Add Mobile-Website Creation Into Your Service Mix!

[Dexx]

If you haven't noticed yet, there's a massive trend growing towards mobile users and advertising / creating solutions for them.

While the iPhone actually only makes up about 4% of phone sales / users (I believe), there is still a massive market out there of users who visit websites, search for business, shop online...all from their phones!

Imagine approaching a business owner, and they say "oh its okay, we like our website" and then letting them know that there's a massive customer base trying to view their business information / products for sale via there phones who can't see it because of how their sites are setup. (too much flash, too graphic intensive, etc.)

So what do you do?

You offer them a mobile website solution (which will take you maybe 10 - 15 minutes to actually create)

The service I use myself is Mofuse Premium:

http://www.mofusepremium.com/

You can check out the 2009 review done by TechCrunch here:
http://techcrunch.com/2009/04/21/mob...emium-service/


Pricing starts at $8 per month for one site! (DIRT CHEAP)

And you can easily charge $100 - $200 for setting one of these up for a client, as most people don't really know how to go about creating .mobi / mobile friendly websites for businesses.

How about sweet that deal and take advantage of a 50% discount on the $8 using promocode: TECHCRUNCH when signing up.

EDIT:

Just to add some more ideas about how powerful this concept is, I want you to think of using this service/tool as a "surprise bonus" for your business clients.

For example, let's say you have been paid to re-design/create a website for the business...then you can go and add this service (for $4!) and create a cellphone friendly version of their business website which most web-designers would easily charge $300 - $500 for...

So when you go to deliver the client their new website, you mention:

"By the way, I took the liberty to also have my team design a mobile-phone version of your website that automatically loads when people search for your business using their cellphones. It will give them the information they need (hours of operation, services, contact info) much faster and using less data, and also help with getting ranked in the search engines when searched from their phones...we typically charge $500 for this, but I included it at no charge with your new website marketing system."

Do you think your clients will be impressed? You just gave them a $500 value product while WILL bring in a great ROI with the addition of being that much more accessible to their customers!

You think your client will brag to his friends about his NEW mobile-phone friendly website?

Think he'll be telling them who did this amazing service for him?

If his friends are business owners, you can bet THEY will want mobile-friendly websites too...and then it's time to sit down and interview THEM about THEIR current marketing plans... CHA-CHING!


Another example is you can use this service as a lead generator and offer to create (not host that'll be extra $$ for them ) mobile-friendly websites for businesses FREE ($500 value)...the catch? They must be willing to go through a marketing interview / questionnaire with you...

Of course by doing so, you will easily be identify weak points / profit leaks in their business, and voila...you'll be booking a follow-up meeting like they were under a magic potion!


Hope you can see the POWER of using CHEAP/FREE services to SKYROCKET your business profits

Cheers guys,

~Dexx

[mktmkr]

killer! thanks, dexx!

[Dexx]

Just added some more examples / concepts, I really hope everyone can see the power in creating cheap / easy-to-make mobile websites!

You thought creating optin forms / autoresponders for businesses made cash...hoo boy!

~Dexx

[jacquic]

Dexx, I've just been thinking along those lines, so thanks for the helpful info - saved me a lot of time there.

~ Jacqui

[Tsarina]

Nice... adding it to the mix!

[MrPhelps]

People belly-ache about spending $10 a month on hosting, so I find $90 a month (as the quoted "standard rate") for just a mobile version of a business' site as rather hard to swallow.

[ijohnson]

Dexx,

Appreciate your efforts to keep us informed on the latest technology and trends. I've been hearing a lot of buzz about this topic and definitely felt a need to research and work it into my client's marketing plan.

I will check out the link you provided to gain a little more insight into what they offer and how it's set up. BTW, those were some good examples you shared on how to market this concept to our clients.

~ Iris

[ramprof]

Most small businesses won't need the $90/month plan. The $8/month plan will work just fine for them. I just did a demo site for a local pizza place - all they really need is a click to call, location (with map) and main menu items (three elements - takes about 10 minutes to create).

