Homebuilders.com

You may want to raise or leave room in your budget for next year’s online marketing strategy. If you don’t already have a website optimized for mobile, you really need to consider it or you could be losing sales and new customers. This is also where you will stay above your competition.

The growth of mobile web users is estimated to grow to 134 Million users next year and surpass desktop users. Over 50% of consumers use their mobile devices to shop online in a range of activity from comparing prices to downloading product photos.  If you are a homebuilder, having a mobile website that gets consumers straight through to your models, quick-move in homes and directions to your communities is crucial. And that is just the beginning. To effectively steer your mobile marketing strategy, here a few tips that will help.

1. Start Fresh and Fast. Your current website may be visible on a mobile device but it may not effectively deliver the information that mobile users are looking for. Design a new site based off of your existing site that is optimized for mobile. Speed plays the biggest part here. Make sure that your mobile site loads in less than 5 seconds, focusing on the main drivers for consumers (communities, plans, inventory & contact) and always provide a call to action that gets them in touch with you.
2. Analyze. If you already have Google Analytics installed and are utilizing SEO then pay very close attention to your mobile traffic and behavior. Track keywords, usage visits and peak times to better able targeting your audience and content.
3. Text Away. Using SMS text messaging to reach your mobile customers gives you a direct link to them. Research shows that 90% of text messages are read by the recipient. You’ll be connected in seconds to every lead and you can be sure that all your messages are read by motivated prospects and customers who have signed up to receive them.
4. Mobile Apps & Video. It is projected that over 99 million tablets will be purchased next year with Apple expected  to ship 45.5 million iPads. Giving your sales team and consumers the ability to use special apps designed to view your homes and communities gives you a definite edge over other builders. Having professional videos made that you can post online is also growing as more consumers view video on their mobile phones and iPads. Many marketers are putting more of their funds into online video than TV.

Getting behind the growing mobile technology trend will most definitely keep you ahead of the game, will keep your business looking current and your product at the consumers’ fingertips. New technology is helping sell more and more.