Is your Website as Mobile-Optimized as Your Customers Are?
The Sprocket Report
Just a few short years ago, folks were just beginning to supplement their main website with a “mobile-friendly” version. Today, websites are designed to be “mobile first” because the analytics show that your customers are using mobile more than you may realize.
Using mobile devices to search the internet is a given today and certain types of websites get more mobile attention than others. Particularly popular are local searches such as "Where is the closest drug store?" and "Is there a coffee shop near here?" For that kind of search a mobile website needs to display basic answers clearly and quickly for immediate gratification.
But businesses of all kinds are seeing their websites accessed by mobile users. About one third of our own website viewers used a mobile device to find us. Our restaurant clients have an audience about half of which are mobile users. And for our construction company clients, almost two thirds of their users come through a mobile device. Suffice to say, it's a significant number of people.
Using the correct search terms in the best way possible has never been more important. When folks are searching on their phones, they are in a hurry to find what they need quickly, with as little scrolling and retyping as possible. And of course people are using vocal commands to search now, too, so you’ll need to prepare for that as well. Since your Home page is where most searches start, give it most of your attention.
All websites can be accessed by a mobile device. But unless a site is specifically built to be mobile-first, it can be slow to load, difficult to navigate and downright ugly to view. NOT the impression you want to leave with your customers!
Don’t rely on that annoying pinch-and-squeeze thing. Instead, make sure text is easy to read, that photos can be expanded with a touch and keep your menus are short. Especially check that your link buttons are spaced properly so folks with “fat fingers” aren’t frustrated trying to navigate your page.
As of last year, humans spend more time on the internet than watching tv – much of that on their mobile devices! Every business and organization has to keep up with this trend, so get your phone out now and take a look at your own website. If you don’t like what you’re seeing, give us a call. We’d be happy to update your website to roar into the 2020s!
This is an update to "Goin’ Mobile” dated 8/20/2012.
Kate Gingold
I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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