Mobile marketing catching on in several industries

More businesses are turning toward mobile marketing to take advantage of the benefits that are offered by the strategy.

Hair salons, sandwich shops and stores around the country have all dived into the industry of mobile marketing, finding it easier to reach potential consumers by using online advertising techniques. Mobile marketing has been proven to be practical for sharing information about future small business promotions that are being offered, and it has less of an impact on a company's budget.

According to QRCodePress, hair salons have begun to use text messages to inform consumers about deals that are being offered and remind them if they have a future appointment coming up. They have also given consumers the option to click on links that can allow them to take action right away, such as scheduling an appointment or signing up for a deal through their mobile devices.

Using mobile marketing has also proved to be more affordable for small businesses. Sending out mass text messages can be free for some companies through a wireless network, and they deliver a significant return on their investment.

According to a study conducted by Ofcom, 97.5 percent of all text messages received by smartphone users are read within five minutes of receiving them, which makes it clear that the method more effective than emails and other forms of communication that might not be read as promptly.

Another study conducted by BIA/Kelsey called "Local Commerce Monitor" revealed that 87 percent of small businesses are spending 24 percent of their marketing budgets online, and 40 percent of the traffic to Yelp is through mobile devices. Experts recommend that small businesses use SEO techniques to increase their business' reach.