Today, in our modern world, technology has become a vital component of our everyday routines. Mobile technology, in particular, has revolutionized the way we communicate and conduct business. 

As a small business owner, understanding the latest mobile technology trends can help you stay ahead of the competition and grow your business. In this article, we will discuss some of the most significant mobile technology trends that small business owners should be aware of.

Mobile Payments

Lots of people are using their phones to buy things, so now it's more popular than ever to use something called "mobile payments." These systems allow customers to make payments by just using their mobile devices. This technology is convenient for customers as they no longer need to carry cash or credit cards with them. As a small business owner, accepting mobile payments can help you attract more customers that seek optimal convenience and increase sales.

Here are some examples of mobile payment platforms being used:

• Apple Pay: a mobile payment system developed by Apple that allows users to pay for goods and services using their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
• Google Pay: a digital wallet platform developed by Google that allows users to make payments with their Android phone, tablet, or watch.
• PayPal: an online payment system that allows users to make secure payments and money transfers online.

How to get Started:

1. Determine which mobile payment options are most commonly used by your target audience.
2. Research the various mobile payment providers, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal, and compare their features and fees.
3. Choose the mobile payment provider that best meets your needs, and set up an account.
4. Make sure your point-of-sale system is compatible with your chosen mobile payment provider.
5. Train your employees on how to accept mobile payments and display signage indicating that mobile payments are accepted at your business.

Social Media Marketing

If you have a small business, you can use websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to tell people about the cool stuff you sell or do. 

 Social media marketing allows you to target specific audiences based on their interests, demographics, and location. By creating engaging content and interacting with your followers, you can build a strong brand presence on social media and attract new customers.

Here are some examples of Social Media Marketing platforms being used:

• Facebook Ads: a platform that allows businesses to create and display ads to a targeted audience on Facebook and Instagram.
• Instagram for Business: a suite of tools and features designed for businesses to promote their brand on Instagram, including sponsored posts and Instagram Stories.
• Twitter Ads: a platform that allows businesses to create and display ads to a targeted audience on Twitter.

How to get Started:

1. Find out which websites your customers use the most, and then learn how to make an account for your business on those sites.
2. Develop a social media marketing strategy that includes goals, target audience, content types, and posting schedule.
3. Create engaging and shareable content that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience.
4. Use social media analytics to track engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly.
5. Engage with your audience and followers by responding to comments and messages, and consider running paid social media ads to reach a wider audience.

Mobile-Friendly Websites

Nowadays, lots of people look at websites on their phones and tablets, so it's super important for your website to look good and work well on those devices. This way, more people will be able to see your website, and it will be easier for them to use. A mobile-friendly website should be easy to navigate, load quickly, and have clear calls to action.

Here are some examples of platforms making websites mobile-friendly being used:

• Responsive web design: a design approach that allows a website to adapt to the screen size of the device it's being viewed on.
• Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP): a Google-backed project that aims to make mobile web pages load faster and perform better.
• Mobile-first design: a design approach that prioritizes mobile devices over desktops when designing a website.

How to get Started:

1. Determine which design approach will work best for your website, such as responsive design, AMP, or mobile-first design.
2. Use a website builder or hire a web developer to create a mobile-friendly website that is optimized for mobile devices.
3. Ensure that your website loads quickly is easy to navigate, and has large fonts and buttons that are easy to click on a small screen.
4. Test your website on a variety of mobile devices to ensure that it is compatible and looks good on different screens.
5. Consider adding features like click-to-call or click-to-email buttons to make it easy for mobile users to contact you.

Mobile Apps

Mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular as they provide a more convenient and personalized experience for users. As a small business owner, creating a mobile app for your business can help you engage with your customers, offer promotions and discounts, and streamline the purchasing process. For example, a coffee shop can create a mobile app that allows customers to order and pay for their drinks ahead of time, saving them time and hassle.

