subject: Mobile Websites Are the Future [print this page] Mobile Websites Are the Future Mobile Websites Are the Future
The US mobile Internet population is increasing rapidly. In 2009, eMarketer estimated that 29.2% of mobile phone users logged on to the mobile Web at least once per month. With the growing popularity of "Smart Phones" and other handheld devices, the trend is extremely likely to continue. Simply put, a growing number of the population is not willing, or able to wait for PC or laptop access when browsing websites.
If you've ever browsed a website with a mobile handheld that was not designed for such device, you know the difficulty involved in viewing the site (much smaller screens, long loading times, navigation issues, etc). To combat this issue, most "mobile friendly" websites have developed at least one sub-domain or mini site that mobile devices can be redirected to. This mobile version is designed with the smaller screens and longer load times in mind.
Why does it make sense to create a Mobile Web Version of your Website?
If you're a business owner, think about were your website address appears- billboards, advertisements, stationery, brochures, company vehicles, the list goes on and on - your website domain is visible everywhere. Wouldn't you prefer your potential customers to have access to your site at the moment they see your website address? Given the shift in behavior mentioned above, I think it would be a mistake if you didn't cater to this rapidly growing trend.
Please don't misinterpret my message, I'm not stating businesses should run out and immediately invest a small fortune on a full blown mobile version of their site, equipped with e-commerce and online support functions. I do, however, think it's important for potential customers/clients to have the capability to quickly retrieve important information like business hours, contact information, etc.
