Mobile social network Itsmy.com released results from a recent survey at the Mobile Social Networking Forum. Targeting 18-34 year olds, the survey gathered info on how these age group used the mobile web, and what they wanted from it. One of the most interesting results was that over 75% of users would like operator and handset manufacturer portals to contain links to mobile social networks.
Other results from the survey:
The following results are averages compiled from a global survey of itsmy.com users
How do you communicate with your closest friends/family most?
Over 90% of respondents communicate most with their mobile. Under 10% communicate most with their PC
Should mobile social networks link to operator/manufacturer portals?
Over 90% of users say yes, it would be very useful.
How do you enter itsmy.com?
Over 90% (over 98% in most cases) use bookmarks, sms link, or directly via url. Only 1-2% connect via operator/carrier portal
How will you access the internet in the future?
Over 75% say they will access the web on their mobile device
What will make you surf more on mobile?
Consumers said they want faster mobile internet access, better mobile phones and, most importantly, a clear pricing structure
What is the most important feature on your mobile phone?
Internet (over 50%)
SMS (20%)
Voice calls (10%)
Style, price and size were the bottom three
From the release:
“The mobile customers main problem is: where can I get what? I don’t know what is a safe place to shop and what really works on my phone! Now it’s the time that the services are coming to my place. To my mobile networking site.” says Jukka Saarelainen, CTO itsmy.com.
“In your mobile social network you have your friends and all kinds of entertainment. A closer relationship with the operator and the mobile phone manufacturer, e.g. a link from your personal homepage to their portals and content, fitting for every user and his mobile phone model, would offer a new service level to the consumer. This is the way to stay in touch and communicate with customers you normally don’t get any feedback from once they left your shop on High Street, nowadays you have to be lucky to see him again unless he has troubles with your product.” adds Sabine Irrgang, COO and Co-Founder of itsmy.com.
What we think?
This is the kind of survey release it’s quite easy to get excited about, but it’s important to remember that the respondents here are all dyed-in-the-wool mobile social networkers. What this survey does highlight is what the target MoSo audience really wants. And that seems to be ease of access and ease of use. While only a tiny percentage of itsmy.com users access the site through a portal, the vast majority of them would LIKE to because it’s faster. Users wants faster access, better handsets and lower prices.
