May 11th, 2011
Smartphones: “The Ultimate Shopping Companion”
It’s no secret that smartphones have infiltrated much of our daily behavior. We use our smartphone to get directions, check our email, find a coffee shop, take photos, and more.
Now smartphones are poised to replace our wallets in the “mobile wallet” movement. But the truth is that we already use our smartphones in a big way when it comes to shopping and making purchases. Google Insights studied consumer behavior related to smartphones and shopping and compiled their findings in a helpful video:
Google is using this information to encourage businesses to optimize advertising and marketing strategies with mobile ads, but it just goes to show how useful our smartphones are it comes to shopping.
“79% use a smartphone to help with shopping.”
We’re relying on these amazing pieces of technology, no bigger than our hand, to be our own “ultimate shopping companion,” showing us where the deals are, price comparisons, and product reviews on-the-go. And although there are more apps out there than we can Google, we’ve created a short list of a few to help guide you on your next shopping trip.
Amazon Mobile. This app not only lets you wade through the online shopping site, but it can also identify products via pictures. (iPhone and Android; Free)
Gas Buddy. When starting out a long shopping trip, it will help you locate nearby gas stations and show you ratings and prices. (iPhone and Android; Free)
iGarage Sale. Ready to rifle through some yard sale bins on a Saturday morning? This app aggregates nearby garage sales through Craigslist and updates frequently. (iPhone and Android; $1.99 or Free for “Lite” version)
ShopSavvy. Scan a barcode. Any barcode. ShopSavvy will tell you where to buy the product (online and in local stores), show you the price, and let you read reviews. (iPhone and Android; Free)
Shopkick. As soon as you enter a store, you can be rewarded with discounts and perks. The app also guides you through brick-and-mortar retail stores and lets you read reviews on products. Participating retailers include Macy’s, Crate & Barrel, Best Buy, Target, Sports Authority, and more. (iPhone and Android; Free)
FastMall. No more staring at the mall directory. With this app, you can download a map for your mall and get turn-by-turn directions to stores. (iPhone and Android; Free)
Yelp. After a long day of shopping, find the closest highly rated restaurant with Yelp Mobile. You can read customer reviews and narrow your search by cost and other factors. (iPhone and Android; Free)
Blipped. Blipped is the third-party iPhone app for Blippy. After you’ve made some purchases, you can share what you’ve bought with your online pals, sort of like a Facebook status. Blippy also lets you read product reviews. (iPhone; $0.99)
Smartphone Shopping Tips
With all of these apps and many more sure to come, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun of it all. Avoid some smartphone pitfalls with these tips.
Use mobile discounts wisely. All of these tempting apps and mobile discounts could start up a new kind of impulse buy. Don’t just buy something because you receive a discount when you walk in the store. Shop smarter by only taking advantage of these offers if there’s something you need to buy.
Watch your time. With all of the price comparison and barcode scanning apps, it could lead to longer shopping trips. Remember that your time is valuable, too, so don’t let your smartphone take over your trip. Put the phone away to focus when you’re short on time.
Wait to review. If you’ve had a bad retail or restaurant experience, it’s tempting to grab your smartphone and write a review on Yelp. But you might initially be overreacting and should take some time to cool down before slinging mud at an establishment.
Protect your finances and identity. When accessing your finances on your phone or making a mobile purchase, make sure you’ve got a secure password to keep your information safe. For more tips from our own Credit Advisor, Justine Rivero, check out “Credit Disaster? Yep, There’s An App for That”
Bottom Line: Your smartphone can be a great tool for shopping smart, but it should be a tool to inform, not to enable. If you begin using a smartphone to shop, track your spending to make sure you’re not spending more money.
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