Six Industries That Have Targeted Mobile Device Users

While many industries have adjusted to being available or usable on mobile devices, some industries go well beyond this by making mobile users one of their primary targets. This has led to many companies going above and beyond creating mobile-friendly websites. Instead, these companies’ innovations and upgrades are specifically designed to be used on a mobile device to create an enjoyable and streamlined user experience.

Considering that over 59% of people use a mobile device and only 37% use a desktop computer, this focus on mobile is entirely unsurprising. That being said, some industries stand out for their mobile-forward focus more than others, and below, we’ll look at six of these standout industries more closely.

1. The Gaming Industry

Easily one of the most mobile-oriented industries is the gaming industry. Smartphones make games accessible anywhere, anytime, and have rapidly become a profitable market, with over half of the world’s video game revenue stemming from mobile use. So, it’s certainly a worthwhile effort for gaming companies to target mobile users.

Major video game producers have recreated their most loved games for video game consoles as mobile games, including games from the Grand Theft Auto and Super Mario Bro series. These allow fans to take them anywhere they go while enabling the game creators to reach a new market of potential gamers.

The gaming industry goes well beyond the recreation of popular video games into mobile versions; it even includes puzzle, word, and number games built specifically for mobile use. Even the online casino industry is booming on mobile devices thanks to iGaming companies’ growing dedication to providing safe and secure gaming options and a fun, immersive experience for players.

2. The Retail & E-Commerce Industry

Another industry that places a great deal of focus on mobile users is the retail industry, with 91% of people now making online purchases from their phones. In fact, mobile shopping has become so popular that it’s expected to make up the majority of online sales in the next three years.

Many online stores prioritize creating an easy-to-use mobile store, including small-scale shops. The focus is to make it easier and more likely for people shopping on their phones to purchase from them. Many retailers have started creating branded apps to make smartphone shopping even easier and convenient. Shopping apps have a dedicated category in app stores where you’ll find apps for big brand names like Amazon, H&M, Indigo, Sephora, Walmart, and Zara.

3. The Music Industry

One thing that CD Walkmans, MP3 players, and iPods taught us before the arrival of smartphones is that people love taking their music with them on the go. Because of this, mobile users are an ideal target for the music industry. After all, most people bring their phones everywhere they go.

This has resulted in major leaders in the music streaming industry, like Spotify and Apple Music, focusing on the mobile experience. Even internet radio options have evolved to be used on mobile devices.

However, the music industry has extended its focus on mobile use further than offering streaming or music-playing options. Through smartphones, musicians and producers can now find a plethora of mobile apps to create, record, or polish their music.

 

4. The Food Service Industry

Within the food service industry, a focus on mobile use has paved the way for entire companies to become household names, such as Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, and Grubhub. Phones have made it possible for these companies to center their business around bringing you food, whatever food you want, directly to you, wherever you are.

Restaurants have also started prioritizing their websites for mobile use, some forgoing a physical menu by providing their customers with QR codes to scan so they can see the menu from their phones. Major fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s, Popeye’s, and Starbucks have developed apps that encourage customers to earn reward points by placing orders through the app. These apps also allow brands to promote more spending with special promos or deals.

5. The Social Media Industry

While early versions of social media were desktop-based, today, it’s all about the mobile experience, so much so that some mobile apps have more functions and features than their desktop counterparts. With a mobile focus, people can check on their social media accounts anywhere and everywhere they go. For users, this makes it convenient to keep up with their social network or post updates, and for social media networks, this makes it easier to hold people’s attention and earn a profit.

6. The Transportation Industry

When it comes to helping people get from point A to point B, it makes sense to focus on a platform that people can access everywhere they go. Because of this, mobile users have become essential target demographics for the transportation industry, particularly for ride-share businesses. Focusing on phone use through a mobile app makes it easier for customers to book and use transportation services. Mobile apps like Uber or Lift have made booking a trip simple and easy for most people, and they have profited from this mobile focus.

Mobile Experiences Offer a Wealth of Opportunity

These industries have shown us that focusing on creating an enjoyable mobile experience provides a great deal of opportunity for businesses to succeed. For mobile users, this has also made many of our favorite activities and regular habits much more convenient and enjoyable.

These qualities mean that the popularity of mobile websites and apps, from shopping and food delivery to games and music, is unlikely to slow down anytime soon and is well worth the focus.