Mobile shopping

Consumers are shopping your competition while in your store these days.  You know it is human to think and we all do it, “Well it is a big name brand business?  They can compete better?”  Well what happens when it is a small local business?  This can have a significant impact to sales. If this doesn’t show the need for every business to be mobile friendly and not sure what will.  It amazes me when I work with businesses how many sites are not Mobilized and not giving their customers an awesome Mobile experience.   Even this was a wee bit of a shocker to me.  A  study by Foresee, 65% reported that they visit the retail stores website while they were shopping in the store during the month of January but a whopping 43% say they have accessed a competitor’s website while shopping in a store.

What impact does your website and Mobile site have on your customers? How do you know if they are getting the right impression, or if their experience detracts from how they view your company or brand?

The mobile channel is rapidly expanding and more users are connecting to it than ever before. It is critically important for companies to make sure the experience is right to foster a positive outcome.

Cheryl Lynn International quantifies the impact of your customers’ mobile experiences and their satisfaction with your company, so you can assess the value of your mobile initiatives.  Here are a few things to consider:

•     What impact does the mobile experience have on actual future use, purchases, purchase intent?
•     What impact does the mobile experience have on  loyalty and retention?
•     Who are your mobile users in terms of demographics, purchase behavior, and frequency of use?
•     Is your mobile site or app meeting the needs and expectations of customers as you planned?

ACCESSED STORE’S WEBSITE ON PHONE- 65%
ACCESSED COMPETITOR’S WEBSITE ON PHONE – 43%
ACCESSED SHOPPING COMPARISON SITES – 26%
ACCESSED STORE’S MOBILE SHOPPING APP – 21%
ACCESSED COMPETITOR’S MOBILE SHOPPING APP – 14%

Mobile Phone While Instore

Here is a quick video from Google:

over $210.00 by March 31, 2012!

Mobile Apps

In talking with local businesses everyday, the controversy over Mobile Websites vs Mobile Apps is always at the forefront.  There is not one business owner that I speak to that does not bring up the fact that they have to have a Mobile App first.  The” App” word is a familiar word to them because they themselves have either an Android or iPhone smartphone of which they download app’s themselves and too it is a familiar word to them.

But this is not the first place to start in making your business Mobile ready!  Many business of whom I speak to that had built the app first really get frustrated with the whole Mobile process because they don’t see the results they want quickly and it is costly.  I always suggest bring in the sales first through our Mobile readiness strategies and then give your clients an added experience with apps.  Mobilizing your business does take a few months to put into place effectively!  I am not talking about these quick and easy setups that companies are selling businesses on, I am talking about owning your own Mobile virtual real estate for your business!

The Mobile website versus Mobile app debate is a consequence of current developments in the way websites and applications are built for mobile devices. Every business eventually will have to establish a Mobile presence as the world changes to platform based marketing.

What’s the Difference Between the Two?

Mobile websites and Mobile apps are both designed and optimized for Smartphones and tablets.

Mobile websites are just like standard websites, with the difference that they are optimized for the small touch-screen of mobile devices. Sometimes, Mobile websites also have features like mapping (geo-targetting) and click-to-call buttons which are specific to Mobile devices.

Mobile apps are applications you download onto your Mobile device from app portals such as Android Market or Apple App Store. Mobile apps can work online, offline, or both, and they are designed for a specific platform (iOS, Android) though popular apps are usually available across platforms.  The more platforms apps are available on the more money it will cost.  Usually companies will choose the top two, Android and Apple marketplaces.

Mobile Website First, Mobile App Second

Creating a Mobile website is normally the first step companies take when developing a web presence, because setting up a Mobile website is easy and cost-effective. Once the Mobile website is in place, then a Mobile app that serves a more specific function can be developed.

When Cheryl Lynn International works with their clients we will first suggest a WordPress main website, then we will build out for them their OWN Mobile website, set up various Mobile strategies and tactics to start increasing revenues,  then once that is working well we will suggest a Mobile App.  We do it that way so you continually build upon giving a customer an awesome experience and at the same time letting the customer know your business in growing and thinking NEW technologies all the time.   All areas of Mobile readiness for a business is created for our customers and they OWN their own virtual real estate.

Now apps depends on what you’re developing. Games, for example, are best developed as Mobile apps from the start with a hired developer.  Whereas content-based Mobile apps can be build really easy at Cheryl Lynn International.  Ideally a business needs a main website and a Mobile website that are working like an ATM machine then they should think about a Mobile app.  With a content driven Mobile app you have to build the main website first.

