Jack Threads on new Mobile App for iPhone & Android; “Would it have benefitted us if we had it sooner? Yes."

JackThreads, an on-line only retailer of apparel, shoes, and accessories for men,  has just announced the availability of their first Mobile App for the Android and iPhone market. The App allows shoppers to browse new deals and sales as they are announced on the Jack Threads site and also make purchases directly through the Jack Threads App.

Lead developer Chris Steib said that Jack Threads had noticed that much of the traffic to their website was coming from mobile devices, something they had not expected or foreseen.

“One-fifth of the traffic and a tenth of our revenue is now coming through iPhone and Android smart phones,” he said. “We’ve seen traffic rise more than ten times in a year-and-a-half and we’re seeing different behavioral patterns than we initially expected.”

The Jack Threads App will include push notifications as well as “nightlife sales” for shoppers who stay out late. Users who download the app will receive an automatic invitation to the notification service, a great example of true permission based marketing.

“The App is fashion forward, for people interested in style,” said Steib. “It’s a very smooth, polished, enjoyable experience with OpenGL animations for that ‘Wow’ factor.”

JackThreads has been on the forefront of eCommerce, offering cool clothes to kids on-line using an “exclusive sales model,” with a techno/urban twist.

When asked why it had taken so long for them to bring an App to market Mt. Steib had this to say. “Would it have benefitted us if we had it sooner? Yes.” he said.

Jack Threads worked three months on the project with an outside vendor. The App is available today for download on iTunes and the Android Market.

How to grow your new Branded Mobile App.

OK, so you've just invested in a Branded Mobile App for your business.

Congratulations!

And what an App it is! Attractive to look at, lots of great functions and features, and it's sooooo easy to use that you're sure all your customers will love it.

Of course you can't wait to start using it to market your business. You have visions of the droves of new customers who will be flocking to your business, your store, your restaurant, all needing your services and wanting to purchase.  

You see your customers LOVING the App! The Push Notifications tell them about upcoming events and specials,  the mobile coupons are a tremendous hit,  and they love the ease of use and ability to interact with the App and your business. 

In your mind's eyes you see so many smiling, happy customers, their dollars flying,  and your bank account getting bigger and greener.  It's wonderful, isn't it?

But there's only 1 problem;  Nobody has your new App on their smart phones.

It's like the old adage;  If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? 

If a Branded App isn't on a smart phone, does it make a sale?  No. Definitely not.

So the question is, how do you get that hot new Branded App onto your customer's smart phones, working for you and generating new revenue?

Well my dear readers, listen closely and pay attention and I will tell you.

How to get your Branded App onto lots and lots of smart phones and working for you and your business.

Simple, no / low cost methods.

• Put a sign on the Front Door of your business telling people about the App.
• Direct everyone, from the secretary on up, to 'talk up' the new App to any and all customers every time they make contact with them.
• Put small signs around the interior of the business telling people about the NEW APP, especially if it is a restaurant, club, bar, salon, or retail shop of any kind.  
•  Have a small give away in-house for customers who download the App onto their phones RIGHT THERE in the business.
• Talk about the App every chance you get to anyone, whether in the biz or not.  Friends, family, strangers on the street, the guy who bags your groceries, your hairdresser, the lady at the bank, the person next to you in line at the grocery store. ANYBODY.  If you have an App that is interesting and helpful PEOPLE WILL THANK YOU  for telling them about it. 
• Direct secretaries to answer the phone with 'Hello and thanks for calling XYZ. Did you hear about our new App for smart phones/'. 
• Direct your waiters, waitresses, bartenders and any other wait staff to talk about the new App with all customers.
• Direct salespeople, cashiers,  and anyone who comes into contact with the public to ask about and talk about the App.
• ASK people who have downloaded the App to share the App with friends and family.
• Give an incentive (free cocktail, shampoo sample, car wash, whatever) for sharing the App. 
• Drop a flyer into every bag, box or envelope that leaves the business telling customers about the new App and how great it is.
• Have a Contest to see who can share the App to the most people and give a discount or freebie to the winner. 
• Feature the App prominently on any Web media, including websites, email correspondence, and Blogs.
• Have a 'call to action' attached to every bit of content that reaches the public, giving them incentive to download and/or share the App.
• THANK everyone who downloads the App with an email message and a discount coupon.
• Have an App Guide available, telling your customers what they can do with the App and how to use it.

