Etsy’s acquisition shows why mobile matters for SMEs

The importance of mobile search for businesses has been highlighted by Etsy’s latest acquisition of the photo collage app Mixel for an undisclosed amount.

The deal was announced this morning and the online marketplace says Mixel’s designer and chief executive Khoi Vinh, his co-founder Scott Ostler, and colleagues Akiva Leffert and Roy Stanfield will join Etsy to help accelerate the online marketplace’s growth in mobile.

Last year, Etsy launched apps for iPad and Android to join its existing iPhone app and saw mobile visits grow 244% over the course of the year.

Etsy chief technology officer Kellan Elliot-McCrea said the online marketplace expects mobile traffic to surpass desktop traffic by the end of 2014.

“In some markets outside the United States, we expect it to happen even sooner,” he said in a statement announcing the deal.

“That’s why it’s so key for the Mixel team to join us at this stage.”

Etsy’s acquisition follows hot on the heels of Facebook’s acquisition of photo-sharing app Instagram for $1 billion last year and shows the big end of town is getting serious about mobile and social media.

SMEs don’t have to be left behind. If you have a website, make sure it displays on mobiles as well and consider getting a customised mobile site built.

Even if you don’t have a website, look at whether it’s worthwhile signing up to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and establishing a presence on there.

If you are a retailer or a business which has access to relevant images you can take advantage of the move towards photo sharing on social networks.

Kirsteene Phelan, Australian communications manager for Etsy, told SmartCompany showcasing the thoughtfully created and curated products available on Etsy is very important.

“Clear, concise and beautifully merchandised photos are a pivotal key to success for our sellers worldwide,” she says.