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Retailers face a multitude of questions and options when developing a mobile strategy. One of the key debates is how to "go mobile" — i.e., whether to invest in the development of a mobile website or a mobile app to reach customers and prospects. A company's decision to build a mobile-optimized website or a stand-alone, branded app, or even both, should be made based on what the ultimate goal is for the target audience as well as the available resources to support the constantly changing content, either in conjunction with or independent of the main website.
Done properly, a well-developed mobile strategy can serve as an effective channel to enticing consumers to make online purchases. It can also supplement the in-store experience, as well as engage consumers in a new way that keeps your brand, products and/or services at the forefront of consumers’ minds.
Mobile Sites: Reach a Broad Global Audience
Are you looking at mobile commerce as a way to create a presence in regions where you don't have a brick-and-mortar establishment? Are your target shoppers more likely to use a mix of devices to shop, including smartphones, laptops and desktop computers? Does your average customer spend a long time browsing before finally making a purchase? If so, then a mobile website may be the right strategic choice for your brand.
A mobile website gives retailers the most broad and accessible coverage for their audience. The best mobile sites should be accessible by all common mobile browsers and should update in conjunction with changes that occur on your primary website. Ensuring that the content on the site's mobile version is up to date is a top priority.
Mobile Apps: Reach Tech-Savvy Consumers
Does your business have the resources to build and support its own app, one that's content-rich and consistent with your existing brand? Will your app be compelling enough for consumers to actually use it? Are your target consumers generally tech-savvy? A recent study by the Pew Research Center revealed that 35 percent of adults surveyed download apps, but only two-thirds of those consumers actually use them. These users tend to be male, technically proficient, more affluent and under the age of 30. Does this describe your target shopper?
If so, a mobile app may be the right move for your business. Offering a mobile app can give consumers more functionality, versatility, speed and a more exclusive user experience, but that typically comes with higher development costs and an increased burden to keep content up to date across all versions and devices.
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Managing the New Customer Relationship: Strategies to Engage the Social Customer and Build Lasting Value
Valuable Content Marketing