Paid methods.

• Send flyers to your community telling them about the App and giving an incentive to download it to their smart phones.
• Add a reference to the App in every bit of promotional material that leaves the business. Boxes, books, flyers, promos, receipts, tags, everything.
• With every print promotion, for any purpose, include a reference to the new App with a call to action to download it.
• Include a reference to the App in any and all Radio and TV ads with a call to action comment or blurb.
• Team up with other local businesses to promote the App.
• Promote a contest for anyone who downloads the App with a great prize or give-away.
• Have a BIG SIGN created to put up at the business telling people about the App and how great it is.

Remember that the key here is to have your App on as many phones as possible and have as many people talking about the App as possible.  An App is only as good as the number of phones that it is downloaded to. If it is on enough smart phones it will be a revenue creator. If not it will just be like a shiny toy that sits in a closet.

Also remember that you need to have a little patience.  If the App has been well designed, if it has great functionality and is easy to use, and if it offers the customer incentives to not only use it but keep it on their phone, it will succeed with a little bit of patience and some care.

Finally, make sure that you don't overuse the App for promotions that don't bring added value to the customer. Tell them, through the App, about IMPORTANT information and also give them great PROMOTIONS and COUPONS through the App.  Make having the App something cool and valuable and watch what happens.

Soon your Branded App will grow into a great big revenue tree, giving you fruit in the form of new customers and new business all year round. 

When you're ready to get growing on your Branded Mobile App give me a call.

Cheers.

Mobile App Man

 

New Report shows that Mobile Shopping continues to rise sharply.

A new report from Zmags, a merchandising platform that creates digital products for retailers, took a look at how consumers are shopping on mobile platforms.

The study polled 1,500 consumers in the United States and was executed by Equation Research.

In particular, electronics are a hot item for consumers to buy on mobile with 53 percent of tablet consumers polled saying that they primarily used their tablet to shop. Thirty-five percent of smartphone users said they shopped for electronics on their devices.

Forty-nine percent of mobile shoppers polled said they planned to do more shopping via their devices in 2012.  Clothing, travel and toys are also popular shopping areas for mobile consumers and will increase in use in 2012, per the study.

According to the study, 41 – 45 percent of consumers who shop online for electronics, jewelry, clothing and toys use their smartphone to make the purchase.

The report concluded that tablets and smartphones are both critical elements of an effective commerce strategy, and both need to be part of a retailer’s marketing plan.

Does your Marketing Plan include Mobile?

Squidoo : Lensmaster Workshop

Squidoo : Lensmaster Workshop

The BEST Apps for ... Shoppin, Taxes, the Weather, Home Repair, finding places, photography and many more.

Half of Computing Device sales are now MOBILE devices.

http://digg.com/newsbar/mynews/uh_oh_pc_half_of_computing_device_sales_are_mobile

QUESTION;  Has YOUR BUSINESS gone Mobile yet?

Top 10 Android Smart Phones

Top 10 Android Smart Phones

Who are the Top Mobile Retailers?

According to a new report from Foresee Results, a customer satisfaction study of top retail mobile sites and apps shows that Apple.com is the top mobile retailer with consumers. Amazon.com came in a close second.

The average mobile satisfaction score for the 16 retailers measured in the report is 76, compared to 79 for the same companies’ websites.  However, a few companies had comparable performance on mobile and web: Apple (which had a mobile score two points higher than its web score), Toys “R” Us, Best Buy, Staples, Netflix, Dell, and Blockbuster.  Others reveal large gaps between the website and the mobile experience, including Avon (satisfaction 8 points lower on mobile) and Walmart (7 points lower). 

