Mobile, mobile and more mobile (Small Business E-commerce Link Digest – July 30, 2010)

I spent most of the past week on the road – sorry for the lighter-than-normal posting. But it did give me a chance to spend some quality time with my new Droid X phone. Which I love.

Big time.

The Droid isn’t quite an iPhone killer. But it’s a seriously cool device. And the more time you spend with an advanced mobile device – an Android phone, an iPhone, an iPad – the more you can’t help but realize how important mobile is today and how much more important it will become in the future.

But, do you know what you should do about mobile for your customers?

No?

That’s OK. These links will help you sort it out:

• I realize it’s a little geekier than my normal links, but this mobile web optimization guide from Opera offers a strategic look at how you can address mobile users’ needs. Its basic premise opens with this great advice:
  

  “The mantra for cross-device development is: one site for all is the ideal but it’s not always possible. Whichever strategy you adopt, there is one vital point to remember:

  Mobile users are task-focused users. And so are all users.” (emphasis mine)

  Any guide that starts “focus on your users” is a good one in my book, which makes this well worth the read.

• Another somewhat geeky look at mobile strategy, one with more of a technology focus, comes courtesy of eWeek. But, their 7 steps to a highly effective mobile strategy is also worth a look, if only to help you assess potential vendors.
• SocialBeat looks at Facebook’s mobile strategy, which is notable because, according to the article, “…150 million users now access Facebook through phones and that mobile devices are fueling its more recent growth globally.” 150 million?!? Um… that’s not just big. That’s BIG.
• Once you head down the mobile path, take a look at this great look at mobile home page navigation from the wonderful Linda Bustos.
• Retailer American Eagle seems to have some ideas about mobile. They’re giving away free smartphones to their customers for trying on a pair of jeans. Seriously. And the company is giving users an opportunity to download a direct link to the AE mobile site to those brand-spankin’ new, free smartphones, too. Maybe it’s not just the phones that are smart.
• And, finally, Adam Small looks at how you can incorporate mobile into your outdoor marketing (really, you could apply similar techniques to print, as long as you consider what happens if someone spots the ad long after your campaign ends).

That’s probably enough “light reading” to get you through the weekend. But look at it this way: You can even read these on the beach. Or, at least you can if you’ve got the right mobile device. Just like your customers.

Full Disclosure: The links to Amazon above contain my affiliate ID, for which I receive compensation for sales on Amazon. I purchased my Droid X phone directly from my mobile phone carrier at full retail price and am not compensated by Motorola or the carrier in any way.

Are you getting enough value out of your small business website? Want to make sure your business makes the most of the local, mobile, social web? thinks helps you understand how to grow your business via the web, every day. Get more than just news. Get understanding. Add thinks to your feed reader today.

Or subscribe via email.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to follow Tim on Twitter.

Technorati Tags:
E-commerce, e-commerce, e-marketing, Facebook, facebook, getelastic, marketing, mobile, online marketing