It doesn’t really matter where you go—work, the supermarket, your favorite café, the beach, the dog park. Chances are you will see someone on a smart phone, tablet, or other mobile device.
Like it or not, mobile devices have changed the way we live, work, and play. Despite this, it is common to come across websites that aren’t ready for the small screen. Here are five reasons why having a mobile-friendly website should be top of mind when planning or reevaluating your Internet marketing strategy.
1. The Numbers Don’t Lie
Mobile device usage accounts for 60 percent of digital media time spent in the U.S. (Source: comScore)
69 percent of smartphone users and 87 percent of tablet users use their mobile devices to research products or services for their businesses. (Source: 2014 IDG Enterprise/IGS Mobility Survey)
Mobile ad spending is expected to surpass $100 billion worldwide in 2016. That’s more than twice 2014’s ad spend of $42.63 billion. (Source: eMarketer)
2.Google ? Mobile Sites
In April 2015, Google released their mobile-friendly ranking algorithm. Dubbed “Mobilegeddon” by the press, Google’s update caused a hullabaloo amongst Internet marketers by boosting mobile search rankings for pages that are easily viewable on mobile devices.
3. Faster Load Times
Website speed has a significant impact on website conversion rates. It plays a vital role in the digital user experience. Mobile websites need to cater to people on the go, people who don’t have the time (or the patience) to wait for a site to load. A mobile-optimized site will load faster.
4. Better User Experience
Visitors won’t stay on your site if they have to zoom in and out, scroll endlessly, or squint at tiny text. A site that is properly optimized for mobile devices provides users with an intuitive interface that is simple, easy to navigate, and comfortable to read.
5. Competitive Advantage
After considering the benefits of having a mobile-friendly website, it is somewhat surprising to see that so many companies aren’t joining the mobile movement. In fact, TechCrunch found 44% of Fortune 500 companies haven’t optimized their sites for mobile. With so many companies slow to adapt their websites for mobile users, having a mobile-friendly site may help you stand out among competitors.
Is Your Website Mobile Friendly?
Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test makes it easy to tell if a web page is up to snuff. Input your URL and Google will let you know whether or not it is mobile friendly.
If your website fails the test, no need to panic. You have options. For the do-it-yourselfer, Google offers resources for developing a site that works across all devices. Alternatively, you can choose to work with an experienced web developer like Profile by Design. Get in touch with us today to learn more.