As salespeople, it's imperative to be abreast with shopping trends.  The survival of your dealership may depend on it.  A rapid growing trend is the growth of smartphone and tablet use, especially to access local content.  These are shoppers nearby, ready to purchase from a local dealership. 

There are a bunch of studies and mobile stats indicating that mobile internet usage is predicted to surpass desktop internet usage in 2014.  This phenomenon can only have an impact on shopping behavior.  A new study by xAd and Telemetrics reveals that smartphone and tablet owners are very reliant on these devices when researching local products and services. 

The following are more stats, in addition to the graphs, on smartphone and tablet usage:

• Smartphone users were more than 5 times more likely than non-smartphone users to access local content (77% vs. 14%)
• 46% use smartphones and tablets exclusively to aid their local purchase decisions
• Half of the 46% use smartphones and tablets at the beginning of the research process
• One-third of the 46% use their device throughout the purchase process
• 60% of smartphone researchers have completed purchases
• 53% of tablet researchers have completed purchases
• 53% of respondents overall said they eventually made their purchase offline or in-store (also called "webrooming")
• Shoppers aged 18-35 are far more likely to "webroom"
• Smartphone users prefer accessing local content via applications than through browsers

There are a lot of stats here but they speak volumes to the popularity of local content on mobile devices and the need to be ready for the mobile world.  For those in the retail business, what are some changes (if you haven't already made them) could you do?  I would first start by:

• Optimizing your website for mobile
• Ensure that your website looks good and works well on mobile devices, especially to attract return visitors
• Optimize your email or other correspondence for mobile devices to avoid email deletion
• Make it easy for the mobile visitor to obtain pertinent information, including how to contact your dealership
• And add a simple call to action that can turn the customer into a lead so you know when they're coming to you, ready to buy

Sources:

http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/interactive/77-of-smartphone-users-accessed-local-content-in-december-2012-29312/
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/interactive/almost-half-of-mobile-owners-rely-only-on-their-devices-for-local-purchase-decisions-29117/
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/interactive/webrooming-more-prevalent-than-showrooming-among-millennials-29712/?utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=mc&utm_medium=textlink

As salespeople, it's imperative to be abreast with shopping trends.  The survival of your dealership may depend on it.  A rapid growing trend is the growth of smartphone and tablet use, especially to access local content.  These are shoppers nearby, ready to purchase from a local dealership. 

There are a bunch of studies and mobile stats indicating that mobile internet usage is predicted to surpass desktop internet usage in 2014.  This phenomenon can only have an impact on shopping behavior.  A new study by xAd and Telemetrics reveals that smartphone and tablet owners are very reliant on these devices when researching local products and services. 

The following are more stats, in addition to the graphs, on smartphone and tablet usage:

• Smartphone users were more than 5 times more likely than non-smartphone users to access local content (77% vs. 14%)
• 46% use smartphones and tablets exclusively to aid their local purchase decisions
• Half of the 46% use smartphones and tablets at the beginning of the research process
• One-third of the 46% use their device throughout the purchase process
• 60% of smartphone researchers have completed purchases
• 53% of tablet researchers have completed purchases
• 53% of respondents overall said they eventually made their purchase offline or in-store (also called "webrooming")
• Shoppers aged 18-35 are far more likely to "webroom"
• Smartphone users prefer accessing local content via applications than through browsers

There are a lot of stats here but they speak volumes to the popularity of local content on mobile devices and the need to be ready for the mobile world.  For those in the retail business, what are some changes (if you haven't already made them) could you do?  I would first start by:

• Optimizing your website for mobile
• Ensure that your website looks good and works well on mobile devices, especially to attract return visitors
• Optimize your email or other correspondence for mobile devices to avoid email deletion
• Make it easy for the mobile visitor to obtain pertinent information, including how to contact your dealership
• And add a simple call to action that can turn the customer into a lead so you know when they're coming to you, ready to buy

