These days, mobile marketing is more than just a way to engage your target market while they’re on-the-go; it’s the way for brands both big and small to capture attention, and make an impression, as potential customers shop, dine, drink, and play—all the while staying constantly connected with the mobile web.

Currently, one of every four adults in the U.S. is equipped with a Smartphone device and the power of the mobile web at their fingertips.  Imagine—on any given day, a percentage of these mobile users search for services and entertainment nearby.  And, whether they seek a drycleaner, a cheap burger joint, a nail salon, or the nearest auto-body repair shop, connecting with these users over the mobile channel is becoming increasingly important for small to medium-sized local businesses that rely on low-cost, high-visibility marketing to survive and grow.

Although in the past mobile marketing and advertising programs have been implemented mostly by larger business—Fortune 1000 companies and well-known, global corporations with sizeable revenue streams and considerable marketing budgets—the need to connect with mobile users is becoming more urgent for smaller businesses and local shops every day.  Mobile web development is no longer a business demand exclusive to large companies and franchises.

With an increasing consumer base adopting mobile technology, and advances both in device and network capacities, the mobile web is becoming a focal point for marketers, and businesses of all sizes.  These factors are driving what some analysts describe as a trickle down effect within the market, with smaller businesses now starting to embrace this new channel, and adapt to emerging consumer demands.

Local business directories, such as Yelp and CitySearch, which leverage the GPS functionality of mobile online casino devices to connect users with service and entertainment providers nearby, have established the initial platform for small businesses that want to expand their marketing efforts to new channels and start connecting with these users. Moving forward, however, businesses that want to stay ahead of local competition will need to further engage these users.  This can be done quickly, and cost effectively, by creating a basic mobile website that is accessible and optimized for a variety of Smartphone devices.

Another major trend emerging as small businesses go mobile, is spending on advertisements that display within apps, or when users perform a search using their phone’s mobile browser.  Both of these applications of mobile technology will be beneficial to small businesses in the future, however each can serve your business in distinct ways: mobile ads should drive traffic to your mobile website, but aren’t very effective as a standalone solution.

In total, it’s estimated that small and local businesses invested over $400 million on marketing and advertising over the mobile web in 2010, and this budget is forecasted to grow immensely over the next three years—analysts predict that spending will exceed $2 billion in 2014.  On that note, I feel quite confident in saying—now is the right time for small businesses to start preparing a mobile marketing strategy.

For more information on how we help small (and large!) businesses transition to the mobile web quickly and affordably, please fill out our web form here, or contact us directly for more information.