Mobile Development

Do you remember the days of telephones, beepers, and payphones? Remember all the wires? Remember how you had to go to a library to access the internet? Well, those days are long gone. Welcome to the era of mobile development. 

The usage of mobile technology has dramatically increased over the last few years. With each phone company releasing a new flagship phone model every year, who could refuse such amazing offers? According to a prediction by the Washington Post, mobile internet usage will continue to increase by 66% globally each year.

Those numbers are crazy, right? But it is not all that surprising, considering everyone seemed to be consumed by their mobile smartphones these days. But what does that mean for companies who use the internet to run their business? Well, that means a broader audience and a wider reach. 

The Rise in Mobile Technology

Because of the rise in mobile technology usage, it is crucial for every brand and company to make themselves available on mobile devices. As we have discussed in a previous article (Web Development – Choosing the right CMS), it is not enough to create a website that is great to use on the computer, you must also consider the mobile design. 

Mobile Development is crucial to a company’s digital success. Nowadays, smartphones are more utilized by citizens as opposed to desktops and family computers. Who has time to plug in a computer when you can do almost everything you do there in a mobile device, right?

Challenges of Mobile Technology

However, mobile development comes with its own set of challenges for web developers, too. Developing a great website or application for the mobile phone requires a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges mobile technology might present.

Obviously, one of the main challenges when it comes to developing a website for a mobile smartphone is that the screens are smaller. Additionally, in a mobile setting, a website’s navigation is limited. Another complex issue that may be time-consuming to address is that mobile smartphones have different file formats and different OS. 

Which Mobile Experience Should You Create?

When it comes to creating a platform for your mobile users to access your brand and your content, there are three options to choose from. First is a mobile website where anyone can access the URL. Next, there are mobile applications that can be accessed by downloading the application straight to their phones. Lastly, we have responsive websites. All of these will be discussed in detail below. 

Mobile Websites

When designing a website, you also need to consider how it would look like on mobile. This makes it easier for your audience to access any information about your brand on the go. It also means that users have access to what you’re offering (promotions, sales, services) wherever they are, anytime they want. This is of course, as long as their mobile phones have a browser and an internet connection.

Websites that can be viewed on mobile requires the design to have any mobile device in mind. Most of the time, a mobile website interface demands a simpler approach. Additionally, the designer must also consider the size of the screen and the input method.

Mobile Applications

On the other hand, we have mobile applications. If you ever played a game on your phone or used your phone to take photos, the tools you used are applications. Mobile applications are used to help users perform a particular task.

For instance, there are applications now for fitness, or for checking the weather, a recipe guide, fuel calculator, bible applications, and etc. Some mobile applications are sold for a premium fee or a monthly fee. There are also some that are available for free with in-app purchases. 

There are plenty of developers who make millions by creating free applications. They earn their income by showing their customers in-app sponsored advertisements or giving their customers something to purchase. 

Benefits of Using Mobile Applications

Mobile applications are a great way to connect with your customer base. Using this platform, you can be sure that your audience are focused on your brand and your brand alone. More importantly, there are some applications that do not require the use of the internet so customers can use it even when they do not have internet access.

Another benefit of choosing to go with a mobile application is that it creates a better user experience. On the flip side, it can be a little bit more expensive to create since you have to create different applications for each type of phone (iOS, Android, etc.)

Responsive Website

Lastly, we have a responsive website. This platform is great for companies or brands that change their content on a constant basis, or for creating different layouts for different devices the website will be displayed on. For Instance, the website will look a certain way when it is used on a desktop computer and then adapts to smaller screen size when used in a mobile phone. 

Using a responsive layout will ensure that you are catering to multiple devices with just one website. It will save time and financial resources, but it can be a technically challenging exercise. This type of platform also requires a lot of planning upfront to ensure that everything is done correctly. It also requires a lot of testing, trial and error phase. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing the right platform for your mobile development, there are different factors to consider. You need to take into account your customer or audience base’s device, how they would like to interact with your brand and their overall user experience.

Most of the time, it is a good idea to focus on mobile sites when you are planning on targeting a broader group. On the other hand, mobile applications are great for companies and brands who are planning on reaching a niche or a targeted audience.

Whatever platform you choose to use for your brand, be sure to make it the best experience for your customers. Remember, providing the best user experience should always be your main focus. 

© Image credits to Amber Lamoreaux