Internet Marketing for Small Businesses: 8 Mobile Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore

As we become more and more reliant on our smartphones, mobile marketing becomes more critical for the modern brand. The sooner we get on the mobile marketing train, the better off we are going to be.

Certain trends have become obvious, and ignoring them puts a serious damper on our branding results. Here are mobile marketing trends that you absolutely have to pay attention to, and should consider implementing before we hit 2017.

Mobile Apps In Google Search Results

Google has started widening their first page search results to include mobile apps for the first time. Where you would normally see ads or universal search results in the top spots, you can find Google Play and iTunes recommendations right on the first page.

They come with additional meta information, such as price and rating. If you are promoting any apps it is a great time to start upping your SEO game on those marketplaces. Of all of the trends on this list, this is the one that is probably going to have the most impact.

Apps already make up a huge chunk of mobile usage these days. Even if you don’t have an app yet, it is worth making one just to take advantage of their popularity, and Google’s new promo guidelines.

Instagram Ads

Traditionally mobile-only, Instagram is growing by the day, and they have been getting into the advertising game for awhile as their user base increases. Some bigger brands have been getting on board with the platform and started marketing from there, but the crowd is still pretty thin.

That makes it a great place to start setting your own ads, with great returns. Of course that means you should be putting a good amount of focus on your overall Instagram marketing strategy. If you haven’t launched one, it is a good time to start.

Snapchat and WhatsApp

Did you know younger consumers no longer use Facebook and Twitter? They have moved on, and mobile apps are the number one used platforms these days.

Snapchat and WhatsApp are growing in popularity, and could hold the potential for business use. It is time we kept an eye on both, and found ways to utilize the powerful network they provide.

Multi-Device Mobile Marketing

Image: Forbes

You have to keep in mind that not all mobile marketing is going to be received via smartphones. There are several different devices you need to take into consideration, including smartwatches and tablets.

Then there are gaming platforms, smart TVs, and even smart home devices. We are living in an age where you can stream television through a smart fridge. Times are changing. Your marketing efforts need to reflect that.

Video Ads

Video ads are a little bit controversial right now. The data still isn’t in on how effective they are, and different sources report wildly different success rates. But there is no denying that more brands are using them, including on mobile marketing.

Platforms like YouTube are especially reliant on the advertising form. You may want to consider jumping on the bandwagon and trying it for yourself.

Ecommerce and Social Combination

With Facebook focusing more on “buy now” buttons, and platforms like Instagram and Pinterest really pushing the ecommerce side, we are now seeing a socialization of online consumerism.

The line between shopping cart and social media has been blurred, and it is time to take advantage of that. Not only can you begin to use social platforms for direct sales and lead building (which works great via mobile devices), but you can make your own site more social. The early, creative birds get the worms here.

New Payment Systems

Payment systems are seriously changing. Samsung has a payment platform that can be used almost anywhere, in spite of whether they are optimized for it or not.

Services like PayPal are being accepted from big names like Walmart. Smartphones have their own wallets, such as through Apple Pay. It is no longer an option to ignore these new ways to pay, because customers would rather go with a brand that offers the choice.

Customized Lifestyle Apps

What can we learn from products like the FitBit? That apps are no longer accessories, they are lifestyles.

People use mobile devices to reflect and enhance the way that they live, such as through fitness apps (FitBit, MyFitnessPal), financial assistance (Mint, Mint Bills), and even smart homes (iSmartAlarm). You can promote your services by creating a lifestyle based app of your own.

Have you noticed any hot mobile trends in marketing lately? Let us know in the comments!

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