Author: JT

Mobile commerce may be at risk due to US legislation

| April 23, 2013

Mobile Commerce new legislationMobile commerce could lose traction as byproduct of new legislation

It is not unusual to see businesses get involved in U.S. politics for one reason or another, but eBay is one of the companies that has avoided this involvement in the past. This is due to the fact that there are relatively few laws in the U.S. that govern the world of e-commerce, as well as that of mobile commerce. The laws that do exist have helped create an atmosphere where companies and consumers can conduct business in a balance manner. A new legislation in the U.S. is causing eBay some concern, however, and may even put a damper on the company’s interests in mobile commerce to some degree.

eBay moves to fight Marketplace Fairness Act

eBay CEO John Donahoe has taken issue with legislation known as the Marketplace Fairness Act. Donahoe claims that this legislation will put unfair burdens on all small online merchants. The legislation is designed to provide states the authority to compel online retailers to collect sales tax, even if that retailer is not based within the boundaries of a particular state. Currently, states only impose this authority on physical merchants doing business within state borders. Donahoe claims that the legislation will make it very difficult for online merchants to do business and could severely limit their ability to cater to a large, national market.

Retailer taps users to combat legislation

Donahoe has sent out emails to eBay’s 40 million users, asking for support in opposing this legislation. The legislation could potentially have a significant impact on the mobile commerce space, as it is designed specifically to address issues that exist in e-commerce. Mobile commerce is becoming increasingly popular among consumers, with many favoring to shop online and purchase products using their mobile devices rather than their computers.

Sales tax may make mobile commerce less popular

Imposing a tax on online sales without recognizing any jurisdictional boundaries may make it extremely difficult for mobile commerce to find a significant level of growth in the coming years. One of the reasons mobile commerce is so popular in the U.S. is tied directly to the popularity of e-commerce. That is that state-based sales tax is not collected through purchases made online from digital retailers.

Consumer behavior may affect performance of mobile games

| April 21, 2013

Mobile Games ConsumersMobile games heavily influenced by consumer behavior

Mobile games are becoming more than simple entertainment pieces for consumers with smartphones and tablets. These applications have proven to harbor valuable marketing opportunities and have helped engage consumers in a variety of brands that have benefited from their exposure in mobile games. As these games become a more important part of the lives of mobile consumers, understanding how they are used and how much time is devoted to them is becoming more important.

Survey shows that most gamers play while at home

How consumers engage in mobile games often determines whether or not they will engage in the marketing and monetization elements of these games. The behavior of consumers can often affect whether these games will be successful or not, regardless of whether the game itself is designed adequately or offers significant levels of entertainment. According to a recent survey from Mocospace, 46% of consumers are playing more mobile games now than they have ever done in the past. The survey also shows that the majority of these consumers actually play these games while at home instead of out in public.

Gaming trends affect mobile engagement

Because consumers are playing mobile games at home, they have shown themselves to be more susceptible to advertisements regarding other products that they could enjoy while at home. The Mocospace survey also shows that a sizable portion of consumers play mobile games while waiting for an appointment or while commuting. In these cases, consumers are likely to engage in mobile games for longer periods of time, but less likely to participate in in-app purchases or marketing campaigns.

Understanding consumer behavior may be key to successful mobile games

Understanding how people play mobile games could help developers fashion applications that align more with the interests of consumers. Doing so would also enable these applications to appeal to the interests of consumers from a marketing perspective, increasing the opportunities available for marketers to engage these consumers.