[Dexx]

Thanks Ramprof, I was just about to reply with a similar message!

The $90/mo plan is for the "hardcore" businesses that want a ton of features and tracking details coming from the mobile website (with the ability to handle 100,000s of visitos to their MOBILE site)

The basic $8/mo plan ($4/mo with discount code) allows for your clients information to be easily found, and read, by mobile phones looking for information from them, which is more than enough for 99% of businesses.

Add in a SMS Marketing plan, and you are going to be in the profit books for a long time

~Dexx

[ramprof]

Just a quick update. I used Mofuse the other day to create a very quick mobile site for a local pizza place. They are not a client, the place came up in a conversation with a prospective business partner. The entire thing took about 20 minutes (that includes registration). Very simple site - click to call, menu, location, about us. This is absolutely the key with mobile - keep it very simple. Remember any images, video, etc. will take too much time to load on a mobile phone. Also, click (or tap) to call is a key element - looks very impressive as your future client can envision all of those people clicking...

Now that I have it, I obviously need to setup a meeting with the pizza place owner and get him on board (probably at something small like $19.95 per month - 1 or 2 extra orders pays for it).

-Ross

[tiz724]

This is a GREAT value add. Excellent stuff.

[Dexx]

Thanks Tiz! Welcome to the OGF!

Cheers,

~Dexx

[MrPhelps]

I have a silly question about this...

I only have a Moto V3 RAZR phone without data service (it's too slow).

Can you do this without a smartphone + data pkg?

-David

[yess]

.....Now that I have it, I obviously need to setup a meeting with the pizza place owner and get him on board (probably at something small like $19.95 per month - 1 or 2 extra orders pays for it). -Ross

So did you set up the site with Mofuse under your name and then the client will pay you each month and you pay Mofuse each month?

Thanks

Lynn

[ramprof]

You do not need a smart phone to setup it up - all done on the Web. However, a smart phone is probably useful in showing off your creation to the potential client.

[ramprof]

Yes, that's the idea. I am actually looking into other ways to handle mobile where I can host the site myself.

[Dexx]

I'd suggest grabbing a hostgator reseller account for $24/mo, and then you can sign up mofuse accounts for $4/mo (cost)

Turn around and sell "mobile websites" to businesses that link to their actual website, and voila!

Charge $100 setup/design + $15 - 20/mo and you can build a business on auto-pilot that way. (once the sites are up there's not much for maintenance, and you could charge a fee for updating any pages / content on the site)

Thoughts?

Cheers,

~Dexx

[ramprof]

Dexx -

Actually, the mobile site and the main Website should not really link to each other. Instead there is some code that is placed on the main site that determines the client used (PC or mobile device). If the client is a PC then the main Website is displayed. If the client is a mobile device then the mobile site is displayed.

One way to market mobile sites is vertically. For example, do one restaurant as an example and drive clients all your other restaurant clients to a site where they can sign up for the service. Since these sites are very simple they just complete a form with their information (and credit card) and you charge them every month.

-Ross

PS. If anyone is interested in adding this to their product mix and needs someone to handle the backend let me know.

[Dexx]

Ah yes Ramprof, I forgot that the code actually goes on their website to determine its a mobile device (I've only set up one Mofuse site and that was back in December heh)

Good catch and great tip!

Cheers,

~Dexx

[RoyE]

Slightly off topic, I know, but we've had almost no useable broadband here for two days, so when I was trying to write a post on one of our blogs today about the value of online marketing I wasn't exactly in the mood... After all, it seems that about half the town's population couldn't search online if they wanted to.

Then I remembered this thread and that we already offer a mobile website service - and made a virtue out of a necessity. Result: an easy blog post about how online marketing is still priceless, even when people can't get 'online'; something to Twitter about and mention on Facebook and all my social media duties done.

