The most exciting thing, in my opinion, in the future of digital and mobile marketing is the focus on the small business owner. As an internet marketing company in Buffalo, NY, I see so many unique small businesses with loads of potential because of the technology that will be ‘the regular’ in about two years; mobile payments.
Per an article on AdAge, the mobile payment industry will increase to about $1 trillion by 2014, way up from the $162 billion it was in 2010. There are huge benefits to both the business owner and the consumer, as this technology is capable of delivering targeted promotions based on your customers prior purchases and their interests, which can easily be pulled from Facebook, through Facebook Connect.
Your customers will have an incentive to pay with their iPhone, iPad, Android or Tablet, as they’ll receive rewards when they shop in-store and, more importantly, when they share their experience through their social profiles.
Mobile apps such as shopkick are leading the way with this technology, as it tells consumers: “Get FREE STUFF while shopping.”
Shopkick gives your customers loyalty points, or ‘kicks’, each time they visit your store, scan a product code, spend a specific amount etc. If you haven’t heard of shopkick, you will soon, as it has already been introduced at big-box stores like Target, Macy’s, Best Buy and American Eagle Outfitters, which has already integrated shopkick points into their loyalty program, AEREWARDS.
“Retailers and brands can attract shoppers by working together, through shopkick, to offer rewards to shoppers for visiting, interacting with products and for purchases,” said Doug Galen, chief revenue office of shopkick.
While shopkick and similar loyalty apps integrate with large retailers and chains, it isn’t too far away until small businesses will be benefiting from this type of mobile loyalty technology. These apps will not only provide an increase to your in-store experience, but will also give your most loyal customers an incentive to shop more, share more and save more.