to search for local results. So make sure you have your Google and Bing Local accounts updated with the correct phone number and address. Consider advertising on the local maps and not just general searches.
• Leverage Click to call and links: Make sure your phone number is prominent so users can easily call you if they want and use links so it is easy for them to visit.
• Target Mobile Users: You can offer a different message for mobile users. Your website can identify a mobile user and display a unique message. Let your visitor know you are aware they have an Android and you have a special offer for them. Engage the user.
• Track Mobile Separately: When finding out who is visiting your website, what device they are using, and how they found you, are important measurements in your website’s success; however, be sure to separate your mobile users in your statistics.
• Modify: Whatever you do whether it is a full campaign or not, modify your strategy and keep it fresh. The more you put into your mobile marketing, the more you can get out of it.
• QR Codes: (Short for quick response and is a matrix barcode) While not everyone is clear on what they are, it is easy to create and use. You can link them to an URL, email, phone number, or SMS.

Some successful marketing strategies for mobile users include:

• Aggressive Biding: Users will most likely only see 1 to 3 ads, so you want to be at the top to be seen; which means you may have to bid more aggressively in your online campaign. Mobile users tend to use shorter keywords instead of typing in long detailed keyword phrases; you may have to change the terms you bid on for the mobile market.
• Create Ads for Mobile Devices: Keep in mind the screen size. Leverage your click to call, links, sizes, and specific message. Mobile users are different than desktop users and you have to treat them so.
• Opt in advertising: The concept of asking mobile users if you can advertise to them is paying off in many markets. Many users appreciate the opt in option and will often want to see your ad.
• Videos: Mobile Videos may be more powerful than videos viewed from a desktop. Mobile users tend to be more focused and attentive on the full screen video than a desktop user who may be multi-tasking and viewing the video with other ads and distractions around it. So, consider using a video in your ad or viral marketing campaign.