I recently co-authored an Independent Retailer article with Seema Sud, Director of Product Management for Mobile and Tablet at Wanderful Media. We were asked to share our thoughts on Mobile Technology for the magazine’s readers. As the rate of mobile usage continues to surge, we see some challenges ahead, but a lot of opportunity for independent retailers.

Our focus has always been on connecting local retailers with consumers, and we believe mobile technology is a key element for making this happen. The Internet is always open for business, and mobile devices are enabling consumers to browse, check reviews, find stores and buy products anywhere/anytime.

Here are a few highlights from the article we wrote:

• Optimize for mobile – More than ever, consumers are using mobile devices to compare information about companies, products and pricing prior to making a purchase. Independent retailers should optimize their website so it can easily be viewed across all mobile devices. A poor mobile experience can dramatically impact shopping and the overall bottom line.

• Image is everything – Think of images as multiple window displays for your business. High-quality images attract consumers, and this is especially true when it comes to shopping. For most consumers, detailed images carry more weight than product information, full descriptions and customer ratings.

In 2013, it is expected that the number of mobile devices will exceed the number of people. The time is now for independent retailers to integrate mobile technology into their business. A fundamental shift must be made to meet the expectations of the modern customer – the longer businesses hold out, the harder it will be to catch up.

To see what we said about mobile technology for business, check out the full article on Independent Retailer