Your Site on Mobile: Why Smaller Screens are a Big Deal

Published on November 27, 2015

Take a look around the next time you’re killing time in a waiting room or waiting to board a flight out of O'Hare. Odds are, most of the people there with you will have their eyes glued to a smartphone or tablet. (Let’s be honest: the odds are that you do, too!)

Mobile devices – including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches – are here to stay, and they’re changing the way we do business online. If you want your content to be enjoyed and shared online, you need to make sure you’re mobile optimized. Here’s why:

1.) Your Users Are Already on Mobile

1.2 billion people use the web from mobile devices, and 80% of Internet users own and use a smartphone. As of 2014, mobile media consumption made up over half of all digital media consumption in the US. And let’s not forget that even users who stay loyal to their laptops sometimes switch screens: 90% of users switch between multiple devices to accomplish their goals online.

What does this mean? The chances are good that the users you’re looking to draw in are going to wind up looking for you on their mobile devices. Make sure your mobile interface is fast and responsive enough for them to keep swiping through your site. And the better your mobile site, the easier your business will be to find, because…

2.) Google Factors Mobile Design Into Its Search Algorithm

SEO is murkier in 2015 than it’s ever been before, but there are still some tried-and-true rules. As of April of this year, one of those golden rules is mobile friendliness.

Google has made mobile responsiveness a more important part of its search parameters, and many companies are already seeing the results: SEO experts have noted that the search engine has been dropping the search rankings of non-mobile friendly URLs in recent months, while mobile friendly sites have seen a boost in searchability.

So when you’re considering SEO, remember that mobile friendly design is now a must. Make your site easier to search on mobile, and you’ll see the benefits, especially since…

3.) Mobile Users Are Bigger Spenders

As we’ve explained before, more and more smartphone and tablet owners are using those mobile devices to do their shopping. According to research by Shopify, mobile devices now make up more than half of all ecommerce traffic. Over last year’s Thanksgiving weekend – a prime time for shoppers – smartphones made up 14% of all online sales, while tablets accounted for 18%.

And those who do use their mobile devices to shop online are willing to spend more, according to a report published at FastCompany. As of 2011, tablet users spent an average of $123 per purchase; for comparison, desktop and laptop users spent just $102 on average.

Don’t miss out on this still-growing population of consumers. If your web design is mobile friendly, users are more likely to spend time – and money – on your site.

And once they do, they may tell their friends to do the same, because…

4.) Mobile Content Gets Shared

About 28% of all online activity is now based around social media, and mobile devices are one of the biggest ways that users are conducting their social activity.

What this means is that your social media marketing and the great content you share across Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest will be accessed on mobile – so you must ensure that your users get the best experience possible.

Make sure your content is optimized for mobile sharing – emphasize visual media and include clear options for sharing (such as a banner or share bar) that are easy to locate without becoming disruptive. Mobile devices are quickly becoming one of the main hubs for social activity, and your site must keep up. And that’s not all…

5.) Your Brand Depends on It

Ok, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But if your users leave your mobile site feeling frustrated or unhappy, it reflects badly on your business.

According to a Google survey, nearly 50% of all mobile users reported feeling as though a company didn’t care about them or their business if they happened upon a site that wasn’t mobile friendly.

An inadequate mobile experience makes potential customers less likely to turn to you in the future. A positive mobile experience, on the other hand, makes you stand out, especially when you consider that 91% of small businesses were not mobile optimized as recently as last year.

Gain your users’ trust – and an edge over your competition – with a mobile interface that is intuitive, responsive, and visually appealing.

Have any questions about mobile optimization? We’re here to help! If you think you’re ready to go mobile, drop us a line. We’ve got the experience and tools to help you make your site into a mobile masterpiece.