Survey: Allow Your Customers to Interact via Internet and Mobile

The results are clear.  Even if you don’t sell your products online (and you should), information about what you sell, how much it costs, and special offers need to extend to your customer’s mobile devices and computers.

As reported by SmallBusinessNews.com, a recent survey from NCR Corporation indicated that 72% of U.S. consumers are more likely to shop with businesses that give them flexibility to interact easily via online, mobile, and kiosk self service channels.   “Consumers in these uncertain times are clearly showing a preference for retailers that can meet their expectations through self-service options on the web, mobile and in store. These technologies are playing a growing role in helping retailers deliver competitive advantage,” said Mike Webster , chief strategy and communications officer for NCR Corporation.

Two other datapoints of interest include:  1) 53% of consumers using the Internet more frequently to research products and prices, and 2) 46% wanting to receive price comparisons, product reviews, coupons, promotions and store sales information online or via email. 

And speaking of mobiles, according to Informa Telecoms & Media’s Global Mobile Forecasts, annual revenues from the global mobile market will top (US) $1.03 trillion by 2013, when the number of subscriptions worldwide will have risen to more than 5.3 billion.  Considering that it took over 20 years to reach 3 billion subscriptions, businesses should take note of this accelerating growth rate.