Need to take a photo? Check the date/time? Google for information? Make a bank transfer? Listen to music?
How many of you had a mobile phone as the first thing that pops into mind?
Mobile phones, more specifically smartphones, have become one of the most essential, or arguably, the most essential possession in our everyday lives. The invention of smartphones and mobile applications changed almost every single aspect of our lives from communicating, banking, transportation even to finding one’s significant other.
Marketers, as people who know that you probably have your phone beside you right at this moment, work on taking advantage of this fact to create mobile marketing in various ways.
Mobile Applications
Mobile applications are one of the main and most effective ways of mobile marketing. In fact, mobile applications generate higher customer spending compared to the mobile web.
This is due to the user-friendly interfaces and convenience where consumers can access information with just one tap regardless of where they are. Whereas, accessing a webpage requires consumers to open up a browser and enter the URL before gaining access to the information required. Besides, having an app on the customer’s phone is a whole reminder for customers that we exist.
Push Notifications
Another powerful tool that supports the huge success of mobile marketing is the ability to send push notifications. Have you ever noticed one of the first few permissions requested for whenever you download a new app was to allow/deny push notifications? With our mobile phones always in reach, push notifications allow businesses to communicate and remind customers of their presence at any moment.
In-App Advertisements
Another frequently utilized marketing tool will be in-app advertisements. To break through the clutter and have a higher exposure, in-app advertising allows businesses to expose their ads to a very specific group of target audience. Compared to putting out generalized ads on various platforms and hoping for the best, in-app advertising allows businesses to focus on creating the most appropriate and relatable ads to appeal to their specific target market and create utmost value from their marketing efforts.
Without a doubt, mobile marketing is the way to go for businesses today. Now I can’t wait to see what new technology would emerge and change marketing ways 10 to 20 years down the road, what do you guys think?
Digital Marketing Journey 
Hey Windy! Another well-written blog post
I couldn’t agree with you more, mobile marketing is about convenience, simplicity, and proximity. With the invention of cashless payment method, I can leave simply go out without carrying any cash or bank cards. How convenient! Singapore has a strong base to become a Smart Nation. There are many cashless payment benefits. (https://www.lendingbee.com.sg/all-cashless-payment-methods-singapore/) How about the disadvantages? If we are over-reliant on the cashless payment method, do you think going cashless might be a problem too?
Let me know how you feel! Cheers! 😊❤️
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Hi Peili! I myself tend to forget my wallet pretty often so I’m really grateful to the invention of cashless payments!
However, with pros there’s definitely cons. One potential major problem that will definitely be technological errors. Everything under IoT is all dependent on the internet, it’s definitely disastrous if we experience an internet outage! Additionally, going cashless tends to make consumers overspend as it’s less noticeable that you are parting with your money (https://www.singsaver.com.sg/credit-card/articles/going-cashless-makes-spend). I am guilty of that, how about you?
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Mobile application might be costly and time-consuming as the business have to come up with application designs, content and such. If the brand is already a well-known brand, is it still necessary for them to come out with a mobile application?
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Hi Jerlynn, thank you for your comment!
If we are talking about if mobile application is necessary in order for their brand to survive, I would say no it’s probably not. For example, if McDonalds did not come out with an application I would still remember them and make the effort to order through their website. However, mobile application is created with the aim to make things more convenient for consumers and it shows that the brand is customer-centric. I might still buy McDonalds occasionally when I thought of it or have a craving, but having the application on my mobile home screen is McDonald’s proactive way of reminding customers that they exist instead of just waiting for customers to think about them. On top of that, mobile app brings many more benefits to a business! You can read more here: https://cedcommerce.com/blog/guide-mobile-app-advantages/
Hope my answer is useful! ☺️
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Very informative read!
After reading your post I can see why mobile marketing is so effective compared to other forms of marketing! I myself prefer using a mobile application rather than accessing through the webpage even though the user interface for most websites have been made mobile-friendly. Do you think it’s necessary to have a website if you already have a mobile application?
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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
Glad my blog is able to give you some insights on the effectiveness of mobile marketing! In a business point of view, they definitely want to reach as many customers as possible by making themselves accessible as much as possible so I would say having a website on top of a mobile application is necessary.
Furthermore, there are many customers who still prefer working on a computer rather than through their phone, and having a website would cater to these customers more effectively ☺️
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Great read, I rely a lot on my phone, too much that I don’t even use my computer anymore. Videos, messaging and interactions all done on a small device. I believe if companies are able to come up with something special for mobile marketing, many audience will be captured. What do you think are the changes in years to come? For e.g. we have new iphones every year.
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Definitely relatable, I spend wayyy too much time on my phone too. As technology is moving more into IoT, I wouldn’t be surprise if future marketing turn towards audio marketing through the use of Siri, Bixby, Google Home etc. Feels like smart home will be utilised for a form of marketing as well. Guess we just have to wait and see!
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