📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

22 Industries That Are Cashing in on Mobile Marketing (Infographic) Our phone screens have become the main pinboards for our 'favorites' as we mobilize our lives.

By Jana Barrett

entrepreneur daily

This story originally appeared on Bizness Apps

Picjumbo
Apple, the Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Let's talk about refrigerator magnets. I'm in the kitchen considering my sad spread of questionable leftovers when I notice the phone number for Thai delivery on the freezer door right before me. Done.

Now let's talk about bookmarks. Like many, I get my news online, and once I found a couple sites I trusted, I bookmarked them and the pursuit was over. Whenever I'm looking for the latest, I'm there in two clicks.

Convenience may seem like the obvious driver here, but I think it's much bigger than that. I like to have "my" things. "My" delivery place, "my" news, "my" coffee shop. Apps satisfy that same innate desire for the routine and reliable. People used to fill up their address books with their go-to spots; now they download their apps. It's the same concept as the good ol' refrigerator magnet, but with much better real estate. I spend more time than I'm willing to admit hovering in front of the fridge, but not nearly as much as I spend on my phone.

Small businesses have begun to pick up on the trend. The early adopters were restaurants, gyms, and other industries with an obvious reason to buy in: immediate return on investment with minimal effort. Now scores of industries have jumped on board, and the question is no longer, "Can I make money from a mobile app?" but "How do I get mine?"

Recently, we've seen a huge spike in apps for golf courses, hotels, politicians, plumbers -- you name it, and someone has an app for it. Small businesses that didn't have an obvious need for an app before certainly have one now: the competition already launched theirs.

As the demand has increased, so have the capabilities. Apps aren't just the ordering tools they used to be. Now you can promote your favorite charity, post a question about a clogged toilet, watch your candidate's latest speech, and send an absence note to your kid's school all while scoring your golf game from your phone. Joking, eyes on the green.

But really, that's not too far from the truth. We all have our "my" places and the magnets and bookmarks to prove it, but our phone screens have become the main pinboards for these favorites as we mobilize our lives. It's just about adding your pin.

Jana Barrett is a customer support manager at Bizness Apps.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

These 'Expressive Avatar' Deepfakes From a Billion-Dollar AI Startup Look Scary Real — Here's Who's Already Using the Technology

Is that a real person or an AI clone? New technology makes it nearly impossible to tell.

Business News

Southwest Airlines CEO Says the Company May Start Assigning Seats

The airline reported its Q1 2024 earnings on Thursday.

Growing a Business

Your Comprehensive Guide to Becoming an SEO Expert – and Making Money While Doing It

Whether you're looking to earn more money or grow your digital presence, becoming an SEO expert could be a major windfall.

Growing a Business

Starting or Growing a Business? Here's How to Know When You Should Hire Your First Employee.

When enlisting help, follow these steps to make the best decision for your company.

Marketing

How AI Is Transforming Keyword Research (and Why You Can't Afford to Ignore It)

Learn how AI tools can streamline keyword research, improve content targeting accuracy and boost SERP rankings. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, this guide is a must-read for success in the digital space.