3 Ways to Start Marketing Your Company to Mobile Users

You may have realized that marketing and advertising tactics are shifting toward reaching mobile leads. Even superstar companies like Google and Facebook are delegating more marketing dollars to their mobile marketing budgets after a discovery that nearly one-fifth of Google's revenue comes from mobile searching. Here are three ways your company can start up your mobile marketing initiative.

Before we get into the how-to, let's take a look at the why-to. Here's a couple facts to consider;

• 60% of American adults own smartphones.
• 4 out of 5 use their smartphones to shop.
• Mobile Internet browsing is expected to overtake desktop browsing as soon as this year.
• 72% small business owners planned to maintain or increase (by up to 30%) their mobile ad spending this year.

Based on this information, we can conclude that most of your new clients will find your company on their mobile devices. Even current customers may look into your other products and services to make more purchases from their smartphones and tablets. These facts are clear, and small businesses can no longer afford to ignore mobile marketing tactics. If people are trying to find you on their mobile devices, it's your job to make sure you can be easily found there!

Use QR Codes
Quick Response (QR) codes are a supremely effective mobile marketing tool. If you are unfamiliar with them, QR codes are similar to product barcodes, but are scannable by mobile devices and lead to company URLs. They are used to drive traffic from your print advertising to your website, bridging the gap between print and mobile marketing.

This particular QR code will take you to the Internet's largest retail website, Amazon.com.

Consider presenting QR codes on event flyers, product catalogues, brochures, newsletters, and any other print marketing medium. Here are a few ways you can maximize their potential:

• Link QR codes to simple, optimized landing pages and microsites. When a mobile user lands on your site, present them with an extremely clear call to action that relates to the source of the QR code.
• Offer mobile-only coupons with discounts and free stuff for customers who present them in-store.
• Kick off a campaign that allows people to be entered into a sweepstakes, just for scanning the code.

Be creative with your use of QR codes. Think of unique and simple ways to drive traffic to your doorstep.

Optimize for Local Searches
Many times, when a consumer is looking for a product or service on their mobile device, they'll search for local options first using apps like Google Maps, Foursquare, and Yelp. After all, it's much more convenient to find a local solution or product than waiting weeks for shipping or distant service. With this in mind, you'll need to take the time to optimize your local search results with these apps.

• Activate Google+, Yelp, Yellowpages, Facebook, Foursquare , etc.
• Upload company information and pictures.
• Ask current customers to review your business.
• Link your accounts with your mobile-friendly website.

Simply taking these steps will bring you a little closer to being the obvious choice for potential customers who are searching the web on their mobile devices for your products and services.

Create a Facebook Ad
Facebook recently revealed an astonishing piece of information; 48% of users on any given day are only accessing Facebook via mobile device. Coupled with the fact that the average Facebook user spends the average of one hour each day on the social network, the consequences of not setting your business up on Facebook are considerable. Before you set up Facebook Ads, make sure you have a great Facebook Business Page that posts valuable content on a frequent basis, and is deeply integrated with a funtional business website. After insuring the health of your Page, look into Facebook Ad options. These advertisements are fully customizable, depending on what you want your results to be. You can geographically target users within a customized radius of your city, who have certain interests that may incline them to check out your Page. You can design campaigns around getting more Page "likes", advertising an event, making a sale on your website, and much more.

There are many more ways to boost your mobile marketing campaign, but these three strategies are good ways to start. Good marketing reaches people where they're at, and mobile marketing is quite an application of this principle. Remember, most of your potential clients and customers are searching for products and services on their mobile devices. Meet them there!

What ways has your company maximized its mobile marketing campaigns? What has and hasn't worked well for you. Join the conversation in the comments section on this page!