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(or almost 2/3 of the UK have gone mobile crazy)
Nomo…what?
Nomophobia is the fear of being without your mobile phone. It apparently affects 66% of the population.
I’ll be honest, I don’t get it. People who know or work with me know I am closer to the mophobia side of the spectrum. My mobile is just a phone, I don’t even text let alone access the interwebs to check my status updates.
I have been known to leave my phone in the most ridiculous places – I lost my mobile for almost 2 days one weekend then found it in the grill… No, I have no idea why I put it there!
Oddly, the reason why I first got a mobile was because of the internet. I will admit to being a bit of an internet junkie. Ok, a lot of an internet junkie…
WAP became available – the internet went mobile and I was overjoyed.
For about 2 hours
I think it took that long to load and I could hardly read it on such a tiny screen. Fascination rapidly wore off.
The Rise of the Smartphone
These days technology has moved on and people have smartphones. They promptly glue them to their palms and have mental breakdowns when separated for any length of time.
This infographic was posted on Mashable earlier in the week…
Nomophobia in the UK
Just because it says Americans on that infographic, don’t think that nomophobia hasn’t crossed the Atlantic. Us Brits are just as bad.
A recent study by SecurEnvoy revealed that
- 66% of us have a fear of losing our mobile
- We check our phones 34 times per day
- 75% use phone in the bathroom (oh please no!)
These people not simply chatting to their mates or sending mindless status updates (my daughter immediately springs to mind!) Oh no, they’re online searching for businesses, getting directions, checking in and let’s not forget buying things.
- 28% of internet usage is from a mobile phone
- 28% of people in the UK have purchased something using their phone
- 40% of mobile searches have local intent (yes, they’re looking for YOUR business too!)
- eBay sells something via a mobile phone every two seconds and expect this to be every 1 second this year
- 49% of all Paddy Power bets made from mobile devices
There’s more UK mobile stats for those who love these things over at GPMD.
So how do you start tapping into this mobile world?
First of all, if you haven’t already claimed your Google +Local page (was Google Places) then do it. Google +Local gets your local business details on Google Maps, in Google local search and of course Google+. All of which are mobile friendly.
Don’t know where to start? Scroll down, fill in your email in the “Help Yourself” box and download your free instructions.
Have a look at your website. Is it mobile friendly?
If you build on WordPress using a responsive theme this is often enough. There are many plugins available too, here’s a few to try out:
Not using WordPress?
Google have a free mobile landing page builder through Google sites, which can get a basic mobile site up in minutes.
Google have also teamed up with Dudamobile to create a good looking mobile website with some bells and whistles like click to call and maps – free for a year (and you can use this with WordPress websites and blogs too – look at me I’m trying it out!)
Your turn – Please tell me you don’t take your mobile to the loo… Is your business mobile and will you be using Google’s free mobile website?
Nomophobia – Why Your Local Business Can’t Ignore Mobile by Jan Kearney
Grab your guide to local search and learn:
- What elements are important on your website
- How to set up your Google My Business Local Page
- How Google Plus can help you zoom past your competitors
- Two things you should not neglect if you want to rank in the local search pack
- How to power past your competitors and dominate your area
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A great post Jan and so well put as usual.
Thanks Athena 🙂
It’s unbelievable over here across the pond. I watch people, even in business meetings, unable to handle the simple task of polite conversation because a phone or ear piece is always glued to them (and on). You can’t even stand in line anymore without a cashier being put on hold because someone must finish a conversation or a series of keystrokes. That said, point well taken on integrating mobile into business communications strategies.
Hi Nanette, I really don’t get the need not to switch off. Not only is it totally ignorant, how can anyone concentrate on what they’re doing with a phone constantly in their hand or on your ear?
But it’s the way the world is going, and we must move with the times I guess…