Mobile Commerce Minute

 

Smartphones really are becoming the epicentre of our digital lives. As you’ll see in this episode, much of how we’ll interact with our surroundings - be that how we control and watch content or pay for goods - will involve the devices we carry in our pockets or purses. Chuck details a number of examples throughout the episode but focuses on the ease with which mobile payment company Paydiant helps make mobile payments simple.

Beacons to the right of us. Beacons to the left of us. We are entering a beacon world and it is imperative that business owners, consumers and software makers understand what this means for them. Chuck summarizes the 5 things we all need to understand about this incredible opportunity. Think of this as Beacons 101 in 2 minutes.

The car is a huge opportunity on so many fronts. The first and most obvious is while you are inside it. The second is the process by which you buy cars in general. Two companies, Toyota and Saatchi & Saatchi offer their insight into the influence mobile is and will be having on the auto industry.

Mobile is one of the greatest testing platforms for companies to make small bets and get some real feedback. Chuck highlights how two large companies (Quiznos and Diamond Foods) are using small scale mobile tests to see what resonates with their customers. You say small tests I say brilliant strategy.

Location is the killer context for advertisers. When it is used properly it can attract and draw customers to local and relevant businesses. When it goes awry, it has little to no effect. What makes it work? According to a very extensive survey done by Thinknear, proximity has an enormous impact on effectiveness as you'll see in this episode. The survey also brings up one of the most relevant discussion points about this nascent technology - something that reduces its impact and costs advertisers money. Watch on.

The latest large-scale IDC study on mobile consumer behaviour over the holidays confirms that the devices we carry actually enhance the shopping experience. Simply put, mobile creates happier shoppers. The study also looks at the companies who dominated in mobile shopping over the holidays. Can you guess who they were?

Mobile payments are a perfect example of throwing the technology in front of the user experience. With so many options vying for our attention and wallet, the differentiator is going to be how payment companies make the experience a more seamless part of their customer's day. If you lead with payments you will lose. If you lead with experience and payments "happen" you will win. Not sure what I mean? Watch the video.

It only takes a second or two but the vast majority of consumers do not scan products they are about to buy. Why do it? Well, as detailed in this episode, not doing it leads to paying higher prices. Doing it, leads to paying lower prices. Which sounds better? Stop paying the stupid tax...

The mobile wallet is a promise being made by companies from Google to Starbucks to the carrier consortiums but what will it take to move it closer to ubiquity? According to research firm Parks Associates, a large percentage of US smartphone users will be using a mobile wallet of some sort in the coming years...but why? Watch this to find out.

A recent study by IDC revealed some startling numbers around the confusing world retailers face when dealing with us, their customers. The fine line between providing value to us or offending us has never been easier to cross - the hope is that you use this information to remain on the good side. Watch this episode to understand.