The significance of mobile websites
TThe growth of mobile technology and mobile websites has ensured that people are always ‘connected’ to their businesses even when away from the actual business premises. Businesses are still being transacted by people even when on the move. Mobile websites intended for mobile phones have many advantages.
Firstly, due to the wireless nature of mobile phones, they are portable and there is no need to keep on plugging in and out as is the case with desktops and laptops. Furthermore, the user base for handhelds and mobiles is wider, enabling you to reach more clients and customers. Statistics indicate that 60% of local searches are conducted via mobile phones and around 3 billion people in the world own a mobile phone. Many dedicated hosting companies such as ServerSpace or any others specifically cater to businesses wanting to branch into the mobile market with plans to suit.
Mobile websites promote the movability of a business making the said enterprise as mobile as the owner. There are also other aspects of such websites which boost their demand on online platforms. Mobile websites are specifically designed for a range of hand-held devices and smart phones to guarantee a rich user experience. The smallness of the whole device, with a small screen having diverse functionalities goes a long way in engaging the user. Mobile – specific features e.g. Mapping and click – to – call make the user aware of any local firms operating in the locale of the user. Click- to- call instantly connects the mobile user to the representative of the business, all this through a mobile website. Mapping locates a business of the mobile user’s description in the location where he/she is at that moment.
This interest by a mobile user can develop a strong bond with the business and later ‘create’ a customer and possibly a patron. User experience is also further enhanced if the mobile device can offer fast download speeds. Other means of enticing users by way of mobile websites include the better ranking possibilities on main mobile search engines e.g. Yahoo mobile, Bing mobile and Google mobile. These search engines are personalized for handheld devices and mobile screens while maintaining all the features and functionalities offered by web search engines. Mobile websites get listed on mobile/web directories, which increase greatly with each day. Such directories are search – engine friendly and this makes the website score higher ranks in online searches.
Due to the high visibility element in the online sphere, mobile websites can turn a small enterprise into a brand. This is possible since mobile websites have a competitive edge over non – mobile websites. From instant access -to immediate engagement to- developing interest- to ‘creating’ a potential customer, the transition rate from the first stage to the last is faster. Furthermore, mobile websites narrow the gap between online media and offline media by using QR (Quick Response) codes. When these codes are used in print, they can be scanned then later translated to website URL, email address or SMS text. QR codes make it possible to link all forms of print media to mobile sites e.g. flyers, business cards etc. The mobile site can be ‘linked’ with the brand and this is an inexpensive marketing strategy.
Mobile devices will soon become the highways to world wide connectivity surpassing the desktop and PC. Mobile websites are set to become the platform on which the world is connected. Flycastmedia in the U.K is a web design company that has a wide range of services including mobile website design and promotion using free and paid traffic. If you own a business and want to get into this lucrative market you should consider using such a company and tap into what is now a huge market which is ever growing.