Do I Need a Mobile Version of My Site?
Posted in: mobile, trends | Comments (0)
Yes. And no. The key word in this question is “need”. For a small business, I do not believe a mobile version is necessarily “needed”. However, with the (usual) ease with which it is possible to have a mobile version of most websites (particularly websites that serve primarily as a catalog or, more simply, an online “business card”), it is perhaps a good idea. With the growing number of mobile devices (phones, tablets and who knows what is next) and the increasing number of people using mobile devices more frequently than desktop computers, having a mobile version of your site is indeed logical. The important factor after deciding to support a mobile version of your site, then, is how it is to be implemented.
Don’t I just need an iPad/iPhone application?
No. Though I would not call platform-specific applications (ala iPad or iPhone etc.) unwarranted, I would strongly suggest that to be dependent on such applications is a poor strategy for any business. Yes, applications built specifically for these devices are savvy, and “cool” (there are a lot of fantastic applications available), but they are, admittedly, unnecessary – particularly for a small business. In my opinion, and I would hope this opinion is shared by my colleagues, any website should, in addition to its “core” site (the “regular” desktop/laptop version), there should be a universally adaptable and usable mobile version. What I mean by “universally adaptable and usable” is a version that can be viewed on any device or platform (as long as that device/platform supports standard Web technologies). Once this is achieved, then device/platform specific applications make sense. In other words, provide users a stable, dependable version of your site before venturing into the more difficult world of iPad applications and the like. Here are a few examples to illustrate my point.
http://bulletproofpixels.com/mobile/ – The mobile version of Bulletproof Pixels can be viewed on any device. If you shrink the browser window, you will see it adjust accordingly. This approach is perhaps one of the more simple ones. This is because Bulletproof Pixels is composed of a single page, so the mobile version just removes all of the dynamic aspects. (Disclaimer: it is still a work in progress 
)
http://joggoon.com/m/ – joggoon’s mobile version is a more targeted shall we say version of the core site. It lacks much of the functionality that the core site provides and is more focused on the content, which is public domain book reading.
http://m.cnn.com/ – CNN’s mobile site is also a stripped down version of its core site. Additionally, if you look at the bottom of the page, you will see a “kicker” for their iPad application. In CNN’s case, they have provided options for the user.
In the long run it is a good idea to have a mobile version of your site – one that is compatible with any (Web browsing) device. After that, adding platform or device specific applications should be offered as “extras” for your users.
Let Bulletproof Pixels help you create a website that supports mobile. Thanks for reading.
admin @ January 4, 2011
What Should You do for Your Presence on the Web in 2011?
Posted in: design, trends | Comments (0)
As in all things, change is imminent. Nowhere is that more true than the Internet. If your business does not yet have a website, the prevailing question is, “should we establish one this year?” If you already have a website for your business, then the question is, “are there changes we should make to our site?” Let’s address each question separately.
Should My Business Establish a Website this Year?
Anymore this question could be related to the question, “should we advertise our business and hand out business cards?’ Where once people would peruse the Yellow Pages in the phone book for a particular company with which to do business, they now look to the Internet. The Internet has changed the way we think about information – both in presentation and gathering. Simply put, if you are not on the Web, you are losing business. It really is that simple. “But our business is not set up to maintain an online shopping cart” an owner of a small specialty shop once stated to me. It really does not matter – there are many ways to present your business on the Internet, ways Bulletproof Pixels can help you discern.
So what are some of the primary benefits to having a presence – any form of presence – on the Web? Here are a few:
Find-ability or Discover-ability. You should no longer think of your business as limited in scope to the small town in which its brick-and-mortar presence is located. The infusion of the Internet into all aspects of daily life requires that you achieve a paradigm shift in the way you think about your business. Your view should be one of global possibilities. Catalogs were to the Old West what the Internet now is to any modern business – even, if not especially, the small business owner. Remember catalogs? A customer would send in an order via posted mail (along with advanced payment) for an item and it would be shipped to them. This method of doing business still applies to the modern “catalog” of the Internet. As a small business owner, at the very least what you can do is list your products – even if only brand names you carry and minimal specifics – that you carry and invite visitors to your site to inquire via email or phone for exactly what it is they seek. Naturally, this minimal approach is limited, but it is certainly better than nothing at all. In fact, if your business is located in a place that is itself a tourism spot, this approach works well to invite that user to seek out your shop when they are in town – offering maps, directions, business hours etc.
Inquiries and Customer Engagement. Your presence on the Web provides an easy means for potential customers and clients to learn about your business. In this age of abundant information and the ease at which it can be obtained, people more and more are making informed decisions on most of what they do – no less so on where they are going to spend their hard earned money. Regarding this point, it is important to remember the adage, “you have only one chance to make a good first impression.” Businesses that understand (and can afford) the value of investing in a larger ad in the newspaper or Yellow Pages make those investments and gain more business over the adjacent, smaller ads. In the media of the Internet, you cannot afford NOT to first have a Web presence, and cannot afford to allow your website to present you poorly. Here too Bulletproof Pixels can help you with a proper “first impression”.
Revenue Procurement. This, of course, is the obvious and is already evident in the above points. But it is important to single out and emphasize. Business is about making money – and any channel by which this can be sought should not be ignored. This year, make it a top priority to establish a presence for your business on the Web.
Are There Changes We Should Make to Our Existing Site?
This is a more difficult question to answer in general. I can only begin by answering with a few questions you should be asking yourself before this question can really be answered effectively and accurately.
Do your site statistics – the number of visitors etc. – reflect what you expect or require? If you see that you are getting a large number of hits to your site but know that only a handful result in actual business transactions, this could be an indicator that there is something about your site users do not find appealing.
How does your site compare to your competitors? For the same search query on a search engine, e.g. Google, where do you show up in the results compared to your competitors? This might indicate that your site has not had the right effort put into search engine optimization.
These are the sort of questions you should be asking yourself to best determine if your site needs some attention. We at Bulletproof Pixels offer a FREE quick assessment of your site – feel free to contact us (info AT bulletproofpixels DOT com) and inquire.
The “view-trends” for this year are not much different as those in 2010:
- A “find me on the net” outlook
- Increase traffic to your site
- Cross-platform support – think mobile
- Increase updates to your site – this helps with find-ability
- Do away with “flashy” gimmicks and dependencies – simplify your user experience and make it practical
- Personalize your user experience – speak to your users in a more personable style and don’t “over-market” them
- Regularly review your Web Analytics – this is a crucial tool
While this may seem overwhelming, Bulletproof Pixels is here to help. Contact us (info AT bulletproofpixels DOT com) today with your questions and concerns. Start the year off right for your business and its presence on the Web.
admin @ January 2, 2011
Welcome to Bulletproof Pixel’s Blog
Posted in: general | Comments (0)
…where you will be able to find the latest news about things going on in the online world that affect your business’ online presence. This is an extension to our services found at bulletproofpixels.com.
Please comment on our posts and ask any questions you might have – we will do our best to answer them!
Happy New Year!
admin @ December 31, 2010