Roy

The post is at http://burystedmundsonline.blogspot.com and I'll welcome comments, of course!

[yess]

PS. If anyone is interested in adding this to their product mix and needs someone to handle the backend let me know.

Are you offering your services to 'create' the mobile sites?

Thanks!

[simmo28]

Great info Dexx.. opened up a whole new way to approach forthcoming clients

- especially interested in the idea of offering FREE mobile websites to local businesses, only charge the hosting costs ;-) get them thru the door, then up sell them on my consultation packages. I think that this will be a winner! thanks for the info....

Al.

[Lesley]

Dexx

I think offering certain clients a mobile website solution is a great idea to add to the mix. I recently bought a WSO on the subject and was amazed at how easy it was to create one.

As I was reading this, I thought that if anyone was prospecting for clients, a letter with a screenshot of their "normal" site and one with the view of their website from an iphone etc - you know what they say - a picture is worth a thousand words, might be a tipping point. You can take a screenshot of their website from an iphone from http://www.iphonetester.com.

I'm going to test it out next week with a small mailing. Anyone else tried this?

Lesley

[Dexx]

Great find Lesley, I never knew of that, but I might play around with using it as a prospecting tool =)

Cheers,

~Dexx

[ramprof]

Are you offering your services to 'create' the mobile sites?

Thanks!

Create it and do the SEO work.

[ramprof]

Dexx

I think offering certain clients a mobile website solution is a great idea to add to the mix. I recently bought a WSO on the subject and was amazed at how easy it was to create one.

As I was reading this, I thought that if anyone was prospecting for clients, a letter with a screenshot of their "normal" site and one with the view of their website from an iphone etc - you know what they say - a picture is worth a thousand words, might be a tipping point. You can take a screenshot of their website from an iphone from http://www.iphonetester.com.

I'm going to test it out next week with a small mailing. Anyone else tried this?

Lesley

I was meeting with some potential business partners the other day and they were skeptical about mobile. They said our site comes up just fine on an iPhone. So I took mine out and showed them that it was slow to load and almost impossible to read. By the time we have our next meeting I'll have a mobile version of their site to show them.

Anyone have some figures on how much the going rate is for creation and ongoing maintenance? I have found some numbers, but these guys are used to dealing with enterprise software where a $10,000/month maintenance contract is normal!

[MrPhelps]

Dexx

I think offering certain clients a mobile website solution is a great idea to add to the mix. I recently bought a WSO on the subject and was amazed at how easy it was to create one.

As I was reading this, I thought that if anyone was prospecting for clients, a letter with a screenshot of their "normal" site and one with the view of their website from an iphone etc - you know what they say - a picture is worth a thousand words, might be a tipping point. You can take a screenshot of their website from an iphone from http://www.iphonetester.com.

I'm going to test it out next week with a small mailing. Anyone else tried this?

Lesley

Cool tip, Lesley.

One nit: that URL comes up with a 404 error. Try: http://iphonetester.com without the 'www' in front.

-David

[thomasmps]

Create it and do the SEO work.

how much are you charging to do the mobile sites?

[David]

Many local businesses have a generic website or might not even have one, this allows us to market to them. Charge whatever, a website on Mobisitegalore-com takes about 5mins to create, and is published instantly. You can even create it from your Mobile Phone!! While your customer watches! It even has HTML capability, pics, and Zinadoo-com allows Video.

As a kicker or bonus for the local business, especially if they don't have a website at all, and are a unique local niche (dry cleaning, pet wash, window tint, etc.) is to post their new website to Google Maps Local Business Listings. If you have any knowledge of Google Maps, this can enable you to get their new mobile website on the first page of Google for their Local Business Listing. They go from ZERO internet business to the FIRST PAGE of Google!! How much would you pay?

P.S. Remember that the TITLE of your Google Maps Local Business Listing does NOT have to be a business name! It should and always be KEYWORDS for your niche: San Diego Window Tint, Los Angeles Dry Cleaning, Houston Lawn Care, etc.

