Years ago, we were telling business owners and marketers that they needed to embrace mobile web technology. We could see a time when everyone would have a smart phone or tablet in their pocket, and that these devices would become the norm for browsing the internet. That’s exactly the kind of world we live in today.

Now, as we look into the future, it seems obvious that wearable technology – things like smart watches – are going to be the next big trend. In fact, there are an estimated 100 million such devices already in use. That figure could double by the end of 2020.

Despite that fact, there is a general lack of awareness about wearable technology and how it can fit into a well-rounded marketing and branding strategy. Today, we want to give you a few key insights you can use to take advantage of opportunities in the present, prepare for the future, and stay one step ahead of your competitors…

Wearable Technology is About to Get Big

You could argue that wearable tech is already huge, given that millions of Apple watches are flying off the shelves. Still, we are anticipating that this segment of the market will hit critical mass sometime in the next year or two. That’s when sales will skyrocket, prices will come down, and we’ll start to see even more competing devices released by all the major tech manufacturers.

When that happens there will be a predictable rush by marketers to get in on the new trend. However, the savviest business owners and creative teams are getting ahead of the curve by planning for the wearable tech boom now.

The easiest way to market to customers through smart watches and other wearable devices is to simply develop a native app that works on these platforms. The process is similar to what you would follow if you wanted to develop a piece of software for an iPhone or Android. However, there are some differences.

Wearable Apps are Different

Naturally, apps designed for wearable devices need to be slightly different than ones created for smartphones and tablets. That isn’t just because they work on their own operating systems and screen sizes. They are also going to be used differently.

For instance, think about the different user experience that is required for someone visiting a website on a desktop computer versus a person interacting with that same site on a phone. One might be happy to type a question or fill out a form, whereas the other is going to prefer drop-down boxes and radio menus.

The same dynamic is magnified with wearable tech. Users want to tap and slide to move through the interface when using a small watch face. They don’t want to have to punch in letters and numbers on a very small screen and surface.

Timing and Location Are Everything

Apps for wearable technology have so far revolved around giving users notifications during certain times, or when they visit geotagged locations. This seems like a common sense strategy that will continue in the future because it’s convenient for customers.

Imagine, for example, that you put together an app that reminded someone to reorder your product every 30 days, or advise them about daily specials when they walked into one of your locations. These would allow customers to get more from what you sell without being intrusive when their minds are on other things.

The possibilities here are virtually endless. Think about what you can do with wearable technology that makes life more convenient for a buyer and more profitable for your business.

Familiarity Breeds Cash Flow

One huge advantage of developing an app for a smartwatch or other piece of wearable technology is that it can help you to build and maintain better brand awareness with your customer base. After all, they are literally carrying a reminder of your products or services around with them at all times.

This is true of regular smart phone apps as well, of course, but wearable tech tends to feel more personal and interactive. A smartwatch (as an example) feels more like an accessory, or extension of everyday life, than it does a gadget.

With this proximity to your customer you can maintain top of the mind awareness at all times. In other words, the moment they have a need for what you sell they’ll think of your company before your competitors. This is one of those cases where familiarity breeds cash flow and repeat orders.

Your Apps Can Work Together

It’s important to remember that your wearable tech apps won’t exist in a vacuum. They can (and should) interact with other tools and apps you use to serve your customers.

For an easy example of this dynamic in action, consider the way Fitbit users sync their data with smart phones to count steps, measure sleep, and otherwise hit their fitness goals. Or, think about the way someone with an Apple watch can use props or voice commands to access apps through a paired iPhone or digital home assistant.

The bigger you can think in terms of different wearable tech uses, the more ways you’ll come up with to help your customers to improve their lives. Then, you have the formula for a winning idea that grows your business while improving your position in the market.

Want to Learn More About Marketing to the Wearable Technology Crowd?

If you want to participate in one of the biggest (trends in tech), but don’t feel exactly sure how to move forward, we can help. Contact the web design and revenue generation experts at Maxburst. They will be happy to help you brainstorm ideas, develop a marketing plan that makes sense, and make this your most profitable year ever!

Shift Frequency © 2019 – Online Marketing and Wearable Technology