Mobile Websites versus Mobile Apps

When your goal is to reach many users quickly, a Mobile website is preferable to a Mobile app. On the other hand, when you want to provide a powerful tool or a complex game, a Mobile app is better and of course requires a developer costing thousands of dollars.

Compatibility

• Mobile websites work across platforms and devices, an iPhone (iOS) user as well as a Samsung, Galaxy Nexus (Android) user being able to access the same Mobile website.
• Mobile applications (apps) work only with the platforms for which they have been developed for.  Example: an Android user will not be able to access an iPHone (iOS) Mobile app unless the app is available in the Android marketplace as well.

Availability

• Mobile websites are instantly available to any Mobile users with an Internet connection and browser.
• Mobile apps require to be downloaded and installed before they can be used.

Sustainability

• Mobile websites are easy to support, adding new content to them being easy.
• Mobile apps for games can be very costly to sustain because they require frequent upgrades to fix bugs and to enhance features.  On the other hand Mobile apps for content are a lot more cost effective.

Upgrade

• Mobile websites can be upgraded quickly and easily, and the upgrade will become active instantly.
• Mobile apps upgrades are typically released as a new app version, which will have to be downloaded and installed by the user on top of the old version.

Life Cycle

• Mobile websites are accessible to all users for as long as the Web is up.
• Mobile apps are rarely used for more than a few months (or years for remarkable apps), after which they are either forgotten or deleted.

Conclusion

Building a Mobile website is the obvious choice for anyone wishing to establish a Mobile presence on the Web quickly and effectively. Developing a Mobile app is the recommended choice for those making games or tools that feature complex calculations or that are required to work offline. Ideally, you will want to start with a WordPress Main Site, a WordPress Mobile website, and then, in time, build a Mobile app as well.

If you need to get your business Mobile ready, please contact us today!  We look forward to helping you increase your revenues, client base and dominate your community as being the #1 place of business!

Is your business Mobile ready?  Let us put your site through out simulator and let us show you what you need to do. We would love to hear from you so leave your comments below.

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Facebook Integration for WordPress

In working with local business owners it amazes me daily of how many still are not embracing the easy use of a WordPress (WordPress.org) platform structure for both the main and Mobile websites.

As many major Internet giants such as Google and Facebook develop ease of use plugins to make the entrepreneur’s social activities easier and cost effective, it is obvious WordPress sites are the way to pay it forward.

Changes could be made to your site, by yourself at a more quieter moment perhaps in the evening and you can go to your place of business the next day knowing you are staying ahead of the curve.

Today, Facebook just released a new plugin called “Facebook” which you can now publish posts from your WordPress site to your Facebook Timeline and Pages.  It took me all of about 30 minutes to install and about 30 minutes to write this post and test the new plugin.  But more importantly it was done FREE (well other than 60min of my time).  Now for those of you who have the old “html” style websites and your blog is tied tightly with your webmaster, you are going to have to get them to install that for you and of course that is going to cost you. Not to mention your webmaster is probably going to have to teach you on this as well therefore more costs.  This is why I always encourage local business entrepreneurs to move your websites over to WP Platforms as soon as they can. Enhancements are happening constantly as the world moves forward in the never ending changing world of platform info-structure marketing and advertising.   Mobile, Local, Internet and Social Media is not going away it is only going to get bigger.  So the sooner you embrace this new form of marketing and advertising for your local business, the sooner your headaches and overwhelm will go away.  :)

This new “Facebook” plugin is a brilliant idea from the FB team. TechCrunch, Buzz Media and The Next Web are already using the plugin to connect with their audiences while providing users with more engaging and personalized experiences. The plugin is available for all sites on WordPress.com VIP as well.  I don’t personally recommend WordPress.com as you do not own the website and I am always for increasing your real estate online to enhance the value of your local business.

WordPress powers 16.6 percent of the web, from The New York Times to People Magazine, and attracts more than 600 million unique visitors each month.

This plugin was made to enable WordPress content to be shared even more widely among people.  What I see so far, I think I will enjoy it!

https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2012/06/12/facebook-integration-for-wordpress/

Please feel free to contact us at Cheryl Lynn International or call us at 905.981.8761 if you wish to have your existing websites converted or set up in WordPress platforms.  Start your way TODAY in taking your power back and not being held hostage by your webmaster.  It is a piece of real estate that every business should own to increase it’s value.

