Some companies might ask: Just how important are mobile ads? With recent research showing that mobile phone use is growing in popularity as a tool to access the internet, companies must ensure that they have a strong, targeted online advertising campaign.

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 63 percent of U.S. adult mobile phone owners use their devices to go online. That number is twice the amount from 2009. Additionally, 21 percent of adult cell phone owners use their mobile device more often than a computer.

Pew Research Center's Internet Project senior researcher Aaron Smith said in a company statement that mobile devices are playing an increasingly central role in the lives of many Americans.

"For many, such as younger adults or lower-income Americans, cell phones are often a primary device for accessing online content – a development that has particular relevance to companies and organizations seeking to reach these groups," Smith said.

A recent Mashable article also cited data about mobile phone usage. According to the news source, 10 percent of U.S. internet users shop while they are surfing the web on their phones. China led the way, with 18 percent of their internet users doing so from a smartphone, while France had just 2 percent.

Information like this is essential for businesses, especially those that wish to incorporate mobile ads. Organizations that want to develop targeted online advertising need to understand customers' shopping habits and the devices that they use to make purchases, as this can affect an ad's layout.

By partnering with Key Media Solutions, small- to medium-sized businesses can create local marketing campaigns that meet consumer needs and are easily accessible from mobile devices.