[David]

www. Mobisitegalore.com
www. Zinadoocom.com

[yess]

I'm hearing/reading a lot of pros and cons about having a separate Mobile site /vs/ putting the mobile version on a subdomain or in a folder.

or have you found it better to just host at ((do you simply place a link from main site to it?))
http://www.mofusepremium.com/

Anyone care to share their ideas, opinions or experience on this?


Also there is information about mobile web design at
http://mobiforge.com/

[ramprof]

I'm hearing/reading a lot of pros and cons about having a separate Mobile site /vs/ putting the mobile version on a subdomain or in a folder.

or have you found it better to just host at ((do you simply place a link from main site to it?))
http://www.mofusepremium.com/

Anyone care to share their ideas, opinions or experience on this?


Also there is information about mobile web design at
http://mobiforge.com/

It really does not matter - especially with a service like Mofuse. The way it works (subdomain, Mofuse, etc.) is that you need to add code to the main Webpage (the homepage that would appear on a regular computer). This code determines the user's client (computer, smartphone, etc.) and then redirects to the mobile site if needed.

The only downside to Mofuse is that you pay the monthly hosting fee. You can eliminate that by hosting it yourself. But the basic concept (code on the homepage and redirect to mobile) is the same either way.

[MrPhelps]

Y'all might want to check Wordpress.org's Plugin Directory for free plugins that allow a WP site to be adapted to show in a mobile device.

[dave830]

Very interesting thread, thanks for the contributions.

I'm most curious about the ability to easily adapt WordPress sites to mobile, as we do all of our local sites on WP.

There are a lot of plugins that are related to this, but it seems the issue comes down to a) displaying the site's content in a smart phone version, or b) create a completely new site (just relevant info, no images, fast load time) based on the original.

Seems most plugins accomplish a).... any insights here?

Thanks..

[ramprof]

Very interesting thread, thanks for the contributions.

I'm most curious about the ability to easily adapt WordPress sites to mobile, as we do all of our local sites on WP.

There are a lot of plugins that are related to this, but it seems the issue comes down to a) displaying the site's content in a smart phone version, or b) create a completely new site (just relevant info, no images, fast load time) based on the original.

Seems most plugins accomplish a).... any insights here?

Thanks..

Dave -

I'm still testing some WP plugins, but it appears that most are basically just a customized style sheet. So the site will appear on the phone in a narrow format, but it still might not be great.

[ijohnson]

Dexx,

I'm so glad you started this thread. I've been researching this for about a month now and just recently purchased a WSO that offered some pretty good information on how to build a mobile website.

I have checked out MobiSiteGalore and they have a pretty good website builder. However, I'm interested in checking out others to find a mobile website builder software with the best features, the best look, and FAST loading speed. Keeping it simple is key, though.

After building their site, and confirming that they were extremely happy with it, I would ask for a testimonial and 3 referrals.

It's the structuring of the services that get me . . . to host or not to host the mobile site, the best company to use for hosting (I currently use HostGator) wonder if I should offer monthly maintenance or not, how to set up billing for my services, etc.

When I think about recurring income, I know that setting up a continuity program will be a key factor in not having to keep getting new clients, too. So, it's definitely more appealing to go that route. However, I'm concerned about how to set things up so that it's mutually beneficial -- I don't want to hold the client's website hostage.

Does anyone have any ideas you can share that will help me out?

Thanks,

~ Iris

[ramprof]

Dexx,

I'm so glad you started this thread. I've been researching this for about a month now and just recently purchased a WSO that offered some pretty good information on how to build a mobile website.

I have checked out MobiSiteGalore and they have a pretty good website builder. However, I'm interested in checking out others to find a mobile website builder software with the best features, the best look, and FAST loading speed. Keeping it simple is key, though.