I believe what this study shows is that Mobile is becoming a very large part of the marketing scheme for all the big name players.  Further, those making the mobile experience better for their customers will have an advantage in the future as Mobile marketing and Mobile Apps continue to be used with ever increasing regularity.

So again, not only do you need a Mobile marketing plan and a Branded Mobile App but you also have to make sure that the customer experience when utilizing these new marketing tools is a positive experience that will lend itself to further use and revenue generation.

Cheers.
Mobile App Man.

18% of people who scan QR Codes MAKE A PURCHASE!

In a  recent poll,  Chadwick Martin Bailey , a market research provider,  found that 18 percent of people who scan a QR code into their mobile device (smart phone) MAKE A PURCHASE after scanning!

That is a HUGE click through number!  18 percent !!  Almost 1 out of every 5 people make a purchase!

CMB also notes that nearly 80 percent of survey repsondents have heard of QR codes although many were not sure exactly what they do or what they are used for. 

Even more positive results as to the effectiveness of QR codes was seen, as CMB found that nearly 50 percent of smart phone users had scanned a QR code.

So it seems obvious from this poll that QR codes have made their way into the public eye and are being scanned not only on a regular basis but also on an increasing level by consumers.

Here at SearchPoint Marketing we can help you put together a great QR code promotion and also help you put QR codes into your overall Mobile Marketing scheme.

Just another way to attract the public, gain attention for your product or service, and INCREASE YOUR REVENUE in 2012.

Cheers, 

Mobile App Man                                                                                                                                                                                     

Wal-Mart buys App developer company Small Society in bid to dominate all facets of Mobile Experience.

Wal-Mart , the nation's largest retailer, has purchased the mobile app developer Small Society in a move to not only be able to oversee every aspect of their Mobile App development and marketing but also to dominate the market and control the mobile experience for their customers from the ground up.

This move, more than any I have seen in recent months, shows the high importance that retailers are putting on Mobile in 2012 and beyond.  Wal-Mart purchase their own App developing company! Do you think they are interested in Mobile?!

By acquiring their own App developing company,  Wal-Mart will be able to not only create better mobile experiences for customers, they will be able to control every aspect of App development in order to bring to market an App that is truly Wal-Mart branded.

Paul Cousineau, vice president of mobile products for Walmart, had this to say about the recent aquisition of Small Society. “We believe that mobile can have an impact on every part of the shopping experience for Wal-Mart customers, whether at retail stores or online".

The goal at Wal-Mart is to make the shopping process easier for their customers, whether they are planning a visit to one of their 2907 Super Centers,  navigating shelves in-store, finding more product info while shopping and, ultimately, using their mobile smart phones to make purchases.

Mobile Apps are of central importance to this goal,  and the goal of continually finding ways to bring everyday low prices to their customers.

This deal points to the importance that Wal-Mart is putting on having control over the mobile experience for its customers as opposed to sharing customers with third-party apps, which have proliferated in the past year.

This is Wal-Mart's fourth acquisition in the last year in this area and is yet another example that the major retailers (including Amazon and eBay, to name but 2) have now recognized mobile as a viable retail channel.

In April 2011 Wal-Mart acquired another California technology group, Kosmix, which had developed a platform to filter and organize material from social networking sites to present to individual users.
In Decemberof 2011 Wal-Mart.com launched a service called Shopycat that uses interests registered on Facebook to recommend products to online shoppers.

With the aquisition of Small Society Wal-Mart will be able to better mine, filter and manage data from mobile apps and gain a better understanding of what customers are responding to in mobile.

The biggest names in retail are GOING MOBILE.  Isn't it time you took YOUR Business Mobile also?

Cheers,
Mobile App Man

Mobile set to Dominate in 2012. Is YOUR Buisness ready?

Happy New Year!

