by samIf you’re new to Internet marketing strategies, then you would be forgiven for assuming that mobile marketing functions in the same way as marketing for the Internet. After all, it’s just the same thing on a smaller screen, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. Mobile marketing is a completely different beast and needs to be tamed uniquely, just like any other aspect of web marketing. So how do you get started? Here are 5 quick tips:
Set up a mobile site: Fortunately, this is easier than it first seems. A lot of web hosting services will also offer an automated mobile formatting service for mobile devices. Instead of this, if you wanted, you could use a plug-and-play platform. These are offered by web development companies and can create a mobile website that’s unique from your main website. Sites optimised for mobiles should be clean-cut and simple, with one main logo and some easily identifiable icons. Nothing too overpowering or nauseating.
Register on localised platforms: Facebook Places, Google Places, Foursquare—there are a huge number of these, and it’s a great idea to register for some of the more popular ones. Once you’re all set up on these services, you can start running platform-specific mobile promotions on them. If anybody checked into your restaurant on Foursquare, for example, you could offer them a free starter or side. This gives them an incentive to promote your company to their followers and gives your company a great SMO boost.
Get involved: Until you start using the mobile Internet and experience mobile marketing firsthand, you will never truly understand it. So pick up your smartphone, check in on Foursquare, buy some products on a brand’s store app, voice search on Google, and generally experiment with the ins and outs of the mobile web.
Mobile ad campaigns: A mobile ad campaign can be as simple as setting up a mobile PPC account. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry; a creative advertising agency can take you through the basics to get you on your way. It can be great for companies with a physical location, as you can arrange for your ad to appear whenever somebody searches for local restaurants near your area. This would then get your foot in the door for mobile local SEO as well!
QR codes: Those barcode-esque squares that have started ambiguously cropping up everywhere—can be used to allow smartphone users to access exclusive coupons, offers, or just company website links at the touch of a button. This makes it far easier and more inviting for users than having to type out an entire URL on a fiddly touchscreen keyboard. They’re easy to make; all you need is the URL that you want it to direct to and a relevant app that creates QR codes.
While optimising for mobile web isn’t the most difficult thing in the history of web marketing, it can still be very time-consuming and easy to do poorly for first-timers. In these cases, an Internet marketing agency can help you get great results from trusted and experienced professionals!