3 Steps for Getting Started with Mobile Marketing for Local Business
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If you've got a local business and you've been toying with the idea of getting started with mobile marketing because you've heard the buzz about how other merchants are using it to grow their customer base, then read on. Today we're going to strip it down to the basics and give you three steps that you can take to begin to take advantage of the opportunities available through mobile marketing.
1. Get a mobile website
There are several options available if you want to get your mobile website up and running. One of the free and easy options is Google's GoMo platform. Google has put together a super easy site that lets you see how your current website looks on mobile devices now, it walks you through building your own mobile site, or it directs you to the right resources that can help you get your site built for you.
Once your site is built, you can test it on the GoMoMeter.
The GoMo site also has free guides to help you get started with mobile advertising.
WPTouch is a WordPress plugin that can create a mobile version of your site. It automatically detects the device and serves the appropriate theme to iPhone, iPad, Android and other mobile platforms. It comes in a free and a premium version so you can try it out before making an investment.
Step one is to pick an option and get even the most basic mobile website set up so that people can find your business name, address phone number and directions to your shop from their mobile device.
2. Set up your profile on location-based marketing platforms
Location-based platforms such as Foursquare, Google+ Local and Facebook Places, allow your current and prospective customers to find you and interact with your business through their mobile device.
Your first action is to fill out your Google+ Local profile. Add all of the necessary details about your business. Add photos and video if you have any. Ask a few of your best customers to leave an honest review about your business, and be sure to check your profile on a regular basis to see if there are any negative comments that need to be addressed.
Set up your profile on Foursquare and create the incentives that you will offer to visitors when they check-in to your location. You can offer mobile coupons and other prizes for the different badges that visitors can earn with each check-in.
Claim your business profile on Facebook Places. You can customize it to your liking but first you will have to verify with Facebook that you are indeed the business owner by supplying a business email address or providing a document (utility bill, business letterhead) that has both your name and the company name on it.
Now when your customers check-in to your business on Facebook, they will be telling all of their Facebook friends about it because it will appear in their newsfeed.
3. Start building your mobile opt-in list
Your customers can opt-in to your mobile marketing list by texting an SMS/Text message code, scanning a QR code, or keying in their phone number to a mobile website or mobile app.
For our purposes, choose the way you want your customers to opt-in to your mobile marketing campaigns. An easy way is to create a SMS marketing campaign, or create a QR code that brings them to an opt-in page where they can claim their reward.
There you have it. Three super easy steps that you can take to get started with mobile marketing.
If you want to know more about mobile marketing, or if you'd like to find out how easy it is to get a custom mobile app built for your business, visit http://googleupdatesexplained.com/ today.
1. Get a mobile website
There are several options available if you want to get your mobile website up and running. One of the free and easy options is Google's GoMo platform. Google has put together a super easy site that lets you see how your current website looks on mobile devices now, it walks you through building your own mobile site, or it directs you to the right resources that can help you get your site built for you.
Once your site is built, you can test it on the GoMoMeter.
The GoMo site also has free guides to help you get started with mobile advertising.
WPTouch is a WordPress plugin that can create a mobile version of your site. It automatically detects the device and serves the appropriate theme to iPhone, iPad, Android and other mobile platforms. It comes in a free and a premium version so you can try it out before making an investment.
Step one is to pick an option and get even the most basic mobile website set up so that people can find your business name, address phone number and directions to your shop from their mobile device.
2. Set up your profile on location-based marketing platforms
Location-based platforms such as Foursquare, Google+ Local and Facebook Places, allow your current and prospective customers to find you and interact with your business through their mobile device.
Your first action is to fill out your Google+ Local profile. Add all of the necessary details about your business. Add photos and video if you have any. Ask a few of your best customers to leave an honest review about your business, and be sure to check your profile on a regular basis to see if there are any negative comments that need to be addressed.
Set up your profile on Foursquare and create the incentives that you will offer to visitors when they check-in to your location. You can offer mobile coupons and other prizes for the different badges that visitors can earn with each check-in.
Claim your business profile on Facebook Places. You can customize it to your liking but first you will have to verify with Facebook that you are indeed the business owner by supplying a business email address or providing a document (utility bill, business letterhead) that has both your name and the company name on it.
Now when your customers check-in to your business on Facebook, they will be telling all of their Facebook friends about it because it will appear in their newsfeed.
3. Start building your mobile opt-in list
Your customers can opt-in to your mobile marketing list by texting an SMS/Text message code, scanning a QR code, or keying in their phone number to a mobile website or mobile app.
For our purposes, choose the way you want your customers to opt-in to your mobile marketing campaigns. An easy way is to create a SMS marketing campaign, or create a QR code that brings them to an opt-in page where they can claim their reward.
There you have it. Three super easy steps that you can take to get started with mobile marketing.
If you want to know more about mobile marketing, or if you'd like to find out how easy it is to get a custom mobile app built for your business, visit http://googleupdatesexplained.com/ today.