Are Cell Phones Part of Your Marketing Plan?

Two-thirds of Americans sleep with cell phones at their bedside, and an equal number—66%—check their phones more than 150 times a day, according to a recent survey.

So when will your small business start taking advantage of this?

Smart small business owners understand Americans’ love affair with their phone and use this tool to reach clients.

Whether it’s texting, emails, or social media, the phone is a great way to engage with current and potential customers.

But first, Small Business Trends suggests you check off this list before launching mobile marketing:

• Master the basics: Before beginning, update your website and social media platforms.
• Localize content: Put content on your site that focuses on what makes your business and area unique, and closely matches search terms.
• Have mobile response capabilities and allow mobile payments: You need the right technology for your customers to purchase items from your website via their mobile devices—whether it’s PayPal, Apple Pay, or other choices.
• Offer deals and customer-loyalty rewards: Target your niche market with special discounts, explore software that helps you engage local markets, and consider loyalty rewards via an app—just make sure the customer can opt out easily.
• Join mobile directories: Consider Google Local, Yelp, or other business directories to see if there is something that fits your niche market.
• Track your progress: It’s not just clicks. Pay attention to the keywords you’ve chosen to see if they drive traffic. Pay close attention to the analytics. Take an in-depth look to gain a better understanding of what drives your customers. Also consider simple online surveys to gauge your customers.

Cell phones are ubiquitous in the lives of most Americans. Use that to the advantage of your small business.