What you need to know about Mobile Web Design…
Why do I need a mobile version of my website?
8 out of 10 people are now using their phones and mobile devices to find local businesses and services they require on the go. This number is only going to increase over time and it is widely estimated that mobile web use will exceed traditional desktop web use by 2014. Being ready for this change can make the difference between success and failure for many businesses as consumers will want the information they are looking for online to be shown quicker and quicker. Having a mobile version of your site may seem like a luxury, it will very soon become a necessity if you want your business to be accessed easily on the mobile web.
What is the difference between a mobile website and my normal website?
Your normal website is designed for people accessing it via desktop computers which have been the traditional method for accessing the web. These computers have large screens, lots of inbuilt processing power and mostly fast broadband access. Mobile devices on the other hand have smaller screens, are often touch screen and have slower internet connections when not connected to Wi-Fi. A mobile website is optimised for these smaller devices and is set up to be shown to users on mobile devices. Your mobile visitors get a much better experience as what they are seeing will load faster and will look correct even if they are using an iPhone, Android, iPad or any of the other new mobile devices.
What are the main benefits?
The main benefits to your business are that your customers can view your website quickly and easily even when they are out and about. They will be getting a web page which loads faster than your full site and which maintains your overall look, feel and business branding. Consumers want everything as quick as possible and having a mobile website can mean the difference between a sale and a rejection. Would you want to wait for something to take a long time to load or would you like to give your site visitors the optimal experience whether they are sat at home or walking down the street?
What is the difference between a mobile website and an App?
A mobile version of your website is essentially a different view of your current site which has been optimised for mobile web use. It uses the same programming language used for your website and works very similar to a regular web page. An App which you might find on the Apple App Store is different in that it is what is known as a native App. It uses a different programming language depending on whether you are on an iPhone or Android and must pass the strict entry rules of the various App stores. This obviously costs more and is harder to get approval than by creating a mobile version of your website.
Do other companies already have mobile versions of their websites?
A lot of the biggest companies around are firmly embracing the mobile web revolution. There are mobile versions of Facebook, Google, BBC and many others. Local companies are also starting to have mobile versions of their websites produced especially taxi companies and some fast food restaurants who know the value of getting their site visitors the information they require, quickly.
How does it work?
We take the parts of your website that you want to have displayed and reconfigure them so that they are optimised for viewing on the smaller screens of mobile devices. We then add a custom built mobile web theme so that your site maintains its online branding and consistency with your normal site. We then add some code into your full site that picks up what sort of device the person viewing your site is using. Desktop users will get your full version of your site and mobile users get the mobile version. This all happens quickly in the background and we also include a manual link so that mobile users can see your full site if they want to.
How do I get a mobile ready website?
Simple, you contact Holistic Designs using the link below and we will then contact you and run through some of the options and pricing. You can also use the contact form for any other questions that you have.