Ever since smart phones hit the market in 1994 (though they weren’t called “smart phones” until 1997), they have changed the way we use the web. More than half of Americans use smart phones. In addition to phones, smart tablets and reading devices that can access the Internet are now ubiquitous across the world. These smart, mobile devices provide advantages for both the people who use them and the businesses whose websites can now be accessed by anyone, anywhere.

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Five Reasons to Optimize

If your website has not evolved to reach this large and growing market, you risk losing them. Expectations have increased as web access by mobile devices has increased. Here are five reasons to optimize your website for mobile.

  1. Faster load time
    Statistics show that Americans will only wait 5 seconds for a website to load before they move on – and the probability of them returning to a slow or non-loading site is low. A mobile-optimized website will load faster.
  2.  Easier engagement, functionality and usability
    Have you ever visited a website on a mobile device and the site displayed improperly, you had to do a lot of unnecessary scrolling, or the type was too tiny to read? A mobile-optimized site offers a visually pleasing layout, easy navigation, readable type, and scales to fit your device. A survey of 1,088 U.S. adult smart phone users showed that three fourths of customers said they would return to a site if it was easy to use on mobile.
  3.  Amplified mobile advertising and SEO
    Mobile advertising grew 180 percent in 2012. In addition, Google Adwords, other pay-per-click programs, and SEO effectiveness are increased when your site is mobile-optimized. The growing use of QR codes provides an opportunity to link offline promotions with online. When people scan your QR code, it is imperative that the site that displays is working in your favor and not against you. Check out our blog post about the popularity and effectiveness of mobile marketing.
  4. Differentiate yourself from the competition
    Optimized mobile websites     help set you apart from your competitors and increase your brand equity. Mobile optimization demonstrates to potential customers or those interested in your organization that you are savvy and have the ability to keep up with a changing industry. Check out your competitors on a mobile device – how many of them are mobile optimized? If they’re not, you can differentiate yourself by going mobile.
  5. Increase sales and contacts
    79 percent     of smart phone users compare prices, find retailers, and search for products on their phones, and half of all local Internet searches are performed on a mobile device. Whether you’re a retailer or a service provider, a mobile-optimized website will attract more visitors, provide potential new leads, and have a positive impact on your bottom line.

If your web site is not already optimized for mobile, now is the time to show your customers and prospects you care about their experience — whatever device they happen to be using today.