Bad Call? 1 in 3 Businesses Aren't Going Mobile

While many of us couldn't imagine life, much less business, without a mobile device, some business owners are choosing not to go mobile.

Despite the proliferation of iPhones and BlackBerrys in the workplace, a staggering 34% of companies use no mobile devices in their business, according to a new study by Constant Contact Inc. and reported by Daily Deal Media.

With a healthy one-third of businesses no using mobile technology whatsoever, maybe the old-fashioned methods are worth a second look.

Reasons to Not Go Mobile

Although many companies have put themselves on the map by providing exclusively mobile services, many companies feel that mobile solutions are not for them. Some common reasons include:

• Customer demand isn't there. If your company's customer base isn't clamoring for a new way to connect with your product or service, why invite the hassle of mobile?
• It requires learning and buying new devices. Technology progresses at an amazing rate, so it isn't a surprise when business owners and even legal professionals fall behind.
• Not relevant to business. Your simple mom-and-pop business may not involve anything even close to requiring a mobile device, so why try to shoehorn it in?

Risks of a Non-Mobile Strategy

For those choosing to avoid the untethered route and stick to a more grounded strategy, consider these potential risks:

• Print advertising is losing its punch. Direct-mail ads and newspaper ads are not as effective as digital ads, which can more narrowly target customers.
• Paper records aren't disaster-proof. If the majority of your documents and contracts are swept away by a flood or hurricane, you'll be wishing you had a mobile or cloud backup.
• You may fall behind your competitors. Your company may lose its edge over others in your industry if you ignore mobile and they jump on it whole hog.

Mobile Pitfalls Avoided

Although there are risks to staying with a more traditional form of business, there are certainly pitfalls to going to mobile. These include:

• Customer data is vulnerable to theft. Depending on the security of your mobile solution, identity thieves may make off with sensitive information about customers, leaving you potentially liable.
• Taxes become more complicated. Choosing to use a mobile payment service may seriously complicate your taxes.
• Worries about transparency and customer trust. A more traditional interface with customers will not have them worried that their business is about the hands of a cold-hearted algorithm.

Keep these pros and cons in mind as you consider whether your business should go mobile. Bottom line: It's your call.

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Related Resources:

• Small Business Is Missing The Digital/Mobile Revolution (Forbes)
• 5 High-Tech Mistakes Business Owners Must Avoid (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• 7 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Own Business (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• New Mobile Credit-Card Readers Can Pay Off (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)