Keys to Taking a Mobile First Approach

It has become obvious to even the most casual observer that mobile is no longer considered a second screen by many consumers. Given the enormous growth of smart phone usage and improvements in mobile applications, it is easy to see why many feel that this trend that will only continue to accelerate.

Research backs up casual observation. According to a recent study by comScore, 56% of all time spent online by consumers engaged in retail activity in the U.S. takes place via a mobile device.

It seems that mobile no longer is the second screen in the minds of consumers.

Yet interestingly enough in 2014 only 16% of companies strongly agree that they are prepared to meet customers’ mobile expectations (CMO Council). There is clearly a great opportunity here for businesses willing to meet the needs of consumers.

Consumer expectations have changed, along with the way that they access and interact with information. Businesses have no choice but to adjust as well. The modern consumer cannot be expected to sit down at their computer to interact with a business or to finalize tasks there. Mobile applications must offer consumers the seamless, stand alone experiences that they are looking for.

Unfortunately, as the research suggests, far too many businesses view mobile the way many viewed web sites a decade ago, ignoring customer experience, personalization, analytics, location based features and many of the opportunities available due to mobile applications.

How does one take a mobile first approach?

Optimize for the form factor – Key to providing the mobile experiences that your customers are looking for is understanding the form factors of the mobile devices your customers are using and providing content in a format that is intuitive for your users to access at that size. Your users interact with mobile applications in particular ways and a mobile first approach carefully considers these items. Mobile application developers can help you understand trends in the industry and help you avoid creating an app with outdated style or functionality that runs counter to what mobile application users are used to doing.

Optimize content for your users needs – Additionally you must remember that mobile users are looking for content that is relevant and contextually meaningful. Personalization increase reliance and engagement.

Businesses looking to contact an Android application developer or an iPhone application developer should make sure that they are building applications for the future that take into account what users are looking for. This includes planning to deliver personalized shopping experiences to your customers on mobile devices in an intuitive fashion.

Photo: Yutaka Tsutano (Flikr) http://bit.ly/1ODgneb