When you think about web sites and mobilistas, think about people, not technology, because it’s people who will determine where the play is in future internet development. And when thinking about people, it’s usually pretty simple to start thinking about ourselves first. So go ahead and think about yourself for a minute and ponder that ubiquitous online future, or at least what it might look like 5 years from now.

Are you willing to see mobile phones get as big as say, a Kindle, or a Skiff? No, me neither. So accessing the full functionality of a well thought out web site from a cell phone is not going to happen. Alright then, what about a cell phone that could project a larger holographic display, with something like a virtual keyboard or touch screen? Well, maybe, but there are a few bugs to work out, from both the people and the tech sides of the equation. Will I sacrifice too much privacy with a projector-phone, and will it work in all lighting conditions, for starters? And let’s assume cost won’t ultimately be an issue. But it seems that the mobile web experience will continue to be different than the sit-down personal computer experience for some time yet.

With a mobile device and wireless access almost anywhere you go, in the nearer term of this 5 year prognostication we can extrapolate some ideas about what kind of functionality will matter to people on their mobile web devices. Mobile of course implies being on the move, so GPS, maps, in-store shopping promotions, service finders (fuel, washrooms, food, lodgings, medical, cash machines, tourist attractions), social networks, file sharing and timely – make that instant – access to information about what’s happening right now, will all matter a lot. And these are the kind of things that cell phone apps are doing really well.

So if your company’s online presence is a key contributor to your business success (and if it’s not now, do you really believe it still won’t be in 5 years?), and you want to make sure that the mobile web population is interacting online with your business, think about the key benefits you can offer someone on a mobile device. Will they want to check your inventory, track a shipment, get a quote, check your hours and location, or…? Your web site can include everything you’ve got to offer, and all your company information, but for the mobile customers, focus, focus, focus on just the functionality they’ll need to access in the palm of their hands. If you deliver that focused functionality in a concise format, optimizing both your web properties (mobile and not-so-mobile) to be search and user friendly, then you’ll position your company ahead of so many who will simply ignore mobile or mistakenly think they can just port over their current web approach to a handset.


Copyright 2008 - Enquiro Search Solutions.