Research Dictates the Need for a Mobile Friendly Website

October 5th 2014 | By Steve Grant

IDG Global Solutions, an international knowledge hub, conducted a study recently into the use of mobile devices for researching and buying. The results all point towards something we talk about a lot – the vital importance of having a website that displays on all platforms, including mobile.

According to the IDG study, 80% of people research business products and services on their tablet. A huge 93% go on to buy using a laptop or desktop. Proving how essential it is to maintain consistency and ease of navigation on all sorts of devices.

Tap into 25 Million Tablet Users UK-Wide

A substantial number of people in the UK own a tablet – 25 million to be precise. And more than three quarters of smart phone owners use them to research before buying. Interestingly 45% of study respondents said they didn’t use their phones though to actually make a purchase due to security concerns, and 43% due to sites not being mobile compatible.

So mobile friendly websites don’t just need to look good, they need to inspire confidence too. Users need to feel secure, with certain guarantees and reassurances and familiar checkout processes like PayPal and Google Wallet. There is a lot more to mobile website design than a user-friendly navigation.

Engaging on the go

Thinking about the statistics in terms of mobile usage, you have to consider how people are using their devices to engage on the go too. Imagine how many of these 25 million tablet owners in the UK are accessing their social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and how many will click through your posts or adverts while they’re on the move and land on your website. They need to land on a site that greets them with a pleasant and safe feeling user experience.

Anytime, anywhere marketing

Here’s another set of statistics for you. Digital market research company Toluna recently revealed that in the region of 70% of UK people surveyed check their smart phones immediately they wake up in the morning. And charity website Give as you Live has found that almost half of its UK shoppers were in bed when they made purchases. Are you geared up to sell 24/7 via any duvet-friendly device?

We won’t go on – the evidence is clear. We’ve talked about responsive web design before (responsive = site adapts to any platform from desktop to iOS to Android, etc.) and we’re not ashamed to be doing at it again. Whether you’re embarking on your very first website or upgrading, or simply want to convert an existing site so it is mobile friendly, you cannot ignore the statistical evidence that suggests responsive is the way to go.

For a responsive website design service that will get you in front of your target audience in the right way at the right time, give us a call.