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How to make your business ready for the mobile revolution happening now

While relaxing and watching television recently, I had some insights that can help you in your business.  I saw a commercial where a business talked about their new mobile website and listed features that would help their customers.  This got my mind spinning about the possibilities!

I guess I was still in semi-work mode because they talked about how you could get a quote from their new mobile website.  Wow – having a mobile website was a main feature in a TV ad.  They were certainly an early adapter.  My brain started to tick off the benefits and reasons why a small business would consider a mobile website:

• Open another way of communicating with new and existing customers
• Improve your business’ Search Engine ranking
• Increase  your local market reach
• Easy to use Click to Call Feature – get a phone call from your website
• Provide instant Maps/Directions for people on the go

I thought that if an insurance company understood the benefits of having a mobile website, how could I help other business owners realize the importance?  I made a note to myself to do some research.   I found out some interesting facts – hope they help you see it’s time to create a mobile-friendly website for your small business!

• The number of mobile web users will reach 95 million by 2013.
• The percentage of mobile searches that have local intent will increase from 28% in 2008 to 35% in 2013.
• Google recently held a ThinkMobile event and they said that 1 in 3 mobile searches are local. After looking up a local business on their smart phone, 61% of users called the business and 59% visited.  (Makes sense if you want to order a pizza for supper on your way home from work, right? )
• Custom research from Human Factors International (HFI) found that 43% of consumers use their browser to access the internet on their phone.
• And, again according to HFI, 68% of consumers said that if they knew a business had a “made-for-mobile” version, they would prefer to visit that instead of seeing the standard “desktop” website on a mobile phone.

When a visitor comes to your website, it is important they see the version that is best for their device.  Not only will they return but also know that they will tell others.

Do you think a regular website would work on a mobile phone? Have you ever looked at how  your current “desktop” website looks on various mobile devices? Share your comments below.

Jean Hendricks – Lead Product Marketing Manager, AT&T Currently Jean is working in product and marketing helping customers to find their way to solutions amidst a maze of technology. She is a regular blogger on AT&T’s Networking Exchange blog. www.networkingexchangeblog.att.com | Facebook | @JeanHendricks11 | More from Jean