In a recent “Small Business Technology Poll” from AT&T,
one-fifth of small businesses said they “could not survive” without mobile and 43%
more claimed it would be a major challenge. This isn’t to say they could not
survive without mobile marketing, but it does show how crucial mobile and
wireless is becoming to business functions and society in general.

Other findings in the AT&T study were that one-quarter of
respondents reported the same wireless usage as in 2007, while a monstrous 74%
of small business relied on wireless at least somewhat more. Additionally,
nearly three-quarters plan to increase their use of mobile and wireless,
including 37% who say they will use the services “much more.”

To business owners and marketers, this shows increased integration
in the business world for mobile and wireless products and solutions. As an
example, a small business may increase their dependence on wireless checkout/cashier
solutions (while potentially also decreasing operating costs). This immediately
allows the opportunity to invite customers to use wireless, SMS/MMS based
coupons. Shopping at this small business is now more convenient than its
competitors and consumers are always willing to pay for convenience. The small
business wins two-fold!

As I write, Ballyhoo Mobile is creating several solutions
for small businesses to increase the ease with which their customers shop and
decrease the cost the business incurs in reaching them. For more, check out our
website and product solutions here.