What is mCommerce – mobile commerce? Mobile commerce, also referred to as mCommerce or m-commerce, is defined as “…any transaction involving the transfer of ownership or rights to use goods and services, which is initiated and/or completed by using mobile access to computer-mediated networks with the help of an electronic device.” according to Wikipedia.org. This can include a business transaction from a smartphone, PDA, tablet or other similar mobile device. Trends show that the overall use of mobile devices compared to the use of a PC is quickly on the rise and it is estimated that by 2015 more US users will access the Internet through mobile devices than on a PC.

So you may be thinking, well I have a website and I sell stuff there so that is great I am all covered when it comes to mobile commerce. The question you should be asking is “Do I have a mobile friendly version of my website that those using a mobile device will see?” There are a number of things to consider when designing a mobile website because the navigation, screen size, and display is very different on a mobile device than on a PC, as is the behavior of the user when accessing the website from a mobile device. Those customers accessing a website from a mobile device will generally spend less time on your site but are more likely to buy something sooner than someone visiting it from a PC. For this reason having your mCommerce site designed with a very simple format and layout, without a lot of extra information, resources, etc is more useful than a feature and content rich website. Understanding what mCommerce is and how it works is critical. Some mCommerce statistics report that as much as 38% of smart phone owners have used their phone to purchase something online and this number is constantly increasing.

Reports vary about the type of products and services that are being purchased through mobile commerce. Some say the largest market is products and applications for the smartphone, including apps, music, etc. while other results show that consumers are buying everything from big electronics like computers to jewlery, clothing, and other appearal. With the new trend in marketing incorporating text message marketing, mCommerce is expected to continue to rise. Companies can send a mobile coupon and a link to their mobile commerce site, where people can make a purchase and redeem the coupon instantly. However you look at it, the question isn’t whether mCommerce will continue or if you need a mobile friendly website, the question is how fast is the industry going to grow and how soon do I need a mobile commerce site?

Many of the best shopping cart providers already include the means for creating a mobile friendly site or at the very least a mobile app that allows customers to shop at their online store from a mobile device. Mobile apps work great for current customers, but keep in mind that many mobile users are still using their mobile devices to search and browse the Internet and you don’t want to miss out on this traffic that you could be getting to your site. That all comes with understanding what mCommerce is and how to use it effectively.

Before selecting the best shopping cart software for your website be sure to inquire about mobile commerce elements they have to offer and they type of design and support they provide for these applications. When you understand what mCommerce is, you understand how important it is to make sure you are utilizing it. Read some shopping cart reviews to learn more about mobile commerce features and options to find the best shopping cart software to meet your needs. Visit BigCommerce or Volusion now to learn more about their mobile commerce options.