The Blog

Tapping Into Your Mobile Customers

Cyber Monday this year was the biggest shopping day in history. According to IBM’s Holiday Benchmark Reports, Cyber Monday shot up over 20% in sales since last year. Online sales also smashed Black Friday deals by over 31%. But for businesses, the Thanksgiving weekend is already in the rear-view mirror. Now, everyone needs to focus their attention on the next three weeks.

If you are a little worried about your initial holiday sales, the good news is that online shopping is on your side. With the rise of cybershopping, consumers are stretching out their holiday spending more than ever. Simply put, more customers view internet purchasing as faster, easier and more convenient. People will be waiting until the last minute to purchase their holiday gifts hoping for the best deal. If you want to make the most of that market, keep these statistics in mind:

Mobile shopping is king. According to IBM, mobile sales accounted for 17% of all online sales this year, an increase of over 55% since 2012. And while smartphones were the weapon of choice when it came to browsing for deals, tablet devices accounted for over 11% of online sales. That’s double what smartphone-based sales were. Tablet-based sales also increased from 2012. With more of the features of a desk-top and the mobility of a smartphone, tablets may become the purchasing vehicle of choice for the tech-inclined.

But brick-and-click might be the winner. According to Adobe, hybrid online and traditional retailers out-competed their online-only counterparts by over 60%. Businesses like Macy’s didn’t even offer their best discounts on Cyber Monday. There’s also the fact that brick-and-click stores can offer special discounts and extras. Of course, these hybrid retailers could lose some of their initial advantage as the holiday season continues. Overall, apparel and toy stores saw a rise in sales, but electronics retailers took a hit this year.

Money—and technology—change everything. Just as the internet has dramatically changed how we shop, it appears that mobile devices are changing how we purchase online. As tablets and smartphones rise in popularity, we can only expect out-of-touch brands to fall by the wayside in the face of progress. The key here is for retailers to keep striving for new ways to connect with their customers without losing sight of why that connection is important. Here are a few ways you can connect with your customers via mobile and tablet:

  • Create a mobile app. According to one study, 51% of online shoppers said they would download an app for their favorite online shopping site. Giving those customers a mobile app that is easy to use can only increase your sales.
  • Give deals and offers via text. If you have customers that download your mobile app, have them sign up by giving their mobile number. During the holiday season, send out text messages with special deals and offers for these customers. This will make people feel valued, turning them into loyal and lifetime customers.
  • Referrals. Once people have used your mobile app and been rewarded with a discount, they’re going to want to spread the word among their friends. Make it worth their time to share your information by creating a loyalty or referral program.
  • Check out Red Stamp. This service lets small businesses send customized notes, cards, invitations and announcements for both mobile and desktop. As a customer buys a product from you online, get his/her email during check out and send a custom thank you note as soon as the purchase is made.

How are you connecting with your mobile customers?