Smartphones have revolutionized the digital space allowing people to access digital products on the go. The trend in web access and usage is shifting as well with more people using their smartphones to browse the internet rather than the traditional computer or laptops. Brands looking to increase their customer base can leverage on the increased use of smartphones to market their products and services. No other platform allows businesses to reach its audience in a conceptualized fashion more than mobile and this makes developing a strong mobile platform a priority for businesses looking to attain a competitive advantage.
Here are a few tips on how to develop the best mobile strategy for your business.
1. A separate mobile version of your website is NOT the way to go.
Some businesses develop a separate mobile version of their website all in the name of implementing a mobile strategy. However, this is not ideal as it poses administrative and economic challenges. Maintaining both the desktop and the mobile website becomes quite cumbersome and the differences in the two versions might confuse the consumer. Rather than a mobile version of the website, a responsive website that adapts to different devices is the way to go. Managing such a website is easy and it eliminates the confusion brought about by different versions of the same website.
2. Develop a mobile app.
If your business can afford it, a mobile app is one sure way to increase your business visibility among the masses. A mobile application adds a layer of interaction between a business and its customers. Consumers are able to give feedback on the nature of goods or services being offered and businesses use this information to improve their deliverables. Develop an app for iOS and another for android so as to cater to smartphone users on these platforms.
3. Performance is Key.
Success on digital mobile platforms is determined by performance. Online users have a very short attention span and they will quickly abandon your website when it takes too long to load. The same applies to mobile apps and users would uninstall any unresponsive app to make space for others that function properly. You should, therefore, ensure that your website and/or mobile app functions optimally when implementing a mobile strategy for your business.
4. Add mobile-friendly functionalities.
Browsing from your mobile is easy, but not as convenient as browsing on a desktop PC. You should therefore try to enhance the mobile browsing experience by adding mobile-friendly functions that make it easy for your consumers to obtain services from you. Implement call to action buttons that allows consumers to get in touch with you directly as well as integrating Google Maps on your site for directions should clients wish to get your physical premises.
5. Voice is the way to go.
At present, mobile users would rather talk to their phones, and have them respond appropriately, instead of tapping them. This means that businesses should develop applications with verbal capabilities to allow customers to ask questions and/or seek clarification without having to tap their phones.
Implementing such a functionality is not all that difficult and a few lines of code at the backend of your website or application will get it up and running.
6. “Disaster” preparedness.
As mentioned earlier, online users have a very short attention span and they will quickly abandon your website should it take too long to load. However, the problem may not be from your end and the reason your website is not loading is because of network connectivity issues. To protect your business from this disaster, you should design your website and mobile app to function optimally even when the network connection is poor. Poor network connectivity can be such a letdown and your customers will appreciate your efforts to go the extra mile to make your website and application responsive in spite of the network connection challenges.
Conclusion:
Mobile is the way to go and businesses that are yet to adopt a mobile strategy are missing out on a lot. In today’s digital world you either go mobile or you go home.
