Though phone use is still common because of the expansion of mobile devices, the days of thick yellow phonebooks that provide a large directory are over. Instead, organic searches on smartphones to nearby attractions, businesses and events are hotter than ever.
This shift means that smaller businesses that depend on a localized audience will have a greater opportunity to increase foot traffic toward their storefronts, according to Open Forum. Thanks to global positioning systems and map applications, interested users can find location-specific services. Local internet marketing can increase the likelihood business owners will have customers entering their organization's front steps.
HubSpot contributor Jamie Turner found that local searches are extremely important to consumers: About 95 percent of smartphone users do so. After finding a listing, about 61 percent of users will call the business, while 59 percent of individuals stop by.
Nowadays, customers want to find information as soon as they can, so having a mobile-friendly website can attract more visitors. From there, placement of banners and native mobile advertisements can do a majority of the work for growing companies.
"[M]obile marketing, advertising and purchasing is more than just a trend—it's a key factor in how consumers prefer to do business in today's marketplace," Open Forum contributor Danny Brown writes.
Instead of waiting for 2014 to take actions toward this engaging and effective marketing tool, reach out to Key Media Solutions. When 65 percent of businesses told Borrell Associates that they plan on increasing their mobile advertising budget by 30 percent, adopting this strategy early on is essential.