When it comes to Pokémon GO, there are two types of people: those who are ready to take to the streets—virtually any time or any place—in order to catch the latest prize, and those of us (like me) who don’t quite understand what all the fuss is about.
Regardless of what you think of the game, though, it does teach us a few things about mobile web computing. And, business owners and marketers at every level would do well to pay close attention to the lessons that can be learned from watching millions of people chase imaginary animals.
If that sounds a little far-fetched, let’s look at a few things Pokémon GO teaches us about mobile marketing…
Mobile is the New Mainstream
The game runs on mobile interaction. You can’t see the physical prizes, because they don’t exist in the real world. When you realize that, and take a step back from the phenomenon, it just goes to show you how connected we really are to the mobile devices we rely on. Hard as it is to believe, there are still companies without mobile-friendly web presences. What further proof do they need that it’s time to catch up with their competitors?
You Can do a Lot With an App
Pokémon GO is a game, but in a programming sense it’s really just one more mobile app. While your business might not be set up to deal in entertainment, there’s a good chance you could develop some sort of app for your company that would make things easier or more convenient for your customers. Why not look into the possibilities and see if there are some simple ways you could generate sales or cut costs with the right coding?
Mobile and Social Go Together
People aren’t just playing Pokémon GO, they are sharing the experience with their friends and family members—both online and off. This is consistent with other trends we’ve seen in social media, which tend to be driven by mobile users. Your customers love having the ability to connect with you, and each other, in their pockets at all times. If your social presence is lacking, then you aren’t doing all you could be to increase customer loyalty and earn devoted fans.
Online Fans Can Show Up in the Real World
Speaking of your fans, it’s important to remember that your online following can be motivated to turn out for celebrations, seminars, sales, and other in-person events. Right now, businesses across the country are benefitting from an influx of customers who are playing Pokémon GO together. What’s stopping you from turning your online connections into real revenue?
Summary
You might not be a fan of Pokémon GO, and you might think that the grown men and women who are using the app to scour the cities they live in for digital treasure are wasting their time. That’s fine, but it doesn’t mean you should ignore the bigger trends at play. Mobile apps are changing the way we reach customers and interact with the world around us every day. If your business isn’t taking advantage, then it’s falling behind others who are.