From the monthly archives:

July 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.



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#alttext#I had a funny experience last night, one you probably have had, too. I’m staying in a hotel and my room has a beautiful king-sized bed. But when I went to sleep last night, instead of sleeping anywhere I chose, I only used the half I sleep in at home. And, to be perfectly honest, I didn’t notice until I woke up. It’s like I didn’t even see the other half of the bed.

Do you do that with your business? Have you done some things for so long that it now would never occur to you to do them any different? 

  • Do you run the same promotion every year, despite the fact that it gets the same (flat) results year after year?
  • Do you always ask the same things of your employees, instead of challenging them to grow?
  • Do you read the same books, the same magazines, (dare I say it?) the same blogs even though they’re telling you the same thing you read last week, last month, last year?
  • Do you always talk to the same people about the same topics? Or do you go out of your way to expose yourself to new ideas?

Is it possible you’ve got a bigger bed than you think?



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.

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  • Saw "Despicable Me" with the kids yesterday. Funny and cute. But the "Formerly Lehman Brothers" joke was a high point for me. #
  • And people wonder why I'm bullish on mobile: Chase app lets customers deposit checks over iPhone. Wow. http://bit.ly/b5LnZj #
  • Amazon Sells More E-Books Than Hardcovers | Epicenter | Wired.com http://bit.ly/b8bXRk #
  • @ToriclesTheGeek Thanks for the RT! in reply to ToriclesTheGeek #
  • On the train for a change. It's still my favorite way to commute. Love that AirPort has picked up a weird SSID "Kim and Meg". Classic. #
  • RT @K_Gould: @mitchjoel is going to be on my show @ctvmontreal tomorrow at 12. He'll be talking about personal branding. [today at noon] #
  • How did it get to be 7:30 already? Jeez, this day flew. #
  • MediaPost Publications Nielsen: Time To Recommit To Boomers 07/22/2010 http://bit.ly/aILvnd #
  • Um… is this a surprise? MediaPost: iPhone Has Active, Affluent Users 07/22/2010 http://bit.ly/av0yJg #
  • @TravelV And we had a great time despite the last minute change in plans. Can't wait to do it again. in reply to TravelV #
  • Seriously, @Verizon? You still haven't activated my DroidX?!? What is going on? #

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When social meets e-commerce (Small Business E-commerce Link Digest – July 23, 2010)

July 23, 2010 E-commerce

Just a brief look at the best social and e-commerce tips on the web this week.

Read the full article →

Should you abandon your website and just get a Google Place Page instead?

July 22, 2010 Marketing

Google’s Place Pages might be an option for your small business web presence. But, should it be your only one?

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How easy is it to set up your own website? And, even if it is, should you do it?

July 21, 2010 E-commerce

Are you intimidated because you don’t know how to get a website? Don’t be. We’ve got what you need to know right here.

Read the full article →