What is a Mobile Website?

If it looks like a mobile site and functions like a mobile site, does that mean it truly is a mobile website?

Not necessarily.

While some websites do look great on a mobile device, in many cases they aren’t truly mobile.  This is because they weren’t made specifically for the various mobile devices out there.  They are simply lucky enough to translate over to the device well.

Typically a mobile website is made for mobile devices – iPhones, Droids, Blackberries, etc. – and aren’t as flashy as a main website can be.  These sites instead use very basic formats without all the bells and whistles a business’s internet site may have.  This may mean leaving out a lot of technology that can hold up mobile devices or simply don’t work on them.  Flash is one of these, as it usually isn’t well received on various mobile devices.

Having flash on a website can cripple a company because of this.  If someone wants to check out Company XY, but said company has a great flash website, then a potential customer may be lost.  The person won’t be able to properly load the website, which means Company XY does not receive a visitor or earn a sale.  Now multiply that by the many people out there who like to surf the web on their mobile devices.  That’s a lot of potential customers!

Take a look at a traditional website:

Notice how it’s very nice, very well-made, but includes a lot of images, links, and so forth.  On any computer or laptop, it would look great.  Users would have no trouble navigating, and the style may even help entice them to purchase product.  However, on a much smaller screen, the links would become tiny, the images could easily overpower the site, and in general, navigation would turn into a nightmare. Now consider the page in it’s mobile form:

See the difference?  The mobile site is simple.  Easy to navigate.  Text is larger so it’s easy to read on the small screens of mobile devices.  Mobile sites tend to have few to no images (the latter typically more common).  A simple touch of a finger to the right link and the person is moved to a different site, but still a mobile one.  Sometimes people tend to confuse mobile sites with the ever-popular app these days.  But the two are not the same.  Mobile sites are just websites made to be easier to handle on a mobile device.  They do not do the same things as apps do.  Likewise, apps must be purchased through some type of store and downloaded.  A mobile site can be found through any browser and will show up at will, no charge included.  So remember that when working to make a mobile site, everyone involved knows that you’re crafting a simpler website – not an app!

That is one of the keys to having a proper mobile site as well.  The home page cannot be the only mobile page available to people.  Every page must be crafted to suit a mobile device, otherwise what is the point?  People will get frustrated and leave.

Don’t forget about contact information, either.  Customers need to be able to easily contact you if they need to.  Ensure that your contact information – address, email, phone number – can be found on your mobile site without any problems.  Include your social media profile as well in case they want to like you, your company, or contact you through that means instead.

When people can check our your site, products, and more on the go, as well as contact you if necessary in one smooth, seamless process, you’re well on your way toward more new customers and pleased current customers!

When considering companies, add Farin Innovations to the list. We are currently offering mobile websites for less than $50 a month, and there is no upfront cost. The total package includes a mobile design tailored to your brand, a content management system and all necessary content transfers. To get more information about our mobile services, email development@farininnovations.com and we’ll get back with you soon.