Sources:

http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/interactive/77-of-smartphone-users-accessed-local-content-in-december-2012-29312/
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/interactive/almost-half-of-mobile-owners-rely-only-on-their-devices-for-local-purchase-decisions-29117/
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/interactive/webrooming-more-prevalent-than-showrooming-among-millennials-29712/?utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=mc&utm_medium=textlink

Unless you live under a rock, we are aware that the telephone conversation is a dying activity, being replaced largely by texting.   According to a Pew Institute survey, the number of text messages sent monthly in the US boomed from 14 billion in 2000 to 188 billion in 2010, and continues to grow.  In a TIME mobility poll, 32% of all respondents said they'd prefer to communicate by text than phone, even if a person they know very well.  This is also valid in the workplace where communication is between colleagues and customers who are often not friends at all.  Texting customers in the automotive, motorcycle and similar industries has become commonplace for maintaining contact with customers and used frequently by service departments; however, a recent study has found a greater benefit:  it can greatly increase conversion rates.

A new study conducted by Leads360 examined the impact of text messaging in the sales process. The study analyzed almost 3.5 million lead records from more than 400 consumers across multiple industries and discovered that text messaging is linked to above-average conversion rates, however, only after a relationship between the customer and sales has been developed.  The conversion rate of those texted only after a relationship has been developed was 112.6% above the average conversion rate of contacted leads, compared to a conversion rate of 4.8% below average for consumers contacted before a developed relationship.

Additionally, consumers contacted by text both before and after phone contact had a 19.6% higher conversion rate than the average for contacted leads; however, there's a better outcome when a text is sent after initial phone contact has been made. In fact, sending a text prior to contacting the prospect on the phone decreased the likelihood of contacting the lead by 39%.  Another important finding was that prospects who are accepting of multiple texts and sent more than 3 texts post-contact with reason were converted at a 328% higher rate than the average.

It's no surprise, text messaging in sales organizations can be a wonderful growth opportunity.  To get the best out of using text messaging, the salesperson should:  1)  Text a customer after a relationship has been established, and 2) Send at least 3 texts if the situation calls for it.  This is just another shot to capture leads and convert customers.

Additional source:  http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/topics/research/texting-done-right-linked-to-significantly-higher-lead-conversion-rates-26478/

Unless you live under a rock, we are aware that the telephone conversation is a dying activity, being replaced largely by texting.   According to a Pew Institute survey, the number of text messages sent monthly in the US boomed from 14 billion in 2000 to 188 billion in 2010, and continues to grow.  In a TIME mobility poll, 32% of all respondents said they'd prefer to communicate by text than phone, even if a person they know very well.  This is also valid in the workplace where communication is between colleagues and customers who are often not friends at all.  Texting customers in the automotive, motorcycle and similar industries has become commonplace for maintaining contact with customers and used frequently by service departments; however, a recent study has found a greater benefit:  it can greatly increase conversion rates.

A new study conducted by Leads360 examined the impact of text messaging in the sales process. The study analyzed almost 3.5 million lead records from more than 400 consumers across multiple industries and discovered that text messaging is linked to above-average conversion rates, however, only after a relationship between the customer and sales has been developed.  The conversion rate of those texted only after a relationship has been developed was 112.6% above the average conversion rate of contacted leads, compared to a conversion rate of 4.8% below average for consumers contacted before a developed relationship.

Additionally, consumers contacted by text both before and after phone contact had a 19.6% higher conversion rate than the average for contacted leads; however, there's a better outcome when a text is sent after initial phone contact has been made. In fact, sending a text prior to contacting the prospect on the phone decreased the likelihood of contacting the lead by 39%.  Another important finding was that prospects who are accepting of multiple texts and sent more than 3 texts post-contact with reason were converted at a 328% higher rate than the average.

It's no surprise, text messaging in sales organizations can be a wonderful growth opportunity.  To get the best out of using text messaging, the salesperson should:  1)  Text a customer after a relationship has been established, and 2) Send at least 3 texts if the situation calls for it.  This is just another shot to capture leads and convert customers.

Additional source:  http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/topics/research/texting-done-right-linked-to-significantly-higher-lead-conversion-rates-26478/