The BlackBerry Bold has been unveiled, and many folks compared it at launch to the iPhone. For what it’s worth, I think that's a good thing for BlackBerry marketers. Because, no matter the brand, smartphones are not going anywhere.
There will be more brands entering this particular technological fray; some might actually outdo both the iPhone and the BlackBerry Bold. And they will drive the wireless market further into the future.
Before you know it, the smartphone will be akin to the television set in the late 1970s. Absolutely everyone will have one, and the picture will likely be in color (if not high-definition).
Of course, they will be more affordable than ever, too. As you might have read in an earlier blog, I have been looking for a marketer who has tested mobile-dedicated links and landing pages in their emails. Well, I have found one.
Stay tuned for a how-to article in the coming weeks. You'll learn that marketing to smartphones now is a no-brainer – if you want to get ahead of the competition.
Chris Heine is MarketingSherpa’s Senior Reporter covering email and consumer marketing beats.
Comments about this Blog Entry
Nov 18, 2008 -
Ted S of
Modern Insider says:
Great advice. A few months ago I wrote a blog post on the subject of mobile sites looking at a few major brands and how their sites did (or didn't in most cases) render on a mobile phone. After the post I asked the linkedin community their thoughts on the topic and for the most part what I got back was a "we don't have enough traffic to bother" response. This was right around the iphone 3g launch and despite the discussions people were and still seem to be thinking about mobile as if it's a traditional medium. The simple reality is that millions of people browse mobily and when a site doesn't support the experience, they move on. Your analytics don't have show great numbers to get value -- people on mobile devices want information for a reason, whether it's to buy now, get a phone number or research the focus is there, you just don't browse as much on a 3" screen. Those that aren't mobile ready are simply losing out.
Dec 09, 2008 -
Scott Schroeder of
rabble + rouser says:
Chris:
I couldn't agree more, but your phrase "smartphones are not going anywhere" means smartphones are dead to me... as the rest of your article points out... that's far from likely.
Great advice. A few months ago I wrote a blog post on the subject of mobile sites looking at a few major brands and how their sites did (or didn't in most cases) render on a mobile phone. After the post I asked the linkedin community their thoughts on the topic and for the most part what I got back was a "we don't have enough traffic to bother" response. This was right around the iphone 3g launch and despite the discussions people were and still seem to be thinking about mobile as if it's a traditional medium. The simple reality is that millions of people browse mobily and when a site doesn't support the experience, they move on. Your analytics don't have show great numbers to get value -- people on mobile devices want information for a reason, whether it's to buy now, get a phone number or research the focus is there, you just don't browse as much on a 3" screen. Those that aren't mobile ready are simply losing out.