The number of mobile consumers are growing and so is the need for a mobile website. Don't lose out on this market!

It's easy to explain the growing trend toward smartphone use -- smartphones can do almost everything that a desktop computer can do, but the best part is that you can do so absolutely anywhere you are! These tech-savvy smartphone users are regularly logging onto the Internet. What will they see when they access your website from their mobile phones? A slow-loading desktop version of your website they're forced to view zooming in and out, that doesn't leverage smartphone features and with links too small for the thumb to accurately click on? Or a mobile website -- a scaled down version of a traditional website optimized for smaller screens and on-the-go consumers?

Mobile websites can benefit your business in at least these 4 ways:

1. Be one step ahead of the competition.

   Despite the increasing number of mobile users worldwide, most businesses still haven't ventured into the mobile web. Your mobile website will be a symbol of your modernity, leaving a positive and memorable impression with the technologically advanced mobile audience. Set yourself further apart from competitors by encouraging interaction and increasing brand awareness through QR code campaigns. When scanned by a mobile phone, your QR code may function to save your business' contact information, offer a coupon or download an app for example.

2. Make sure your ads are seen.

   As early as 2010, Google began penalizing websites that aren't optimized for the mobile web. That year, they stopped serving many ads to mobile consumers if they led to landing pages laden with Flash, which isn't supported by various mobile phones. Then in 2011, Google announced that mobile websites directly affect your ad quality score. If a mobile user clicks on your Google AdWords ad and is directed to a landing page that isn't optimized for a mobile phone, you receive a lower quality score. A high quality score, which also takes relevance, navigation and other customer experience factors into account, can lower advertising costs and improve ad position on search pages.

3. Gain on-the-go, wealthy customers and increase sales.

   Mobile websites link you to an important demographic -- these potential customers are often out and about when inspired to look up information or make a purchase on their mobile phones. Furthermore, this population is often wealthier, since they can afford smartphones with their monthly data plans, and experienced with technology and the Internet. They have the financial resources to purchase from you and often make purchases online, but they want instant information and have high expectations for your website. Without a mobile website that loads quickly and error-free, you could frustrate your customers who may turn to a competitor instead of waiting until they get home to look you up again. Mobile websites can better capture these mobile customers by placing contact methods front and center with click-to-call and click-to-message buttons, and maps that work with the phone's GPS. A website optimized for mobile phones also makes considerations for the shopping process with less steps and short forms that are easier for thumbs to fill out.

4. Increase your Google ranking for mobile local searches.

   Did you know that Google presents different search results for desktop computers versus mobile phones? This means that even if your website ranks well for a keyword on searches from a desktop computer, you may not be seen at all by the same person searching for the same keyword on a mobile phone. Google knows that people searching on desktop computers have different characteristics and needs than mobile users who are more often looking for local products and services while moving from place to place. Just by having a well-optimized mobile website, you guarantee that you rank better in Google's search results for those local searches!

Does your website effectively engage mobile consumers? Dexity Images can help you build a profitable mobile website!