cover your bases. don't get left behind
Mobile Websites
We all know that Smartphones (Eg. iPhones, Android) are on the increase, as are the sale of iPads and other tablet computers. The days of having your website accessed simply by laptop or desktop computer are starting to fall behind us, and your website needs to keep up with the technological shift. Facebook has confirmed that in June 2011, there were 250 million active users accessing Facebook from a mobile device (50% of their traffic), and while that's just Facebook it does demonstrate that a shift is well underway.
Larger companies have been the first to recognise this and dedicate resources to having separate versions of their website available for viewing by those smaller devices. The NZ Herald, by way of example, has a completely different website for mobile devices, alongside its "App"* which presents the news in a different way again. Despite all these different viewing experiences, the brand integrity is held by making sure that there is cohesion between all three marketing tools - website, mobile website and mobile application.
Mobile Website
Browser Website
Mobile App*
If your business does not have a mobile website, you may be losing potential customers.
- Mobile internet is quickly passing desktop internet in popularity
- By end of 2013 more people will be using the Internet from their iPods, iPhones, Android phones and tablet devices than desktop Internet.
- You will therefore be missing over half of your potential online customers if your website is not compatible with these mobile devices.
why your Business should have a Mobile Website:
- One in three (33%) searches on mobile devices are local. After searching for a business 61% call the business and 59% visit the business.
- Viewing a traditional website that has not been designed and built for mobile devices can be very difficult to read, navigate and use. Potential customers that have a poor experience with your website are unlikely to think highly of your business, and therefore will be less likely to use you.
- Some non-mobile (traditional) websites do not load at all on mobile devices. Any websites which use Flash will not be viewable and should have these elements replaced.
- Mobile websites need to be smaller than traditional websites, and therefore content needs to be targeted to visitors needs, with easily accessible contact details.
- Mobile websites can increase the number of potential customers who are exposed to your business.
Mobile websites and Apps* can look similar at first-glance, but determining which is most suited to your needs will depend upon a number of factors such as target audiences, available budget, intended purpose and required features. Speak to us about whether a mobile website is best for you, or whether an App would be better suited - In most cases both would be required to fully capture the benefits of each.
* Smartphone applications ("Apps") are small programmes that you download directly to your phone.
