When you look around, does it seem like everyone has a tablet computer?It isn’t your imagination. Tablet penetration is exploding and the robust growth is expected to continue into next year.
Worldwide, shipments of tablets climbed 54% from 2012 to 2013, with 184, 431 units shipping this year, up from 120,203 last year.
In 2014, shipments are expected to grow 42% to 263,229 units shipped, according to data from Gartner, Inc.
Mobile phones are the most widely shipped device, with about 1.81 million devices shipped worldwide this year. And while PCs recorded more shipments than tablets, the PC share is shrinking, falling 11% from 2012 to 2013 to 303,100 units shipped. The losses are expected to continue next year, down another 7% to 281,568 units shipped.
So what does all this mean for marketers? It is yet another reminder that mobile is moving to the forefront of digital use and digital marketing plans need to reflect the changing market. A few things to consider:
- Is your website responsive or do you have a mobile app? It is essential for users to have a positive experience when browsing your content on their smaller-screened devices.
- Are you maximizing your search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM)? Mobile users are increasingly using their devices to browse the web and your brand should maximize its positioning.
- Do you have a strong social media presence? Mobile users are heavy consumers of social media. Maintaining a strong presence, with rich content and updating it frequently is another way to direct users to your main website and build awareness.
- Do you have targeted email marketing and text (SMS) marketing? Mobile consumers are checking messages on the go, and targeted marketing messages can reach them during decision-making times.
With strong digital marketing plans, your organization will be in position to take advantage of tablets’ robust growth.