It appears that smartphones are everywhere nowadays, and for good reason- they are quite simply convenient. Mobile phones don’t just make calls any longer, and people now see their mobile as more of a handheld computer than anything else. Unsurprisingly, the amount of internet surfing that is done from mobile phones has increased significantly in recent years.
In light of this, it is now vitally important for businesses to provide mobile friendly websites. The typical mobile web user is looking to find key information fast, and a website that is hard to navigate from a mobile device can very often result in the loss of customers and opportunity.
The main differences between conventional websites and mobile ones are size and simplicity. A conventional website may be designed to engage a potential customer, entice them to investigate the site and spend more time on it. In the mobile world, a successful website does exactly the opposite. Due to the small size of mobile devices, the mobile website has to be clear, easy to navigate, and provide necessary information quickly. Menus have to be designed specifically for the user to rapidly find what they’re looking for. Due to speed restrictions and the aggravation of having to scroll around on a small screen, it is important to have all the essentials available quickly and easily - a frustrated customer is more likely to go to a competitor if they’re not able to find what they need swiftly on a mobile site.
Studies have revealed that mobile users are typically looking for basic information while on the go. Two of the main reasons for accessing a site on a mobile phone are to obtain either a phone number or an address. With conventional websites, the emphasis is on showy graphics and providing a one-off “experience” for the customer. On a mobile phone, the showy graphics and other fluff provide only frustration and prevent the user from finding what they’re looking for. Instead, mobile users want easy to view menus with clear information. It is crucial to put basic information such as location, phone number, and business hours where they can be found easily and quickly. It is important to recognize that in a mobile environment, when a customer can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they are very likely to go onto a competitor’s webpage to see if the information they want is more readily available. When accessing the web on a mobile device, it is very often easier to simply find an alternative business than to become frustrated trying to negotiate a site that is not user friendly.
Technology changes rapidly, and if savvy business owners want to reap the benefits, it is imperative they adapt to the needs it generates. Business owners need to look at the usability of their website for mobile users, and ensure that they offer a mobile friendly version
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