After building their site, and confirming that they were extremely happy with it, I would ask for a testimonial and 3 referrals.

It's the structuring of the services that get me . . . to host or not to host the mobile site, the best company to use for hosting (I currently use HostGator) wonder if I should offer monthly maintenance or not, how to set up billing for my services, etc.

When I think about recurring income, I know that setting up a continuity program will be a key factor in not having to keep getting new clients, too. So, it's definitely more appealing to go that route. However, I'm concerned about how to set things up so that it's mutually beneficial -- I don't want to hold the client's website hostage.

Does anyone have any ideas you can share that will help me out?

Thanks,

~ Iris

Iris -

I've been working on this a bit lately. In terms of hosting it depends on whether you use a service like Mofuse for development. If you do then you can go with their hosting and just charge the client a markup. You can host it yourself and save a bit of money.

The problem is the price point for monthly service. If you call it hosting then your point will most likely be fairly low - you are probably dealing with businesses used to paying something like $10-20 per month for Web hosting.

The best approach is to market it as mobile marketing service. Include mobile SEO and maybe some text messaging service. Add Google Analytics (obviously this works best if you host it yourself) and send the client a monthly report. I don't just send the numbers, but also provide analysis and recommendations. Now you can charge much more because it's not "hosting".

I am putting together a report and will hopefully have a draft available for the forum in a few days (the weather got really nice so it might take a bit longer than I thought when it was snowing constantly :-)

[BAYO a.k.a. Mr. B]

People belly-ache about spending $10 a month on hosting, so I find $90 a month (as the quoted "standard rate") for just a mobile version of a business' site as rather hard to swallow.

MrPhelps I agree with you on this.

Also, I've been hearing about mobile marketing and it probably will catch on but right now, as 'shiny' an object as it is, I'll be concentrating my efforts on the simple yet powerful marketing solutions as people switch focus to the 'latest and greatest'

So not saying it's wrong or people are wrong in deciding to get involved, however, as usual, it has the potential to move people off of what they're trying right now to something new that's popped up on the scene.

[ramprof]

MrPhelps I agree with you on this.

Also, I've been hearing about mobile marketing and it probably will catch on but right now, as 'shiny' an object as it is, I'll be concentrating my efforts on the simple yet powerful marketing solutions as people switch focus to the 'latest and greatest'

So not saying it's wrong or people are wrong in deciding to get involved, however, as usual, it has the potential to move people off of what they're trying right now to something new that's popped up on the scene.

Remember we are not talking about mobile marketing (buying mobile ads) here. Personally, mobile marketing has become totally overhyped (with at least 3 major "gurus" promoting high priced courses). Many of us have experimented with this and it just does not work (lots of impressions and clicks, but nobody gets any sales, leads, etc.).

What we're talking about here is offering a service - mobile site creation - which many businesses can use immediately. More people are accessing the Web via their phone (especially younger people - I see the kids in my college classes do this all day). Most local sites (and even many major sites) are not optimized for viewing on a mobile device.

I'm putting the finishing touches on a report about this and I'll make it available here in the next week or so.

[BAYO a.k.a. Mr. B]

Personally, mobile marketing has become totally overhyped (with at least 3 major "gurus" promoting high priced courses). Many of us have experimented with this and it just does not work (lots of impressions and clicks, but nobody gets any sales, leads, etc.).

My apologies. I probably wasn't clear in my initial post.

Your section above is what I was referring to.

Cheers

Bayo

[ijohnson]

ramprof,

I really appreciate you putting in the time and effort to create a report and share it with us here. Creating mobile sites to local businesses is a HUGE opportunity. Creating a package that involves mobile SEO, SMS and SMO should definitely garner some monthly recurring fees.

Count me in! Even though I'm working on getting my first offline client, I'm putting forth some time and effort to learn as much as I can about mobile marketing and building mobile websites.

Ramprof, have you found any software that creates mobile sites that you are very happy with and plan to use for building all your mobile sites?

