Small business owners are seeing the magnitude of having a mobile presence, with 69 percent saying that it is more important than ever for companies to be accessible via handsets, according to a Manta study. 

The study surveyed more than 1,000 small business owners and asked them how they used their mobile devices. The report found that 40 percent of business professionals use applications two to three times a day, showing the importance of mobile for small businesses.

“In today’s always-on world, businesses need to ensure they’re connecting with customers and prospects when they’re on the go,” said Pamela Springer, president/CEO of Manta, Columbus, OH.

Manta is an online community for promoting and connecting small business.

Always on the go
In addition to mobile being an important presence for companies, small business owners are also engaging with their mobile devices in everyday life.

“We were surprised to learn that nearly one-third of business professionals in Manta’s community say they check their mobile device before they even brush their teeth in the morning,” Ms. Springer said.

 “Clearly, it is more important than ever that businesses can be found online from anywhere and at any time,” she said.

The study also found that 29 percent of business professionals use their mobile devices at least once an hour. Twenty-one percent of business owners check their mobile devices nearly ten times a day.

Additionally, the study found that 58 percent of business owners surveyed check email first at work. Thirty-four percent of users check their mobile devices first.

While at work, 98 percent of participants in the study use a smartphone to communicate on mobile devices.

The study discovered that 73 percent of small business owners work remotely on their mobile devices while on vacation.

Mobile networking
Manta found that not only is mobile important for businesses to reach consumers, it also plays a large role in networking – , especially for small businesses looking to bring in large numbers of consumers.

In fact, the study found that after forming a business connection or customer, 40 percent of business professionals immediately add their connection’s information into their mobile devices.

However, only four percent of business owners surveyed contacted new connections through LinkedIn after meeting them, as the social media platform is known to be a place to connect with already established relationships.

The study also saw that 31 percent of small business owners send new connections an email right after meeting them.

“It’s important that small business owners leverage all the tools available to them to connect with customers no matter where they are,” Ms. Springer said.

“Mobile solutions can drive business results by helping companies develop key relationships, connect with prospects and find new customers,” she said.

 “An online presence has been a critical component for this – and now, a mobile presence is becoming increasingly more important.”