This summer has been jam-packed with amazing events to attend. Between the conferences, festivals, rodeos and fairs, I’ve come to realize one thing is certain…a mobile source of information for ANY event is crucial for customers to experience full enjoyment! But it’s not just personal experience that points to that. Studies continuously show that the number of consumers accessing information from their phones is on the rise, and according to MediaPost, a recent study by Adobe Digital Index showed more specifically that 70% of respondents searched their phones for local information (such as event times, weather, maps, and reviews).
With that in mind, here are the Top 5 Must-Haves for Your Mobile Site. Trust me; your customers will thank you for it.
- How to get to your event – Few things are less frustrating than wanting to attend an event but not knowing exactly how to get there. Large events cause a lot of confusion even for a local audience who may already be familiar with your exact location, but aren’t sure of road closures, parking or public transit options. Your physical address is extremely important to include so customers can punch it directly into their mobile maps, but don’t forget the details. Clearly state the preferred routes to get to the designated parking locations, and include the reasonable options for walk-up, bicycle, and public transportation traffic.
- A robust schedule – If you’re an event with lots of activities occurring over a course of time, be sure your customers can easily find the dates, times and locations for each of those individual activities from the only source of information they will have on them (their phone). I attended an event recently where there was much confusion over where and when things were happening. A friend pulled out their phone and said let me check my schedule, and I exclaimed, “You found a mobile schedule? Where?” and he turned his phone around to reveal a photo he had taken of his hand-written notes of the events he wanted to attend that day. I was so disappointed! Don’t make your customers do the leg work themselves because you’ll lose the vast majority of them.
- Ticket purchasing – According to Internet Retailer, US mobile sales are up, and this means big opportunities for events of all sizes and types. Consumers are increasingly comfortable making purchases via their mobile devices, and your event or venue should be taking advantage of this trend. Not only does it guarantee increased revenue via advance ticket sales, but it also provides your customers with the convenience they’re growing accustomed to.
- Social interaction – Earlier this month, Facebook announced that 78% of their users are visiting their site from mobile devices. Social media is a great way for your fans to access and share your event or venue’s information, so make it easy for them to find you on Facebook, Twitter and any other social networks that you participate in via their mobile devices.
- Email signup – Lastly, provide your customers with an option to get more information from you throughout the year. It will help them stay connected with your brand, and as mobile email activity continues to grow, you will remain present in your fans’ minds even after your event has passed.
Reaching your customers wherever they are and giving them real time information on the go will build your brand’s credibility, and your fans will love you for it!
