Though many businesses in the mortgage industry have heard the importance of implementing a mobile strategy for the future, there seems to be a conservative mindset in doing so. What businesses need to be aware of is the growing trend of consumers using mobile devices for most of their Web-browsing needs.
It has been predicted that by the year 2020 almost 10 billion mobile devices—such as smartphones and tablets—will be in use by consumers worldwide. Currently there are just over 2 billion in use around the world, which means that within the next 8 years there will be a 400% growth in mobile device use.
Think this sounds a little far-fetched? A recent news report said the number of smartphones sold globally in 2011 actually doubled the amount of PCs sold in the same year—720 million to 350 million.
Tablets sold even better than smartphones, reaching a global sales number of just under 800 million. It was also calculated that last year, more than 50% of all Internet access was being done via mobile devices.
Given this dramatic shift, implementing a mobile strategy is imperative for the future success of the mortgage industry. When devising a mobile strategy, firms should pay close attention to three strategies that will help their mobile development succeed.
Realize the Difference Between Traditional and Mobile Web
Mobile browsers are essentially scaled down versions of standard HTML Web browsers. A subdomain of a company’s website specifically for mobile devices should be created immediately to fit what a mobile device can handle. Without one, Web pages will upload very slowly, because memory capacities on mobile devices are much smaller than PCs and their operating systems process data at a slower pace.
Also, mobile phones have small screens that will completely distort standard websites. Creating a subdomain optimizes Web content to prevent this and make it easier to view.
Maximize Capabilities of New Tech
When implementing a mobile strategy based around the latest mobile technologies, take advantage of what these new technologies have to offer. For example, an effective mobile strategy will take advantage of smartphones’ real-time communication abilities, GPS location features, integrated calendar, and dial capabilities to more efficiently communicate and work with clients and vendors.
Offer Value to Early Adopters
To get value, organizations have to give value, regardless if the target is vendors or clients. Any new mobile strategy is bound to have flaws and imperfections during its infancy. Early adopters are essentially the testing group for new mobile technology and should be compensated for that.
Offering early adopters a better value will also create a good business relationship that encourages them to evangelize a new mobile strategy far and wide, resulting in better branding and more revenue.
