Mobile phones represent an enormous window of opportunity for Web marketing. Mobile phone companies have long waited to expand by offering internet services. The iPhone release by Apple Inc. finally opens the door for users to use mobile phones for Web surfing as reported by the Financial Times. Until the release of the iPhone, no device proved popular for the majority of users for Web surfing. The iPhone successfully combines a mobile phone, an iPod, an email client and a Web browser. Apple, under the management of Steve Jobs the legendary founder of the company, set the standard for PC’s in the 70’s with the Apple II and later with the Mac in the 80s.
Since its release in mid-2007, Apple has sold over one million iPhones, albeit with some criticism:
· Third party software cannot be used
· The network is slow
· There is no GPS
Many of these drawbacks will be fixed in the next version of the iPhone due in 2008. A report by Bloomberg says a 3G iPhone will be released enabling faster downloads.
Techcrunch has a nice comparison of the iPhone and the Blackberry – a phone popular with business executives.
What do These Developments Mean to PPC and SEO?
More and more users will be browsing the Web from their mobile phones. The iPhone has a great looking screen, but at 3.5 inches it is a lot smaller than a standard computer screen. This means PPC advertisements will look different on an iPhone, with advertisers needing to find a way to catch the users’ interest. There is also a significant opportunity for businesses to offer their services to a new group of potential customers. Commuters can shop on-line while travelling to and from work or just standing in line at the checkout counter.
