In Mobile Website Scramble, SMBs Have a Competitive Advantage
Mobile devices now account for 60% of web traffic.
Even more critical? Of consumers who performed a local search on a smartphone, 50% of them visited a store within 24 hours.
Clearly, it has become imperative that small business websites can be easily accessed on mobile devices. And this is one instance where small businesses can effectively compete in the race against the big guys.
Mobile is the way
Following their initial February announcement, quickly dubbed ‘Mobilegeddon’ for the significant impact it is predicted to have, Google implemented a new search algorithm that will change the way websites are ranked. Mobile-optimized sites will have a better chance of appearing at the top of the search engine results pages (affectionately known as SERPs).
Specifically, the new algorithm will give higher ranking to sites that load quickly on mobile handsets, have easy-to-read text, large link buttons, and pages that automatically adjust to fit smaller screens.
Of course, the main goal is not just be found by search engines, but by people. Existing and potential customers need to find content that is relevant and timely, and they want to easily interact with information on smaller mobile screens.
[sidebar]Roughly 80% of smaller employers do not have a mobile-friendly website or business app. Want to know whether your website is mobile-friendly? Open your website in this mobile-friendly test and get an immediate score.[/sidebar]
Small and large companies are in the same boat
A 2013 survey from the National Small Business Administration found that 4 out of 5 business owners reported their websites as “not mobile friendly,” But large companies like Versace, Kellog, and even Microsoft also have plenty of work to do.
For businesses with the right resources, the work can be accomplished in a relatively short time. But in this case, small companies may have a distinct advantage over larger companies: agility.
Smaller organizations simply have less red tape. Their websites are generally smaller — fewer pages and fewer layers of information. But more important, they have fewer layers of management. There may be only one (or a few) people who have to give input on changes, so those changes can be approved an implemented quickly.
With a website partner that understands the needs of small businesses, a mobile redesign may not be too difficult or costly. Plus, you have options! You can choose to create:
- an optimal view of your existing website to maximize it on mobile devices,
- a responsive layout for your website so it adjusts to fit specific screen sizes, or
- a separate mobile-friendly site where visitors are routed based on the device they are using.
The key is that you must act soon. Savvy small business owners who are ready to embrace the mobile redesign shift are likely to emerge as the real winners when the dust clears.
[cta]Don’t be left behind; call the BlueMatrix team at (800) 898-9034 and schedule a review of your website’s design. You can also send us an email at request@bluematrixmedia.com. Getting a head start is key.[/cta]
