Author: BWild

Study highlights the growing potential of mobile search

| March 17, 2013

Mobile Search StudyMobile search highlighted in new study from Google

Google has teamed with Nielsen, a leading market research firm, to release the results of a new study that the two parties have been conducting for some time. The study highlights the amount of time that consumers devote to searches on their mobile devices. With the growing prominence of mobile commerce, mobile search is gaining more attention and understanding how consumers are using their time to search could be a major benefit to companies  that want to engage mobile consumers.

Consumers searching for products from their mobile device

According to the study, 55% of the time consumers spend on mobile searches is to find a product to purchase. The study shows that within an hour of when consumers find a product they are interested in, they will purchase that product directly from their mobile device. The study also shows that 45% of mobile searches are conducted in order to help a consumer make a purchase decision. One of the more interesting discoveries highlighted by the study is that nearly two-thirds of consumers actually conduct mobile searches while in a store.

In-store searchers are common

Many analysts suggest that mobile technology and the ability to purchase products from a mobile device is causing consumers to avoid traditional brick-and-mortar stores. The study shows that consumers till favor visiting stores for products, but shows that more people are relying on their mobile devices for product research. These devices, which enjoy a constant connection to the Internet, are ideal research tools as they allow consumers to find a wealth of information concerning a particular product or the brand associated with that product.

Mobile search may be a promising opportunity for advertisers

While the study shows that mobile searches do occur in stores, consumers are more likely to search for products on their mobile device while they are at home or at work. The popularity of mobile search could be a major opportunity for advertisers that are looking to engage mobile consumers. The study suggests that consumers participating in mobile search are inclined to follow advertisements that they find on websites and search engines while trying to find certain products.

Mobile payments security attracts attention of federal agency

| March 15, 2013

Mobile Security FTCSecurity of mobile payments questioned by FTC

Mobile payments are becoming all the rage around the world, but there are major security concerns  that have been gaining more attention in some countries. Mobile commerce is on the rise in the U.S., and while that means more consumers are becoming acclimated to mobile payments, it also means that malicious parties are beginning to target these consumers. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has released a new report highlighting the potential  threats that exist in the competitive world of mobile payments.

Report highlights threats of the mobile world

The report, entitled “Paper, Plastic, or Mobile?,” sheds light on the issue of mobile payments fraud in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission has drawn upon the vast amount of information it has received from companies and organizations heavily invested in the mobile commerce industry for the report. The report also contains the concerns that consumers have raised over the issue of mobile security and commerce, with fraud and identity theft being among the most worrisome of issues.

Security lax when it comes to mobile commerce

The report notes that the concept of mobile payments has been a very attractive prospect for years. Despite the anticipation surrounding mobile payments, however, relatively little has been done to ensure the security of mobile commerce. The Federal Trade Commission suggests that there are various ways in which a consumer’s financial information can be stolen and exploited and that some of the security issues that consumers face are inherent in many of the most popular mobile commerce platforms.

Credit cards considered most secure option for consumers

While the report suggests that mobile payments are very effective for purposes such as bill payments and shopping, the Federal Trade Commission remains unconvinced that mobile devices like smartphones and tablets provide enough security to make mobile payments feasible. The agency claims that credit cards offer the strongest security for consumers, especially when it comes to the matter of fraud.