What happens to search when the browser is no longer the front door? As engagement migrates to mobile, users’ front door is predominantly apps instead of the search-centric web. This is the topic of a recent BIA/Kelsey report, Mobile Local…
What happens to search when the browser is no longer the front door? As engagement migrates to mobile, users' front door is predominantly apps instead of the search-centric web. This is the topic of a new BIA/Kelsey report, Mobile Local Discovery, The Next…
What is deep linking and why is it important? It's been discussed a great deal over the past few months, in light of the shifting ways that people are consuming mobile content (read: apps). This has huge implications for Google…
In ongoing coverage of call monetization, one thing we've examined is the ability to influence large considered purchases. Humans' biologically predisposed need to talk to each other isn't going away... even in a digital era. That's especially true for big-ticket items. One pricey vertical…
One of the innovations I'm predicting for phase II of the local on-demand economy (LODE) is CRM for on-demand workers. As LODE takes over (especially for millennials) individual workers will tie together several "gigs." Think: Instacart shopper by day, Uber…
The art of aggregating and deploying local service providers is defining the local on-demand economy (LODE). We unpacked this during a panel discussion at BIA/Kelsey NOW (video below). Like many two-sided marketplaces, LODE is fundamentally driven by supply and demand.…
Moving past "phase 1" of the call analytics discussions (the why), it's now all about tactical and actionable discussions (the how). We tackled that in a recent webcast by diving into fresh BIA/Kelsey call volume forecast data, and some real case…
How are consumer behavior, consumption and expectations driving the movement known as the local on-demand economy (LODE)? It's a key question, especially for increasingly buying-empowered millennials, which we unpacked at BIA/Kelsey NOW (video below). The on-demand economy, like many two-sided…
Any company that sells to small businesses knows that demographics can be a stronger indicator of preference than vertical category. We recently met with the leadership team at Home Advisor to ask about the trends they are adapting to in the SMB…
Do SMBs really want a one stop shop solution for all of their digital marketing needs? This question is becoming more important as the stack of services being offered to SMBs grows broader and more complex. It's becoming too much for…
What are the burning issues of the local on demand economy (LODE), from the perspective of its funders? At BIA/Kelsey NOW a panel of top-tier VCs zeroed in on the cultural and political issues that will make or break LODE (video…
The local on-demand economy (LODE) is shrouded in question marks and is frothy with early stage experimentation. But one thing we do know is that it's moving really fast. In that spirit, our featured video clip this week is the opening presentation…
Video is a big component of how small businesses market themselves. And it appears that SMBs are beginning to take advantage of the full range of opportunities that video offers, not just to promote their brand but to educate consumers…
HotelTonight is one of the marquee names of the local on-demand economy (LODE), which lets you book a hotel in three taps. We discussed the company's business model and success factors with VP of product Amanda Richardson at BIA/Kelsey NOW (video below). One of…
SMB scheduling and operations platform MyTime is bringing the local On-Demand economy (LODE) to established SMBs, as opposed to the "gig economy" where the discussion usually lies. We discussed with CEO Ethan Anderson during a Keynote at BIA/Kelsey NOW (video below).…
In the increasingly competitive local on demand economy (LODE), building relationships and lifestyle should come before traditional "selling." This according to Porch VP of Marketing Joanna Lord, who kicked off BIA/Kelsey NOW in what many believed to be the highlight…
One of the draws of the local on-demand economy (LODE) is how it flips the model for local commerce. For example, by connecting buyer and seller more directly, LODE sidesteps lots of traditional margin-compressing overhead (storefront, staff, warehouse, etc.) and engenders leaner unit…
What are the fundamentals that make the Local On-Demand Economy (LODE) tick? It's an important question to begin to reveal where there are entry points for innovation and business opportunity. We answered this question on Friday during BIA/Kelsey NOW in…
What are the search marketing tactics that drive real traffic and conversions? It's an important question as more user engagement is happening on smartphones. Campaign tactics and calls to action need to align with shifting mobile search volume (and intent). The…
What is deep linking and why is it critical to the future of the mobile app economy? What's up with Pinterest and Instagram's new "buy" buttons? And what's the economic forecast for the on-demand economy? These are a few topics…
