Today, creating a mobile-friendly online experience for your customers is vital. Consider these mobile facts:
- Mobile internet usage has surpassed desktop usage.
- 80 percent of people browse products, look at product reviews and compare prices on their smartphone instead of in a store.
- The percent of ecommerce transactions that occur on mobile devices is expected to grow to 70 percent by the end of 2017.
Because more consumers are using their mobile devices to browse the internet and make purchases, finding a site that is not mobile-friendly can be frustrating for them. That could lead to lost sales for you. If your website is not optimized for mobile, now’s the time to upgrade. Here are a few things to consider when planning a mobile site, including marketing it with tech promotional items.
Determine customer needs
As you plan your mobile site, ask your customers what features they would like to see. Send a survey by mail or email to determine how your customers would use your site on their smartphone. Encourage survey responses by sending gifts like a unique pen or bottle holder to those who complete it.
Make it readable
Content on a mobile site should be simple, uncluttered and easy to read. The amount of content should reflect the small screen size available on a smartphone compared to a desktop. Also, be sure hyperlinked text is large and easy to click with a tap of the finger.
Build simple form and payment pages
Using a phone’s keypad can be tricky. Having customers type too much on a page could lead to frustration and eventually to them abandoning the form or checkout process. Include only necessary fields and use auto-fill options whenever possible. The easier a form is to fill out, the more likely a user is to complete it.
Design easy-to-use product pages
If your site includes product lists, make shopping easy. Have neatly organized product pages with “lazy loading.” Instead of clicking a back or next button to move between pages, lazy loading allows content to be continuously loaded on the same page as the user scrolls down. Also, remember that web users favour high-quality product photos with a zoom feature.
Put contact info front and centre
Help users get in touch quickly and easily right from their smartphones by placing contact information in a readily accessible spot on your site. In addition, take advantage of phone technology, such as click-to-call options and maps. This will make it possible for users to call or find directions to the store right from the mobile site.
Promote your mobile site
After you’ve launched a newly designed mobile site, it’s time to promote it. In addition to social media, email and other digital communications, hand out promotional items to introduce your new site to customers you see in person. Tech promotional items, such as a phone stand, cord organizer or a screen cleaner, promote both your business and new site with a useful item everyone will love.
There is a lot to consider when building a mobile site, but you’ll be rewarded for your hard work when customers visit again and again. When it’s done, make sure to celebrate. Good luck!