2010 – Top 10 Mobile Shopping Sites

According to the findings of ABI research, mobile shopping in the US accounted for $369 million sales in 2008. That figure jumped to $1.2 billion in 2009. And 2010 is projected to witness an estimated $2.4 billion in mobile purchases. But while the popularity of shopping from one’s mobile device is growing everyday, some of the biggest and most trusted web retailers in the industry continue to lag far behind in the mobile landscape. There are really only a handful of companies which are poised to reap the benefits of a growing mobile shopping market in 2010.

What helped a site make my list of 2010s Top 10 Mobile Shopping Sites?

I looked at depth of content, accessibility and searchability, user-friendly features and unique functionality. I looked for sites that rock, that made me stay and… shop awhile.

1. Crate and Barrel Mobile

Crate and Barrel may be new to the mobile space, but the home furnishings brand is quickly taking charge with a new mobile site that has just begun to resonate with customers. With the obvious goal of helping people shop Crate and Barrel’s complete catalog from anywhere in the world, Crate and Barrel has spruced up the conventional mobile shopping with a few attributes bound to be cloned by competitors in no time at all.

• Gift ideas galore! Don’t have any ideas yourself? No worries, Crate and Barrel on your mobile will promptly solve this issue
• Check in-store availability of the products you want
• The entire catalog of products is accessible and searchable from the mobile site
• Manage wedding and gift registries and favorite lists
• Product reviews, product reviews, and more product reviews – the good, the bad, and the ugly are all here

2. Fossil Mobile

Fossil professes its status as a purveyor of the finest (and most affordable) clothes, shoes, and accessories available in the retail world for both men and women today. That quest for excellence has similarly spilled over into the mobile web, where Fossil is now digging up deals and preserving a loyal customer base with a mobile website that is every bit as cool as it is uncomplicated.

• Sleek and visually appealing user interface ideal for sifting through Fossil’s massive inventory of watches, handbags, clothing, shoes, jewelry, etc.
• Create or manage your account
• Track shipments, view order status, and update your shopping cart
• Use specific keywords or item numbers to bring up specific product information
• Always a boatload of sales and bargain opportunities to gander through
• Register for email alerts from Fossil’s mobile site

3. REI Mobile

REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) may not be as well known as Bass Pro Shops, but the outdoor recreation gear and sporting goods retailer has one gigantic leg up on the competition: a wicked cool mobile site. From backpacks and tents to portable cooking equipment and sleeping bags, REI serves up a dynamic mobile site that is a must for the avid outdoors enthusiast.

• Simple user interface with familiar REI look and feel
• Shop brands and REI-outlets
• Access expert advice from REI about everything from hiking to camping
• Sign up for Gearmail
• Check out the best and biggest sales across multiple product categories

4. Office Max Mobile

Easily one of the least known and most underutilized quality mobile shopping sites in existence, Office Max is finally gaining ground – and exposure for – for its awesome mobile features that take the convenience of customer service to a whole new level. Giving shoppers the ability to browse and buy products ranging from printer paper to office furniture, Office Max mobile leaves customers very little good reason to actually go into a physical Office Max store. A complete shopping experience is waiting to be found on your handset.

• Click-to-call functionality connects consumers with customer service reps
• Monitor weekly ads
• Manage your account
• View your still-in-progress shopping cart on the mobile site
• Easy product and order entry system

5. Barnes and Noble Mobile

Barnes and Noble, simply put, is one of the sexiest mobile websites around. It was hot on the iPhone last year and it will be even hotter this year. Boasting a variety of top notch attributes, Barnes and Noble is considered an exemplary model of all that a contemporary mobile shopping site should be.

• Reserve or purchase items for pickup at a nearby store
• Quickly browse and purchase eBooks
• Review order history/status
• Compile a wish list
• Purchase gift cards
• Soak up comprehensive product details for books, DVDs, and music

6. Target Mobile

While nothing may seem overtly new and exciting about Target, think again. 2010 will be the year of the coupon for Target shoppers. Now accepting mobile coupons for the first time in the retail giant’s long history, Target is making mobile shopping and discount shopping synonymous, all through the familiar and comfortable red and white portal of Target ‘s mobile website.

• Secure exclusive mobile coupons
• Browse registries
• Search in-depth category listings, product descriptions, customer ratings and reviews
• Find localized weekly ads and promotions

7. Walgreens Mobile

Out of left field, Walgreens has launched a mobile website that has become an incredibly hot mobile commodity in virtually no time at all. Both Walgreens Mobile and its corresponding iPhone app aim to deliver the convenience of the convenience store right to your handset. Low on flash but high on practicality, the straightforward, uncomplicated interface serves up exactly what you would expect – a mobile Walgreens experience.

