Total mobile users around the world have increased from 4.1 to over 5 billion in the last year alone. More mobile phones than people are expected to be on the planet in the next 18 months or less and well over 1 billion of those are going to be Smartphones by 2013. Going mobile is critical to staying relevant going into 2012 and beyond.

Consider these facts that prove mobile is not only heating up, it is RED HOT . . . There are 600,000 mobile apps and growing on a sharp curve upward – soon to be 1 million.  After they hit 1 million, they’ll soon hit 2 million in a much shorter time.  5 million mobile apps will be here sooner than you think.

The mobile app market is a $38 Billion dollar industry.  And it will DOUBLE and TRIPLE over the next 3 years.

Check out why mobile phones and mobile apps are the most exciting and innovative way to market your brand:

NEVER Off

Comparing PC’s to mobile phones . . . mobile phones are very affordable and far more accessible than ever before (usually within arm’s reach almost the entire 24 hours per day).  Even when you charge your phone, usually it is still ON, always on you or very nearby and it knows where you are based on the GPS installed on over 90% of the phones in existence today.  Reaching consumers wherever they are, your business has a huge opportunity to sell, promote, engage, and be remembered.

Location, location, location

Since mobile phones know where you are creates a huge game changer and without a doubt the next big tidal wave in the mobile world.  Radios, televisions and PC’s don’t have this technology and are much more limited in what they could do. Digital cameras and GPS are built into every mobile device coming off the shelves currently, and the possibilities continue to be mind boggling on how we all access and interact with our reality (known as Social Media).

EXTREME branding

Traditionally, your Website was the hub of your marketing plan just like having a business phone number is a MUST.  Now that shift is quickly moving to mobile apps.  Mobile apps are the NEW Website of this decade.  Surfers on the web can be distracted away from your Website easily and led to something irrelevant in seconds. In the mobile space, apps allow your business to stay in control of the customer experience with a more pleasing user interface that is engaging and fun to use. Also, the ability to bring multiple creative properties like blogs, videos, pictures and events into one location with one consistent view is easier and more efficient, saving time and money for your business and the user.

Permission-based communication

Usually when you first download or use an app on a mobile phone, it will ask for your email, current location or if you would like to receive push notifications. If the user grants permission, you can communicate with them via that very direct one to one channel.

Advertising Sponsorship

There are countless opportunities to find a Joint Venture sponsor for your mobile app. And if your business already has potential sponsors, you can extend to them, an invitation to the mobile world. It’s friendlier than a banner ad and more relevant than a pre-roll video.  Your business controls its branding keeping your message direct, clear and simple.

A way of life

Whether someone is eating, driving (oops that’s very bad!), walking, talking, waiting in line, on a plane, in a meeting or watching a concert, everyone has Mobile phones.  Who do you know (with few exceptions) that does not have a mobile phone?  Mobile phones predominantly dictate where we all go and what we do. They are making their debut in our lives at a younger age each year and there’s no doubt it has become a way of life, especially when none of us leave home without our mobile phones.

Multiple platforms

There are more and more choices and personalization options than ever before when choosing a device and even a carrier.  Each has its own defaults, features, operating systems, user interface and design theme.  Because devices can be chosen based on your personality and needs, it leads to you using it more often which leads to accelerating your communications in the Social Media world.

Sharing is caring

Via mobile apps word of mouth allows any user the ability to share any piece of mobile content on any network with the possibility of going viral.  Mobile sharing is an unrivaled feature built in to almost every mobile app on the market today.  Without it, the viral and personal nature of why we like something is lost. No matter where we are and what we are doing, sharing is important to us.  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and countless other Social Media giants have already proven this.  Just ask the person at a concert recording their favorite artist, or snapping pictures of friends at an event, and commenting on or posting links on social networks.

mCommerce

More users are opening their wallets (through mobile apps) when on the go than ever before.  Arguably this behavior would not happen on PC’s and desktops. If you are a brand consumers like and trust, that makes life easier in the process, they will keep coming back for more.

Exclusive deals

By offering specific exclusive content, special offers, fun and engaging contests or top user incentives through your mobile app, enhances the experience for your customers and keeps them coming back again and again. This can turn regular sporadic customers into loyal raving fans almost overnight.  Be careful not to make your offers too competitive and complicated or most people will tune out.  Keep it simple and you will be surprised by increased visits and higher transaction amounts.