Developing Mobile Web Presence

• In 2007, there was a rise in larger multi-touch smartphones. Since then, the shift to mobile web access has increased.
• In 2010, there was a rise of multi-touch tablet computers. It also led to an increase in mobile web access.
• With the growth rates in 2010, ITU said that web access via laptops and smartphones would exceed web access from desktop computers within the next five years (According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report)
• The mobile internet use surpassed desktop use in the U.S. in January 2014.
• By 2021, there will be 5.5 billion global mobile users. It is an increase from 4.9 billion in 2016. (Source: Virtual Network Index (VNI) report produced by Cisco Systems)

INTRODUCTION

The mobile web refers to the World Wide Web (WWW) services accessed from handheld portable devices. In other words, the mobile web is browsing the web through mobile devices, such as smartphones or feature phones. The access is possible via a mobile or other wireless network.

Previously, people accessed the web service through fixed-line services on desktop computers. But, the web is used on portable and wireless devices more nowadays. People want the content to be available on every platform and device.

We can also use over-the-top (OTT) as an example. In the survey of Livestream, 73,390 customers subscribed through a web browser. 75% of them switched to their phones. Subscribers are going beyond traditional desktop browsers. They feel more comforting to watch videos on their phones.

The table shows the increasing use of mobile phones. The reasons for it can be:

• Faster speed
• Smaller device; easy to carry
• Portable
• Feature-rich device
• Multitude of applications

DEVELOPING A MOBILE WEB PRESENCE

The steps of building a mobile web presence are different for every company. But there are some fundamental steps that any company can follow. Some main steps a person can take to build a mobile web presence are:

• Plan

Planning includes your strategies. Plan the website layout, the menu, the pages, the colors, and the look and feel. Likewise, go through them in detail before the developer starts coding on the website.

Also, think about your demographic in this step. Get to know:

1. Who is going to be looking at the mobile web?
2. What is their goal?
3. Why are they going to be there?

While planning that, it is very crucial to put some call-to-actions. So, create strong call-to-action, such as call, email, or request a code. It is necessary to figure out what the clients want when they hit your mobile web. And, you will only have a few seconds to grab their attention. So, figuring out the main call-to-action is crucial.

Similarly, decide on your search terms in the planning stage. Ask yourself what people are going to search for to find your mobile web. Moreover, focus on creating site content. The business should think about what users are going to read.

Lastly, organize site images and graphics. It is a huge part of planning. The process will be long and complicated if you do not get it planned. Also, you can lose things like email threads. So, organize as much as possible.

• Build

Building deals with all the coding required in a mobile web. For that, there are web developers and experts. The step is very advanced. This step includes building a mobile web layout, designs, and pages. In this step, you need to implement all plugins and functionality. For instance, if you want to add a calendar, you have to do it in this part.

Also, this step includes creating a basic SEO/SEM framework. You may create four or five pages with your primary services or terms that people could google. And that will help them to find your mobile web.

Similarly, optimize your site for responsive design. It means the mobile web should respond well on mobile and tablets. Likewise, make sure all contact forms are working. Otherwise, that contact form or the notifications can go to your spam or not go through at all.

Lastly, make sure all final tweaks and additions before going live. There is nothing worse than making additions or editing when the site is live, especially when you are promoting the mobile web.

• Share

Nobody is going to know that your website is live unless you tell them. So, share the site with the world as soon as the website is ready. Make sure Google is indexing your mobile web.

Also, you can use social media. We live in a digital age where social media is free. So, use social media like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and so on. This way, you can get more clients. Also, you can connect with your following.

Similarly, you can utilize an email newsletter. It is again something you can take advantage of it. You could add a coupon or give special offers. It’s a great way to attract people.

Likewise, word of mouth is the best way to share your mobile web. Tell your friends and family about your website. Get their opinions and constructive criticisms. Then, use the feedback to improvise the site.

Finally, if you are a part of any publication or networking group, let everyone know. It will be a great way to drive traffic. Thus, it will help Google pick up your mobile web quicker.

• Grow

Most companies stop at the third step. But it is only halfway to build a successful mobile web. Growing the website is crucial. Posting blogs is the best way to develop your mobile web. It attracts new customers and traffic. Generally, companies with blogs attract 30 to 40 percent more customers and traffic on their sites than their competitors.

Similarly, investing in SEO is another way to grow your mobile web online. For that, build keywords and search terms. Also, it’s useless to invest in SEO if you have a terrible website. So, make sure your website looks good. Otherwise, it will just be a waste of money.

Likewise, adding new pages and content helps to grow your mobile web. It allows Google to know that your site is alive and not dead. Hence, you will not lose traffic. Also, adding new testimonials is a great way to grow your site. Keep posting new projects and works.

• Maintain

Most companies neglect this aspect. Some of the ways to maintain your website are:

1. When you have a website, you are vulnerable to getting hacked. So, it’s necessary to protect your website. Have a website security plan in place.
2. Keep the mobile web fresh. Change out images, content, etc. keep your website streamlined with your business.
3. Use Google Analytics to analyze traffic. Check on your mobile web pages and performance. Also, adjust accordingly.
4. Change your passwords. It reduces the possibilities of hacks.

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