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Be Mobile or Be History - Launching your Mobile Website

Published: Mon 4 Mar 2013 02:27 PM
Be Mobile or Be History - Launching your Mobile Website
Freeparking – Maria Brosnan, Business Manager
Why go Mobile?
According to statistics more than half of New Zealanders are now accessing the Internet via a mobile phone. Mobile phone users are searching, shopping and using social media on their phones and they expect sites to load quickly and provide instant access to important information. If you have ever tried to view a desktop site on your mobile device you will know how frustrating it is waiting for the site to load and then scrolling around and zooming in and out trying to find what you’re looking for.
You need a mobile-friendly website if you’re going to survive in this mobile world…
Having a mobile friendly website for your business means you will be capturing Internet traffic that’s now coming from mobile devices and gaining potential customers.
People are using their mobile phones to search for local businesses at the time when they are ready to do business – the opportunities that exist to convert these users into customers are endless.
If you have an existing desktop website, it will most likely be designed for users with a large screen, full browser and a mouse for navigation. By contrast, mobile devices generally have a small screen and limited options for navigation. Your desktop site will hold a lot of information intended to give the user a comprehensive understanding of your business, whereas a mobile site should provide immediate access to what matters when a person is on the go, like a phone number and directions to find you. The two sites should complement each other and give the best experience possible to all visitors, whether they are using a PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Nobody can deny that use of mobile devices is growing at a rapid rate and predictions are that mobile Internet access will overtake PCs and laptops in the very near future. You can’t ignore the mobile revolution; you need to be taking advantage of the many opportunities that the mobile web offers your business, including:
1) Getting Noticed: Fundamental to your business success is being noticed. With over 1 billion Internet-connected mobile devices around the world, more than PCs or laptops, you need to be found where your potential customers are looking, and that’s on the mobile web!
2) Getting Listed: Google, Yahoo! and Bing are all investing heavily in mobile search - knowing that millions of people are using mobile search to find what they want. The best way for your business to be found, is to have a site that has been optimised for mobile, as this will improve your listing in top search engines.
3) Shopping: Aside from comparing prices and checking reviews while they are in store, consumers are embracing their mobile devices in every way when it comes to shopping. They can shop 24/7, get special deals through digital coupons or research an unknown brand. If your website doesn’t function on a mobile device when a potential customer is ready to buy, they will move on to your competitor and you lose their business.
4) Local Searches: According to Google, 1 in 3 mobile searches are local. This means people in your area are looking for a business like yours to satisfy a need they have right now. If you are listed in local directories and appear in local search maps it’s easier for consumers to find you, then all you have to do is provide a mobile optimised website to convert those visitors into customers.
So what should you include in your mobile website?
The most important thing to remember when creating a mobile website is to provide information that’s important to a mobile user and make it easy to find. For example, somebody on the go will probably want to know your phone number, so providing a click-to-call function is a good start. You want to make it easy for a mobile user to find your business, so include a map and directions. Displaying your opening hours may also help to improve the experience for your mobile site visitor. Don’t forget to include a short blurb about your business and at least a summary of your main products or services.
Once you’ve got the basics sorted you might want to take advantage of some of the cool technology that’s available for smartphones. QR codes are a great way of promoting your business and can be included on your business cards, print advertising, flyers, or anywhere you might currently put your logo. Digital coupons are another method for engaging your customers and converting leads into sales. Create a special offer and apply it to a digital coupon, then add the digital coupon to your mobile site and drive foot traffic through the door.
It’s a no-brainer!
With more than 1 million smartphone users in New Zealand already, there really is no doubt that if you have an existing website for your business then you need a mobile friendly version to cater to this market. If you were slow to jump on the bandwagon and get a website up and running for your business, then seize the opportunity to get ahead of your competitors and be one of the first to launch your mobile site. The mobile Internet certainly isn’t going anywhere, so embrace it and be part of the mobile revolution!
For all of your Mobile Website Solutions, visit Freeparking now.
ENDS

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