Tag Archives: Mobile Devices

Web Design

Signs It’s Time to Update Your Website

An integral part of your business is your website. It may have been state-of-the-art when it was built, but web technology changes so rapidly that your website might not be as current as you think. Is it time for a website upgrade or redesign? Here are some tips to help you decide if it is time to update your site.

Old Content
Your website needs to reflect any business changes. Users can always tell when your site is not current, and it will influence their impression of you and your company. Continue reading Signs It’s Time to Update Your Website →

Web Design

Key Elements Every Mobile Website Should Have

mobile-websiteConsumers now spend over three hours a day on their smartphones, and 87 percent of smartphone owners say they use a search engine on their smartphone at least once a day. It is a simple fact that the world is going mobile, so it is imperative to have a mobile website, not only to ensure you do not miss out on getting found by local consumers searching via mobile, but also so that you can deliver the experience that consumers expect when they get to your website from a mobile device.

Simplicity
The best mobile websites are simple to use. A simplified version of your site will take into account the smaller screen size and slower loading times that mobile customers must deal with, and in these cases, less is always more. However you do not have to sacrifice awesome design on mobile sites for functionality. You can still create visually appealing mobile designs, but think about usability first and design second. Continue reading Key Elements Every Mobile Website Should Have →

Blog Posts

Why Mobile Websites Can Boost Your ROI

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These days, it’s absolutely essential for local businesses to have a mobile website. Yet, understandably, business owners may wonder if the return on investment (ROI) is worth it and better, yet, will a mobile website help boost ROI. Not only is a mobile website important for the success of your business, but it can certainly boost your ROI:

  • Click to Call: Mobile websites provide a simple way for consumers to tap a button or screen and have their call connected to a business. The convenience alone has helped a multitude of companies gain new business.
  • Shopping at Any Time, Any Hour: One of the best benefits for consumers is that a mobile website allows them to shop any time, any place, and anywhere. With so many people on the go, this is important to feature to offer. Round-the-clock shopping of course, gives local businesses the opportunity to reach more potential customers.
  • Mobile websites can be developed to accommodate any type of device that has an Internet connection, from Blackberries, iPhones, Android-based smartphones, and more. Subsequently, this allows everyone the ability to access a mobile website that is user-friendly according to a device’s dimensions and capabilities.
  • Faster Loading Times: Mobile websites are designed to load much quicker than traditional websites on mobile devices. With faster load times, not only are people twice as likely to stay on a mobile website to seek information, but they are also like to become return users. Furthermore, optimized mobile websites increase the chances of customers referring others to your business.
  • Consumer Smartphone Habits: Smartphone usage is not a fad, and its use is expected to continue to grow. Within the next few years, seeking information online via mobile devices will eclipse online searches performed any other way.

More than half of all smartphone users have shopped online, found business information, located store addresses, and researched products via mobile websites. Many of these smartphone users have gone on to make purchases in-store after utilizing an enhanced mobile website. In addition, the average smartphone user spends at least one hour per day using their phone. A good majority of this time is spent visiting websites.

  • Location-targeted Mobile Promotions and Deals: Mobile websites can be customized in order to target consumers based upon location. Built-in GPS placed on mobile sites, the ability to connect while in-store, and location-based coupons are among a few ways to target local customers, which in turn can boost your ROI significantly.

Source: Experian: Americans Spend 58 Minutes a Day on Their Smartphones: http://www.experian.com/blogs/marketing-forward/2013/05/28/americans-spend-58-minutes-a-day-on-their-smartphones/?WT.srch=PR_EMS_smartphones_052813_press

 

Blog Posts

Stop Blocking Mobile Users with a Mobile Website

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dreamstime_xs_12479054There are many who claim the future of marketing lies in the internet. However, the future of the internet is mobile, which is why all local businesses need to have a mobile website.

Smartphones are quickly becoming the most popular way to use the internet. This is why savvy local business owners not only need to have an online presence, but a mobile online presence.

Recent statistics have shown that more than half of mobile phone users in the United States are using their smartphone’s internet. Not only that, but most of these individuals are actually researching potential purchase opportunities while on their phone’s web browser. This means well over 120 million people in the United States are using their smart phones as a way to access the internet to research potential purchases.

The primary goal of any mobile website should be to keep your company name in the minds of existing customers, while making your small business more visible to those who aren’t already familiar with your services. Approximately 95% of people who own smartphones look for local information on their devices.

More than half of these people will then contact a company after they have searched for information. If potential customers are not able to find your company’s information on their mobile devices; you may be losing potential business.

When it comes to making sure your mobile website truly captures the attention of new and existing customers, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind.

First, make sure that you have created a website that has been specifically designed for use on mobile devices. An exact copy of an existing desktop website will not always transfer to mobile devices.

Next, make sure you are consistently updating your site. Much of the success behind smart phones comes with users’ desire to access new information on the go. If you are keeping your website fresh and relevant, you can provide the valuable information that most smart phone users look for.

Just as you can use different strategies to advertise a traditional website, there are a few strategies you can utilize to specifically advertise your mobile site as well.

QR code advertising is one way to make sure the word about your mobile website is getting out to the public. QR codes are small square barcodes that can be printed on everything from signs and pamphlets to t-shirts and bumper stickers. Smart phone users can scan these codes directly with their devices and it will take them to your company’s mobile website, special discounts, coupons, or just about any other digital destination you want.

Finally, if you are looking to stay in contact with “the Mobile World” it is important that content is easy to read and is smartphone-friendly. Content on mobile sites needs to be even more succinct than on regular websites as it can difficult to read lengthy information while on the go.

Blog Posts

Key Features of a Mobile Website

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Mobile Internet is one of the fastest-growing platforms ever. As a result, a multitude of business mobile websites are springing up as savvy business owners start to realize where most of their target audience is spending their time.

From product information to searching for a local plumber, people are using their phones more often than ever.

However, in order to have an effective mobile website, there are several key features that should be implemented that will help ensure that consumers are more likely to become paying customers:

Simplicity:

  • Trimmed down mobile website layouts allow the loading process to go much faster. Since cellphones are slower than laptops and desktop computers, this is imperative.
  • Mobile websites make it simple for consumers to call and/or email your business with a simple tap on a touchscreen or cellphone button.
  • Mobile websites can also be integrated into mobile maps, making it easier for people to locate your business.
  • SMS and text messages can be integrated with your mobile website, making it easier for you to build a list of targeted leads and customers.

Social Media:

  • Social Media is one of the top-ranked activities for mobile users. Mobile and social media go hand-in-hand.
  • A mobile website can be easily integrated with your own social media business accounts to help you more actively engage with your mobile customers.
  • Mobile users will have a way to share your mobile website with the masses via the major social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Action-Based:

  • While on the go, mobile consumers are usually looking for specific information about a business. The beauty in this is that half of them are likely to take some type of action as far as contacting or visiting the business within 24hrs.
  • Mobile websites are created in a way to help move this conversion process along as quickly as possible; such as making your contact details as prominent as possible and including a strong call to action.

Mobile Coupons and Deals

  • Mobile coupons and deals are more easily controlled via a mobile website through redemption tracking.
  • Users can have the option to have a coupon or special emailed, shared via social networks, or saved to their cellphone.
  • There are several tools available to help mobile sites schedule coupon start dates, expiration dates, and new promotions.