Regardless of your own personal usage habits, it’s difficult to ignore the current trends in mobile technology. There was a time, just more than a decade ago, that owning a cell phone was a rare luxury disguised as an excuse to play an 8-bit snake game for hours on end. This technology has not only evolved exponentially since then but it has forever transformed the way our society thinks, behaves and communicates. No matter where you look, the dim glow of a five-inch screen illuminates nearly everyone’s face. Traffic, fellow pedestrians, even meteor showers become secondary to these people. If it’s not on their phone, they aren’t interested. Although to some, this may be considered the decline of human interaction as we know it, bar owners should be seeing dollar signs.

The home desktop computer, although functional and practical, was seamlessly replaced by the portable laptop. However, the notebook’s reign was short-lived with the mainstream introduction of smart phones. Now, people literally have a world of information at their fingertips. With a few swipes and a couple taps, you can do everything from sending e-mail to reserving a table for dinner instantly—all from your phone. The crucial key for any local business, especially bars and restaurants, is to remain competitive by embracing this new culture. It is not a fad. It is not a trend. It is not a blip in history. This is the future and your customers have a whole new set of expectations.

Google reports that currently 55% of all consumers use their mobile device to discover local businesses, services and products. A majority of bars surveyed are boasting nearly 30% of their website traffic is coming from iPhones, Androids, iPads and other popular smart phones & tablets. There is infinite potential here to not only retain your current customer base but appeal to a whole new pool of potential patrons. So the question becomes, how is your bar embracing this technology? From the authentic sawdust-covered irish pubs to the swanky A-list wine bars, mobile marketing is essential and the benefits are massive. It’s time to go mobile!

Click here to read the full story on mobile apps
in the May 2012 Digital issue of Bar Business Magazine