To put things into perspective weâre going to get started by looking at some exciting numbers around mobile web. We’ve made sure every stat is properly referenced, so feel free to share them in your reports, and on social media.
58% of all US consumers already own a smartphone.   Â
Source:Â comScore
Over 1.2 billion people access the web from their mobile devices.
Source:Â Trinity Digital Marketing
61% of people have a better opinion of brands when they offer a good mobile experience.
Source:Â Latitude
Global mobile traffic now accounts for 15% of all Internet traffic.
Source:Â Internet Trends 2013
60% of mobile shoppers use their smartphones while in a store, and another 50% while on their way to a store.
Source:Â Deloitte Digital
No one screen size has more than 20% of the market share.
Source:Â Mobify Research & Development
90% of people move between devices to accomplish a goal, whether thatâs on smartphones, PCs, tablets or TV.
Source:Â Google
Almost half a billion tablets will ship in 2013 and 2014 alone.
Source:Â Gartner
Tablet users spend 50% more than PC users.
Source:Â Adobe
25.85% of all emails are opened on mobile phones, and 10.16% are opened on tablets.
Source:Â Knotice
Mobile-based searches make up one quarter of all searches.
Source:Â The Search Agency
95% of smartphone users have searched for local info.
Source:Â Google
So we know that mobile-friendly sites should be an important part of any small businessâs online presence but with all the different solutions and terminologies (i.e. responsive, mobile site, mobile compatible, mobile optimized) how can one know whatâs the right solution for them?
Non-Compatible Mobile Sites Vs. Mobile Sites (Optimized & Responsive)
The difference between a non-compatible website and a mobile optimized website continues to be a source of confusion. Mobile optimized website will optimize your site to be more appropriate for smaller screens. They also offer simpler navigation and faster load times. However there are some differences between them.
Structuring a mobile-friendly website means rethinking the design process for a variety of screens across multiple mobile platforms. While tablets may be able to handle your full website; smartphones are limited in terms of space and screen size.
The experience of a non-optimized website can negatively impact a consumerâs likeliness to book and overall perception of the brand. Many businesses are aware of this consequence but are still struggling to understand what characterizes a mobile optimized website.
What is a non-compatible site?
A non-compatible website is a website that doesnât contain Flash. It means that a website is viewable on a Smartphones or Tablets, but it is not optimized for these devices. These websites have been designed for web browsers on PCs with much larger screens and navigation using a mouse.
You will notice a few things about these websites when you attempt to browse them on your Smartphone or Tablet â you have to scroll left, right, up or down to navigate different areas of the site, multimedia may load slower, text is small so you have to zoom in to read it and the links are difficult to click with your fingertip.
What are mobile optimized and responsive sites?
A mobile optimized website is designed specifically for Smartphones and Tablets, not a PC or laptop. A mobile optimized website doesnât require the user to zoom in to read text and view the content. On a mobile optimized site the navigation is built for efficiency, the images and media are optimized for quick loading and the content is succinct for maximum effectiveness. In addition, mobile-only functionality includes click-to-call, click-to-email and map and directions.
If your website has been optimized for mobile devices you will know â not only because it is much easier to navigate and use compared to the experience of a compatible website but because you will likely see less bounce rates, higher engagement levels and improved conversions.
Below is an image that compares the difference between mobile compatible sites and a non-compatible website.
As you can see an optimized mobile websites provide a much more appealing browsing experience that users have come to expect and enjoy. Mobile internet browsing and shopping has become a trend of the present and are only expected to increase in the years to come.
Why Mobile Websites are a must for any Small Business?