Hot Spring Enhances Customer Experience through Mobile Optimization

VISTA, Calif., Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot Spring® Spas, the world's number one selling hot tub brand, announces a significant enhancement to www.HotSpring.com, mobile optimization. Optimization ensures that consumers find readable, relevant, local information on their smart phones or tablet computers, quickly. Hot Spring is the first major hot tub brand to fully optimize its site for mobile consumers.

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According to Google 53% of American consumers use their smartphones to access search engines at least once a day^1. By 2015, 81% of U.S. cell users will have smartphones² and one in three will own a tablet computer³.

"We know our customers are looking for us on their mobile devices," said Kacy Rivers, Brand Manager for Hot Spring. "Our commitment is to deliver the information they need, when they need it - whether they are in the car, the store, or anywhere they are considering a hot tub-related purchase."

The optimization of www.HotSpring.com includes the introduction of features designed specifically with the mobile consumer in mind.

• Location. Through geo-location (when enabled by user) the site is populated with information about the Hot Spring dealer nearest to them automatically.
• Navigation. From easy-to-read fonts, thumb-friendly buttons, and a "less is more" approach, the mobile site is easy to navigate on any device.
• Content. Mobile customers are looking for specific product information, often from inside the store⁴. Using a combination of QR codes on in-store displays and/or user-friendly, interactive product pages on the mobile site, customers will easily access information on any Hot Spring product.
• Ratings. Ratings and reviews are a key product feature demanded by today's educated mobile consumer, especially when considering a long-term, purchase for their home.

"Mobile optimization isn't a trend or a gimmick, it's a consumer revolution," said Brian Glass, Marketing Manager for Watkins the manufacturer of Hot Spring Spas. "Within a year or two, we believe mobile will be a touch point for virtually every Hot Spring hot tub purchase."

Mobile optimization is the most recent in a series of enhancements to the Hot Spring online platform which, in spring 2012 included new "quick-click" icons for categories, such as jet therapy, energy-efficiency, easy water-care systems; product & lifestyle videos; a 3-D deck design tool; and ratings & reviews. Since its launch Hot Spring models have achieved an average rating of 4.6 on a scale of 5 stars.

"Until recently the idea of shopping for a hot tub on a mobile phone sounded pretty far-fetched, but not anymore," said Rivers. "Today we know that it isn't the size of the purchase, it's about providing our customers with the resources they need for any purchase in a way that is convenient for them. At Hot Spring this has always been our commitment."

About Hot Spring Spas
Hot Spring Spa is the world's leading brand of Hot Tubs and are sold through a network of more than 700 independent dealers throughout North America and 60 countries globally. Hot Spring Spas provides customers with the highest level of quality, innovation, energy-efficiency and customer support to deliver the absolute best hot tub ownership experience. Hot Spring Spas are manufactured by Watkins Manufacturing Corporation, a division of Masco Corporation, a Fortune 500 company whose products include such trusted brands as Delta® faucets, KraftMaid® cabinets and Behr® paints. Visit HotSpring.com for more information and dealer locations.  

¹Google and Mobile Marketing Association, 2011
²Goldman Sachs, 2011
³eMarketer, 2011
⁴Accenture, 2010

Interviews, images and Infographics available by request

SOURCE Hot Spring Spas