Monthly Archives: May 2013

Cellphone usage stats show growth

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Cellphone Usage Stats show growth

52% of adult cell phone owners use their devices while in a store to get help with purchasing decisions (Source: Pew American & Internet Life Project, 2012)

A real phenomenon in retail is “Showrooming”. This term is valid when guests price check and try out items in a brick and mortar store and then buy it online (possibly cheaper on the actual price and much of the time tax free).

Considering many users have smartphones, it is only natural for them to use it to improve the shopping experience. Knowing the price can help with negotiations regarding a coupon or price match while also protecting the user from getting hosed on the price. Competition from online retailers and the effects of showrooming are a big reason that Target matches online prices with restrictions and so those Best Buy.

If you are a business and are not trying to capitalize on this growth, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. For you business, the answer might be a website optimized for mobile users, tablets, and desktop users (you can have multiple versions that are displayed to the correct visitor type). On the other hand, the answer may be a cross platform HTML5 or native app.

Not sure? Don’t just dismiss it. Find a mobile strategy that works for your business.

Smartphone Ownership Stats From Nielsen

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66% of Americans ages 24-35 own a smartphone (Source: Nielsen, 2012)

This stat is not so surprising since this group grew up with the Internet and is very comfortable with technology. What is more surprising by the day is the proliferation of smart handsets into older demographics that might not have been considered as potential adopters of this technology.

Photos From Swamp Fest 2013 Part 2

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Weeki Wachee mermaidsWeeki Wachee nature

Pictures from Weeki Wachee Swamp Fest 2013.

Lots of great food, great merchandise to browse, and free music. There were a number of merchants that recognized the possibility of having a mobile app to feature their artwork or a website that showcased their wares and artistic works. Rather than just relying on traffic, a few were interested in looking for other avenues to grow the business. Don’t get stuck in a small company mindset. A website optimized for mobile or an ecommerce site is not out of the realm of possibility and may be more affordable than one might think depending on the requirements. Plus, the website can be built in stages depending on the budget. There is a solution out there. You just need to find it. The people at Swamp Fest sure thought so.