The iphone 3G sold over 3 million in its first month, so what? The iphone application store made 30 billion in its first month, who cares? (apart from Apple!)
We should!
As well as being a great toy the iphone has the potential to change the way we all use the internet. As well as being able to use current services anytime any place new services such as location awareness open up a range of possibilities.
So now you care, what should you do?
The first step is to make sure your site can be viewed on the iphone, clever as it is it can’t use flash, and as big as the screen is it’s no monitor, so you need to get round those first. The next level would be to create an application, this allows users to use current services of the site with ease and even provide new services not previously available. These new features could be as simple as a retailer site providing directions to the nearest store using the iphone GPS, or as clever as providing users with information when they are in store, such as the location of products and more detailed information on the items in front of them including live stock information and complimentary items.
The iphone can link marketing channels, for example take a picture of a poster advert, get sent a message that provides a money off coupon, this can be used on the site instantly, or in the nearest store which can be located via the phone. As well as driving sales it allows previously impossible marketing data to be obtained.
That scenario might be a little way off yet, but the iphone is still selling fast, and with the “google phone” now out that will bring iphone like features to many other phones it’s time to start caring and exploring the possibilities.
Originally Posted on TrueDigital
