Do I Really Need a Mobile Website?

by Cassandra Pence

Q. Do I really need a mobile website? 

A. Yes. Yes. Definitely yes.  And, here's why:

Reasons You Need a Mobile Specific Website:

1. Your current web site has a Flash object on it somewhere or is built entirely with Flash.  Smart phones & iPads can't display Flash objects, so if your web site is offering any information with this animated style, your visitors are left in the dark.  Is that really fair?  Even if the Flash object is just for cool effects and wow factor, this missing piece could leave your site broken and hard to read.
2. You have added a lot of content to pump-up the search engine results, but when you view it on a mobile browser, important items are small & difficult to find.  Content is unlimited on a regular web site, but mobile web sites should have limited information and menu options.  You will want to ask yourself what your customers are looking for when they are out & about.  For example, if you are a realtor, your mobile site should include all of your listings and directions to each.  It should also include your contact information.  But that's about it.  The average mobile surf session is less than 5 minutes.  That's it.  These users have a specific goal in mind.  No one is going to read your credentials and life history while sitting in their car or out to lunch.
3. Now the technical reason (you had to know this was coming).  Do me a favor and validate your current website in the W3C mobileOK Checker.  If your site scores less than 75%, you need to take a closer look at how you are offering information to mobile users.  If you have any "critical" or "severe" errors returned there are a large number of users out there that can't either access your site via mobile browser, or will become so frustrated so fast, that they will leave immediately.  Scary reality isn't it?

Still unsure?  Just be aware of what is currently happening now:  your customer opens your web site in a mobile browser and he gets the wrong content in an unadapted layout that is downloading incredibly slow.  In a world where most everyone is browsing with a mobile phone or iPad, your brand perception has just been damaged.  This could be a problem.

P.S.  Did you know that LRS Web Solutions can create you a mobile specific web site?  We also build iPhone & iPad apps.  Pretty cool eh?


----------


Related Websites:

----------

Cassandra Pence is a Site Construction Specialist for LRS Web Solutions. She's an Android girl.

----------