Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :)

CPAmum · 3rd Nov 2011, 11:05 AM

Hi all!

I have a "Devil's Advocate" question for anyone who's focusing on selling mobile optimized Websites.

If a business

1) Shows up in Google Places after searching for "restaurants" for example,
2) The main thing users would want to know about that business is its phone number and directions and
3) Google Places makes it super easy to call them or get there (with its maps feature), by tapping on the phone and map, then

WHY would that business need a mobile optimized Website?

I'm guessing that this is an objection that will eventually be raised by some businesses.

Anyone have a good answer (beyond the fact that if the business advertises on Google, its quality score will be higher if it has a mobile optimized Website)

Thanks much!

JToneyUK · 3rd Nov 2011, 12:34 PM

I noticed this when looking at the google places listing on my phone and as such I won't be targetting these businesses. It would be better to target those listed "organically" in google underneath the placings listing. If you did want to target those on the Google listings page you could go with "people want to see a business's website first before they choose to go there and look at menus etc". That could be a potential selling point maybe to get them wanting a mobile ready site? The business owner may not even realise that their Google Places listing has a tap to call feature on it unless they've tested it for themselves either.

DougPage · 3rd Nov 2011, 12:46 PM

Most people LOVE their anonymity! So when they go to the mobile site they are looking for more information such as food choices, prices, directions, etc. Just watch how most people interact with tech - especially younger people. They want to find the information on their own and make a decision. A mobile site should help them make that decision without the need for speaking for someone. Most people absolutely hate speaking on the phone with strangers. This is very easy to explain to someone because most people feel the same way. Including your prospects.

CPAmum · 3rd Nov 2011, 12:53 PM

Good points and strategy, JToney and Doug!

I'd forgotten about people hating to talk on the phone. Amazing but probably true (I'd love to see some stats on this) unless you're a teenage girl. Even then, it's a text message world!

WillR · 3rd Nov 2011, 05:02 PM

Google Places is only showing you a small proportion of what's available. If you want to contact a business that does not have a Google places listing then you are going to want to visit their website. There are also a lot of things a Google Places listing cannot do that your website can. Things like contact forms, booking forms, menu's, lead capture, blog, etc, etc.

dshipman · 3rd Nov 2011, 06:50 PM

Seems like this guy on youtube.com is promoting the idea for businesses to use the their google places page as their mobile website if they have lots of good reviews.

How To Make Your Google Places Page A Mobile...

CPAmum · 3rd Nov 2011, 07:29 PM

But...Will's got an excellent point! Especially keeping in mind the amount of business that can be generated from marketing to an existing customer/prospect list. Thanks!

WillR · 3rd Nov 2011, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by emergemma

Seems like this guy on youtube.com is promoting the idea for businesses to use the their google places page as their mobile website if they have lots of good reviews.

How To Make Your Google Places Page A Mobile Website - YouTube

I wouldn't be a huge fan of taking people to my places listing simply because it's so easy for them to click off elsewhere and never come back. I want to get them to my website because then I have full control over what they see and where they can go.

Mark_Babcock · 3rd Nov 2011, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by WillR

I wouldn't be a huge fan of taking people to my places listing simply because it's so easy for them to click off elsewhere and never come back. I want to get them to my website because then I have full control over what they see and where they can go.

AMEN! (and that's just smart marketing)

kayetaylor · 15th Nov 2011, 03:23 AM

wow... really nice info here.... thanks guys!

DimitrisL · 15th Nov 2011, 05:14 AM

Google's GoMo initiative to promote mobile web sites is a clear indication on where we are going with internet and mobile sites. so the competition will increase as the big players enter the area and definitely will want the largest share of the pie..
what do you think will be the differentiation point for small-medium sized marketers on the mobile space so that they keep earning from that industry? can we really compete with Google??

Quentin · 15th Nov 2011, 05:49 AM

Last night I paid two dollars for a glass of coke and yet i could have gone downthe road and bought one from the store for about 50 cents. The point is there are always alternatives out there but you will find few businesses will go looking because they do not know what they want at this time

Your Job is to add value and provide a more personalized service

Having acquired over 700 clients this year none have asked about these other services

Q

JuneM · 15th Nov 2011, 07:17 AM

My answer to "WHY would that business need a mobile optimized Website?"

