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The era of mobile devices is here! In 2013, more people will be browsing the internet from their smartphones than from a PC. Whether or not your business already has a website, and whether or not you already employ online marketing strategies, this is a prime time to target the still-growing mobile audience. Given the reality of how people are browsing the web, now is the time to go mobile or go home!
If you have browsed the web on a mobile device, certainly you have noticed some sites that are optimized for mobile and some that are not. Sites that are optimized have faster file load times and smaller file sizes, so the sites load faster over wireless connections. Usability is simplified with thoughtfully selected design, layout, and navigation, to take advantage of smaller screen sizes. Sites that are not optimized are often difficult to read, and may be impossible to navigate on a mobile device.
The newest trend in designing a website for multiple targets is responsive web design – using the latest technologies like CSS3, HTML5, and web fonts to scale to any device. Of course the most important thing to think about is the experience of the mobile user when they visit your site. Sites that are optimized for mobile have been proven to lead to mobile purchases. And if a site is not optimized for mobile, it not only affects perception of your brand, but it also can cause clients to look elsewhere in frustration.
Mobile users are accustomed to consulting their mobile device as they go, often for buying decisions or to locate a business. They can be connected anywhere, at any time. Online marketing for this audience needs to consider not only the screen size and connectivity constraints of the mobile audience, but also the interests and needs, how they search, and what information they are looking for.
Once you have your website optimized, you can consider other creative mobile marketing strategies. Most smartphones and mobile devices provide web browsing, GPS, cameras, and video. To tap in on this market, you can develop creative promotions with text messages and location-based social networks. Remind your walk-in traffic to “like” you on Facebook or check in at your location. Use QR codes to take users to a mobile-optimized landing page on your website.
If now is the time for your business to go mobile, contact World Source Tech at 616-717-5802 or http://www.worldsourcetech.com/getinfo for advice on how to get there. Remember: Go mobile or go home!
Photo: Sean MacEntee
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