The mobilisation of the Internet.

First it went global, then it went viral, now it’s going mobile!

The exponential growth of the mobile Internet offers excellent new opportunities for all types of businesses. Here’s our brief guide to what’s happening with mobile Internet and what you need to think about for the future of your business website.

1. The focus on the Internet use in general, and your business’s website as a result, is changing at a fantastic pace…

It’s going mobile. The evidence is overwhelming. Expectation for the future of the internet is for mobile usage to overtake desktop access during 2012. This means that more than half your customers could soon be viewing your website on a mobile smartphone or other Internet connected mobile device. Is your website ready?

Further reading: The BBC reported in August 2011 that mobile internet use is almost at 45% of the total usage, up from 31% in 2010. [ read blog ]

Further reading: A recent OFCOM report states that almost a third of adults use a Smartphone. [ read blog ]

2. Sales of Smartphones and internet ready mobile devices is snowballing

The iPhone is an obvious driving force behind the surge in mobile Internet use, and iPhone users appear to utilise their devices for more data transfer than other mobile phone users. However, the Android operating system, standard now in many manufacturers’ Smartphones offerings including Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Acer, LG, and Sony Ericsson, look certain to outstrip Apple within months. Blackberry remains a strong player and Windows phones are also likely to be popular.

Add to this the popularity of the highly desirable iPad 2, Galaxy Tab and other PC tablet devices and the future of serious mobile computing looks certain.

Further reading: Computer Weekly reported on 15^th November 2011 that Android has doubled its market share to 52.5 per cent compared with 25.3 per cent in the same quarter of 2010. [ read article ]

Further reading: Meanwhile Samsung has become the global leader in smartphones with 24 million shipped in the third quarter of 2011, with Apple on 17 million. In total 115 million smartphones shipped in the period, up 42% from the third quarter of 2010. [ read article ]

3. Most business websites are not optimised for Smartphones and mobile phone device connections speeds

The Internet is getting faster, and claims of 20Mb/s, 30Mb/s and even 50Mb/s are commonplace from companies providing Broadband. Mobile internet connections are also improving, with G3 providing current speed benchmarks, while G4 remains on the horizon. However, you can’t always rely on G3 being stable or up to full speed, while G2 is often painful.

The relative speed of progress means there will always be a significant gap between the two, resulting in many websites that are designed and optimised for Broadband being almost unusable on mobile devices for most users. We haven’t even covered Flash,

4. Most business website are not optimised for Smartphones and mobile phone device operating systems and browsers

If you’ve viewed your website on your Smartphone and it downloads OK because it’s not stuffed with massive images, Flash, and other video, you may still not be making the best of your website content. If your users have to zoom in to use buttons, scroll around the screen to read your message, or can’t automatically call you direct by clicking your telephone number, whatever your message, you and they may be missing out.

A website optimised for Smartphones and mobile phone device operating systems and browsers will need to look neat (of course), load super-fast (allowing for G2 connections), and engage the user in a completely different navigational approach, primarily using their thumb(s)!

5. All business owners will eventually see the need to ensure their website is fully mobile-friendly simply to compete in the future of the Internet

The good news is that forward thinking business owners have the chance to outstrip the competition, right now, with a fully mobile-friendly website or even by employing your own mobile App.

In many cases you can keep your current website (especially if it’s really good), and create a new one for your increasing number of mobile users. Alternatively, you can start again (it might be time you did anyway) and plan your new website with the mobile market at the forefront. You can go mobile with your online store too.

To find out more please contact astutech and one of our experience website experts will be pleased to help you – we’re a family company, friendly, knowledgeable, and all highly skilled specialists, so be assured you’ll receive the right advice and a top service.