The way websites work has changed dramatically in recent years to include different platforms and browsers. For example, a mobile phone user doesn’t view websites the same way as someone using a laptop.

Mobile websites are optimized to load faster by including limited content, fewer graphics. Basically, a mobile website acts as a skimmed down version of a company’s main website.

However, some business owners opt for responsive design, which acts as a standalone website for their company regardless of what type of device the site is accessed on.

Responsive web design focuses on the actual device used to access the website, and in turn, the website is optimized to fit the dimensions of the device. For instance, an 8-inch portable tablet will have different website dimensions when compared to a 3.5-inch smartphone.

More and more people are using tablets and smartphones to access the Internet. In fact, by the end of 2013, it’s estimated that tablet sales will equal more than $100 million.

So being able to provide customers with a site that’s responsive to whatever device they choose to access the Internet from will help businesses tremendously.

However, with a mobile website, an entirely separate site is built to make mobile viewing even faster and more convenient.  Designs, graphics, and videos are usually kept to a minimum in order to ensure users can access only the information they need – and do it quickly.

When a mobile website is created, a subdomain typically hosts a set of files that that are similar to the traditional site. When entering your domain, visitors will be taken to the site based upon the type of operating system they are using.

For example, if they use a mobile device to visit your website, then they’ll be taken to the mobile version of your site. If they’re using a desktop computer to access the site, they’ll be taken to your main website.

Which Should You Choose?

Well, both are good. But if your mobile audience does not need to access every bit of information on your traditional website, a mobile website is the better option so you can scale things down to what they need to access.

Mobile websites allow businesses to specifically accommodate mobile users who are on the go by providing only the information they need; making it convenient and useful for the end-users.

As more and more people use smartphones and other mobile devices, the frequency of making purchases and finding new businesses via mobile Internet has increased significantly.

If this trend continues, which professionals affirm will, we can expect more people to search the web on their mobile devices than desktop computers by 2015.

• As of 2013, 55% of all mobile users have a smartphone. Since at least 91% of adults worldwide own a cellphone, this means that half of these people use smartphones.

• Out the 70% of all shoppers who brought their smartphones with them to shop, at least 62% went to the company’s mobile website before visiting the store.

• Mobile coupons are expected to increase within the next year because of the sheer amount of people who now use smartphones. By 2014, experts predict there will be over 53 million mobile coupon users.

• Over 65% of shoppers in the United States visit business websites before making in-store purchases. Most of these users would like to use a touch screen device while in the store to help make purchasing decisions.

• Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales have seen more activity after consumers browsed mobile websites for deals.

• Smartphone users, at least 74%, have used their phones to get directions to store locations and other business information.

• 50% of smartphone users have accessed GPS location applications in order to find businesses.

• Close to half of all smartphone owners access mobile websites to find local stores to visit, while a little under half use mobile websites to find reviews of local businesses.

• By the end of 2013, it’s estimated that there will be more mobile devices worldwide than people.

• More people make purchases via business mobile websites when compared with mobile social media accounts.

• Close to 80% of smartphone users stated that they would like to have more business information optimized for mobile-friendly viewing.

• Half of all American shoppers feel that mobile websites and product information has made them more informed than in-store associates.

• Almost all cellphone users have used their phones to locate new local companies and in turn, many went on to become new customers.

• Along with purchasing decisions, cellphone users check email, listen to music, and watch videos via their phones.

 

Sources:

Luxury Daily: US Consumers Crave In-Store Digital, Mobile Touch Points:

http://www.luxurydaily.com/54pc-of-u-s-consumers-crave-in-store-digital-mobile-touch-points-cisco/

eMarketer: Mobile Spurs Digital Coupon User Growth:

http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Mobile-Spurs-Digital-Coupon-User-Growth/1009639#VtDzxL6QcVIG76xo.99

Pew Internet: Smartphone Ownership 2013: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Smartphone-Ownership-2013/Findings.aspx

By 2015, experts suggest that more people will use mobile and other portable devices to go online more than laptops and desktop computers.

There are already millions of consumers who rely on mobile Internet access to research new products, locate new businesses, and purchase new products and services.

In this day and age, it’s imperative for companies to have a mobile website that consumers can utilize. The most common and most important reasons every business should have a mobile website include:

• Today’s consumers are completely different from consumers in any other time period. Not too long ago, people used to have to flip through a phone book, watch a television commercial, or wait for weekly advertisements to get product and service information.

Those days are completely gone thanks to the emergence of smartphones and mobile tablets. Consumers today seek business and product information online, and more and more are turning to their cellphones while on the go. Trying to access a traditional website that has not been mobile optimized is frustrating to mobile users because the pages load a lot slower and it’s hard to find the information they need.

• Mobile users almost always carry their phones with them. For spur of the moment purchasing decisions, consumers may rely on mobile Internet. In fact, spontaneous purchases these days are made, in many instances, via smartphones. Having a mobile website in place will ensure that all mobile users have a way to access your business with ease.

• Many consumers have stated that a great mobile website will make them more inclined to purchase from a business. If a website is too difficult to utilize on a mobile device, consumers will move on to another site that affords them more options; a competitor’s site.

• Traditional websites that use Flash will usually not be available to cellphone users. People will typically get a message that either they need to install Flash or that Flash isn’t supported on their mobile device.

As you can see, not having a mobile-friendly website causes a lot of roadblocks when it comes to connecting with more potential customers, as well as existing customers.

Optimizing your company website for mobile has never been more important than it is today; and it’s not too late to start.  Do yourself AND your target audience a favor by mobilizing your website as soon as possible.