EBlog
Mobile Milestone
January 8, 2008 | Posted by: Neil
It has likely been just months or at most, a few years since surfing the web from cell phones, PDA's and other mobile devices has become a reality for most folks. But if you think that mobile browsing is only for C-level execs that can afford top of the line BlackBerrys, IPhones and Treos, think again. On three separate dates this NFL season, ESPN Mobile had more visitors to its NFL section than its "mother-site" ESPN.com.
While traditional browsing is not in any danger of being overtaken by Mobile any time soon, I think it bears the following considerations:
- If you spend a good portion of your day on your hand held, what leads you to believe your customers are any different?
- At what point does having a mobile version of your site make good business sense? After losing one customer due to poor mobile performance? After losing 100? After losing 1000?
- If in 5 months or 5 years, the time comes when having a mobile version of your site becomes common place how prepared will you be?
Take the first step; check out your own site from a mobile device. You might be surprised with what you find.
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Comments
January 08 2008 - 07:40 PM | by Lee
I certainly agree that with our growing anytime, anyplace wired mentality consumers will want to access web sites on the go.
Devices like the iPhone make it so much easier because you don’t have to have two versions - one for mobile, one for web. Since it renders the site in Safari, it looks the same on the phone as on my laptop.
But will this more phone integrate “real” browsers like the iPhone or will we need to create multiple versions for multiple uses?
January 11 2008 - 09:29 AM | by Glenn
Looks like the bulk of the activity was people checking scores, stats and trivia.
Other things I see people doing all the time are checking email, movie times and getting directions.
So until the majority has iPhone like capabilities, pulling small chunks of info rather than long-form content is it for this medium.
For business applications it would make sense to try easing in with contact info, brief product/service data, etc.
January 11 2008 - 10:29 AM | by Lee
Seems like media and entertainment always lead the way when it comes to using new technology to push content and engage readers.
They were first to integrate Flash and video, they’re all over widgets, social networking and Web 2.0 technology, now they’re pushing out from the web to use mobile phones for content distribution.
Watch what they do and you’ll likely see what’s coming for B2B.
January 22 2008 - 06:25 PM | by Neil
Another consideration to all of this is the idea that mobile browsing demands less content.
As more and more users become more accustomed to content that can live on a BlackBerry or Iphone without straining the eyes, will that change the way standard sites are structured?
While devices like Iphones may be able to serve up the same content, can users sort through the same amount of content on a 3 inch screen? or do they want to?