If you saw the news yesterday, you know that Apple rolled out some mobile updates with the new iPhone 5s, iPhone 5C and i0S7 operating system. Apple reported that iPhone 5 sales were its most successful iPhone sales ever – another indication that smartphone usage continues to increase.

We think yesterday’s Apple news conference reveals a lot about the mobile marketing arena. Here are three reminders about the importance of mobile marketing.

More companies will engage in mobile marketing

Judging by how much news coverage Apple received, I think it’s safe to say that worldwide, people are enamored with smartphones.

Research shows that by 2016, nearly 80% of Americans will be using mobile phones, and we know that Millennials rarely go anywhere without their smartphone.

The average person checks their smartphone as many as 150 times per day. I’ll admit, I keep my smartphone with me all the time, besides the 7 hours it sits charging on my nightstand while I sleep.

So, knowing how widespread smartphone usage is, companies and marketers alike need to realize that one of the best ways to reach people in today’s world is through mobile marketing. If you and your business aren’t embracing mobile marketing in some form, you probably should be.

Your online content should be mobile friendly

Pull out your smartphone and search your company website. Is it easy to see all the drop down menus on your company page? Are the links so small that your finger can hardly click on them? If you answered yes, then your website probably isn’t mobile friendly.

It’s likely that much of your company’s content is posted online through your company website, blog or newsroom. If your target audience or prospects are accessing your online sites through their phone, they want to be able to do so with ease, instead of dealing with the annoying task of trying to navigate a site that isn’t mobile optimized.

A quick check of Google Analytics will provide an audience overview for people who view your content from mobile devices.

It’s extremely hard for you to retain visitors on your websites if they have to spend extra time figuring out how to click a small link on their already small phone screen. Depending on what platform your website’s on, optimizing your site to be mobile friendly can be as easy as installing a plugin. If you’re unsure, ask your web developer. Alexander’s is also happy to help.

You should have a strong social presence online

Today’s iPhone wouldn’t be so widely popular without the integration of social apps. Younger generations worldwide spend most of their time online engaging in social activity – more time than they spend in any other online activity.

This means that in some way, your marketing should cater to people accessing social sites from their phones. You should post consistent and relevant content through Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

But there is also room for interactive marketing and advertising that involves phone use, like activities that involve taking photos or creating videos with a smartphone and uploading it to social networks.

Whether or not you’re about to purchase the new iPhone 5S or 5C, or download Apple’s iOS7, millions of others are. And the opportunity to target the right people via their smartphone is only increasing.

If you want help creating or implementing a mobile marketing plan for your business, contact us today. We can help.