Posted on Mar 9, 2014

Should You Have a Mobile version of Your Site?

Should You Have a Mobile version of Your Site?

 

Sure, mobile web usage means a lot for your business. It’s just that the use of mobile devices is becoming so normal that quoting statistics is almost a moot point. We no longer give out figures showing how many Americans own a television set, for example. But the numbers for smartphones and tablets still remain relevant today. In the U.S., 55% of adults own a smartphone and 42% own a tablet.

 

Should you have a mobile version of your site? The answer is yes.

 

Keep in mind that the trends in website design change quickly. But this is because web designers react to consumer behavior. Three or four years ago it was all about desktop website design. Over the last couple of years the trend moved towards going mobile, and making mobile the key priority your online presence. This too has evolved.

 

It has evolved because consumers do not use one device all of the time. Instead they switch between devices throughout the day and often use several different devices for a single task. As a result, creating a good desktop website isn’t enough anymore, and neither is the mobile-first strategy. Instead your website needs to work on different screens at the same time.

 

But My Website Works Fine Without A Mobile Version

 

The vast majority of websites will display on a smartphone or tablet. So why do you need a mobile friendly version?

 

Coffee shops have the answer.

 

When sitting in a coffee shop you expect your coffee to come in a glass mug with the milk in a separate and appropriately designed milk jug. Your food would be served on a plate with the appropriate utensils.

 

But if on the other hand, you were to order coffee to go, the glass mug would prevent you from traveling easily. A glass coffee cup is too fragile to carry around. And without a lid on it, your coffee would spill (and you’d also look ridiculous). When you order your coffee to go and it comes in a paper cup, your life gets more easy and efficient.

 

Just as to-go coffee cups make life easier, mobile friendly websites make browsing the Internet seamless.

 

How To Make A Mobile Version Of Your Site

 

You have several options to make a mobile version of your site. If you already have a website, the best approach is to create a new, mobile friendly version. This means there will be two versions of your website – one that is displayed to anyone visiting using a desktop, and one that is displayed to those visiting from a mobile device.

 

But it’s not as expensive as you may think. You can save on development costs to get a new mobile friendly version of your website with the iPage goMobi product. It allows you to create your own mobile website with cost in mind.

 

If you’re in the process of designing a new website, you have another option. This involves making the website design responsive. Unlike creating a mobile version of your website, this solution means there’s only one version. The code decides how to display the various elements depending on the type of device that is being used.

 

One final option is to create a separate mobile app. It’s a good solution for some, particularly if the app will have more elaborate features than what’s on your website. But if the functionality is the same, stick with a mobile website or responsive design.

 

Put a Lid on It

 

About 67% of mobile visitors are unlikely to return if they find your website difficult to use. But when you create a mobile friendly version of your website, you’re metaphorically putting a lid over their coffee cups. Give your users the option to stay informed about your business on the go by putting a lid on it, and making a mobile version of your site. Your customers will thank you.

 

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