While I was quickly running to pursue a purchase (dash in and out kind of thing) at our local shopping mall here in my home town, I could not help to stop and take note of a sign outside a local shoe store, one of course that I don’t normally shop at, that instructed me to key in a keyword to a short code.  So being the Mobile and Local Internet Marketing junkie that I am, I whimsically whipped out my smartphone and keyed in the keyword to a short code (eg: Text KEYWORD to XXXXX).

Seconds later the store followed up with a thank you, a coupon code and offered me a 10% discount off my next purchase when I read out the coupon code to the cashier. Bring on the purchase of new shoes you would think?  Not enough of a good deal for me at that time as I was in a hurry but I thought that I would come back at a later date to claim that discount.

Now, I never did returned for that claimed discount.  But this store understood about the importance of Mobile and Local Internet Marketing for their small business and what I am about to share with you is brilliant!

As I was now optin to their client data base and never opted out due to bad service or infrequent SMS texting, the shoe store launched an awesome campaign 3 months later sending out an amazing deal that endeared a shoe purchase from not only myself but from my friend as well. This offer came into my phone in a mid afternoon with only a 3 hour window to claim the discount.  When you bought the first pair of shoes at regular price you got the second purchase half price and the third purchase FREE.  Now when that text came in my friend was with me.  I said, “Do you want to go over?” She said, “SURE!” and a way we went.  We came back with multiple purchases.  The store was PACKED!  But this time I was NOT in a hurry and the deal was awesome and the customer service was GREAT!   It was so well worth it for myself, my friend and the store.  The store now just got two new customers and already has us waiting for the next sale to come into BOTH our smartphones as my friend optin as well.  Oh by the way, I was able to use my original 10% discount code offer I received months ago.  The optin discount was a thank-you for opting in!  It was truly amazing!

This is an amazing and a great example of how small businesses can distinguish themselves and solidify customer relationships through Mobile and Local Internet Marketing.  That text cost them all of about .02 – .10 cents, it was an end of season sale like they always have but the outcome of that day sales compared to last year was that they only had to have the sale for 3 hours, they made their quota, thanks to a SMS text!

Developing a Mobile strategy will be increasingly crucial for small to medium size businesses.  Local business entrepreneurs have got to embrace this type of marketing for their business.  It is essential in today’s changing world of info-structure platform marketing.  Mobile Internet use grew 37 percent last year and growing at rapid speeds of which there is still a vastly untapped market. What entrepreneurs don’t seem to understand in most cases it can be very rewarding for them plus cheaper. Finding ways to monetize Mobile use‚ either through marketing or advertising can be a big challenge for entrepreneurs since they are few consultants out there that really know how to set up good campaigns.

Over the past 3 years I have done some major studying on this form of marketing and advertising holding dear to my heart local business.

100% of small business owners admit Mobile and Online marketing gives a boost to business, but yet only about 9% have a WordPress main website and a Mobile website.  Many facets of everyday business growth these days are thanks to the connectivity of Local, Mobile, Social and the Internet.

Taking notice of these changes‚ from the obsolescence of telephone booths, print encyclopedias and print yellow pages to the changing way we scrapbook and buy handicrafts‚ can help you brainstorm ideas about how the businesses on your beat may be affected by or adapting to new infrastructure of Mobile technology platform marketing.

Business still put huge costs into billboards but think of it, that is NOT where the consumer eyes are.  Their eyes are not looking UP they are looking DOWN.  So if a business owner taps into where their consumer eyes are, it will be so much more rewarding for them.

Business must always today think Mobile into every piece of marketing they do for their business.  And at the same time learn to blend offline/online marketing and advertising with the use of QR codes.

Small businesses may not have become digital gurus but chances are that some of them are putting a toe into the water or thinking about it; you might aim for a round-up of clever, innovative or interesting Mobile and Local Internet Marketing strategies for your business because your competition is.

At Cheryl Lynn International we are a local business entrepreneurs saviour when it comes to Mobile and Local Internet Marketing strategies and tactics.  We are a local business one-stop-shop.  No need to be overwhelmed or frustrated in learning all what it takes to increase your business revenues and client base through this new info-structure.  We have all the help for you! We are your Mobile and Local Internet marketing partner.  We work ON (online) your business while you work IN your business.

Contact us today for your FREE no obligation assessment.

