March 5th, 2012 • Posted by Kathleen Gardenswartz • Permalink
According to a Pew Internet & American Life Project study, nearly half of Americans own a Smartphone.
America is using Smartphones to research products, find consumer reviews, get directions to your business and they are doing it while on the move every day. It's critical to understand that without a mobile-optimized version of your website you instantly diminish the Smartphone user-experience which means a less engaged visitor who will leave quickly and not do business with you.
It's time to think of a mobile-optimized website as an extension of great customer service. Local businesses that fail to connect with customers on smart phones are being passed, full speed, by their competitors who are willing to invest time and energy in the fast-moving mobile world.
"All told, just under half of American adults (46%) now own a smartphone,
according to Pew, up from a little over a third last May. The increase
seems to cut across demographic groups, with double-digit increases
across gender, ethnicity and many income groups. The one population to
sit out the shift is Americans over age 65, where only one in eight own
smartphones." Wall Street Journal
Your customers are using these powerful devices, becoming exponentially more nimble and effective with their most valuable resource, time. If your website slows them down they will just move on to the next business that gives them the control they want and need. It means you can lose valuable customers and reduce revenue in the long run.
Do you want to gain a loyal following and grow your business? It's time to speed-up and catch the Smartphone wave before its too late.