I have been telling my customers for months that they need to focus on Mobile in order to increase sales and revenue because that is where the market (and their customers) are headed. I have also been saying that a Branded Mobile App is the tool necessary for keeping up with the coming mobile explosion and the revenue that will come with it.

The article below, from Business Insider, confirms everything I have been saying and then some.

So it begs repeating;  If you want to compete in you local marketplace you NEED to Invest in a Mobile strategy and with that Mobile strategy comes a Mobile Website and a Mobile App.  The businesses who Invest in Mobile in 2012 are going to see huge increases in traffic and revenue, and those who don't, like during the Internet explosion of the 90's, will be left behind to pick up the scraps.

Don't be a scrap picker-upper.  Let's talk about your Mobile Strategy.

Cheers.
Mobile App Man

Domino’s Pizza finding continued succes with Mobile advertising.

Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores  in 60 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

Domino's has been using Mobile advertising, including several Branded Mobile Apps and a Branded Mobile website, to much success for several years.  Domino’s is using social media also, and has a big presence on Facebook and Twitter.

“Pizza is the kind of product that people want to be able to order while they’re on their way home from work or simply just sitting on the sofa,” says Nick Dutch, multimedia manager at Domino’s Pizza.. “It’s vital that we give them a fast and easy means to do this through our iPhone, Android and iPad ordering apps.

“Online orders account for such an increasingly large proportion of our business and mobile sales are naturally a key part within this,” he said. “As such we’re placing a greater emphasis on mobile within our digital marketing mix.”

This begs the question;  If Domino's is using Mobile to great success, and Investing in Mobile advertising with a Branded App and Mobile Website is very economical,  shouldn't you be using Mobile as a way to promote your business?

It's a good question, yes?

If you need help with your Mobile campaign, or have any questions related to Mobile Apps, Websites or Marketing, please feel free to contact me a any time.

Cheers,
Mobile App Man

SearchPoint Marketing is offering Do-It-Yourself CUSTOM MOBILE APPS for the iPhone (iOS) and Android marketplace for $397.00 !!

 

If you are the owner / manager of a retail establishment, a service company, a restaurant, or any other type of small /medium size business, a Branded Mobile App is a tool that you NEED in your arsenal in 2012 if you want to increase your customer base, sales and revenue.

SearchPoint Marketing, a leading provider of internet, social and mobile marketing services, is offering Do-It-Yourself Custom Mobile App licenses for the ridiculously low investment cost of $397.00!!!

Once you finish building your Custom Mobile App, there is a 1-time $99.00 fee to upload your Custom Mobile App to the iTunes and Android markets (both are included in the fee) There is a monthly fee to Host the App for download for iTunes and Android users that is only $39.00 for both versions.

What does it take to make and publish a Custom Mobile App 

for your business?

Certain skills and knowledge are needed to prepare, complete and publish a Custom Mobile App, as well as some publishing / graphics programs.

Here is a list of the basic skills are required to build an custom mobile app using our platform:

Graphics Design and Manipulation
Image Editing
Some Basic HTML Code Knowledge
Content Development
Uploading and downloading files to the web

When you purchase an App License you will receive;
  
1- The License to create 1 Branded Mobile App.
2- The 'keys' to the App, allowing you to create, change and use the App for all your marketing, branding and advertising needs.
3- The Module Based Custom Mobile App Building Program that you will need to build your Branded Mobile App and service the App once published to iTunes and Android

Your Total Investment is:
Branded App License - $397.00
Upload Cost to iOS & Android - $99.00  (1 time fee)
Hosting Cost - $39.00  (monthly fee)


If you have other more advanced skill then you can add more functionality to your custom mobile app.  However, the app building platform comes with many pre-configured modules which only require you to add your specific business information.  

You will not find a better deal for creating a fully function custom mobile app for your business.  

If you would rather not build your own app, then please contact us about having our expert team of custom mobile app builders do all the work for you.

Contact Me, Mobile App Man (Greg Iacono) at 843-580-6012 TODAY to get your Branded Mobile App License and get started!

Wendy's and Toaco Bell continue to advertise and increase revenue via Mobile.

