2009 brought us e-book readers, micro-mini netbooks, amazing LED TV’s and exciting mobile devices.  This was a great year for developments in the uber sleek, user friendly, loaded with apps, mobile devices we call cell phones. More than ever, people today are using their cell phones for much more than just talking. According to Interactive Data Corp (IDC), a global market intelligence provider, over 450 million people this year accessed the internet on a mobile device. What’s even more amazing is that IDC expects that number to surpass one billion in the next four years. For businesses this info means one thing: getting mobile presence. Fortunately today there are several location based services (LBS) that can help put your business on your customer’s phone.

LBS in essence, are applications that provide users with location focused information through the use of a mobile device’s GPS. For example, using your phone for directions to the nearest gas station, getting a local restaurant review, or receiving an alert for a sale at your favorite retailer. Location based social networking communities such as Foursquare, Gowalla, Brighkite, and Loopt offer users information about venues based on their coordinates.

Foursquare combines a “friend-finder” feature with “social city guide elements and game mechanics- where users earn points, win mayorships and unlock badges for trying new places and revisiting old favorites.” When users “check-in” they are given recommendations to venues nearby, and provided with their friends locations. The goal is for businesses to offer foursquare users enticing specials, such as two for one drinks. Those specials are then visible on the foursquare site to anyone within a certain radius of a business. Users accumulate points for visiting participating businesses, and if they frequent a venue enough, they can claim mayor status! It’s a win-win for both businesses and patrons. Foursquare will also be “offering participating venues tools that will lend insight to who’s visting, how often, where they’re coming from and where they’re going next.”

Brightkite, which also connects users to venues, boasts over 5 million monthly visitors and the ability to target “the right person at the right time, in the right place, doing the right thing, in the right weather conditions, in the right language…” you get the idea. In November, Brightkite launched the “Ultra Targeted Advertising Solution” which allows businesses to target a wider range of criteria, beyond the limits of traditional age, gender, race, and income categories. Another great marketing tool they offer is a mobile coupon campaign.

Check out these location based networking communities, many of them have strong followings and are gaining more every day. These along with a Google Maps listing, and a mobile site will help give you a strong mobile presence.