Are You Ignoring the Mobile Market? It's Time to Start Paying Attention

The mobile market is huge and it's only growing. Sales of mobile devices are skyrocketing and some experts predict the mobile web may become THE web of the future. Unfortunately, lots of businesses are ignoring this trend and paying the price. Are you one of them?

Let's look at some stats. According to the firm Gartner Inc., mobile purchases will increase by 70% by the end of 2012. Late last year, Econsultancy.com reported that as many as 70% of small businesses still don't have a mobile site. This means a staggering number of businesses haven't caught on yet.

My Site's Not the Mobile Market Type

In the past, everybody thought that only certain types of sites needed a mobile version. If you were offering location-based services or services people use when they're on the go, you need a mobile marketing site. Otherwise, it's a waste of time. But now mobile web surfing for all kinds of services is increasing and people are using their mobiles for everything they do online.

People have always used mobiles to find key information like where to get lunch or how much a purse is selling for online. Now they're digesting web content like articles and videos, shopping for all kinds of goods, and interacting with friends on social media. There's nothing they DON'T do on mobiles, which means every business should have a mobile site.

Building a Mobile Market Site Is a Pain!

While creating a mobile site requires some investment on your part, it's not tough at all.

You could even argue that building a mobile site is easier than a PC site. The design should be minimal, with less text and smaller images. Navigation is simple, with everything being a page or two away from the front page. Mobile design is about minimalism and doing more with less.

Where Do You Get Started?

If you're clueless and intimidated, here's a great way to get started on your mobile journey - buy and use your own mobile device. Once you start surfing the web from a handheld screen, you'll see how it's different. You'll understand quickly how your site needs to be designed.

You'll also learn about how your customers use their devices. For example, when you're on a PC, you're likely to be multitasking. You're sitting at your desk with the TV on, and you come and go. When you're on your smartphone, you're much more focused. Your attention is on getting it done. You're looking for key information and once you find it, you're on to something else.

The mobile revolution isn't something to fear. It's something to embrace. And if the Econsultancy.com stat is accurate, there's a good chance your competitors haven't gotten started on their mobile market site yet.That means it's a great window of opportunity for you if you get started and beat them to the punch.

Get your site ready for the Mobile Market.