The rise of the mobile platform has opened up a world of opportunity for businesses to engage meaningfully with their customers. The average user is likely to be carrying a smartphone or tablet, and big brands and independent companies alike are leveraging this fact to reach out to customers. Not only are they offering promotions and special offers, but they're using targeted strategies to make their customers' experiences more engaging.

Your customers respond best to marketing efforts that let them participate actively with your brand rather than passively. Allowing customers to earn and redeem points, to refer their friends to your restaurant or to place their orders online can help you not only in building brand loyalty, but it'll also provide a more meaningful experience for your customers. The key lies in opening the door for customers to interact with your business on the go with their mobile devices. The easier it is for them, the better it is for you.

Mobile engagement tears down the barriers between you and your customers. Sure, a special offer in the mail will probably encourage people to visit your restaurant, but it's limited in what it can do. With mobile marketing, a customer could use location services to find your nearest location to them. They could make a reservation or place their order online. They could respond to a survey that could help your company gather data for use in targeted marketing programs.

Smartphones and tablets open up a world of possibilities for engaging with customers. Marketing programs can be uniquely rewarding in ways they could never be before. In the increasingly mobile marketplace, meaningful engagement with customers is everything. Businesses who make smart choices on the mobile platform will have a sizable leg up over their competition.