thinks

I’ve said for some time that the networks provided by mobile phone companies in this country limit the utility - and ultimate expansion - of the mobile web. Walt Mossberg provides an alternative point of view, arguing that the real problem is the carriers and their archaic business models. Clearly, he’s on to something. Mossberg makes a compelling argument for freeing mobile phones from the current system, and an even more compelling argument that the outcome will represent a watershed event, much as Compaq’s first PC clone did for the desktop computer industry.

Still, local businesses should recognize that the current model also encourages increased phone use. Cingular/AT&T (or whatever you want to call them) notes in their annual report “Wireless revenue growth is driven by increased penetration of the mass market and by more demand for wireless access to e-mail and the Internet, along with the ever-increasing popularity of downloadable games, ringtones, instant messaging and video.”

While Mossberg is right that the current model limits innovation and artificially inhibits demand for wireless internet, customers are making use of it. Are you prepared for when they do?

Genius. Mike Moran suggests, brilliantly, what a game changer search suggestion will represent. Today, you anticipate what keywords your visitors will use. Suggest will funnel users towards particular search terms. Are yours the ones that win?

Is online advertising, especially pay-per-click, headed for a downturn? Steve Rubel thinks so, giving five reasons why a pay-per-click recession looms. Forrester disagrees. So do I. The flaw in Steve’s logic is it doesn’t take into account the economic term of comparative advantage, which basically argues that different countries - or companies, in this case - will specialize in the areas where they maintain a competitive advantage relative to others. For instance, as Om Malik points out, Yahoo is making a bit of a comeback because it’s proving more efficient for some marketers and some campaigns. And as small businesses seek the advantages search marketing offers, “…there’s a huge potential selling online marketing and advertising…to small businesses.” Finally, remember that Google may not be able to sustain its growth; however, demand for measurable, effective marketing tools isn’t likely to fade anytime soon.

Is your business engaged with your customers using social media? In this excellent writeup of why small businesses should participate in the social dialogue, Yellowhouse explores how consumers use these tools. Even better, Ze Frank pointed out at the Forrester Consumer Forum last week how brands help provide context for their customers. Also at the Forum, Sam Decker captured 10 steps for participating in a meaningful way. Simply put, there’s no reason not to provide context to your customers within the social sphere. Your customers now experience your brand in these spaces, engaging in a dialogue with one another. Are you interested in listening? Are you part of the dialogue?

Good list. But, Seth forgot #11: Iterate. Most companies/groups suck at doing “big bang” releases. You’re good at what you practice. So practice releasing all the time. Then, using #6, fix what’s not working. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I can’t tell you how much I hate my current hosting provider. Actually, I could, but that’s not productive. Let’s focus on the future, shall we? I’m thinking of moving to DreamHost. Any thoughts?