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(Article first published in March '09. It has been modified slightly to suit its publication on our site)
We all know what happened to the Dinosaurs. They didn't see something coming that was going to change their world and they died out. We've all heard the analogy between dinosaurs and business before, but it has never been more relevant than now. There is a new shift in how consumers go online and the amazing thing is that it has already happened and most business owners know nothing about it!
What am I talking about? Well, .mobi of course. You may be none the wiser and that's OK because it's relatively new and a complex subject. In simple terms .mobi is like any other domain name, such as .com, .ie, .net, etc. However it has been created to specifically cater for people using mobile devices to browse the web.
Why do we need .mobi? If you've ever tried to browse a normal website on a mobile device you'll understand. The browsing experience is awful - things don't work and don't get me started on the constant scrolling! .mobi therefore allows a business owner to establish a mobile friendly web presence.
Why should you care? Consider these facts:
- Ireland is 11th in the world rankings for .mobi registrations
This means that many business owners are snapping up .mobi domains - yours may already be registered by someone else!
- In Sept 2008, 4.5 billion web pages were viewed on mobile devices globally
This means that more and more consumers have embraced mobile browsing and it will soon enter the mainstream.
- A U.S. study in Sept 2008 showed that 38.5% of surveyed mobile phone users spent 2 hours or more per week online using their phone.
- There are estimated to be 4 billion active mobile phones globally
This is 4 times more than there are working PCs and laptops combined!
All this means that the mobile web revolution is beginning and you need to get involved.
So how could you benefit from having a .mobi presence?
- Fitness clubs - could post class schedules
- Restaurants - could post seasonal menus/weekly specials.
- Locksmiths - could list after-hours contact numbers.
- Plumbers - could list rates and hot line numbers.
- Estate Agents - could post the latest hot properties.
- Car Dealers - could post the deal/s of the week
- Bars - could promote theme nights and new cocktails.
- Hairdressers - could post the latest treatments & offers.
- Gift shops - could run weekly coupons.
- Local newspapers - could offer a sponsored news digest.
Frankly, the opportunities are endless and .mobi is ideal for businesses that "have something to say" to customers on the move or simply want to have an additional "touch-point" for potential customers.
Missing out on this opportunity may not in itself wipe out your business, but your competitors taking advantage of it could end up seriously hurting your bottom line and leaving you feeling a little extinct!
Franco De Bonis has worked in the field of sales and marketing promotion since 1990 and was most recently the global marketing manager for a major international technology company before setting up DG Group in January 2007.
DG Group is dedicated to delivering all the marketing solutions any company may require. Whether it's a website or leaflets and brochures, or even some product packaging; DG Group will manage the whole project and even provide guidance along the way.
The content in this section is the original creation of DG Group and is protected by copyright. You may use this content on your site or in other materials providing you acknowledge DG Group as the author and include a link our site.
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