New smartphones will soon be changing the face of the travel industry. Samsung, LG and Motorola are all releasing dual core smartphones in 2011.
These clever little gadgets won't necessarily usher in a whole new age for mobile phones, but they will make multitasking and web surfing faster and more appealing to users.
According to a 2010 study by Morgan Stanley, there will be more internet users on mobiles than on computers by 2013.
That means more people will be logging on from their phones and conducting business via wireless connections. It also means optimising a site for mobile devices should be a priority.
Some 24% of UK mobile users already have a smartphone and according to mobilesquared.co.uk, by 2013 mobile commerce will be worth £2.8 billion.
Optimising a website can seem daunting, but according to a presentation by Google UK industry manager, Alex Pearshouse, there are a few simple rules that any business should follow.
First, don't adopt new technology to early.
Some companies made this mistake by using QR codes before most people had the smartphones and the technology to read them. That simply equates to wasted ad space.
A good site also needs to appear in the correct search position. If they do not appear in the sponsored links or the top two links of a web search, consumers will not see them on the first page of a search. This lowers the chance of being noticed.
Along with getting the correct search position, companies need to know what time to advertise.
Advertising at 6pm for a company that does not answer the phones after five simply frustrates users. The most effective time to present a company telephone number is when there will be someone available to answer the call.
The telephone number itself is also an important aspect of optimisation. Many mobile users are charged higher rates for calling 0800 numbers, making them less likely to pick up the phone.
Finally, look out for the app trap. Many companies have made money on applications, but they are not for everyone.
An application only works for one type of operating system so an iPhone app is not much use if you have an Android phone. This limits the number of people a company can reach.
On the other hand, a properly optimized website can be accessed by any phone with a browser. A good example of what optimisation can do is easyJet.
In a Google Adwords case study, the airline had a mobile click through rate that was up to six times higher than the CTR for desktops. It also had an eleven to one return on investment.
As mobile phones become faster and more able to run several programs at once, the line between personal computer and portable device will become blurred.
Booking a flight or even an entire holiday on a smartphone will become more convenient and appealing.
That makes it more important than ever for the travel industry to insure their websites and technology are compatible with the latest generation of smartphones.
Really can't wait for the dual core smartphones but which is the best?