Preparing Websites for Mobile Device Users is a Top Priority

Mobile technology is fast becoming a primary tool of accessing the Internet for many. That's good because it lets Internet users access online sites more often regardless of location. A website that is optimized for mobile users opens itself to a growing and very promising market.

Capitalize on the Mobile Trend
As the recent post-Thanksgiving Black Friday and Cyber Monday testify, mobile Internet use is surging. Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sears, and Macys saw four- to eight-fold increases online among shoppers using mobile devices on Black Friday alone. Gearing their websites to accommodate such traffic allowed them to reap from a market that may not have been able to tap otherwise.

How Do I Make My Site Work Best for Mobile Users?
Because mobile technology is still catching up to traditional computers and laptops, not everyone will have a device that can manage complex graphics and animation. Some mobile devices may only work with text. That means that simple is better. Keep in mind that mobile visitors will have a smaller screen size and possible limited navigation tools, so make sure your mobile-friendly site allows visitors to easily move around—especially for shopping.

Also, remember that people may have to use other means than a mouse or touching the screen to click buttons and navigate your site. Try to make your product browsing and purchasing steps as simple as possible. Consider giving your website the ability to detect users who are using mobile devices so it can display a smaller pixel version for their mobile device screens.

Chances are you're not a designer, so optimizing your site for mobile users might be difficult. Have a professional help make your website mobile friendly. It will be worth the investment if you want to make your site available to a market that shows every indication of becoming a mainstay in e-commerce.

Black Friday andCyber Monday: People are Using Mobile Devices

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: People are Using Mobile Devices

After putting down the turkey knife, people picked up their mobile devices for a surge in holiday shopping, according to a study by Novarra, which showed that mobile web traffic went up by a whopping 1,209 percent during the shopping frenzy of Black Friday and 110 percent on Cyber Monday.

The study's findings suggest just how vital mobile technology is becoming as a marketing and commerce medium.

"This is further confirmation that consumers increasingly rely on the internet via mobile phones for their daily habits and routines," said Scott Cotter, senior director of marketing of Novarra in a December 1 press release. "For many shoppers, browsing special deals, comparing products, pricing and other information while they are on the run—even at a retailer's location, has become second nature."

Several of the top retailers saw large spikes in mobile device shopping on Black Friday, the study found. Mobile device users shopping on bestbuy.com jumped by 792 percent. On walmart.com, 740 percent; sears.com, 492 percent; and macys.com, 447 percent.

As these indicators suggest, businesses who have not made their online marketing and stores compatible with mobile devices will be at a distinct advantage in the coming holiday shopping season.

Learn more about how HIT Web Design can help you optimize your website for mobile devices.