~ Iris

[ramprof]

ramprof,

I really appreciate you putting in the time and effort to create a report and share it with us here. Creating mobile sites to local businesses is a HUGE opportunity. Creating a package that involves mobile SEO, SMS and SMO should definitely garner some monthly recurring fees.

Count me in! Even though I'm working on getting my first offline client, I'm putting forth some time and effort to learn as much as I can about mobile marketing and building mobile websites.

Ramprof, have you found any software that creates mobile sites that you are very happy with and plan to use for building all your mobile sites?

~ Iris

Hi Iris -

Yes, I have very detailed instructions on how to easily create mobile sites in the report (and how to potentially market them to local businesses). The report is pretty much done - just need to clean up formatting and create a Website and autoresponder for it. I'll PM you (and others who request it) with a preview copy - would love to get your feedback/testimonial before I put it out as a WSO.

[David]

Will you so kind to let me have review copy as well. I agree that this something business needs before they do any kind of mobile marketing.

[ramprof]

The report - Mobile Money In Minutes - is complete. You can download your copy by opting-in at http://theimprofessor.com/mmm-thank-you I am planning to release this as a WSO in the next day or two, so any feedback (positive or negative) you can provide would be helpful. Obviously, if you feel it deserves one a testimonial is always welcome.

I am already planning an update which will cover more options in terms of building sites and information on using SMS for marketing. So stay tuned.

-Ross

[BAYO a.k.a. Mr. B]

The report - Mobile Money In Minutes - is complete. You can download your copy by opting-in at http://theimprofessor.com/mmm-thank-you I am planning to release this as a WSO in the next day or two, so any feedback (positive or negative) you can provide would be helpful. Obviously, if you feel it deserves one a testimonial is always welcome.

I am already planning an update which will cover more options in terms of building sites and information on using SMS for marketing. So stay tuned.

-Ross

Hi Ross

I downloaded and read your document and I see now what you mean.

Never been one to say what I mean I want to also come back and state publicly that this could be a very good service for anyone who is already into SEO etc and is willing to take it seriously. You describe it in a way that made me look at mobile internet marketing in more detail.

Thanks for the report and the operational clarification.

Bayo

PM - Sent you a PM

[Don Alm]

Thankx Dexx...

[ramprof]

Thanks for the reviews. I just received an invite to a Webinar on mobile search on Thurs. and thought many of you would be interested. Here's the link https://event.on24.com/eventRegistra...epage=register.

-Ross

[ijohnson]

Ross,

Thanks for the report and the link to the upcoming webinar on mobile search.

~ Iris

[BAYO a.k.a. Mr. B]

Ross

Thanks again for the report and I believe you've got a great product that can go far. Serial entrepreneur that I am I dropped you a PM recently and was wondering whether you got it?

Thanks

Bayo

[ijohnson]

Bayo,

You have me confused?!?!?! I thought I read a few posts where you weren't too excited about mobile marketing and building mobile websites. However, I clicked on the link in your signature and you're offering a program on it. Did I misinterpret your posts?

(Bayo, I just went back up in this thread and found this post you made on 03/25/10):

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

MrPhelps I agree with you on this.

Also, I've been hearing about mobile marketing and it probably will catch on but right now, as 'shiny' an object as it is, I'll be concentrating my efforts on the simple yet powerful marketing solutions as people switch focus to the 'latest and greatest'

So not saying it's wrong or people are wrong in deciding to get involved, however, as usual, it has the potential to move people off of what they're trying right now to something new that's popped up on the scene.

@@@@@@@@@@@@

Bayo,

So, what's up!?!?!?! Are you keeping it underwraps to keep people like me from losing focus! I can really appreciate that but I'm already sold on mobile marketing and the opportunities in building mobile website. I believe it's going to revolutionize the way we do a lot of things, especially marketing.

I must say, though, you're offering a pretty nice-looking package!

~ Iris