This is a guest post by Brian Martinowich who is a freelance writer with EarnMBADegree.com, a comprehensive resource guide for online MBA programs. As the Community Manager of the global social good campaign, Tweet Drive, Brian enjoys helping others through his experiences and expertise with social media.

Technology has changed the way the world communicates, and it is rapidly changing the way consumers find businesses and make purchases. As smart phones and tablets become increasingly popular, research is showing that more and more consumers are spending less time on desktop computers and more time on their mobile devices. Research shows that by 2015, there will be more mobile web users then desktop ones. Is e-commerce becoming mobile? Statistics say yes:

• Around the world, 5.9 billion consumers have a mobile phone.
• In 2011, 488.5 million more smart phones were sold than in 2010.
• There are 1.2 billion mobile web users worldwide .
• Nine out of 10 mobile web searches result in a consumer action (a store visit, a purchase, etc.).
• In 2011, the percentage of desktop web searches verses mobile web searches were almost equal: 57 percent desktop searches to 43 percent mobile searches.

Yet currently, 79 percent of large online retail companies do not have optimized mobile websites, meaning they’re potentially losing out on a $1 billion industry! What can businesses do to ensure that they are keeping with the latest trends and staying in front of their consumers?

Utilize Social Media

Social media sites are utilized by 81 percent of mobile web users while they are browsing. In 2011, 50 percent of page views on a mobile device were on a social networking site. Thus, if your business is not utilizing Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn (the three major social media outlets), then you are doing your business a disservice. Social media sites allow you to engage your consumers in questions and comments, and help to brand your business and gain loyal followers.

Not all businesses will benefit from every social media site. It comes down to your consumers.  Ask yourself where your consumers are, clearly define your goals, and get out there and socialize! Social media is growing each year, and as technology continues to proliferate, it will only get bigger.

Optimize Your Website for Mobile 

If you have only one website for your business, you are losing business. Traditional websites look different on the smaller screens of smart phones and can often be hard to navigate, frustrating users. Additionally, if your website contains flash items, iPhone users won’t be able to access it. On the other hand, a website that is designed specifically for mobile users gets your business directly in to the hands of the billions of mobile web users.

Your mobile website needs to be designed with the consumer in mind. It should be a scaled down version of your regular website, with the most important information and popular functions immediately visible. It also needs to be easy to navigate and quick to load.

Design an App for Mobile Users

Mobile users love their apps and 10.9 billion downloads prove it! Depending on your business, the app you design could be as simple as a drag-and-drop shopping cart or as complex as a interactive virtual experience. The design of mobile applications has come a long way in just a few short years, and today even small businesses can afford to have a app designed. Stay fresh, stay current, gain and keep consumers.
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Technology to go means you need a business on the go. It is estimated that billions of dollars will be spent in 2012 via a mobile device. By 2014, that number is expected to grow to over $12 billion. If you want your business to grow, then your business needs to follow the trends of your consumers.