Report highlights consumer concerns regarding mobile security
IDG Global Solutions has released a new report focused on the safety aspects of mobile commerce. The report notes that many people are willing to use their smartphones and tablets to shop online, but safety concerns keep them from doing so. High profile cyber attacks on retailers often discourage people from participating in mobile commerce, as they believe that their financial information is constantly at risk of exploitation. Poorly optimized mobile shopping platforms are also keeping people away from mobile shopping as well.
Retailers are finding it difficult to engage mobile consumers in an effective manner
The report notes that many people are visiting mobile websites from their smartphones and tablets, but retail sites have a problem with engaging these consumers effectively. Sites that do not have a retail focus are better equipped to handle mobile traffic, but many retailers have not yet figured out how to cater to the needs of mobile consumers, leaving them with poor online shopping experiences.
Consumers are beginning to favor their mobile devices over PCs and laptops
Many people are beginning to rely on their mobile devices almost exclusively when shopping online. The report shows that an estimated 40% of consumers have abandoned their PCs or laptops in favor of smartphones and tablets. Consumers appear to be particularly fond of tablets when it comes to mobile shopping, as their larger screens provide a more enjoyable shopping experience. Retail sites are somewhat more accommodating of tablet devices, but still suffer from effectively managing mobile traffic.
Security concerns are keeping people away from mobile commerce and many are uncomfortable with how retailers are using their personal information
Security is, perhaps, the most significant problem currently facing the mobile commerce space. Many people are cautious of visiting mobile retail sites because they do not believe that retailers are able to adequately protect their personal information. Some believe that retailers use their personal information for marketing purposes without permission. The security issue is affecting the adoption of mobile commerce among consumers in a negative way, giving people a reason not to shop online with their mobile devices.
The mobile field shouldn’t be taken lightly
Mobile commerce is quickly proving that it is much more than a passing novelty. Mobile technologies like smartphones and tablets are playing a larger role in people’s daily lives. As such, they are beginning to demand services that are specifically tailored for mobile life. Retailers and other businesses are beginning to accommodate this demand, but many are running afoul of serious security issues that could have a catastrophic effect on the mobile space as a whole.
One of the most significant problems that the mobile space faces in terms of security is an overabundant lack of awareness from consumers and businesses alike. Both parties are somewhat oblivious to matters of security, especially when it comes to mobile technology and mobile-centric services. For businesses, this lack of awareness is largely due to decades spent in a world without mobile technology. Consumers are somewhat uninterested in mobile security, wanting instead for their devices and their favorite brands to handle the behind-the-scenes issues without every making their efforts visible.
Lack of awareness is a serious problem
The problem is that this lack of awareness creates a risky environment for mobile commerce. The mobile space is already very attacking to malicious groups because of its trafficking of financial information. A lack of security awareness means that these groups can, at times, move throughout the mobile space unchecked, exploiting financial information wherever they find it. This is becoming a major problem for some businesses focused on the mobile space as they are finding themselves exposed to risks that they do not fully understand how to deal with.
Many businesses are beginning to involve themselves in the mobile world. These businesses see a great deal of promise in mobile commerce and have been inspired by the major success that others have found in this field. Inspiration is not enough to ensure success for these companies, however, as many have rushed into the mobile space with poorly designed platforms and services that have been met with failure. Many of these services lack the security features necessary to be considered viable, while others simply don’t work well.
These platforms represent a significant investment from the companies that make them and their failure constitutes a serious loss. Companies looking to get into the mobile commerce game have to be careful and gauge whether their hasty entry into the market is worth the potential for failure and serious loss.
