As more and more people get web-enabled handheld devices -- aka smart phones -- your web site will be getting more visits that way.
And what will people find -- tiny little print that is hard to see even on high zoom? Probably.
This is why I decided to launch a mobile web site. It's a question of "marketer, take thy own advice." How can I be telling clients they need to pay attention to this trend, if I am back in the last century with my own web site? Plus, virtually all my clients have Blackberries.
Check it out if you wish -- if you key in my regular web address on your mobile browser, you will be served the mobile site. [Don't you love how some of this stuff really IS getting easier and smarter?]
What are the fundamentals of mobile for your customers? Well, we know they aren't at a desktop, for starters. And they are going to want fast loading. But what else?
The basics:
- How to find you. For restaurants, businesses, retailers or anyone else in the face-to-face business, people need to be able to find you. Especially if they are late for their lunch date and no longer clear exactly where you are. A tiny map could be really good, too.
- When are you open? Hours of operation come next to location.
- Phone numbers, of course.
- E-mail. Also makes sense, if you interact via e-mail
More stuff:
- Social media connection points could be a good idea. Your LinkedIn address, your Facebook address or page, Twitter ID, etc.
- A link to download your app. For example, if you have a personal financial management solution that works on a handheld, can I find that app via your web site, or do I have to go to the app store?
- Other basic interactivity. Basic account information might be nice.
Extras:
- We threw in a few extra goodies just to keep things interesting, and to support the brand. I'm hoping it makes it easy for people to introduce me to someone else, by quickly loading the site in their mobile, instead of promising to send a link later.
Susan's take
If you think about how the web evolved from static brochure-ware to the rich environment we enjoy today, you can see how mobile is going to evolve. We're just at the beginning!
Mobile is not going to unchain us from our computers and our addiction to instant information -- but mobile is going to feel like jewelery instead of a ball and chain.
I don't think people will want a separate app to deal with every commercial relationship. (Every bank, for example). They will want a more "open-source" kind of feel to things.
Wouldn't it be nice to have blog posts more accessible via mobile, too -- so we can make better use of those down-time moments.
Thoughts on this, anyone? Good examples to share?
Resources:
The evolution of mobile: waiting for mobile 2.0 to arrive. An earlier post on this topic.
The credit for the work on the mobile site goes to B.W. in our offices and the good people at Snap Design. Thanks guys!
If you want to see my mobile site from your desktop, use this link: But make sure you drag your browser down so it is small like a handheld screen. http://www.abbottresearch.com/mobile/
"Why mobile is the new web, and why you should care". An interesting list of things to consider mobil-izing from Miriam Schwab at Illuminea.
Image is from istockphoto
BTW:
I've really been loving the comments lately, thank you to all the commenters. ♥
