Mobile technology is the latest development in the computer industry and it has changed the way that we communicate and connect with information. It’s now possible to carry the internet with you in the form of a smart phone, tablet computer, or even a high-end electronic reading device. Mobile marketing isn’t the next big thing – it’s the thing you should already be doing.

Making Your Website Mobile-Ready

Mobile computing has been around in various forms for several years and only shows signs of becoming more pervasive. Mobile devices are becoming the preferred way of connecting to the internet and your business needs to be available.

1. Begin by revamping that old webpage. Give your existing webpage a thorough information audit. Have your tech team go through every portion of the page and check to make sure that all information is accurate and up to date.  Make sure to check all outbound links and remove any dead or outdated ones you find.
2. Now that your website is filled with up to date information, it’s time to make sure it’s formatted for current mobile technology. Just as it is important to make sure that your page displays correctly regardless of what internet browser is used to access it, you have to be sure that it will display correctly on all popular mobile devices.  You’ll need to discuss all this with your tech team. If there is no one at your agency that has experience with designing websites for mobile technology, then speak with someone from your web design company.
3. Once the newly-updated site is ready to go, schedule some maintenance checks for a few months out. These checks will verify that all portions of the site and all necessary plug-ins are working correctly and up to date. Schedule another meeting with your tech team or web design company in a year or so to discuss any changes in mobile technology that have since taken place.

Why Bother With Mobile Technology?

Changing a website that’s served you well may sound like a lot of work – and it probably will be. So why make the effort?  There are several reasons.

First, people want to see what you have to offer. They’re actively looking for you on the internet and they’re using their mobile devices to find you.  You need to make sure that your business is where they can find it and once they find it, that they can access it with ease.  Creating a mobile-friendly website will help this happen. Second, you can give people creative and interesting content via their mobile devices. Apps – short for applications – are small programs that inform, amuse, or assist a user. An app may be free to download or purchased for a small fee. You can use an app to share what your business is up to, preview upcoming projects, advertise specials, or delivery other helpful content. Paying someone to develop a custom app for you will cost some money but you’ll be giving your customers a very unique product which will enhance the experience they have with your company. And finally, mobile technology has proven its staying power; it’s not to your benefit to ignore it. As mobile devices and data plans become more affordable, more people will start using them. You need to be an established presence in the mobile network.

Edward R. Kundahl, Ph.D., M.B.A. is a LVEDC investor and president of IdeaOverTen, LLC, an innovative search engine optimization and internet marketing firm located in Allentown.