$262 billion is the amount of mobile commerce that will occur this year – and that’s in the U.S. alone. As large retailers take their shopping strategies to mobile devices like smart phones and tablets, there are certain best practices that are worth taking note of and some great tips to make the most of this rapidly growing marketplace. Define your audiences. Chances are your business has more than one audience. Define your audiences, then decide who you want to reach and what tactics you’ll use. For example, a repeat customer may receive a different promotion than a first-time buyer. Understand your audience’s behavior. Mobile shopping is notably different than in-store shopping, as mobile apps can create a sense of urgency in customers. Mobile shopping experiences provide the opportunity to include on-location flash sales or promotions that call for immediate action, motivating customers to make a purchase, as oppose to browsing at home. Know your audience’s device and OS. Developing an app isn’t just as simple as choosing iOS or Android. You also need to know which devices they’re using and how you can leverage responsive design to create the best end-user experience. If you aren’t sure what devices they’re using, try surveying them to find out. Create a clear path to check-out. Mobile websites and mobile apps are meant to provide quick and easy information at the user’s fingertips. That means the process for purchasing should be simple to navigate. Provide a streamlined shopping cart and offer easy payment options that link to user’s other apps like Paypal and Passbook. Utilize social as part of your mobile strategy. Offer customers the chance to share their purchase to Facebook with just one-click. Or provide an incentive to post a review or recommend to a friend. Promote your app. Customers expect businesses to have a mobile website, but if you’ve got an app, let them know. It will only increase their interaction with your business. Also, ask for feedback on how to improve and what they’d like to see in the next release. With rapid rates of mobile adoption, e-tailers who are also relevant in the mobile space will get a bigger piece of the pie. Wondering how to get started with your mobile site or app? Contact our mobile strategists today to find out more, or read some of our mobile success stories.$262 billion is the amount of mobile commerce that will occur this year – and that’s in the U.S. alone. As large retailers take their shopping strategies to mobile devices like smart phones and tablets, there are certain best practices that are worth taking note of and some great tips to make the most of this rapidly growing marketplace. Define your audiences. Chances are your business has more than one audience. Define your audiences, then decide who you want to reach and what tactics you’ll use. For example, a repeat customer may receive a different promotion than a first-time buyer. Understand your audience’s behavior. Mobile shopping is notably different than in-store shopping, as mobile apps can create a sense of urgency in customers. Mobile shopping experiences provide the opportunity to include on-location flash sales or promotions that call for immediate action, motivating customers to make a purchase, as oppose to browsing at home. Know your audience’s device and OS. Developing an app isn’t just as simple as choosing iOS or Android. You also need to know which devices they’re using and how you can leverage responsive design to create the best end-user experience. If you aren’t sure what devices they’re using, try surveying them to find out. Create a clear path to check-out. Mobile websites and mobile apps are meant to provide quick and easy information at the user’s fingertips. That means the process for purchasing should be simple to navigate. Provide a streamlined shopping cart and offer easy payment options that link to user’s other apps like Paypal and Passbook. Utilize social as part of your mobile strategy. Offer customers the chance to share their purchase to Facebook with just one-click. Or provide an incentive to post a review or recommend to a friend. Promote your app. Customers expect businesses to have a mobile website, but if you’ve got an app, let them know. It will only increase their interaction with your business. Also, ask for feedback on how to improve and what they’d like to see in the next release. With rapid rates of mobile adoption, e-tailers who are also relevant in the mobile space will get a bigger piece of the pie. Wondering how to get started with your mobile site or app? Contact our mobile strategists today to find out more, or read some of our mobile success stories.