The calendar recently changed from 2012 to 2013 which means you should be too. Did you know out of the four billion mobile phones in the world 1.08 are smartphones? How many times a day do you access the Internet through your mobile device, smartphone or tablet? I bet it’s a lot, right?

Every time you access the world wide web through one of these devices you’re using this thing called a “Mobile Web.” These sites you come across on a daily basis, believe it or not are created specifically for the mobile web. Having a site that is mobile-friendly can do numerous things for your business. Whether you want to connect with customers, build a better brand, increase sales, etc. There are so many great possibilities out there. The downfall though, if a customer has a bad experience with your site you drive them straight to your competitor.

Many of your customers already have a mobile device, today’s world is so technology advanced that Google states “there will be one mobile device for every person on earth by 2015.” I know what you’re probably thinking, “No way, thats crazy. 2015 is only two years away.” When you think about it though since 2010, mobile searches havequadrupled. This year (2013) its predicted that more people will use their mobile phones rather than a PC to get on-line. Times are changing in the technology world, PC’s are leaving and an array of mobile devices are arriving.

When users do use their PC to access your website they may find this amazing well planned and thought out site. Now, when they go and visit your site from a mobile device, you sure well better believe they are expecting to see an amazing, planned and thought out mobile site. Google’s statistics show 66% of customers really like a brand or company, they visit the mobile site but when they have a bad experience they leave disappointed. 52% say “a bad mobile experience makes (me) less likely to engage with a company.”

Reputation is everything.

From 2009 to 2012 we were living in a “social” world. All these social media sites were popping up all over the place and we just had to join every one so we could be social. Well just as the time changes so does the world we live in. 2012 to 2015 maybe well known as the “mobile” world. Right now at the beginning of 2013 may just be the best time to jump right on in and explore what the mobile web has to offer. Go ahead, I dare you! 

Develop an understanding, get benchmarks, explore, learn. Most users find mobile sites through search engines such as Google and Bing. If they don’t like what they find, they either go back and search somewhere else or they jump ship and abandon the task altogether. The easiest and best practices to have a successful mobile site include: Keep it quick, simplify, localize, visible, and accessible at the least.

Many people are short on time and are in a hurry to find things. Help them, help you. Make your site super easy and quick to load. “74% of consumers will wait 5 seconds for a web page to lead on their mobile device before abandoning the site”(Eridon). Prioritize contents and features. Keep images small and use bullet points to minimize large text areas. Simplify, simplify, simplify! Say it with me “simplifying is key!” If I’m confused in the first few moments I access a site, I jump ship immediately. Don’t confuse the customer, minimize scrolling, use clear navigation, use minimal links (less than seven is best), and HAVE a search box. Many uses for the mobile web are to find local things and information. Have your store locater on the home page, use maps, directions and GPS for easy access. “One half of all local searches are performed on mobile devices” (Eridon). Make the site visible and easy to read for customers, create contrast, make sure content fits, use different sizes and color to indicate certain things. Lastly, make it accessible. There is nothing more frustrating then being somewhere and you need information fast and you’re stuck waiting to get nothing! Your site should be available and work all across any mobile device and handsets.

Google recently released more statistics quoting “57% of users say they wont recommend a business with a poorly-designed mobile site.” Small business though have taken these practices listed above and applied them to their sites. They are adopting the idea “design for mobile first.” Make sure when consumers type your URL in their browser from their mobile phone your website should recognize and redirect them to your mobile site and not your desktop site.

In North America alone, mobile share of web traffic has increased from 4.7% to 7.9% from 2010 to 2012, that’s a 69% increase in two years. 86% of mobile Internet users are using their devices while watching TV. The average American spends 2.7 hours a day socializing on a mobile device. 86% of adults own a mobile phone, while only 53% use their phone to access the Internet. Many have stated they use their mobile phones more often for Internet access is because its easier, more convenient and they always have it with them. For when they need go to information fast.

Kind of like social network’s a good mobile site focuses on the user. Probably the most important thing when building a mobile strategy is to listen to the customer, learn from what they have to say (is it good or is it bad), and take their input and advice and iterate it into your mobile web site. You want the customer to be happy, right? Its a long and ongoing process everyday with testing and new optimizations but I’m telling you, it’s worth it.