The internet world is growing at lightning speed. As the access of internet is expanding worldwide and the exponential growth in internet accessing devices, internet usage worldwide has gone beyond our imaginations. Users are now able to access the internet in a number of ways using different devices like Mobiles, Tablets, laptops, gaming devices and watches.
There are 4.4 billion active internet users on our planet, outof which 40% are Desktop users 39% Mobile users and 21% Tablet users. In fact, Gartner predicts that mobile users will surpass desktop and tablet users as early as next year.
Now this data surely makes any business think, whether their website is optimized for mobile usage or not! Because you have a website, you may think that your business is accessible from any device. But wait, 67% of mobile users are not likely to convert if your website is not optimized for mobile and 61% of mobile users are likely to move onto your competitor’s website. Knowing the fact, still only 21% of all website are optimized for mobile.
Knowing these facts, one can obviously imagine the importance of mobile website optimization. But before we discuss anything about importance and benefits of optimization, it is necessary to know a bit about what mobile website optimization is.
Optimization of mobile website is also better know by the word “RESPONSIVE DESIGN“. Responsive design just doesn’t require a separate m-dot site which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. Instead, all the devices including mobile devices access the same URL and the same website automatically adjusts its content and layout to the display of whatever device is pointing at it. That means, it facilitates you to have only one website to be maintained, and it looks great on every device.
Now, this is done with the use of multiple CSS files (or only one with multiple options for screen size). So, when the user accesses it, the server automatically determines which type of device is making request, and then it can pull up the appropriate CSS for the accessing device like computer, smartphone, or tablet. This is actually a better way to do mobile design. Though It requires a little more time and work but it is well worth it.
Following are few of the advantages of optimizing your mobile Website for smartphones and tablets:
Improved User Experience : People always face the common problem with their mobile while opening text message or email, a bunch of unorganized garbage. This seriously kills any chance of converting that visitor into a customer. If the user is not able to browse and read the content easily on your website from their mobile device, they may leave uninspired and never come back. Some reports also show that the mobile users who encounters problems when browsing websites have tendency to abandon the page.
Enhanced Search Engine Rankings : Optimized mobile website helps you enhance your Google search ranking. This is good for your business, as it helps you establish your business in the mobile sphere as well, also getting your business included in an increasing number of online directories.
Creation of a Brand Identity : A website that is fully optimized for the mobile Web lets you stand head and shoulders above your competition and puts you at par with the most established companies, who are and viewed as being serious about their business.
This also enhances the reputation of your business, and creates even more visitors you can showcase your products and services to. Increased Average Time on Site : The time game comes into picture here as well. You have a limited amount of time for capturing a website visitor’s attention. This is even more likely with mobile devices because users are generally accessing your website while they are out and about on the go. If a visitor can easily navigate your website and the content is written mobile friendly, will increase the chance of converting visitors into customers.
Faster Website Load Speed : Speed is important because as previously mentioned, time is always limited. A website that isn’t mobile optimized will render very slowly on mobile device or in worse case scenarios, it may not load at all. An optimized website will load quickly because the code is t is compatible with mobile devices. Studies also prove this fact by the results which shows that, mobile website users will abandon a page if it takes more than 6-10 seconds to load.
Competitive Advantage Over Your Competition : It is always recommended that you regularly visit your competitors website to see if they are mobile optimized or not, because there is always a chance that your competitors are already ahead of the game with a beautifully optimized mobile website . This will give you an idea of the market and where your company stands.
A mobile website obviously gives you competitive edge over the competition – if your website doesn’t look and work well on a smartphone, users will move on to competitors website. A mobile website ensures that you – not your competitors – seize an opportunity to get visitor’s attention while you have it.
Portability and Connectivity : Smartphone can be accessed anywhere anytime and so do the mobile websites. This provides highest level of constant connectivity which can be used as an unprecedented opportunity to connect with your target audiences, irrelevant of their location.
New Advertising Opportunities : Advertising on mobile is growing at a rapid pace and presents tons of new opportunities for reaching target audiences with tons of new ways. If you are advertising on Google AdWords or other PPC networks then there are good chances for your ads to be appearing in mobile listings. However, you’ll definitely want to ensure that your ads lead to mobile-optimized landing pages, rather than regular desktop website, for optimal results and maximum ROI.
Better User Engagement : As part of mobile site optimization, you can can easily engage users with mobile-related specifications such as click-to-call, sharing on social media, mapping and more. So, in case of a small local business, users can easily locate its website by location based technology. This technology allows users within direct geographic location to connect with the website.
Inevitability : The mobile web is a mainstream reality rather then a concept that will impact any organization that aims to communicate online with the target audiences. According to the most leading industry analysts, mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common internet access device worldwide as early as by the end of 2014. So, the responsibility is now on the website owners for taking advantage of the unique opportunities mobile offers for connecting with the growing number of users who will inevitably access their website on their mobile devices.
Is it loading fast?
Is it fun to surf it?
Is the content easy to consume?
Is it user friendly to navigate throughout?
Does it provide an experience that a normal user expects?
Is it a site tempts you to spend more time even if it is not your own?
If your answers are a lot of no’s, then now it is time to take an action. If you’d like to develop a mobile-friendly website for your business, kindly contact us for a free consult. We’ll be happy to know more about your requirements and offer you our services.
