Smart phone websites

With a growing number of visitors using Smart Phones (SPs) to source products and services, a SP version of your website might be a worthwhile investment for your business.

Why your business may need a smart phone website

If your website’s Google Analytics account reveals a significant number of visitors using SPs then a website designed exclusively for such devices would give SP owners a better user experience and potentially increase sales or enquiries.

For example, Ignite, Edinburgh is one of a handful of restaurants in the city to adopt a SP website (see below). With many visitors and natives in Edinburgh using SPs to source information about what to see and do in the capital, Ignite’s SP website allows customers to book, contact or call the restaurant with ease. Many SP websites can be cut down versions of the parent desktop website and only present essential information.

Furthermore, many desktop websites use Flash technology which is not yet supported on Apple’s iPad and iPhone devices, which means visitors can’t view Flash content. For example, a Flash based website for an upmarket ladies hairdressing salon provides a rich, interactive experience for the visitors using desktop computers, however, if many of the customers are iPhone and iPad users, they won’t be able to view the website in full. A SP website built without Flash would address this problem.

Smart phone websites should not be confused with apps

Many businesses believe they need an iPhone, iPad, Android or Blackberry app (application) as many big brands have invested in them and there is a big buzz about apps at the moment. Apps are only necessary if you wish to give your customers a rich user experience (eg a game), or they need to perform a specific task, such as searching and booking a flight or viewing and buying items on eBay.

A SP website can offer a suprising amount of functionality that meets the demands and expectations of SMEs and organisations. For example, Lothian Buses’ SP website allows travellers to easily search the routes, timetables and updates. But, by downloading the Bus Tracker app you can also pin point specific buses so that you know the exact time it will arrive at your bus stop – this functionality is not available on the SP website due to the technical limitations of web browsers.

How much does this technology cost?

A small SP website can be created for a modest investment. A quality app costs upwards of £5K and often considerably more due to development and testing procedures. A company should also offer at least two platforms (Apple iOS and Android) and maybe Blackberry if this platform is popular with their customers. Future updates of the apps are also necessary to ensure compatiblity of the phone’s operating system.

If your company believes it would benefit from SP technology please contact us to discuss your requirements.