When the earlier editions of mobile phones came out, they easily replaced a camera, calendar, organizer, and alarm clock. And, over the years, as mobile technology continued to grow, the functions of the mobile phone increased as well. This development allowed telecommunications companies to improve their service packages and provide products that are specifically beneficial for businesses.
That is not all, though. Because of smartphones, new businesses, particularly retail ones, obtained the ability to operate in a more dynamic way and boost their chances of success in a competitive business landscape. If you are a retail business owner, you can tap into the sophisticated digital technology that smartphones possess and improve customer experience, as well as expand your market.
Suffice it to say, smartphones are absolutely vital for retail operations. Here are other reasons proving that these smart communication devices are more important than ever for competitive enterprises.
1. Local SEO
In 2016, Google reported that mobile searches for businesses have surged ahead over desktop searches. “Near me” searches, are carried frequently by people who need to get to dining establishments, hotels, and shopping locations.
This essentially indicates the need for businesses to pay attention to this customer behavior and optimize their digital presence so customers can easily carry out the “business” they wish to make.
2. Elevated Customer Service
Store apps and other customer service-related programs for smartphones are popular purchases for a lot of people. This is why businesses that create apps to make connecting to their official online presence convenient are always at an advantage. They can net in those people who rely on the convenience of store apps to shop easily and quickly.
Additionally, these apps and customer-service related programs increase valuable connections between a “store” and customers because they are not only designed to sell. More often than not, retail businesses can use these apps to provide their users unique perks and privileges, as well as market their services and wares more effectively.
3. Increased Employee Productivity
Business smartphones and plans have always been intended to boost the productivity of an enterprise. They are used to make collaborative efforts a breeze because employees can have constant communication with each other even when they are on-the-go.
In addition to that, the cloud technology that smartphones have enabled access to makes it quite convenient for employees to submit requirements and edit each other’s work in a more efficient way.
It is worth noting as well that there are productivity tracking apps that can be installed in smartphones so business owners can monitor the activities of both work equipment and actual workers during store hours in real time.
4. Relevance Establishment
Just think about how world leaders and industry movers and shakers use their phones to announce important news and deliver other vital information on social media platforms. Businesses can do the same and establish themselves as industry authorities.
A lot of small mom-and-pop shops are even known to create blog entries to provide their customers with useful information about their products.
For example, Liz McIntyre of Brown & Hopkins Country Store in Rhode Island shares recipes that her customers can follow using the ingredients she has in the store. Her customers are notified on their phone whenever Liz has a new blog entry. In a sense, her store blog always reminds people of how valuable her store is to the community.
5. Quick Hiring
The hiring process is made easier with the help of smartphones, especially now that job searches rely on local SEO. Recruitment consultancy agencies have apps where businesses can sign up with and gain access to the large pool of talent hoping to land a position in the retail industry.
If you are a business owner looking for qualified people to hire, you can get phone notifications from the agencies about talents that meet your requirements. You can set up an interview right away and your business can quickly fill its vacancies.
These are not all.
There are many other reasons that prove a smartphone’s great value in the retail industry. Expect to discover them all as you strive to take your operations to higher levels of efficacy, efficiency, and productivity.
AUTHOR BIO
Al-moottil P Antony is a C-Suite Executive Support Professional for Zain, a leading mobile and data services operator with a commercial footprint in 8 Middle Eastern and African countries.
