According to the mobiThinking compendium of mobile statistics and research, today, approximately 87% of the world's adult population has a mobile device, such as a cell phone, smart phone, or tablet computer.

Of that number, approximately 53% use their mobile device to make online purchases, and in the next few years, those numbers are going to drastically climb.
Is your online business ready to go mobile? If so, here are 3 things that you need to do right now.

1. Make a mobile version of your website

You do not need any special skills to do this. In fact, there are services that will covert your existing website for you, as well as those who will develop new mobile websites for you.

The potential visitor types in your URL just as they normally would, or they find you through a search engine on their mobile device. The second they arrive, a script on your server detects that they're using a mobile device and quickly redirects them to your mobile website.

You don't need a new domain name for this, as the old domain will work just fine.

2. Get a QR Code

A Quick Response barcode can be used to take mobile device users directly to your website, or any other website that you wish to direct them to. The key is to send them to a website that is designed for mobile users.

All the mobile user has to do is take a picture of the QR code with their device.

QR codes can be printed on business cards, flyers, in newspapers, and other print material. You can even use them on your webpages that are designed for laptops and desktops, and in emails.

3. Build an opt-in text messaging list

The money is still in the list, but the list is now mobile.

You can easily build an opt-in text messaging list by using the same methods that you use to build a traditional opt-in list. You just have to do it in a mobile fashion.

Have people text a code to a certain number - your number - in exchange for something free, such as a coupon, a newsletter, or an ebook.

Just make sure that the free item is useful for their mobile device. There are now services that will maintain your text messaging lists for you, just as there are services that help you to maintain your opt-in email list.

Don't Miss the Boat

Like it or not, the internet is going mobile, and if you hope to survive it from a business standpoint, you need to move right along with it.

By following the above three steps, you'll find that you're not only keeping up with consumer demands, but you may just see an increase in visitors and sales as well.