Here are some examples of top mobile apps:

• Starbucks: a mobile app that allows customers to order and pay for their drinks ahead of time, skip the line, and earn rewards.
• Uber: a ride-sharing app that allows users to hail a ride, track their driver, and pay for their trip through the app.
• Headspace: a meditation app that provides guided meditations and mindfulness exercises to help users reduce stress and improve mental health.

How to get Started:

1. Determine if a mobile app is necessary for your business, and research what features and functionality would be useful for your target audience.
2. Decide whether to build a native app, which is specific to one platform like iOS or Android, or a hybrid app, which works on both platforms.
3. Hire a mobile app developer or use an app builder to create the app, and ensure that it is user-friendly and offers a great user experience.
4. Launch the app and promote it through social media, email, and other marketing channels.
5. Monitor feedback and reviews, and update the app regularly to fix any bugs and add new features.

Augmented Reality

Have you ever seen those cool filters on Snapchat or Instagram that make you look like a bunny or put a hat on your head? That's called "augmented reality"! It's when you use your phone or tablet to see things that aren't really there in the real world. Some businesses use it to make fun or interesting things for customers to play with or see. For example, a furniture store can use augmented reality to allow customers to see how a piece of furniture would look in their home before making a purchase.

Here are some examples of top mobile apps:

• Pokemon Go: a popular mobile game that uses augmented reality to allow players to catch virtual Pokemon in the real world.
• IKEA Place: an app that allows users to see how IKEA furniture would look in their home using augmented reality.
• Snapchat lenses: a feature that uses augmented reality to add fun and interactive filters to selfies and videos.

How to get started:

1. Determine if an augmented reality experience would be valuable for your business, and research how it could be used to enhance your brand or products.
2. Choose an augmented reality platform, such as ARKit, ARCore, or Vuforia, and hire an augmented reality developer or use an AR builder to create the experience.
3. Ensure that the AR experience is user-friendly and provides value to your customers.
4. Promote the AR experience through social media, email, and other marketing channels, and monitor feedback to improve the experience over time.

Chatbots

Have you ever talked to a computer program that seemed like it was talking to you like a real person? That's called a "chatbot"! It's a special computer program that can pretend to have a conversation with you. As a small business owner, you can use chatbots to provide customer support, handle inquiries, and even process orders. Chatbots can help you save time and improve customer satisfaction.

Here are some examples of chatbots:

• ManyChat - ManyChat is a popular chatbot platform that allows small business owners to create chatbots for Facebook Messenger. With ManyChat, businesses can send automated messages, set up drip campaigns, and offer customer support.
• Tars - Tars is a chatbot platform that can be used to create chatbots for websites and landing pages. It offers features such as lead capture, appointment scheduling, and e-commerce integrations.
• Drift - Drift is a chatbot platform that offers a range of features, including lead generation, customer support, and sales automation. It also offers integrations with other tools, such as Salesforce and Marketo.

How to get started:

1. Determine which tasks a chatbot could help automate for your business, such as answering customer inquiries or providing basic support.
2. Choose a chatbot platform, such as Facebook Messenger or Slack, and create a bot account.
3. Use a chatbot builder or hire a developer to create the chatbot, and ensure that it is programmed to handle the tasks you want it to perform.
4. Train the chatbot on common questions and scenarios, and set up rules for when to escalate to a human representative.
5. Test the chatbot with a small group of users and monitor feedback to improve the chatbot's performance over time.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, mobile technology is rapidly evolving, and small business owners need to keep up with the latest trends to stay competitive. By adopting mobile payment systems, social media marketing, mobile-friendly websites, mobile apps, augmented reality, and chatbots, you can attract more customers, improve user experience, and grow your business.

Aside from the mobile technology trends discussed in this article, there are many other ways to promote a small business. You can explore resources on entrepreneurship and income-generating activities to learn more about marketing strategies, branding, and customer engagement. You can also check out an eBook available on Amazon from MoneySkool that provides ideas in promoting a business.

Remember, with the right tools and resources, anyone can become a successful entrepreneur.