Google: Mobile + Local Information + Search = Instant Business Opportunities

According to a report released by Google in February 2012, 21% of American smartphone users searched for local business or service information on their phones and then made an online purchase based on that information, while a quarter of them made a purchase in offline stores. 51% of users also called the business or service agency, 49% checked the address of the business or service through a map, 48% visited the business, and 47% visited the website of the business or service. Overall, 92% of American smartphone users searched for local information, and 89% took action after searching for local content.

According to a January report from DudaMobile, users take quick action on sites that offer a good mobile experience: Nearly one-fifth of local business websites powered by DudaMobile’s mobile-friendly sites allow users to contact the business immediately, with the percentage being even higher for transportation (44%), pizza (32%) and taxi services (28%).
Research from Google shows that 1/3 of US smartphone users have shopped on their phones, 20% of them buy almost every day, 14% every few weeks, and more than 3/5 of US smartphone shoppers buy on their phones at least once a month. In fact, in the 6 countries studied (US, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Japan), most users buy on their phones at least once a month.
Mobile phones influence purchasing decisions
35% of American smartphone users said they would subconsciously use their phones to compare prices and search for product information. One-third of them changed their offline purchasing decisions because of the information they obtained from their phones, and about 3/10 changed their online purchasing decisions because of the information they obtained from their phones.
Smartphone searches trigger offline purchases <br /> Smartphone users search for products and information and then purchase through various channels. In fact, they are 14% more likely to choose offline purchases than through mobile phones, and 36% of people will purchase through PC after searching on their mobile phones.

Data source: Google survey based on interviews with online smartphone users, with a sample of 1,000 people in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Japan, conducted by Ipsos in Q1 2012 (fieldwork in January/February).