The holiday numbers are in, the mobile user surveys are done, and the implications for brands, retailers and marketers are profound. Mobile has become an integral part of the shopping routine, with the vast majority of consumers admitting to using their mobile phones to search and purchase gifts. John Stevens examines this mobile megatrend and shares eight tips for creating and executing a successful mobile strategy. number of reports show that people rely on mobile every step of the consumer journey. The bottom line: mobile retail is a fact, not a fad. MORE >>

You see, I agree mobile commerce is the next big thing – and a critical opportunity businesses can’t ignore. Based on their feedback, coupled with our own discoveries, we’ve found there are six ways business owners can “go mobile” without going broke. . Cost: Free  . Mobile optimize yoursite.com. Mobile searches have grown 400 percent since 2010, according to Google.  Your site has to be optimized for mobile viewing. Search for your site on a variety of mobile phones and operating systems to see how the site shows up (or if it even does show up). MORE >>

Heightened activity and interest in mobile retail (spurred on by holiday shopping and the rapid uptake of price comparison services and apps), has paved the way for a variety of new and immersive mobile experiences that insert marketing messages and campaigns into our daily shopping routines. From mobile codes (specifically, barcodes) to mobile coupons, companies are enlarging their arsenal of capabilities to capture our attention while we shop. Q: How about the mobile search? first noticed Aisle411 because I liked the mobile search IP. It’s just right. MORE >>

common question we are asked when speaking about mobile strategy is: Should we build a mobile app or a mobile version of our site/product? Well, first we need to define exactly what we are talking about when speaking about a mobile app and mobile web. When we speak about mobile apps are talking specifically about “native” apps which are developed for particular smartphones and appear in their respective app stores. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages: Mobile App Advantages. Mobile Web Features. Tweet This! MORE >>

In episode #9 of M-Pulse I examine a recent report from analysis firm Ovum that claims social messaging applications cost mobile network operators US$13.9 How can mobile operators hold their ground? Interestingly, the impact of social messaging apps such as Whatsapp was also a  topic I covered last year in the Netsize Guide by Gemalto, a comprehensive mobile industry analysis I wrote on behalf of my client Netsize. Ovum’s observation that the increased of IP-based voice and messaging services are costing mobile operators revenue is a given. MORE >>