• Refill prescriptions on the go
• View or order photos
• Browse products, their prices, and customer reviews
• Locate the nearest Walgreens store
• Take advantage of weekly ads and storewide promotions

8. Best Buy Mobile

Like no other consumer electronics retailer, Best Buy has developed a powerful mobile presence that is both widely utilized and respected by consumers. With the bulk of the site’s emphasis placed on consumer reviews and providing a wealth of helpful information, Best Buy Mobile is at the top of its game in the digital world and is poised to thrive as one of the most dominant mobile shopping sites of 2010.

• Perhaps the easiest check-out process of any retailer’s mobile website
• Up to date news, customer reviews, and fresh content features
• Detailed product searches and descriptions
• The latest in local ad campaigns

9. Dooney & Bourke Mobile

Dooney & Bourke may be a well known handbag and accessories retailer, but their mobile presence is brand spankin’ new. Giving their mobile female shoppers on-the go access to the latest (and trendiest) purses and accessories is a no-brainer. Launched at the end of 2009, Dooney & Bourke’s mobile site exemplifies a smooth but substantive mobile shopping experience from start to finish.

• Attractive user interface
• Neatly categorized among handbags, accessories, and other fashionable gift items
• Thirty shoppers can quickly peruse items under $100
• Specials, favorites, and new products are readily accessible
• Comprehensive product search functionality

10. Sunglass Hut Mobile

A trendy but practical accessory for all seasons, sunglasses can speak volumes about one’s sense of self, not to mention style. For this reason, it’s no wonder why the business of sunglasses has emerged as a multi-billion dollar industry. Consequently, Sunglass Hut has become one of the first major retail shades-specialists to step up to the plate with a quality mobile site.

• Expansive criteria selection of sunglasses brands, shapes, colors, etc.
• Easy login and registration
• Eye catching mobile design and straightforward navigation
• The latest markdowns from top brands like Dolce & Gabbana

What Can a Shopping Cart Do For Your Online Business?

The wonderful online world that is the internet is constantly changing and modifying as consumers demand more, and as companies try newer, innovatve approaches to the ways that online business is conducted. The world of ecommerce and the ever evolving web shopping carts is constantly changing for the better. As programmers and designers integrate newer and far more secure web applications for shopping carts, with the main theme of consumer security, confidentiality and of course, ease of payment processing in mind. The ecommerce software of today is light years ahead of those that were present just a few short years ago. And as time continues to pass, expect to see these shopping carts become even more evolved.

The importance for any online business or entity in offering a high level of online security is essential in them attracting customers who will then go on to make a purchase on their websites. Considering that identity theft is at an all time high, and that quite frequently hackers make haste of people’s personal and confidential identifying information online, all to use it for fraudulent purposes later, online security is the main theme of the shopping carts today. Programmers and web developers are working hand in hand with online security firms to better their batch processing systems and to create the best, most secure method of transferring major financial information to the credit card companies for processing. Large companies like Visa and MasterCard have already issued newer security requirements for using this type of software, which if not met by the developers, they will reject accepting payments from any shopping carts not meeting their security standards.

These platforms change the way that you can do business online. In the past, before online shopping carts were the main theme, merchants had to accept money orders and checks and use integrated online payment systems like those found in payment processors such as Paypal and others, who charged steep fees for such services. Then they had to wait for the money, and deal with another middle man company for processing. Enter the online shopping cart, and suddenly merchants had a way to really offer their customers convenience, privacy and ease of use. Without this software, most internet merchants and vendors would already be belly up, as the main theme of online purchases is ease. People are able to log on to the internet, enjoy shopping on some of the largest catalogs of items in the world, where they can find great deals and enjoy them, all without having to leave their home. Shopping carts have changed the way that the world does business online, and the more secure that consumers feel using them, the more money that the internet has the potential to make.

Why is this method essential in today’s online world? Can you imagine visiting an online store that did not allow you to add items to the shopping cart? A website or online store without this capacity certainly would not survive long in today’s online world. It’s great for shoppers. They can add items in large or small quantities as they desire, and keep shopping. Before they check out they can review a list of the items, their descriptions and the costs. They can add shipping rates, modify items or remove items they choose not to buy. Then they simply check out and tender payment securely online. And all of the while they do not have to worry about their personal information becoming comprised to thieves. Surely, without the shopping cart software of today, the internet would be a much less profitable world.