How Mobile Web Design is Changing the Way We Shop
It’s easy to spend money these days – far too easy. You can just tap your debit or visa card, tap your phone, tap a mouse and presto you’ve paid for an item. Granted, it wasn’t always this way. To make things easier for consumers, tech companies armed with brilliant UX designers honed in on removing barriers during the purchasing process to well, make it easier for us to shop.
Facebook has “Marketplace,” a feature that facilitates buying and selling within your local community – a kind of Craigslist/Kijiji built right into Facebook. Interestingly, Marketplace’s debut was first made on the mobile version of the app, rather than on desktop. Although, it is released on desktop now, Marketplace appears to be a response to the fact, that shopping on your phone is the new norm.
Pinterest too, has their blue “Buy it” now button, which again makes it easy for the impulse buyer to fall in love with an item and purchase it directly via their phone. In-app purchases are another click-and-buy instance that we as consumers, have become accustomed to.
Despite the ease with which we can shop today, mobile web design has also empowered consumers with the ability to research on the go, price compare on the go, contrast products on the go and find a brick-and-mortar location to finally go and make the purchase at (supposing the item isn’t just bought online). Mobile web design literally brings a wealth of information to our fingertips.
82% of smartphone users say they consult their phones on purchases they’re about to make in a store – whether it’s looking for reviews, getting ideas, or finding information that will help solidify their purchase decision.
Being there for your customers when they are looking for something online begins with having a mobile friendly web design. It means having relevant content that addresses your consumers’ needs when they need it, like online reviews, product information, pricing, and location information that is readily accessible. Create content that helps your potential consumers and you’ll be rewarded in turn.
In addition, you want to pay attention to local SEO and optimize your website for local search, especially given that “near me” searches have doubled in the past year as shoppers look to their phones to advise them on where to go to conveniently pick something up close by.
According to a Deloitte study about the relationship between digital and consumer buying habits, 64 cents of every dollar spent in retail stores is influenced by digital. 76% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours, and 28% of those searches result in a purchase.
The power to buy at the push of a button, to find information that helps sway our decision to make a purchase, and to find a place to buy the thing – is what makes mobile web design a must-have for businesses. Yes, mobile websites have changed the way we shop. They’ve totally made it easier. To be successful in this digital age, you want to make sure your website is up to par. If not, well, you’re losing a wealth of traffic that could have been a sale.
