The average American spends more than 5 hours a day engaging with digital content, and more than half of that time is with a mobile device. Google is aware of how much time people spend on their smartphones and rolled out an update last year, giving a boost to websites that are mobile friendly. The evidence is in: you must have a mobile-friendly website to compete in today's market. Here's a look at your two options.
Mobile Site
A mobile site is a simplified version of a desktop site and is therefore comprised of elements mobile users will find convenient. This version is best for desktop sites with a lot of information but only certain information that applies to mobile users, like a banking website. For customers who are on the go and are looking to accomplish a task without having to navigate a full website, a great option is a fast loading mobile site.
There are a few other drawbacks to consider before you decide to go this route. First, having a mobile site requires a separate domain--you've probably noticed these on other mobile sites such as Facebook uses m.facebook.com. Having two websites means both must rank well with search engines. This also means you need to start over with SEO and link building to get your mobile site to rank. Plus, every time you need to change any of your content, you would have to do it twice.
Responsive Design
Responsive design is a little more forward-thinking in that it will readjust the display automatically based on the user's screen size. In other words, the web page will respond to the user's needs rather than serving up an entirely new site to them based on their device. This means users get a fairly seamless experience if they're on a desktop or mobile--or even a larger tablet device.
Responsive design can also better your search results as all the activity is still contained in your original domain. You won't need to maintain two separate websites, either. A responsive design does require a complete overhaul of your existing website, which can be a significant investment of time and resources. However, you'll enjoy the benefits of responsive design as new devices enter the marketplace that will need accommodating by mobile sites.
Choosing Wisely
In most cases, responsive design is the better choice for most businesses. It's simple, flexible, and ready to accommodate users no matter which device they are using. If you're a business that's just starting out, getting a responsive design from the beginning will save you the hassle of having to find a mobile solution in the future.
If your current marketing strategies are suffering because you can't serve the mobile community well, let ADTACK Integrated Marketing give your strategy the jump-start it needs to drive more traffic to your website, and to convert more leads into paying customers. Get started today!