Fast food giants Wendy's and Taco Bell have been engaged in mobile advertising for some time now and will continue to do so in the future due to 1 main reason; Increased Revenue.  In various campaigns over the last 2 years both companies have seen a huge influx of customers and revenue due directly to mobile advertising, and both agree that mobile is the future.

Taco Bell is placing QR codes on its new 12-pack products as part of a 360-degree marketing campaign that includes mobile, radio, in-store signage, Web, TV and social media. They has partnered with ESPN on the 'mobile bar code initiative', which is aimed at football fans. Taco Bell is using mobile bar codes (QR codes) that, when scanned into a mobile device,  let users access content about the upcoming Bowl Championship Series college football games.  The QR codes are placed on Taco Bell’s Taco 12 Pack products.

By using a themed promotion, Taco Bell is able to leverage its packaging with a mobile call-to-action that is clear and explains to users exactly what a QR code does.

Fast food chain Wendy’s is driving consumers to its locations to try the company’s new hamburgers via geo-targeted mobile ad campaigns.

The company is running the mobile ads in conjunction with a broader marketing campaign that involves television and a large emphasis on social media.

The target of the campaign is a younger consumer who is willing to try new foods and is a heavy smart phone user.

When someone is driving by or walking near a Wendy's with a smart phone in their pocket, the geo-targeted ads will alert them on their mobile device and send them a call-to-action advertisement.



Mobile App Man - My take
Tapping into the location of mobile devices is an obvious way to drive incremental store visits due to the tremendous increase in mobile phone use.  Driving tracked, incremental mobile conversions that are linked to specific campaigns is a great way to determine which ads are doing well and which are not.

Whatever mobile advertising you decide to use, be it QR code, mobile ads, SMS Text messaging or what have you,  a CALL TO ACTION is necessary to drive business and revenue to your door.

By the way, the very same type of mobile campaigns that Wendy's and Taco Bell are using can be used by much smaller businesses and restaurants at a very reasonable cost.

Cheers,
Mobile App Man

FaceBook Mobile App continues surge in popularity and usage.

The number of monthly active users for Facebook’s mobile apps (on iOS and Android) recently passed 300 million. This puts mobile app use for Facebook at nearly 40 percent of total access. 

More and more people have smartphones and they are spending more time on them. Facebook wants to be wherever users are, and that means providing a great experience on mobile devices. Facebook says they expect the majority of their use, and even their internal focus, to be on mobile in the coming years.

The force behind the growth in Facebook app use are the iOS and Android platforms. Both iOS and Android saw significant increases in mobile device activations as well as app downloads during the November and December holiday period.

The news comes as overall use of social networking sites via mobile devices continues to grow. In a recent report, Juniper Research predicts that 1.3 billion consumers will rely on their mobile devices to access social media sites by 2016.

Next year Facebook will begin to look at mobile as its core product as it continues to move its iOS and Android apps toward being wrappers for a common HTML5 experience. Facebook is also expected to launch a mobile advertising strategy next year as it continues to look for ways to monetize its significant user base.

For marketers, Facebook's move onto mobile holds a great deal of promise. Facebook already provides innovative ways to find and message users who like brands and products or fit demographic and geographic categories. Gaining access to these users via Facebook's mobile ad units is a great new way to leverage marketing dollars in a relevant context for users," he said. One of the Facebook’s potential advantages in mobile advertising is the size of its installed user base and the amount of data it has about consumers as a result.

In-app advertising in particular could provide a strong opportunity for Facebook as the number of users accessing Facebook via an app continues to grow. Facebook could become a strong distribution channel for mobile apps and offer in-app advertising.

Many users already spend as much or more time on their smartphones as they do on laptops and desktops. Mobile computing is the future and social networks need to provide a great experience to their users on all mobile platforms. 


My take;  If FaceBook says they're going to focus on Mobile, wouldn't it be a good bet to do that for YOUR business?

Cheers.
Mobile App Man