Not everyone will be able to sit down and access your website from the nice, wide screen of a desktop computer. Since many of your customers will be accessing your website on-the-go using smartphones and tablets, it’s definitely a good idea to create a simplified, fat-finger-friendly version of your website just for them.
You’ve got three main options: you could create a mobile app, a mobile-optimized website, or a responsive website. Which option is right for your business? At first glance, they can all seem alike – but each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Mobile App
An app is an actual application that is downloaded and installed onto your mobile device, rather than a website that is viewed on your browser. Once it’s been downloaded, it’s accessible even when your device isn’t connected to the internet. It can provide features that no mobile website can, like camera features and personalization options.
Creating a mobile app isn’t for everyone. They’re expensive and time-consuming to produce, since they need to be completely re-created for different platforms (Apple, Android). Then, they need to get approved by each platform’s store. Any future updates need to get pushed through the App store, which could take forever if your users never update their phones.
For most businesses, a mobile app will be more than they need.
Mobile-Optimized Website
A mobile website is a simplified website designed specifically for mobile phones and browsers. When mobile-using customers try to access your website, they’ll get automatically re-directed to your mobile website (often at m.yourwebsite.com).
Since your desktop site and your mobile site are two separate entities, it will be a bit more of a hassle to update your content.
Responsive Website
A responsive website detects the resolution of the device on which it’s being presented, and scales the content and layout accordingly. That’s right – you can make one website (with one URL) that looks great across many different screen sizes!
Making your website responsive can simplify your life. You won’t have to manage multiple instances of your site – updates can be made all in one place. You’ll also be able to access one complete view for all analytics, rather than having to visit a separate profile to view mobile-only traffic.
Keep in mind, though, that responsive websites require an additional level of time and effort.
So, which should I choose?
There’s no single solution that fits the needs of all businesses and visitors. You’ll have to look at the needs of your business and choose accordingly.
Webspec Design offers both mobile-optimized and responsive websites. Feel free to contact us – we’d be happy to help you pick the solution that best fits your business’ needs.
