With the iPad recent release, mixed reviews are already being posted all over the internet. This is unlikely to stop many consumers from buying the latest gadget from Apple, however it may change the way online business owners market to their prospective clients.
iPad Features
The iPad includes many of the same capabilities as the ever popular iPhone, two of which are e-mail and an Internet browser, both crucial features for sales people and anyone else who does a lot of travelling.
The main differences, however, are the iPad’s size – cumbersome in relation to the iPhone – and that it comes equipped with its own built-in eBook reader.
How Will The iPad Change Online Business?
Some are probably wondering how Apple’s newest addition to the electronic device collection would affect online business, if at all. In fact it does change several things. For starters, it provides greater convenience for its users with its incredibly light weight and simple functions. It also is an easy way to update blogs and status lines as well as check email without having to pull out a bulky laptop. The iPad extends the internet’s reach far beyond a cell phone.
The size of the screen falls somewhere in between a cell phone and a laptop, so optimising graphics and web page design for each type of application gets a little tricky due to the diverse size constraints.
Perhaps the greatest possibility as far as internet marketing is concerned is using the iPad’s capability as an eBook reader. Any online business with an information product or eBook can now greatly extend their reach in the market. The difference between a reader like the Kindle and the iPad is that the latter is actually a computer so books can become an interactive experience for the reader. For instance, a .pdf file of your eBook that contains a reference to your URL features a live link since the user can simply click on it and visit your site in the midst of reading.
And then there’s the apps. The longer the iPad is on the consumer market, the greater the number of apps that will be created to use on it. The proactive internet marketer will consider developing an exclusive app for their website subscribers and may consider doing affiliate marketing to sell apps as well.
What’s To Come?
Internet marketers must be prepared for the years ahead. With the iPad being among the first popular tablet computers on the market, pundits are predicting there will be a huge inflation of people spending their time viewing online content. It seems incredible that the number of online users could grow, but this certainly seems to be the case.
With such easy accessibility and so many people constantly in a rush, the websites obtaining the most appeal are those with interesting blogs that are regularly updated, multimedia features, and down the line possibly even interactive features. Websites that have these visually pleasing aspects are more likely to attract returning iPad users, creating greater success for your online business.
The key to Web 2.0 internet marketing and the iPad lies in creating an interactive experience with your prospects. Books, games, videos, and podcasts are all media that your e-commerce site needs to feature in order to drive traffic from today’s iPad owners and keep them returning.
Consider that your customers may be reading your content while on the go and consider that potential customers can be looking for a plethora of new services and you can see how there has never been a better time to be in online business.
About Sean Rasmussen
That’s an interesting article on the IPad and it’s possible influence on online business. I have to admit I haven’t really looked into it (and it’s features) as I am not intending to buy it myself. But I agree that it’s important to know what it might get used for and how it could influence the behavior of my future clients.
Thank’s for pointing it out!
We will see how much effect the iPad has on online business over time Renee. There is definitely potential for some type of effect, that’s for sure, how much nobody knows.
Hi Sean,
I think the iPad is a lot easier to carry around than a laptop so I’m sure that despite mixed reviews, they’re going to be very popular. The iPad will definitely make it easier for me to update my blog and other online accounts.
I will take it everywhere so I feel like I would be more likely to post things than I would without it. For instance, I would be able to write a blog post wherever the inspiration struck me.
So, I can see the need to ensure that I keep my blog updated regularly and to keep it interesting. Otherwise, with the internet being even more mobile and accessible, I will lose my readers to someone much more proactive.
The iPad was only released in Australia last week, it will be interesting to see how many people get in line to purchase one.
Hi Sean,
How soon is too soon to be worried about making sure our site looks good on someone’s iPad? Is there a plugin for this like there is for the iPhone? I’m guessing there will be one somewhere.
But, is it even worth worrying about for now, or have I got bigger fish to fry right now?
Hi Sean,
I am mildly thrilled to think I will be able to access the internet on the go using the IPad by carrying it around in my handbag. This will be so convenient for checking emails, making blog updates and it’s great news it can be used like a Kindle as well to read ebooks. No more carrying around heavy books to read. What a relief!
I see the IPad freeing my day up so much. It means I can be out and about doing many things including making many more face to face networking contacts for business and for leisure.
Any idea on the price yet?
They start from just over $600 AUD I believe Jill.
Even better – it’s starting price is $499. I guess you still need to justify purchasing the product…
In the ever expanding world of technology it’s troublesome and time consuming to make the effort of adapting to each tool. Is it not better to concentrate on one specific platform and make it perfect?
Concentrating on one platform until perfect sounds great to me Sarah. Just don’t forget to explore other platforms once your first one is perfected
I think its a great platform for developing on and without a doubt become a major source of revenue / content distribution for many companies and developers.
