Starbucks Observation

 
By simply observing the activity at Starbuck’s, I can probably bet you’re reading this article from your mobile device. People in business can no longer ignore the upward trend to be front and center on the Google stage, with a seamless experience on every mobile device. Nothing turns a potential customer away faster than a website they can’t easily read on their smartphone, sending them straight to your competitors that offer a better mobile experience. Take a look at the following mobile marketing statistics if you’re not already convinced:
 
1) 80% of Internet Users Own a Smartphone: With so many cell phone services giving away free smartphones with their contracts, this number is only going to rise — good news for companies with a mobile marketing strategy already in place.
 
2) Over 50% of Users Grab Their Smartphone First Thing in the Morning: Yup- I’m part of that 50%. This is one of the reasons that email marketing continues to be so valuable. People are addicted to their smartphones and when a consumer subscribes to your newsletter or responds to an email campaign, they’re giving you permission to communicate directly to the device that rarely leaves their hands.
 
3) 64% of Pinterests’ Referred Traffic Comes From Either Smartphones or Tablet Devices: Facebook and Twitter still dominate, but companies targeting mobile users should look to attract them on Pinterest as well.
 
4) 79% Use Smartphones for Reading Email: A higher percentage than those who used it for making calls. Optimizing emails for mobile is the bare minimum. Smart businesses optimize every aspect of their emails to generate more leads and increase conversions.
 
5) 88% Who Search From a Mobile Device Visit the Location Within 24 Hours: Just like your mother always told you, first impressions really do count. People use their mobile device to find a local business when they’re ready to buy, and a great mobile website design experience seals the deal.
 
I know it sounds redundant, but having a responsive website is no longer an option — it’s a requirement to stay on top of today’s competitive market. The days of people engaging exclusively on a desktop are long over, and mobile optimization is a must.