How Boston Market Uses QR Codes To Drive Summer Foot Traffic

Restaurants have an awesome opportunity in acquiring new customers and revenues if they incorporate QR codes and prizes.  Local foot traffic is already happening as the restaurant serves people all day long so why not entice your customers to play a game and have fun with their Mobile phones when they enter your facility?

This is what Boston Market decided to do to increase their client’s experience at all their locations.  I think is a brilliant idea not only for a restaurant but for many local businesses.  Boston Market’s strategy is to engage younger and new audience this summer who are starving for good food and fun, beginning with their ‘Summer at Its Best’ Sweepstakes.” Throughout the summer they will provide a number of major promotions, targeted to existing and new audiences, including savvy mobile users, who will use QR Codes to access their sweepstakes mobile site to win great prizes.  They will continue throughout the summer promoting fun strategies like for instance kids who come into their restaurants wearing their team uniform will get a complementary dessert with a purchase of a kids meal – which they hope will then be shared by way of facebooking, tweeting or posting to other social networks inspiring everyone to have fun at Boston Market this summer.

At Cheryl Lynn International this is one of the many types of consumer engagements we encourage our local business clients to embrace by means of blending offline with online marketing and advertising strategies for their business.  To many entrepreneurs are scared of the social media turf but if you engage this type of networking in a very positive and professional manner it can literally have a tremendous and positive impact for your business.  Remember always to train your staff to provide GREAT service and support to your client once they enter your facility.

If you wish to learn more of how Cheryl Lynn International can help you in marketing and advertising your business through Mobile and Local Internet Marketing strategies and tactics, please contact us TODAY!  We are here to help you!

To read the complete details of this Boston Market success story, click here.

If you’d like to have Cheryl Lynn speak to your group or business please contact Cheryl Lynn.  She’ll be happy to see if she can fit your event into her schedule and she can tailor the length and topics of her presentation to match the needs of your audience.

In the United States, Memorial Day is an observed holiday in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so others have the opportunity to follow their dreams and change lives. In tribute to you all, I share with you this wonderful interview clip about the meaning of perseverance and overcoming adversity.

I came across this video in 2009 when I faced major adversity in my business career. I still share it today as one of my favorites.   It really inspired me and I hope this will also inspire you if you are facing adversities today.

Also a big shout out to Adam Hommey for sharing this as well!

Warmly,

Cheryl

Encore!  Brought Back By Popular Demand!

I want to tell you about an amazing collegue of mine Kris Gilbertson who is crushing it with professionals and business owners teaching them how to rank on page one of google for their keywords, how to drive more traffic to their websites, and how to make more sales through the Power of Podcasting!

Most business owners have no idea what she’s referring to when she mentions Podcasting; however, after she speaks with them, their jaw Literally Drops at the opportunity that awaits them with this TRULY untapped marketing strategy!

Last month before I went on vacation, I personally went thru iTunes looking for educational Podcasts that I could download to my iPad and iPod and take with me. As many of you know I am a constant student! I love enhancing my skills and education to help my clients. I also knew there would be times that I would be having some quiet moments and would be able to put my headphones on and listen to some teachings.

With the platforms of businesses changing these days to Mobile, iPad’s, iPod’s, MP3′s Podcasting is a wonderful tool that you can share your information on and have available to your clients or potential clients on-the-go.

If you want to learn how to reach more people, make more sales, have more fun and use one of the Best Kept Social Media Marketing Strategies of 2012 – you’ll want to reserve your seat on her webinar this coming Thursday, 4/05 at 9pm EST!

https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/637943719

In this Focused Webinar You’ll Learn How To:

• Rank on Page 1 of Google for Your Keywords!
• Build a HUGE Loyal Following through the Power of Podcasting!
• The 7 Ways to Monetize Your Own Local Radio Show!
• How to Reach an Affluent Buyer Market that is EXtremely hard to reach!
• Generate more Leads for your Business
• Drive Traffic Online into Your Store!
• Make more sales!
• and so much more!

Register Now to Reserve Your Seat:

https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/637943719

Seriously you don’t want to miss it.

Kris will have you laughing, smiling, and getting your creative mind flowing on how to dominate the competition online with this awesome marketing tool for your business!

Literally, iTunes has over 300,000,000 million active buyers – one major search engine you WANT to learn how to partner with for more exposure and traffic for your business!

So what are you still waiting for :) – register for the webinar this Thursday night. Learn how to CRUSH it and be the #1 Expert in your Niche on iTunes!!

Click the link below: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/637943719

See you this Thursday 4/05/2012 at 9 pm EST!

In Friendship,

Cheryl Lynn

P.S. You DO NOT want to miss in learning about this unbelievable business tool – literally my jaw dropped when I learned about how powerful Podcasting is for our business so I asked her to do this presentation for us! Click below to Register now to learn.

Don’t forget your invitation Thursday 3/29/2012 at 8 pm EST to learn how to dominate your niche through the power of Podcasting in this FREE webinar event…..”7 Secrets WHY Podcasting Will Increase Traffic For Your Local Business”.

Webinar Thursday 4/05/2012 at 9 pm EST to learn 7 Secrets Why Podcasting Will Increase Traffic For Your Local Business!

https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/637943719

As many of you know I have several mentors and  I only refer to you the best of the best!

I wanted to send out this post to you as my mentor Brendon Burchard was on the Anderson Cooper show this past Friday.  If you didn’t see it, it was amazing and Brendon gave away $10,000.00 to the family’s cause plus he did this amazing video for Anderson that I didn’t want you to miss.

Yes…it is FREE and also GREAT content!

I’m sharing this with you for two reasons. Firstly, I am not sure if you saw the show but more importantly Brendon shares a lot of information of how Charities can raise money for their cause on Anderson’s website and I didn’t want you to miss it.  Brendon shares a lot of FREE content to help you raise money for your charity or get your message out there in a BIG way.

As I have said before, I have either been a student, worked with or follow the most influential and inspiring leaders in this world of which many of them are so giving and caring in a BIG way.  I will only share with you the best leaders and/or the best products and services I use, trust and value.

 Brendon Burchard is one of those people.  I am quite honored to call Brendon my mentor.  He is amazing and gives back to others in such a big way! Plus he shares GREAT information for your cause or business that could help you so much!  He’s been on the Anderson’s show twice in the last few months, helping families learn how to share their message.

 The last appearance of Brendon on Anderson Cooper went so well, Anderson asked him to shoot a training video for his website. It’s on “How You Can Raise Money And Partners For Your Cause” and/or message.

Click on Brendon’s and Anderson pic below to watch Brendon’s video on Anderson’s site:

 



I hope this helps you get some insight as to how to market your cause or business on the internet.

As a student of Brendon, I follow his format.  If there is anything I can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact through my website.

 All the best in raising money for your cause or your business!

Need help?  Contact us today!

Love and Much Success!

- Cheryl Lynn

I was shared this quick list of tips of the new FanPage picture changes from a colleague of mine Neil Farley at http://www.facebook.com/neilfarleyonline.  I want to take the opportunity to thank him for allowing me to share this with my community.  Thank you Neil!

Short Tip – Changing To a Custom Tab Image/Name vs a listing of App Names will be a wee be confusing at first but like anything we will get used of it.

      Changing the “Tab” Icon

Facebook App/Nav tab size: 110 x 74 pixels (although I used 328×240)

Facebook cover photo size: 851 x 315 pixels

Facebook profile image size: 180 x 180 pixels square

Facebook milestone image size: 843 x 403 pixels

• Go to your Timeline page view, underneath the banner there is the four “positions” for the Photos + 3 Top Application / Nav Pictures… To its right there is a number (tabs/apps you have) and a small down arrow.
• Click the down arrow and all of your apps tabs will slide down.
• Go to the App Picture you want altered and hover your mouse on the top right corner.
• Left-Click the little pencil icon and a dialog box will pop up.
• Scroll down your list to a few from the bottom and click the Edit Settings link.
• Click the Custom Tab Image Change link. A new window will pop open with Upload a Custom Image in it – Check the change Link.
• Click the Browse button and find your image file you want to add on your Computer. 111×74 is the std but it will be converted and resized. Max limit is 5MB.
• Once the image has uploaded, close the Upload a Custom Image.
• Go Back to the Edit “YourTabName Here” Settings Dialog box and edit Custom Name if needed (then click Save). Complete the task by clicking the Ok button.

Remember Facebook is a tool/vehicle for your business to market your product or services online.  You don’t own your FanPage…Facebook does.  You must comply to their policy and procedures and be professional at all times.

If you require monthly management services, please do not hesitate to contact us by either email or by filling out the contact form on our website at http://www.cheryllynninternational.com/contact.

Love and Much Success!

Cheryl