But web sites optimized for iPad will be well worth doing to grab a share of this market without having to develop expensive native apps unless you really need to.
Whichever you look at it, an iPad strategy would seem pretty sensible.
It certainly sounds like it will be a great asset to have, however is it best to wait and see how it performs? As yet I know no one who has picked one up, so I will remain open to the possibility
of having one in the future instead of a laptop.
Could be a good idea to wait for a little while Rita, the price will more than likely drop over time as well
I think that with each generation, technology will play a more major role than the one before. I look at Facebook and Twitter updates these days, and a large majority of them are made via mobile phones like the iPhone (just quietly I don’t even own a iPhone yet).
Hi Sean,
I don’t have an iPhone yet either Cemil so you’re not alone. At the moment I could not justify buying an iPad either. Technology is moving fast and a new invention can become obsolete in only a short time if we are not careful.
I will reassess my position when I have a need to update to the iPad.
Thanks for clearing up the uses of an ipad because I was a little confused at what it could do. As a seller of ebooks, this is exciting stuff as more and more people will download books to read on the go instead of carrying bulky books.
Hi Sean,
then they should aim to make their site as easy to navigate around as the iPad’s interface – and it can’t hurt for their site to look good too.
It is always great reading a post that helps keep you on your toes and ahead of the competition. From my point of view, Apple products including the iPad pride themselves on style and useability, and that is exactly what the users of these gadgets want. If internet marketers want to get slice of the Apple iPad pie (users of the iPad
Hi David
There is that other aspect of internet marketing which means keeping up with the latest technology!
This will have to happen if there is going to be an infiltration of iPad users. I guess it’s a mater of shape up or we will get shipped out.
Hi Sean,
I don’t know a lot about the Ipad myself but I have heard other Internet marketers raving about how great they are for Internet marketers to use.
Hi Sean
This is so exciting, what the iPad is capable of doing is a phenomenal tool for internet marketers.
The fact that the iPad can read eBooks alone has amazing potential and by what you are saying there will be more amazing gadgets in the future.
I must start producing more ‘how to’ eBooks if that is the case!. Thank you.
Thanks for that distinction between Kindle reader and IPad – I was wondering – and obviously hadn’t checked it out.
It is a great product – my flatmate has one and he is always on it – hardly touches the laptop now except for school assignments.
I would like it to be a wee bit bigger – perhaps another inch or two.
hi sean and thanks ipad discussion so topical and relevant. discussions with my uni THIS WEEK on how to make the course reading materials more easily accessible in digital format next year because by then we expect ipad to be dominating students’ lives. iphone certainly has. like others, i’ve not yet gotten on the iphone trend, simply because pricing plans has been outrageous in NZ. they are not yet on market here but they will be. Look out kindle, steve jobs is shaking things up! i’m looking forward to seeing how i can get on board with him!
I wil be able to dump my laptop when I get one. I don’t like laptops – much prefer a desktop! But the Ipad seems a great tool. Would like it a wee bit bigger!
The ipad certainly appeared to set the world abuzz and that it could be useful as a marketing tool is very interesting. Some food for thought among the comments as well.
With laptops being made smaller and smaller will that be competition for the ipad I wonder.
The world does seem to go round and round though. Just as mobile phones became smaller and smaller to the point they could no longer continue that way up pops the rather large ipad. One wonders what Microsoft will come up with in competition to Mac.
I want an Ipad!!!!! I have a Chinese student here and he has one – it’s amazing what he has on it and can do. Well, I wasn’t impressed with his playing the Chinese National anthem from his collection of national anthems (!), but he has some great apps on it – and it’s heaps better than kindle for books.
I am reading this post retrospectively of the release of the iPad and maybe I am in a different world – but apart from the hype with everyone wanting one just for the purpose of having one – I dont really see how this has affected things. I am not an Apple person so wasnt really interested in them in the first place – just saw them as a large iPhone. Have they really had such an impact?
I’m in the market for something portable and have been looking at iPads and laptops. I decided on sticking with the laptop for these reasons:
1. bigger screen
2. built-in keyboard which I can’t live without
3. Microsoft Office
For mobility, the phone is so much better because it’s small and I can stick it in my purse. I honestly think the iPad would be a hassle to carry around, and when I’m home I don’t need it.
HOWEVER, I REALLY, REALLY want an ebook reader. That’s where I think an iPad would be great. But do I really need that when I can get a Kindle? I thought not until you told me I can’t get hotlinks in PDFs in a Kindle. Now THAT is a game changer for me! iPad here I come. You businesses better be ready because I’ll be looking at your websites on it too.