Going Mobile

Mobile traffic is on the rise as the fore runner for visiting websites, researching, and social media. According to Stone Temple’s research,

1. In 2018, 58% of site visits were from mobile devices.
2. Mobile devices made up 42% of total time spent online.
3. Mobile Bounce Rate came in at 50%.

Mobile phones seem to be taking over as the leading resource for digital access.

So let’s ponder this…

Are all websites automatically coded to give clear and precise information no matter which device they are opened on? The first website I tried was my very own Web Accessibility site. Phewwwwwwww…it looks fantastic!! However, this is something that we should all consider when designing sites. Obviously, WordPress is coded to translate clear images and alter pages according to which device it is opened on. But are all web designs the same?

This is something to think about…

After some careful research I found that if you think about it, in today’s world, there are several devices, gadgets, etc. that you can search for information on including the following:

• desktops
• laptops
• gaming systems
• mobile devices
• even wearables like the Apple Watch
• and more….

I own a laptop and a desktop and RARELY if ever will I use it to research or look up information. The only time most people will use their laptop to look up information is if they are sitting in front of it using it at the moment they need information. Mobile technology is the prime source of research.

So what does all this mean?

We should absolutely rethink the way we present information online, ESPECIALLY to make sure that the content is web accessible for all. Many search online for a variety of reasons and will jump from device to device which lends itself to making sure your site is accessible on all devices.

Lifewire suggests that searching for real estate is only one example where users will jump from device to device during their overall experience with a site. Other examples include:

• Searching for an automobile to purchase
• Planning a vacation
• Reading news articles
• Researching home improvement ideas
• Looking for local contractors/services
• Planning a wedding or other big event
• Following a sports team or sporting event

In each of these cases, the web experience is likely to stretch to more than one session, which means there is a chance that a user will use different devices based on which one is convenient for them at any given time.

This brings home my point that your content must be clear, and readable on ANY device that your audiences chooses to use to access information.

Let’s think about all of the students that use mobile devices as their primary means of communication and research. My children use a laptop or cell phone primarily as their form of communication and research. As this trend is on the rise, so should our designers and coders be rising to create accessibility for all.

Life in the FASSSSTTTTTT Lane

Many people are in a rush. Life moves quickly, as will your audience. When writing for the mobile audience you must make sure your content is engaging, and to the point….or off they will click to another more helpful site.

Check out this video on the statistics on mobile use vs. desktop use…the results are shocking!

Mobile Copywriting?

When writing for our mobile audience, my advice to you is to write clear, and better instead of being long and winded. I liked how the Mobile Content Marketing Institute took this into another direction focusing on how to write for the mobile web audience. As we discussed above, your audience is in the “fast lane” and will get bored with long winded paragraphs that never seem to end. Their advice~get to the point by being concise and clear in your article and you will win over the mobile viewers.

Let’s think about the research for classrooms…

According to Easy LMS, “mobile learning, also known as m-learning, is a new way to access learning content using mobile devices. Mobile learning supports, with the help of mobile devices, continuous access to the learning process. This can be done using devices like your phone, laptop or tablet. You can learn wherever and whenever you want! With the advent of mobile learning, educational systems are changing.”

My personal students faces always light up when you tell them we are going to take an online quiz or assessment. Even just simply to research or show them a quick brain pop video the class, it seems as if their experience changes because of the use of technology. We go on SKYPE or virtual field trips that can be viewed from laptops, ipads, or on our classroom Smartboard.

My point? Even educational sites need to be web accessible from a mobile device to support learning across the country.

My personal experience…

My experience with opening my own web page is that depending on which way you hold your phone, the content will be clear and readable. When holding my phone in the upright position, the content does get cut off, however vertically it is smooth sailing! Mobile content needs to be researched to provide the best viewing experience for our “fast lane” audience.

Until next time….slow down and take life in before it passes you by….GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE!