Google Says Mobile Advertising is The Future

So what do you do when Google says that it believes mobile advertising is the future?  (see below article for reference to Google and their plans for mobile advertising)

1. Do nothing.

or

2. Take notice and prepare your online storefront for the advent of mobile shopping.

It is really that simple.

I know that Google "believing in/betting on" online mobile advertising does not immediately translate into more people shopping online, as the first large wave of mobile advertising will focus on sports events, ticket sales for various events, and brand advertising for banks and larger companies that have an established brand, but this news does bode well for the growth of all related mobile services, including mobile shopping.

My belief is that as Google, and the 20-35 year old generation, become even more reliant on the their "little mobile" devices to do everything from make phone calls, text messaging, watch video, listen to music, find directions, look at pictures, and scour the internet, so too will they become more comfortable with shopping and then buying products online.

I personally never thought I would be buying products via my cell phone just 3 years ago, but frankly, after setting up an account once with a mobile technology service, I have bought over $500 worth of gift items and sent them to friends the past two months.

It happened one day when I was reminded that I needed to be at the aiport two hours in advance of my flight to guarantee that I would make it through security and check my bags going to London.

Lo and behold, I made it through security in 30 minutes and had 1.5 hrs. to kill before my flight departed.  I thought about a friend, who did something very nice for me earlier that day, and I bought her a gourmet food item via my blackberry, then, I sent my sister some flowers to cheer her up, and, finally, I searched for the best price for a new HD TV to watch the superbowl (no I did not buy the TV, but it was fun and easy to hunt around and compare prices = comparison shopping).

The point being is that those who say that mobile shopping is not a big deal are missing the boat.  Setting up an online, mobile storefront is easy and inexpensive. It gives you reach and and in less than 3 months you can get real time results of whether it works for your company. 

So, my advice....get a mobile storefront today and get in the game...Google is!

-- Chip

PS For great mobile shopping companies to set up an account check out:

mPoria.com and  mShopper.com, MerchantAdvantage supports both with a click of a button!

From Sky News, UK <<<CLICK HERE>>> for full article

"A huge revolution in location-based advertising is soon to take place, according to the chief exec of Google.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos, Eric Schmidt said that mobile users could be affected by the soon-to-be truly mobile internet.

"It's the recreation of the Internet, it's the recreation of the PC (personal computer) story and it is before us - and it is very likely it will happen in the next year", he told assembled journalists.

At the moment, reports Reuters, analysts have been cautious about the future of mobile advertising, or advertising that targets where the phone users is, and consultancy Forrester predicting revenues of under $1 billion by 2012.

But, according to Schmidt, this is a massive underestimation.

He explained that Google wants to be a key player in this market by bidding for airwaves to launch an open US wireless network, which would see it competiting against established telecommunications players.

Analysts immediately responded by stating their concerns that Google would be over stretching itself as it would be a very expensive move tbut Schmidt dismissed this saying that location-based advertising - which could, for example, direct hungry travelers to nearby restaurants - would be "a very, very good business".