Optimizing Your Business for the Mobile Technology Market

There is no denying that mobile technology is becoming a dominant avenue of communication that businesses can no longer ignore if they want to have more customers. According to latest government surveys, the use of mobile browsers on mobile devices has been growing by 1,000% since 2011. Other statistics showed that retailers using mobile sites increase their engagement rates by as much as 85% while retailers with websites do business with 51% of customers on mobile browsers.

So what these suggest is that any business needs to have a mobile-friendly site so they can reach potential customers. So how can they do this?

Optimize your website for mobile and tablet screens 

Take advantage of mobile optimization tools like WordPress that help you automate your website. This type of responsive design provides a way for your website to automatically adjust when it senses what type of device it is being viewed on. Another feature to add is more visual content, which is what mobile users like, such as video. In short, create a mobile-friendly website that offers a clean design without drop down menus, larger font size, and critical contact information at the top of the page.

Ensure your business is easy to find on mobile search engines 

This involves focusing on an effective SEO strategy as well as incorporating website mapping and social media information to quickly provide contact information. This contact information should be detailed enough such as your exact location (if you have a physical store), telephone number/s, and other information on social media.

Focus some strategy on local mobile users

For sure, the largest group of people using mobile devices will be people in your local area, or your local customers. They are the ones always in need to find a business or service in your local area. This is particularly effective for small businesses because they can use mobile browsers to deliver coupons, push notifications, and more to regular and potential customers.

Provide regular content updates

Visitors to your site and social pages are accessing them more often from their mobile phone than from a desktop or laptop. The increase in frequency means they need more content to keep them coming back. This is the chance to offer everything from discounts to coupons to holiday sales and so on.

Continually test and measure what you do with your mobile strategy

There is no one way that will work for your small business so you must re-evaluate and use analytics to see what is really working for your target market. This will provide a way for you to make the necessary adjustments before you start to wonder why you’re not getting enough new customers each month.

7 Reasons Why Your Business Site Isn't Attracting Enough Customers

When you are researching products and services online, do you ever notice how quickly you dismiss some websites because you don’t feel they will deliver? Well, what do you think about your own business website?

What does an untrustworthy website look like? What are the factors that contribute for a website to look unattractive to potential customers? Have a look at this list of website trust factors. If they make you squirm when you see these on other sites, then chances are they have the same impact on your web visitors, too!

1.    It’s a graphic disaster

We are living in the land of templates. A do-it-yourself logo and clunky template don’t look professional and could give you that impression of a “fly by night” operation. You need consistency in brand and a nice blend of the right colors, images, and text.

2.    It’s boring

The website feels like you are reading a small novel. Fonts are small, and the site is very text heavy. Images are stock photography that you’ve seen before. Websites should show the reader that they understand clearly and concisely what the reader needs to know. Punch out important text and add some original, creative photography.

3.    It’s old news

You can tell that the website hasn’t been updated in ages. They have old resources and it has been months (or years) since the blog was updated. Websites should be a place for visitors to learn about what’s happening in your industry as well as about your company. Keeping it fresh and engaging keeps visitors on the site longer.

4.    You can’t find what you’re looking for

In other words, the navigation sucks and there are way too many “clicks” required to get to important information. It’s a common fact that the more clicks required the more you lose visitors. Keep key information like contact info in your footer, header, or sidebars, so it shows up on all pages. Summarize products or services on one page. Make it easy for people to get to the right solution quickly.

5.    It’s a whole lot of hoopla

These are sites that over-promise and under-deliver. The headlines promise one thing in the content, and the content is completely different. The testimonials don’t have names or companies attached. Statistics aren’t footnoted with sources. The results seems to too good to be true, which normally means they are—you get the picture.

Here you find music for $129.95, but the source is “Royalty Free Music Library.”

6.    Everything requires an email address

So you want to know about our products? Fill out this form first. Commonly called “squeeze pages,” these websites give you no other option if you’re interested but to leave your information to take the next step. You can then expect daily emails for weeks trying to get you to buy.

7.    It contains a lot of nonsense

When you are searching and visit multiple sites, you soon discover that these sites say exactly the same thing as a handful of other sites you have read. They use the same language. They promise the same results.

You might think you want your website to be like your competitors, but that could be the biggest mistake you make. Sites that are all the same can be the biggest reason people don’t trust you. Be bold and be proud of what makes you different.

4 Reasons Why Branding is Essential for Small Businesses

Any kind of business, whether big or small in size, needs to have its own unique branding. Your brand is what the outside world thinks of you. That’s it. Although you can influence your brand through well-designed logos, hilarious ad campaigns, carefully crafted press releases, or super-friendly service, ultimately, your brand is what the outside world says it is.

So even if your business is just a small one, don't think that it doesn't need any sort of branding. There are times when being small can give you an advantage, but there are others when appearing to be larger than you actually are is a wiser strategy. But how can a small business create the illusion of being bigger?

Here are four good reasons why branding is key to any business.

A brand makes you look bigger

If you scream “small-time vendor,” or “mom working in her bathrobe,” that is how your customers will want to compensate you. Branding will help elevate your business. Research other businesses—who do you look up to? Find an example of what you want to look like.

A brand builds credibility

If you want people to trust that you can deliver, you need to look the part. A well-designed brand is as important as brushing your teeth before the first date. Think about what you stand for and communicate that to your customers in everything you do, from the colors you choose to the words you use.

A brand makes you memorable

Stand out from the crowd, in the right way. Your customers have to remember you to find you. If your potential customer Googled your service, what would they find? Identify elements of your business that are different from your competitors, and showcase them in unique ways.

A brand attracts customers

When customers understand who you are and what you offer, they think about doing business with you. When they trust you and begin to love you, they tell their friends. Once your brand is solid, word of mouth is the best way to grow your base. Ask your customers for reviews and referrals. Make sure they know you appreciate the business. Build on great reviews by showcasing your happy customers. Grow your business further with well-planned and brand-consistent marketing campaigns, using the same colors, fonts, and personality.