Mobile Websites

Okay, so what is a mobile website and how is different from traditional websites?

Because the screen is so much smaller on cell phones, the layout must be cleaner and simpler. Information is pared down to the basics that someone on the go might need to know.  Information like phone number and location are critical. The type is large and easy to read and clickable icons help navigation. The site can retain branding qualities such as logos, colors and even attitude.  It’s just cleaner and easier to navigate from the home page providing a much more user-friendly way for consumers to find the information they seek.

Functionality is key with mobile websites.

And luckily, modern technology allows for seamless interaction.  For instance, when a customer types your website into their mobile device, software (programming language) can read that the request is from a cellular device and automatically re-routes it to the mobile version of your site. Clickable buttons allow instant access. When the smart phone user touches the “Call Us” button, for instance, their phone automatically places the call. The same is true with email. This allows customers to interact on the go.  Say someone is looking for a particular restaurant. Upon finding the website, that person could call, email or make reservations online quickly and easily from his/her smart phone. Businesses can also include special offers or coupons on their mobile sites to encourage customers to call or come in.

You may be asking yourself, “Is this really necessary?

Are there that many smart phones out there?” Here are some convincing statistics that will have you thinking about creating a mobile website sooner than later. According to CNN, in the third quarter of 2010, 417 million new handsets were sold – up 35 percent from third quarter in 2009.  Of those new phone sales, smart phone sales grew 96 percent from the third quarter last year. Smart phones accounted for 19.3 percent of overall mobile phone sales in the third quarter of 2010. And according to Comscore, about 25 percent of all U.S. mobile users currently have smart phones. http://bit.ly/eXd85x  Their popularity is definitely on the rise, and other than price, there are no real barriers to smart phone market growth. Judging from the 96 percent increase in sales in one year’s time, there’s great potential for further sales.

To view a couple of mobile websites, follow these links from your smart phone to two of MarketingXchange’s latest sites: http://www.kchomecare.com or http://www.anthonyphc.com. If you do not have a smart phone, you can still view the mobile sites on your computer by following these links http://www.kchomecare.com/mobile or http://www.anthonyphc.com/mobile.

Convenience really gives smart phones the advantage.

Because cell phones are small and lightweight, they are with people constantly, unlike the desktop or even the laptop. What this means is that smart phone users can access the internet anywhere, anytime.  Plus, smart phone users are not limited to WIFI restrictions like computer users. These advantages are quickly making smart phones the device of choice. Will they eventually replace the desktop completely? Probably not, as home and office users will still prefer to work on a larger screen and use a keyboard. But for on-the-go use, they can’t be beat.

So, like it or not, smart phones are here to stay.  If you want your customers to be able to use your website effectively on their smart phones, a mobile website is a necessity.