To get started, you’ll need to
consider your budget, your needs as a business and then the options available
to you.
Know Your Budget
Before you can consider any of your mobile website options,
you first need to assess your budget. As an addition to your online marketing
strategy, it may be wise to see where you have room to work within those
parameters. There are a few options to consider when choosing what you can and
cannot afford.
·
Do you want to turn your existing site into a
mobile site? If so, there are tools available to do it on your own.
·
Do you want to build an entirely new site,
similar to the one you currently have? If so, you can hire a mobile web design company
if the resources aren’t available within your company.
·
Do you want something minimal, providing just
the necessary information? There are easy site builders available to businesses
like yours that make this process quick and simple.
Mobile Best Practices
Finally, once you decide the direction you’d like to take
the site in, you’ll want to consider the best practices in this field. Even if
you aren’t doing the site yourself, you want to be sure the company you’re
working with is on the same page as far as what you need and what the website
needs; mobile sites have a variety of different
requirements than standard web pages.
·
Navigation: WP Widgets
suggests, “Mobile web surfing is known for
its high bounce rates … so focus on a few key areas of the web site and
acknowledge your visitors’ short attention spans.” Get all the important links in
an easy to find space, and eliminate anything unnecessary.
·
Bandwidth: Avoid object and java script. They
are notorious for using excessive battery juice, and not supported on older
smart phones.
·
Analytics: Be sure to have your analytics
software set up with your mobile site, as well. This will be important in
trouble-shooting and finding areas for improvement.
Assess the Options
Finally, it’s time to look through your options to pick the
one that is best for your company.
·
Install a plugin: There are a number of plugins
you can utilize to mobilize your site, such as Mobilize by Mippin.
·
Outsource the job: Before choosing a company to
outsource the site to, look for references, testimonials and services provided.
·
Download a tool: Tools like bMobilized, allow
you to convert your current site into a mobile site with minimal effort and a
small monthly fee.
·
Create a new site: To create a brand new site for
mobile, which would be wise if your business site is laden with thousands of
pages and links, check out options like MoFuse. Here you can choose a new
domain name and build up your site. There is often a small monthly fee
associated with this option.
Creating a mobile site can be as easy or involved as you
want it to. As a growing need for businesses, there are more than enough
options available to you online. Be sure to assess each and every aspect of
your budget and needs before making your final decision.
Bio: Jessica Sanders is an avid small business writer
touching on topics that range from social media to business management. She is
a professional blogger and web content writer for Resource Nation.
