Marketing your small business can be a tough job, but it’s definitely a must if you want to spread your brand and gain new and repeat customers. There are many marketing strategies that can be used, with online marketing today being one of the most viable options as it is relatively less expensive compared to traditional marketing and is comparable in terms of reach.
But one of the newer forms of marketing is mobile marketing. As the number of mobile device users increases, entrepreneurs who don’t jump on the bandwagon may be left behind while their competitors rise to the challenge and excel in their mobile marketing campaigns.
Small business owners can’t afford big budgets compared to big companies, so should they consider mobile marketing? The answer is a resounding yes. The best thing about a cell phone or a smartphone is the fact that it gives you the ability to reach people wherever they are and whenever you want. So you can definitely get a lot of benefits if you start putting your campaign on mobile.
But how exactly can small businesses use mobile marketing to reach their customers? What are your best options to reach more consumers at low cost?
Let’s take a look at some good strategies that small business owners can use in their mobile marketing campaign.
1. SMS or text messaging
Although text or SMS messages are considered one of the easiest and cheapest forms of mobile marketing, they are still an effective tool for reaching both potential and repeat customers. Although smartphones are all the rage, not everyone has them, and most are still satisfied with their regular mobile phones.
The key to an effective SMS marketing campaign is to put your customers first. Don’t be one of those annoying brands that sends random marketing messages to consumers; If you’ve been the unwitting recipient of these, I’m sure you’ll agree that they can be very annoying. Be more relevant and do more to ensure that the messages you send are received by the recipient.
If you have a small retail store, you can send exclusive offers or mobile coupons to loyal customers. Or if you’re in the healthcare field or rely heavily on appointment-based services, an SMS campaign that reminds your clients of their scheduled appointments can minimize no-shows.
One thing you should always remember when it comes to SMS campaigns is the fact that you are limited to 160 characters of text, so make sure your text is clear and concise. You can also add a bit of charm and personality to better attract your customers.
Also, you need to have a clear way for your customers to opt into your SMS campaign. A good idea is to ask customers at the point of sale if they would like to receive exclusive offers and discounts sent directly to their mobile phone. If you have a website, you may also have a page where people can sign up for your SMS campaign.
2. Optimizing your site for mobile devices
Another relatively easy way to get more mobile reach is to make sure your business site is optimized for mobile devices. People use smartphones a lot more these days, so make sure you offer a mobile version of your site.
3. Use of location-based services
Small business owners can take advantage of location-based services to drive more foot traffic to their physical stores. After all, there is no better time to encourage a customer to visit your store than when the person is physically present somewhere nearby. These location-based services are really gaining popularity among business owners, so this is definitely an option for small businesses to consider.
Mobile marketing for small businesses doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. These three are relatively simple ways that small business owners can use in their mobile marketing campaign. Of course, always make sure you plan a well-thought-out campaign before you jump on the bandwagon.