I’ve been reading up on mobile usage lately, looking at the statistics, and thinking about what’s to come.
“Providing a great mobile experience is now expected, or you will lose customers.” – Google Analytics Blog
Mobile has been the on-coming storm for a few years now.
The iPhone Changed Everything
Mobile usage was a dumbed down experience until the iPhone came out; the iPhone had a real browser and that was very exciting. Most websites looked pretty decent right out of the gate, thanks to the work Apple had done.
Apple released the iPod Touch, and then another iPhone, and then the iPad…and camp parents were buying at a rapid rate.
Google Analytics
Mobile traffic is strongest during the summer months. Camps were averaging about 6% mobile traffic in 2010. In 2011 it jumped to 12-16%. I expect it will top 20% in 2012.
What will your parents find when they visit your website?
Two Mobile Experiences
Safari on the iPhone/iPad/iPod does a great job, as do most browsers on Android phones (note: parents are big Apple users, Android is a very distant 2nd for most camps). The default experience will be your website, only smaller.
There’s another option, and it isn’t a mobile app.
Take a look at Camp Skyline on your phone and see what I mean.
- the navigation has been completely reworked to make it easy to use with one hand
- the navigation shows the links you are most likely to want on a phone
- the website layout has changed to accomodate the smaller screen
- the video has been optimized for mobile users
- even their secure system “Camp Stuff” has been optimized so parents can see photos, send emails, read the news – all from their phone
This is a mobile friendly website. This is a better experience.