With the explosion of Smartphones, iPads and other mobile devices comes the need to make your ecommerce site not just user-friendly for a person sitting in front of a computer, but also for the on-the-go customer who uses a mobile device. This means adjusting page layouts and making other considerations that will make your website mobile-friendly on a small display. Below is an overview of when and how to make your site mobile-friendly. When Should You Launch a Mobile ecommerce Platform? Given the staggering number of mobile users (1.2 billion and counting), any ecommerce website will benefit from becoming mobile-friendly. However, depending on and customer base, certain ecommerce sites will find it particularly imperative to integrate a mobile-friendly ecommerce platform as soon as possible. To determine your mobile-friendly timeline, ask yourself the following demographic questions: who is my target audience? Do they regularly tend to be busy and “on-the-go?” You can also use Google Analytics or another visitor tracking system to gauge how many of your visitors are currently using mobile devices and how long they stay on your site. If a large number of people visit your website on a mobile device, but they do not stay for long, it’s time to redesign your site to be more mobile-friendly. Important Elements of a Mobile-Friendly ecommerce Platform The main objective for a mobile-friendly web site is that it is easy-to-read, attractive, and responsive even on a small mobile screen. Application development means creating a native smartphone application that integrates closely with a smartphone’s individual operating system. Responsive design, on the other hand, allows a website to fit to any screen resolution. The elements of a mobile friendly website are a fast connection speed, smart navigation, clear and compelling headlines, and (usually) limited images. You will want to make sure your customers can find the most important information—including where and how to purchase a product—with the click of a button. Some CMS’s have mobile-ready plug-ins, while other websites require more customization. Smartphone Application Development Versus Responsive Design Both mobile web solutions are beneficial, depending on the business. To learn about which solution is right for your business, contact a Clarity consultant today. There are two main types of mobile-friendly websites: applications and responsive design. Application development means creating a native smartphone application that integrates closely with a smartphone’s individual operating system. Responsive design, on the other hand, allows a website to fit to any screen resolution. Both mobile web solutions are beneficial, depending on the business. To how to customize a solution that's right for your business, contact a Clarity consultant today. Find out more about Clarity VenturesSee our Enterprise Web portfolio