January 6, 2012

Do you know what your website looks like on a mobile phone? Just because you can see your site on a smartphone doesn't mean that it’s mobile-friendly. Do you have to pinch and zoom to read what’s on screen? Can you easily click to get to where you want to go without hitting the wrong link?  Answers to questions like these can help determine if the people visiting your website on mobile devices can easily complete what they intend to do, such as making a purchase or contacting you.

Your business needs to be where your customers are. And, increasingly, they’re on mobile devices. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2013 more people will connect to the Internet through mobile devices than through their computers.¹ And a recent study by Compuware found that 40 percent of users have clicked over to a competitor’s site after having a bad mobile experience. So it’s critical that you make a good mobile impression.

Creating a good mobile impression

A good mobile site can be great for business. More than half of consumers (51 percent) say they’re more likely to purchase from a good, mobile-friendly site, and 85 percent of mobile users will increase their engagement with that business.² So what makes a website mobile-friendly?

• Mobile-friendly sites are purposely made for the small screen and aren’t just shrunken down versions of your regular website.

• Simplicity is key. Good mobile sites are quick, simple to navigate, easy to read, have large buttons, and prioritize key information.

• Mobile-optimized sites take advantage of the natural capabilities of mobile phones. Features like click-to-call, maps, and location information are perfect for mobile, and are common best practices for mobile-friendly sites. These features help connect customers directly to your business and drive more calls and traffic to your store.

Building a better mobile site

Maybe you read recently how Google helped “mobilize” the city of Mobile, Alabama. More than 400 small and medium-sized businesses–restaurants, pet shops, lawyers, and local stores–developed new mobile websites.

With Google’s HowToGoMo.com you can use the same tools these businesses did to get started. At this online resource, you can see for yourself how your website (and your competitors’) appears to customers on a mobile phone by using the free GoMoMeter. And you can learn the ten mobile site best practices, as well as get a free, personalized report on how you can make your site more mobile-friendly. Plus, you’ll find easy DIY website-building tools and a list of mobile developers who can help you build your mobile website, whether it’s a simple mobile landing page or a more complex e-commerce site. 

It’s an easy way to get started, go mobile, and reach more customers where they are.

Related Topics

• Technology

Related keywords

Francoise Brougher, Article, website, mobile, sales, behavior, GoMoMeter, Google

Join the conversation ( 4 )

• Gfdh Dfasf about 22 hours ago

  

  Phone application development offers amazing opportunities for users to explore new world of technological outburst with so many latest innovative features and functionalities being optimized in your iphone. With thousands of incredibly astounding features now available through your phone, these smartphones have conquered the heart of million of people, especially businessmen who prefer them due to their handy and versatile feature. Incorporating all the innovative features in your iphone, they offer functions similar to that provided by your personal PC.When mobile phones can offer little more features than communication and data exchange, phones take the advantage of high-end application development programs like application tools and software to customize your phone with unbelievable technologically rich features and functions. Iphone are very much useful for traveling business persons who can take the advantage of them to take part in live business conferences, meetings and discussions without any interruption and hassle from anywhere in the world anytime. With the help of efficient PDA software, business management becomes easier via iphones regardless of the location.It is recommended to get a notable professional team to develop your application for mobile devices. There are a few companies out there but i would overall recommend Barbados. They have a fluent team that understands the inner workings of mobile devices and applications. I have provided the link below. http://gomobile.searchbarbadosonline.com/

• Ryan Spates 1 months ago

  

  At MobileStrong, we specialize in developing mobile websites and mobile applications. Give us a call today for a free quote. 877-772-8376 or visit www.mobilestrong.com

• Jae Okan 3 months ago

  

  Making mobile website friendly is not a real solution. The most important key is building your website based on mobile website concerns such as speed, optimization and usability. Mobilizing is the way to make your website look like mobile website but what about speed? nobody would like to wait 10 sec for viewing your website.. i suggest you a real mobile website framework , you can build your own , even mobile storefront without paying design and development fees.. link is http://www.jaemobi.com

• RoomtoRoof Renovations 4 months ago

  

  I think going mobile is vital for small business. I know alot of my customers find us just from their smartphone web browser and if the site is fast, fluid and visible they will connect with your company. In my field we do roofing, remodeling and painting in charlotte nc and the surrounding areas so people on the go who think spur of the moment can reach Room 2 Roof is a godsend. Many roofing and remodeling contractors are simply not hip to the mobile side of things and many will lose a good bit of business from not educating themselves on the importance of being accessible in every medium. If you'd like to visit our website and please do as we need some critique and strive to make things better each day for our customers visit http://www.room2roof.com