For a long time the Internet was a marketing wonderland. Companies simply went online and created undistinguished websites that they could then drive traffic to. But as with most things, the market became too crowded, competition increased. These days marketing your product on the Internet is harder than ever before. Not only do you have to make sure that you have a topflight website, but you also have to see to it that your site is SEO optimized and that it appears near the top on all search engine result pages. As you might expect, because there are always new entrants to marketplace, keeping tabs on this requires constant, daily attention. It also requires a tech-savvy workforce that many companies simply do not employ. But still, most businesses keep plugging along in their Sisyphean effort to succeed online. In recent years, however, a few intrepid firms have explored other options. One of the most attractive new marketing tools is known as mobile marketing. Mobile marketing consists of little more than sending text and other messages directly to people's cellular phones. Why invest in mobile marketing? To begin with, the cell phone is arguably one of the most ubiquitous technological devices in the world today. In fact, according to recent statistics, over eighty percent of Americans currently own a cell phone. And of those eighty percent more than ten percent have access to a high-speed mobile data plan, which means that they can go online by simply clinking on a link. But even if a potential client does not have access to the Internet through his mobile device, he can still check his text mail. And studies show that people check their phone messages and text mail far more frequently than they do their email. Obviously, this has a lot to do with the fact that people carry their phones around in their pockets and only have to press a button or two to check a message. What is included in a standard message? The easy answer-anything you want. However, most businesses use their messages to potential clients the same way they use all other forms of advertising-they promote their latest products. This can be accomplished with a standard text message or with a rich mobile content message. The difference is that with a rich text message you can include pictures, streaming video and even special ringtones. While this type of message is obviously more expensive to produce and send, it is also more personal and therefore effective at catching the eye and attention of the consumer. Though research on mobile marketing is still a bit thin due to the fact that it is a relatively new form of marketing, early results have shown that mobile messages do encourage a good number of consumers to visit the company's website. It has been especially effective at catching the eye of the coveted 18-34 year-old demographic.In conclusion, it is important to note that mobile marketing is still relatively inexpensive and compared with more traditional forms of advertising; it will most likely help you reach a greater number of potential consumers.