The mobile Web and mobile applications are here to stay. For many, mobile may present the biggest and best opportunity yet to establish brand loyalty, deepen engagement and convert more users.
Others, however, continue to struggle with including mobile into their existing services and solutions.
A few things make mobile so attractive to the business community (online and off). First, mobile devices are everywhere - ubiquitous computing has almost completely arrived. While difficult to pinpoint exactly the number of mobile subscribers in the world, last year at this time there were over 5 billion mobile phone connections worldwide. China leads the way with 67 percent adoption (over 886 million mobile phone users), followed by India, the United States, Russia and Brazil.
As smartphone adoption increases, expect users' demands related to experience to also increase.
Another reason that mobile is sparking interest is that mobile is immediate. In April 2011, Google released the findings of a smartphone-user study that it conducted with Ipsos OTX at the end of 2010. Among the findings were the fact that 79 percent of smartphone users use their phones to help with shopping, and 74 percent ultimately make a purchase as a result.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly, for many enterprises mobile is simply outperforming other media. According to Borrel Associates, mobile coupons receive ten times higher redemption rates than print coupons.
After a decade of chatter about the promise the mobile Web and mobile applications would bring, times have changed. The mobile Web and mobile apps now provide many entrepreneurs and enterprises a breadth of practical opportunities. Mobile websites, mobile applications, mobile advertising and mobile analytics - the list is long.
With so many options, approaches and strategies available, this month's Website Magazine features some of the most popular vendors in the market in our Top 50 Movers and Shakers in Mobile Services.
Readers will find popular mobile advertising networks including AdMob (#2, a Google property) and GreyStripe (#7, acquired by ValueClick in April 2011); mobile analytics solutions such as Bango (#20) and AppFigures (#35), solutions for retailers like Digby (#27), and do-it-yourself mobile website builders such as mobiSiteGalore (#18) and site.mobi (#22). While this list is in no way complete, it does provide a valuable introduction to many of the top companies in the mobile space.
ABOUT THIS RANKED DATA Website Magazine's Top 50 rankings are a measure of a website's popularity. Ranks are calculated using a proprietary method that focuses on average daily unique visitors and page views over a specified period of time, as reported by multiple data sources. The website with the highest combination of factors is ranked in the first position. Conducting research, making formal comparisons and talking to existing clients and users before making any purchase decisions is always recommended.
1. mobilestorm.com
2. admob.com
3. trumpia.com
4. usablenet.com
5. flurry.com
6. mofuse.com
7. greystripe.com
8. onbile.com
9. mobify.me
10. offermobi.com
11. admeld.com
12. winksite.com
13. millennialmedia.com -
14. sponsormob.com
15. mojiva.com
16. jumptap.com
17. mobclix.com
18. mobisitegalore.com
19. wirenode.com
20. bango.com
21. admarvel.com
22. site.mobi -
23. inmobi.com
24. smaato.com
25. ybrantmobile.com
26. mobiletheory.com
27. digby.com
28. medialets.com
29. adfonic.com
30. adwhirl.com
31. buzzcity.com
32. cellit.com
33. mobpartner.com
34. sumotext.com
35. appfigures.com -
36. punchkickinteractive.com
37. ivisionmobile.com
38. mobgold.com
39. localytics.com
40. golivemobile.com
41. amobee.com
42. yoc.com
43. huntmads.com
44. widespace.com
45. decktrade.com
46. hands.com.br
47. zestadz.com
48. aditic.com
49. admobile.com
50. flytxt.com