Local Businesses and the Mobile-Internet

Why Local Businesses Need a Mobile-Friendly Website

These days, the use of Internet-capable mobile phones is rapidly growing. While still in the beginning stages, 16% of all U.S mobile users browse the Internet with their phone. (Nielson Mobile) That is nearly 40 million people, just in the U.S. alone.

Why would it be important for a small, local business to have a mobile friendly website?

The fact is, most of the searches conducted by mobile phone users are for something in their area. Directions, prices, times of their local coffee shops, boutiques or auto-repair shops, are all things customers want to know on the go. Making a mobile website before your competitors means the general public has easier access to what they need and want, which means you’ll get more business.

But why isn’t your state-of-the-art, custom-made website already mobile friendly?

Mobile websites are very different than what you’ve already got. Imagine trying to view a website built for a 21” high-resolution computer monitor on a 3” low-resolution phone screen? The mobile user ends up having to scroll and scroll through sidebars that aren’t on the side any more and through fantastic images that just don’t fit right on such a tiny screen. Mobile websites require much simpler content and fewer pictures in order for people to access them with ease. The message needs to be much more focused and to the point.

Go ahead; check out your site on a mobile phone. If you can’t find the information you are looking for within 5 seconds, you may need to consider developing a mobile-friendly website.