why go mobile
DESCRIPTION
Tips & Techniques to Mobilize Your Site For Greater ReachTRANSCRIPT
Why Go Mobile?Tips & Techniques to Mobilize Your Site For Greater ReachTerrance GainesShow Me the Blog, October 2012
What You’ll Learn
• Why you’re site should be mobile-friendly
• Different methods to mobilize your site
• How to decide which method is best for you
About BrothaTech
Terrance (BrothaTech) Gaines
•Tech Blogger•Freelance Tech Contributor•Technology Concierge
•…and I fix cracked smartphones!
Mobile Is Huge!
Percentage of People who ONLY browse the web via a mobile device worldwide
• UK 22%• US 25%• China 30%• South Africa 57%• India 59%• Egypt 70%
Source: http://ondeviceresearch.com/blog Image via: sarah2066 on flickr
Have Access, Will Travel
In the US/UK, over 90% of phones are internet-ready
Mobile is fast becoming the primary way people browse the web!
Why Go Mobile #1
• Take advantage of increasing numbers of people browsing the web on mobile devices
Sharing is Caring
Why share your site’s content?
Promote & expand your brand
Engage & interact with readers
•Convert to followers/customers
Links a Plenty
Links Dominate Social Networks
Content Is King In Mobile
People are Lazy
•Don’t want to pinch and zoom
•Want to read and keep it movin’
Make your content the star of the show
Why Go Mobile #2
• Take advantage of increasing numbers of people browsing the web on mobile devices
• Make it easy for visitors to access/interact with your content
Mobile Productivity
Get the most out of your mobile device
•Respond to/moderate comments
•Make quick site changes
Why Go Mobile #3
• Take advantage of increasing numbers of people browsing the web on mobile devices
• Make it easy for visitors to access/interact with your content
• Make it easy to manage your content
How Do You Mobilize? - Native App
Native App
Features:•Pretty•Interactive•Bragging Rights
How Do You Mobilize? – Native App
Native App
Drawbacks:•Expensive• Hire designer/developer• Multiple versions for
multiple platforms•Another “thing” to manage
How Do You Mobilize? – Mobile Friendly
Features:
•Easy to Setup
•Less expensive
•“Plug and Play” Can use in conjunction with current site setup/design
•Compatible with multiple platforms
•Can include ads
Mobile-Friendly Site
Mobile-Friendly Site Option #1: PluginsManage Mobile version right from blog dashboardGet right to the content (no pinch & zoom)
Homepage Content Comments
WPTouch Plugin http://techb.ro/WPTouchPlugin
Mobile-Friendly Site (Blogger Mobile Templates)Opt-in in Blogger Settings http://techb.ro/BloggerMobile
Drawbacks: Limited personalization
Mobile-Friendly Site
Three sites – Same look and feel
Mobile-Friendly Site Option #2: Third-Party Templates•More customization/personalization options
Mobile by conduit: http://mobile.conduit.com
Mobile-Friendly Site Option #2: Third-Party Templates
3rd Party Template Drawbacks
Lives outside of your site•Another site/service to manage
Freemium model•Pay/Subscribe to get full feature compatibility
How Do You Mobilize? - Responsive Web
Responsive Web Design
• Site naturally adapts to multiple screen sizes
• Consistent branding & user experience across devices
• Visitors have access to a larger range of site content
• Mobile compatibility is built right into the site• No separate plugins, templates or apps to manage
Consistent branding and best user experience across all devices and screen sizes
Good Responsive web design: http://hanselman.com/blog
How Do You Mobilize? - Responsive Web
Responsive Web Design Options:
• Option 2: Use themes that include responsive web design• Drawback: Do It Yourself?
• Option 1: Pay a web designer to implement responsive web design when building your site• Drawback: May cost extra
• Drawback to Responsive Web Design?
Will have to start from scratch!
Mobile Options Recap
Native AppPros:•Fully Customizable & Interactive Cons: •Expensive & a lot of management
Mobile-Friendly Plugins and 3rd Party TemplatesPros:•Free or Cheap & Easy to Implement Cons: •Limited personality & Have to pay for extra features
Responsive Web DesignPros:•Brand consistency & No extra mobile managementCons: •Will have to redesign your current site to implement
So many Options!
How to choose which option is best for you?
Do you have a bottomless budget and mobile developers in your rolodex?
• Native App
Are you in love with your current blog design?
• Responsive web design
Are you in the process of redesigning your blog?
• Mobile-Friendly Plugin or 3Rd Party Template
No matter which option you choose…
Make sure your site’s content is the star of the show…even on mobile devices
Content is King…On Mobile Too!
Thank-You!
Blog: http://brothatech.comTwitter: @BrothaTechFacebook: BrothaTech
View & Download Presentation:http://techb.ro/MobileFriendly