You want to be master of your own domain,,, meaning great your places page is the bread crumb but once Hansel & Grettle visit your "restaurant" and become fans you would want to feed them there. With good food & service you may have a repeat customer. With your own mobile friendly site they could bookmark it and go directly to see if you have specials, entertainment or even be able to get exclusive deals for being on your list.

After they have been their once,,, why would they need directions or reviews? They already know they like what you serve and a mobile visit would be looking for deeper engagement or information.

CPAmum · 15th Nov 2011, 12:00 PM

Appreciate the great answers on this thread!

Brandon Tanner · 15th Nov 2011, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Quentin

Having acquired over 700 clients this year none have asked about these other services

Q

WOW... I'd say that's a pretty decent year. Nice job!

dshipman · 15th Nov 2011, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Quentin

Last night I paid two dollars for a glass of coke and yet i could have gone downthe road and bought one from the store for about 50 cents. The point is there are always alternatives out there but you will find few businesses will go looking because they do not know what they want at this time

Your Job is to add value and provide a more personalized service

Having acquired over 700 clients this year none have asked about these other services

Q

700?! Have you thought about putting together a WSO explaining how to get clients? I'd buy it!

ElenaEn · 16th Nov 2011, 10:29 PM

For starters, you can do a lot more with a mobile site:
1. Show more productive info (after all, many will still want to visit your site after checking out your Google place), and as DougPage the more information you can provide without making them call you, the better..
2. Your mobile site can include features that would promote engagement (e.g. "Sign up for a chance to win $100 gift card") .. can't do that with a Google place
3. many local businesses do flyers or valuepack coupons.. include a call-to-action (QR code, SMS short code) landing on a mobile form "fill in the form to buy one get one free on your next visit"..
4. A mobile site can include an easy way to promote the business on social network, OTHER review sites besides google places, share with friends, etc..
5. AND it is fun and shows that you care : )

WillR · 16th Nov 2011, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by emergemma

700?! Have you thought about putting together a WSO explaining how to get clients? I'd buy it!

So Quentin doesn't have to toot his own trumpet, I'll do it for him.

Quentin already has a great course available over at:
http://businessmobilewebsite.com/

Kevin AKA Hubcap · 17th Nov 2011, 12:18 PM

Listen to Elena..she speaks truth.

Start thinking out of the box a bit. A mobile site doesn't need to be a copy of the main site condensed for mobile consumption.

It can and should (depending on the market etc.) be much more. Mobile websites are powerful marketing mediums but you need to think in a more systemic manner.

Don't just provide a mobile site. Provide a mobile marketing solution.

Originally Posted by ElenaEn

For starters, you can do a lot more with a mobile site:
1. Show more productive info (after all, many will still want to visit your site after checking out your Google place), and as DougPage the more information you can provide without making them call you, the better..
2. Your mobile site can include features that would promote engagement (e.g. "Sign up for a chance to win $100 gift card") .. can't do that with a Google place
3. many local businesses do flyers or valuepack coupons.. include a call-to-action (QR code, SMS short code) landing on a mobile form "fill in the form to buy one get one free on your next visit"..
4. A mobile site can include an easy way to promote the business on social network, OTHER review sites besides google places, share with friends, etc..
5. AND it is fun and shows that you care : )

3rd Nov 2011, 11:05 AM	#1
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: Hi all! I have a "Devil's Advocate" question for anyone who's focusing on selling mobile optimized Websites. If a business 1) Shows up in Google Places after searching for "restaurants" for example, 2) The main thing users would want to know about that business is its phone number and directions and 3) Google Places makes it super easy to call them or get there (with its maps feature), by tapping on the phone and map, then WHY would that business need a mobile optimized Website? I'm guessing that this is an objection that will eventually be raised by some businesses. Anyone have a good answer (beyond the fact that if the business advertises on Google, its quality score will be higher if it has a mobile optimized Website) Thanks much!

3rd Nov 2011, 12:34 PM	#2
JToneyUK HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2011 Location: North West, England Posts: 267 Thanks: 97 Thanked 41 Times in 34 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: I noticed this when looking at the google places listing on my phone and as such I won't be targetting these businesses. It would be better to target those listed "organically" in google underneath the placings listing. If you did want to target those on the Google listings page you could go with "people want to see a business's website first before they choose to go there and look at menus etc". That could be a potential selling point maybe to get them wanting a mobile ready site? The business owner may not even realise that their Google Places listing has a tap to call feature on it unless they've tested it for themselves either.

