Why businesses should use the Mobile Internet?
A recent survey carried out by Morgan Stanley reveals some hard to ignore facts and figures. Mobile Internet usage is projected to outstrip desktop usage within the next five years. This means that businesses that ignore this facility will get left behind. Whilst many have already started and infact some consider their Mobile Internet presence of more value than their website shows the foresight of some of the forward thinking businesses.
The growth of the Mobile Internet has been huge and according to Morgan Stanley its just the beginning. Based on the current rate of change, the mobile web will be bigger than desktop Internet use by 2015. Whether you believe this or not, it cannot be ignored.
The Facts!
Source: Morgan Stanley
Some facts to watch and bear in mind when looking at how to enter the Mobile Internet market:
- Video accounts for 69% of mobile data traffic.
- Facebook is the single largest repository for user-generated content such as pics, videos, links and comments.
- People are now expecting to store their information on the Cloud as remote working increases.
- More and more users are accessing the social web from a mobile device.
- If Skype were a telecommunications carrier, it would be the largest carrier in the world, with 521 million registered users. We remeber when there was 20,000 users!
- Games are bigger than any other app category — both for the social web and for mobile devices.
- The average iPhone user only spends 45% of his on-device time making voice calls.
So how do we get our business on the Mobile Internet?
As with all new technologies there are multiple platforms and multiple vendors all trying to dominate the market. Some of you will remember Phillips, VHS and Betamax in the race for video tape domination. The multi platform situation and different ways of deploying apps to mobile phones has caused confusion, however there are currently really only three ways to be found on a mobile device.
Web Browser
Each mobile device has some form of web browser, on the iPhone and iPad for example the browser is Safari. Assuming you already have a website and it is optimised for the mobile web then you should already be able to view your website on your phone. This will not be found on the App Stores.
WebApp’s
A Web App takes it to the next level with an app developed using the new HTML 5, CSS 3 and Javascript. You don’t need to know how to do this, any web design business should be able to help. This means that once the WebApp has been developed it can be submitted to the App Stores. These can be made in just a few days.
Native Apps
This is the way the Apps were intended, however they take a long time to develop and can be costly. However along with time and cost comes greater rewards. These apps are far the most popular on the App Stores and should always be the long term goal in any business strategy to get on the Mobile Internet.
Summary
To summise,to get your business mobilised quickly ensure that your existing website is optimised for mobile browsing. Whilst you are having your App developed and designed which will take not less that two months, ensure you get your foot in the water with a WebApp to ensure your presence, whilst your new App is in development.
What is your view about the future of the Mobile Internet?
Have we got this wrong? Let us know below.
