Mobile users are not ‘secondary’
Traditionally, many businesses have thought of the mobile site as the “secondary” location. Yet search engine trends show that soon will not be the case (and maybe is not the case today). Businesses increasingly need to get their mobile searching house in order.
The website Search Engine Watch reports the following:
– Mobile sales have already overtaken desktop sales, and mobile internet usage is predicted to overtake desktop internet usage by 2014. Mobile searching of course will follow.
– 67 percent of users claim they are more likely to purchase from a mobile-friendly website, making it increasingly important that mobile searchers find you.
– A separate desktop and mobile site require separate SEO campaigns. With responsive design, one campaign takes care of both.
What about apps?
Customers frequently ask us about development of an app. Given the emergence of responsive design, few websites require an app. Why?
Most customers don’t want an app. The Pew Research Center reports that 60 percent of tablet users prefer the mobile web over an app. Now that your site is a perfect fit, or can be with responsive design, there is simply no need for an app.
Google can’t index apps. Therefore, your content will not be found—and prospects are less likely to find you.
Many apps were developed to work well on smaller devices. With responsive design, that is no longer necessary.
What about Windows 8?
The swiping that goes with Windows 8 can be included in code as well. It’s essentially treated as another device.
CONCLUSION
Responsive design enables you to put your best foot forward in the present, and helps you have the proper foundation in place for the future. It is here to stay—for many reasons, but mostly because it is the only way to reach the thousands of devices that access sites.
As adoption becomes more common, the non-responsive sites will increasingly frustrate those accustomed to visiting locations that are seemingly custom built for their device.