Mobile Interface for Classified Websites

Having a website without a corresponding mobile interface is like having a smartphone without a data package. You are missing out on a lot of potential sales and in the long run this will impact the viability of your business.  Mobile web is very popular and as a result, a compatible website is an important part of any classified business. It is not enough to offer a regular website for mobile users, as a specialized mobile interface is necessary to really take advantage of everything mobile web has to offer.

The Newest Form of Internet Marketing

The internet has become an integral part of every day life and people turn to the World Wide Web for just about anything. Businesses have recognized this and have started improving their websites and rankings in order to attract customers to their site. However, while websites designed for computer browsers have become the norm, there’s a growing market using their smart phones to search for product information online – and yes, smart phone users are an excellent demographic to target, for example, property classified website customers. The new trend in web design is sites created for mobile web browsing. 

The Prevalence of Mobile Web

Smartphones and tablets are quickly taking over a large part of the Internet market, and the last year has seen an 80 percent increase in the smartphone market. It is expected that by the year 2015 a quarter of all computers will be tablet computers, and by 2013, there will be 1.7 billion mobile web users. More than a third of smartphone users are accessing an app of some sort before they even get out of bed in the morning. In other words, this is a market segment that’s most easily engaged through their phones. Creating a mobile interface can help you tap into this market potential.

The Difference between a Regular Website and a Mobile Friendly One

Most real estate and auto classified websites are accessible from a mobile phone, even if they do not have a dedicated mobile interface. It may be tempting to avoid investing the time, effort, and money into a mobile interface and use the regular website instead. However, it is important to realize that phones and computers are very different and it is nearly impossible to optimize a website for both. A website that is difficult to read or use, and which may have alignment issues will deter potential customers or clients. As a result, it is best to have a dedicated mobile interface that is designed to work quickly and smoothly with mobile phone browsers.

Poor Visibility on Mobile Browsers

Although tablets are larger than smartphones, their screens are still fairly small, and even the biggest 4.3 inch smartphones have tiny screens relative to the average laptop. As a result, mobile web users are often unable to see normal websites the way they were meant to be seen.  A mobile interface can help refine a classified ad listing to its bare necessities, so that the information is perfectly visible on the device’s screen. A properly designed mobile interface will also guarantee that mobile web users get all the information they need. For a browsing experience that is visible and convenient, it is best to go with a mobile interface.

Improved Speed

The average mobile webpage takes about nine seconds to load and has a load success rate of 98.5 percent. Beating those statistics is the key to having a successful mobile interface. Incredible graphics may be eye-catching, but if they take too long to load, mobile users will never end up seeing it. Such extras are great for a traditional website, but not for a mobile browser. A mobile interface will cut out most of the extras for a clean, sparse look that loads quickly and efficiently. Such a look may be bland and boring when viewed from a computer, but it is perfectly suited to a mobile device.

Global Positioning System

All smartphones are GPS enabled and many websites and services take advantage of this capability. The mobile interface can be programmed to show listings in the surrounding area, or offers and discounts from vendors nearby. It can show information for the general area, such as the median price for the zip code or the number of vendors offering a particular service. In addition, mobile interfaces can also link directly with maps and navigation systems, such as those offered by Google. Services like Google Maps make it easy for consumers to find their way to the listing’s location.

Mobile Interface and Classified Websites

As can be seen, there are a lot of functional and practical advantages to having a mobile interface for your classified ad website, but there are others as well. Once you have your website optimized for mobile usage, you can start using QR codes in your offline advertising. These can be scanned by a smart phone which takes the user to a relevant page. For instance, the code might be present on a “for sale” sign of a house of interest or a poster on your car for sale. This form of marketing is quickly becoming an industry standard for real estate companies, vehicle dealerships, and various other businesses. There are also other mobile advertising opportunities; for instance, PPC ads can be displayed on popular mobile applications. (This is a sample QR code containing a URL which, when scanned, will take you to the Classified Scripts Overview page)

Compatibility with Various Mobile Platforms

The two most common platforms for mobile devices in today’s market are iOS and Android, with Blackberry coming in a close third. There are also various other platforms, such as a newly-released Windows Mobile 8, with a potential to rock the mobile device market. Each platform has its own specifications and requirements for compatibility. This is particularly true for mobile apps, which is why it is easier to create a mobile interface rather than developing a separate app for every platform. However, even mobile interfaces must be compatible with all platforms so that viewers always get the ideal experience at all times.

Mobile web has become an integral part of any business. Many people rely on their smartphones for on the go, up to date information, as well as quick and easy Internet access. A successful mobile interface is the key to attracting this highly lucrative demographic. In addition, mobile interfaces offer extras such as GPS location, integrated maps, and convenient navigation which will make locating businesses and getting all the required info on classified listings much easier.

Author: Sergei K.

Worksforweb Sales Department
 

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