It seems as if everyone these days has a smartphone, from kindergarten students to nonagenarians. Now, businesses are adjusting to this new phenomenon by prepping their websites for mobile traffic.
According to Business2Community, two billion people currently own a smartphone, and that number is growing by the day. Approximately 89% of consumers use their mobile devices to make purchases, and companies from all types of industries are racing to make their websites more mobile-friendly.
Experts cite the convenience of searching on smartphones as one of the primary reasons that consumers have ditched their desktops in favor of mobile devices. People now spend an average of 37.5 hours per month on their smartphones, which translates into several hours spent browsing for goods and services.
To demonstrate the scope of industries that have embraced mobile optimization, consider the case of Load Cell Central, a company that sells strain gauge load cells. Most load cells use strain gauge technology, which is well established and has been proven for more than 40 years.
After 40 years of consistency, one would assume that Load Cell Central would be content in its ways. However, the company recently optimized its website for mobile use in an effort to cater to a newer demographic of manufacturers.
“It was clear to us that our mobile traffic warranted an update to our website,” said Nick Wheeler of Load Cell Central. “Many of our customers are technicians in the field or salesmen in end-user locations who required mobile access to our products.”
On the opposite end of the industry spectrum, many college campuses are also utilizing smartphones to enhance the student experience.
According to The Lantern, an Ohio State University newspaper, the college’s website received a makeover earlier this month. As part of the changes, the Ohio State Department of Public Safety made it easier for students to access safety tips and other crucial resources.
“Recent polls have shown nearly eight out of 10 college students use a smartphone on a regular basis, and the focus on consuming news or information from the palm of your hand continues to increase,” said Dan Hedman, spokesman of the Office of Administration and Planning for the school.
The wide array of industries investing in mobile optimization is a solid indicator that these trends won’t be slowing down any time soon. Businesses would be wise to invest in a mobile-friendly now before they’re beaten to the punch by competitors.