3rd Nov 2011, 12:46 PM	#3
DougPage Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 73 Thanks: 102 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: Most people LOVE their anonymity! So when they go to the mobile site they are looking for more information such as food choices, prices, directions, etc. Just watch how most people interact with tech - especially younger people. They want to find the information on their own and make a decision. A mobile site should help them make that decision without the need for speaking for someone. Most people *absolutely hate* speaking on the phone with strangers. This is very easy to explain to someone because most people feel the same way. Including your prospects.

3rd Nov 2011, 12:53 PM	#4
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: Good points and strategy, JToney and Doug! I'd forgotten about people hating to talk on the phone. Amazing but probably true (I'd love to see some stats on this) unless you're a teenage girl. Even then, it's a text message world!

3rd Nov 2011, 05:02 PM	#5
WillR Digital Marketer War Room Member Join Date: 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 12,475 Thanks: 1,984 Thanked 8,187 Times in 4,079 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: Google Places is only showing you a small proportion of what's available. If you want to contact a business that does not have a Google places listing then you are going to want to visit their website. There are also a lot of things a Google Places listing cannot do that your website can. Things like contact forms, booking forms, menu's, lead capture, blog, etc, etc.
	. ➨ Here's How to Make Your First $177 Online This Week Using the Piggyback Method... .

3rd Nov 2011, 07:29 PM	#7
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: But...Will's got an excellent point! Especially keeping in mind the amount of business that can be generated from marketing to an existing customer/prospect list. Thanks!

15th Nov 2011, 03:23 AM	#10
kayetaylor HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2011 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: wow... really nice info here.... thanks guys!
	Drsteveshealthyliving.com \| Healthy Bones Healthy Brains \| Detox \| SpiritualWarrior Goldsurvivalguide.co.nz \| Ascentps.net

15th Nov 2011, 05:14 AM	#11
DimitrisL Warrior Member Join Date: 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: Google's GoMo initiative to promote mobile web sites is a clear indication on where we are going with internet and mobile sites. so the competition will increase as the big players enter the area and definitely will want the largest share of the pie.. what do you think will be the differentiation point for small-medium sized marketers on the mobile space so that they keep earning from that industry? can we really compete with Google??

15th Nov 2011, 05:49 AM	#12
Quentin Web Marketing For Profit War Room Member Join Date: 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,895 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1,162 Times in 528 Posts Blog Entries: 10	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: Last night I paid two dollars for a glass of coke and yet i could have gone downthe road and bought one from the store for about 50 cents. The point is there are always alternatives out there but you will find few businesses will go looking because they do not know what they want at this time Your Job is to add value and provide a more personalized service Having acquired over 700 clients this year none have asked about these other services Q
	DIY Product Creation Online Business Training on How To Create Products to sell online Plus Lots More.

15th Nov 2011, 07:17 AM	#13
JuneM Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: My answer to "WHY would that business need a mobile optimized Website?" You want to be master of your own domain,,, meaning great your places page is the bread crumb but once Hansel & Grettle visit your "restaurant" and become fans you would want to feed them there. With good food & service you may have a repeat customer. With your own mobile friendly site they could bookmark it and go directly to see if you have specials, entertainment or even be able to get exclusive deals for being on your list. After they have been their once,,, why would they need directions or reviews? They already know they like what you serve and a mobile visit would be looking for deeper engagement or information.

15th Nov 2011, 12:00 PM	#14
CPAmum HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 104 Thanks: 26 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: Appreciate the great answers on this thread!

16th Nov 2011, 10:29 PM	#17
ElenaEn Active Warrior Join Date: 2011 Posts: 50 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Mobile Website Question for Big Brains :) Share on: For starters, you can do a lot more with a mobile site: 1. Show more productive info (after all, many will still want to visit your site after checking out your Google place), and as DougPage the more information you can provide without making them call you, the better.. 2. Your mobile site can include features that would promote engagement (e.g. "Sign up for a chance to win $100 gift card") .. can't do that with a Google place 3. many local businesses do flyers or valuepack coupons.. include a call-to-action (QR code, SMS short code) landing on a mobile form "fill in the form to buy one get one free on your next visit".. 4. A mobile site can include an easy way to promote the business on social network, OTHER review sites besides google places, share with friends, etc.. 5. AND it is fun and shows that you care : )