It is estimated that about 94 per cent of Aussies have mobile phones and a study showed that Australian’s spent $155 million online via their mobile phones in 2011. With these statistics, it’s impossible to deny that the m-commerce revolution is here and e-commerce expert Adrian Mullan is getting the word out that Australian retailers are going to need to be prepared if they are to maximise sales and get a piece of the lucrative m-commerce pie.
Seeing a gap in the market, Mullan established E-commerce Websites in 2001 with the aim of helping businesses large and small transition into the online shopping arena. Since the launch, he has assisted thousands of businesses, including some of Australia’s biggest retailers, during the transition online.
Now, Mullan has turned his attention to m-commerce, saying that almost 70 per cent of Australians were expected to use mobile devises for purchases and payments in the near future. He says, “Even if customers don’t currently buy from their phone, you need to have a mobile site that makes it easy for them to get to the information. This means establishing a mobile version of your website, which may have similar content but presents in a simpler fashion.”
As price comparison applications make bargain hunting easier than ever before, people are using their phones to find the best prices. We asked Mullanabout what kind of businesses are most successful as mobile sites, “At the moment fashion and technology are at the top of the list. In general, it isitems that lend themselves to ‘impulse’ buying.” Another growing trend Mullan has identified is ‘couch shopping’ where people see a product on television and buy online using their smartphone or tablet.
For many of us, the idea of purchasing with a credit card over our mobile phone is a little worrying but Mullan says it’s generally the same as shopping from a desktop site.
Follow these tips to ensure you’re shopping from a reputable, reliable site;
- Check reviews of the merchant before purchasing.
- Look for ‘https’ when reaching the checkout area of the store
- Look for a valid SSL certificate (padlock that shows up when getting to the checkout of the store).
- Use PayPal if available
The m-commerce revolution is here and there’s no stopping it so make sure you’re getting the best price with our top three price comparison apps:
1. Redlaser – Get instant price comparisons while you’re in store with RedLaser. This clever app scans barcodes to find the best prices from online and local retailers. Now you can also select the item you want and pay for it on PayPal. Can anyone say ‘shoppers best friend’?
2. Amazon Flow – So good it’s almost creepy, the Amazon Flow iPhone app uses augmented reality to help you shop. For example, if you can the cover of a DVD, Flow will find the trailer for the movie. Amazing!
3. Frugal – If you tend to buy in bulk to save yourself some cash, this app is for you. It quickly converts product quantities and determines the best price for you. It also weighs up 2 for 1 deals and keeps a list of all your past comparisons. A must-have whengrocery shopping for the family!
Do you shop on your phone? Have you ever used price comparison apps?
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