This year saw a staggering growth in consumer mobile usage, and with the smartphone industry growing at an unprecedented rate, 2011 could prove to be an unparalleled year in terms of mobile innovation and expansion.
With more than 70% of the world’s population owning a mobile phone, it’s time for small businesses to pay attention to mobile and begin planning their mobile strategy now.
Below are four predictions on how the growth of mobile will affect small businesses in 2011, with key takeaways on how you can get started with each one.
1. Mobile Payments
Allowing your customers to buy with speed and confidence is essential for any small business owner, but with the pace o f modern life, it’s now increasingly important to let your customers buy at their convenience.
Mobile payments mean a retailer of any size can accept and process credit card payments, all with a smartphone, an account and corresponding app. Mobile payments can aid in expanding business and increasing revenue for a small business simply by using their existing smartphone.
There are already several options available to any small business interested in accepting mobile payments, including:
- Square is a cube-like plug-in that works with your iPhone, iPad or Android phone, to read credit cards and allows merchants to accept mobile payments. You can track sales, tips, tax, payment locations and your customers from one place. There are no contracts or monthly minimums, and the card reader and setup are free. There is, however, a limit of $1,000 deposit per week into your bank account, with the remainder deposited in 30 days.
- PAYware M obile is an app, card...
