Why You are wasting customers time with "Mobile Sites"

MoBuzz · 12th Oct 2012, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by massiveray

Fair play, you can pump out apps like that in the hundreds each day if that's what you Want to do, I'm not saying it can't be done at that price, I'm saying it shouldn't.

Personally I like mine with a little more quality about them. Unique, built for my clients and not based on some shitty online conversion program that is bound to generate tons of useless and slow code.

I don't know if this is actually the case as I have never used the cloud programs, I'm just assuming they're crap.

If your app don't work on iOS it ain't worth shit, in my opinion.

In all honesty though i don't sell a whole lot of apps, I prefer my developers to work on other more profitable projects.

I would not say they are crap or even close to it. I do agree that it will not be as fast and as custom as building from scratch BUT building from scratch is usually out of reach for small businesses.

Of coarse these apps work on ios, just take longer to be approved and needs to have a few more native features for approval.

This I completely agree with, I do not sell many apps either as I do not find them very useful to small businesses. It is going to be very hard to get someone to download an app for a small liquor store. Even with an incentive.

Pierre! · 12th Oct 2012, 09:18 PM

I just can't imagine what level of "Mobile App" you can deliver even remotely competitively cost wise against a mobile web site... and still deliver the same value.

Then, what is to be done regarding the updates to the "Mobile App" as Smartphone OS upgrades happen??? Tech Support???

I think it would end up being a rather big hole that the "Mobile App" purchaser would end up in.

Please elaborate on what is actually delivered for a 'competitive' ROI Mobile App? What exactly is the WIIFM factor here???

Patrick

marshallbailey · 13th Oct 2012, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by marshallbailey

I'm a total newbie at the whole mobile website and mobile app game but I'm studying everything I can get my hands on...

I decided to go out and ask some of my business owner friends what they wanted??

I talked to my friend Mike today and he owns a liquor store in a small local community (around 40,000 people). He said he really wanted a way to announce local wine tasting's and deals to his loyal repeat customers.

I asked him about using a texting service (sms) and he said he had tried that and people were really uneasy about getting a lot of text.

I mentioned trying a Mobile App and using Push notifications on once a week or so basis... we talked about putting a QR code on the counter and calling it a VIP club.

He loved it and asked how he could sign up... I explained I was just doing research and he told me to get to work and get him an app.

I asked him what an App like that would be worth and he said he would gladly pay for an initail set up of around $200 dollars and 50 bucks a month.

He also said he would tell all his business owner friends about it and felt sure that they would jump on board.

True story ... so I was thinking of building him both a mobile website and a mobile app.

Marshall

Hey Guys.. been away for a few days.. I see my comment has been replied to...

Let me give more info..

The liquor store owner doesn't care what you call the end "solution"... ie- native app, mobile website, etc.. he just wants the ability to stay in contact with his customers via their mobile phones. He was really impressed with the idea of "push notification" in the end that's all he really wants.

Remember that most of the people you talk to will have no idea how all this works.. an all of your paying clients will have little to no idea how all this works... because if they did they wouldn't pay you...

So at the end of the day is all about giving the client what he/she wants at a affordable price... my goal is to give them the perception that they got way more than they paid for... because I want them as long time customers.

The Apple store is a problem I'm trying to work out ... I've heard they really don't like business apps... I was wondering if you could skip them by going with a mobile website and a icon on the iphone... but then you lose the push notification.

Any ideas??

badlimey · 13th Oct 2012, 11:45 AM

I concur, an app has more potential. I give away mobile websites as a door opener.

timmor29 · 15th Oct 2012, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by shoopt

Both mobile apps and websites are having it's own potential. Do agree that apps are installed in the devices and provides push notifications and further business but when someone searches web for some services apps does not show up. Mobile websites lets people know about your services.
In my view, businesses must invest in both mobile websites and apps.

YES, I completely agree. Businesses should absolutely invest in both. Use any means at your disposal to get your business out there! It's also so easy to have a mobile site, especially if you're using a website builder that automatically produces a mobile version of your desktop website like EXAI. This saves you the time and money it would take to build a mobile website from scratch, and all updates to your desktop website are automatically updated on your mobile site as well. Now all you have to focus on is getting an app for your business. So why not have both when at least one may require absolutely no effort on your part?

KingMedia · 15th Oct 2012, 10:18 PM

Greg, I think you have it all backwards.

Yes, APPs follow you around and send push notifs, but customers are going to get tired of having those things go off all day long for 1-15 diff APPS on their phone.

Who is going to want an APP for a dentist, pizza parlor, restaurant, etc... its too much.

APPS are good for games, social media, and cool gadgetry (flashlights, etc)

A mobile site CAN capture leads via email/phone - just depends on how you use it.

And APPS do not show up in search - still the #1 way businesses are found these days.

And on top of all this, APPS are pain to develop and cost a LOT of money to do it right. The normal local biz won't spend thousands on an APP that is not proven to make them money.

They do have their place in members circles for real estate agents, clubs, etc. outside the norm.

Having said all that, mobile sites are STILL a tough sell (USA west coast anyway) as most biz don't "get it".

NBianco · 17th Oct 2012, 08:56 AM

Here is a real world example that pits a mobile website vs. an app against each other.

I work for a company that builds websites and other digital solutions to car dealerships. We also build their mobile websites.

For individuals shopping for new or used cars, a mobile app makes no sense. No shopper (or very few) are going to download apps for three or four or five dealerships that they are considering just to look at their inventory. In this situation a mobile website is perfect. It gives the visitor a quick and easy way (as long as the mobile site is built well) to browse the dealer's inventory, call them, read their reviews, etc.

Now, after someone has purchased a vehicle from that dealership I think an app would be perfect for their service department. Someone could open the app, take a look at special offers, schedule a service appointment, even take pictures of what is wrong or needs repair and send it to the dealer. The dealer could also use the app to send push notifications when the vehicle is most likely ready for the next oil change, transmission flush, etc.

I think that mobile websites probably serve a more frequent purpose, but for businesses that have a lot of repeat customers an app can provide great value

Mr Bill · 17th Oct 2012, 11:29 PM

How about both?

Mobile website gets customers and in the mobile website you encourage them to "click here to download our official Mobile App to make savings and get special offers". That way they will go straight to your app download page and will download the app to get discounts. This way the Mobile website and the app are both useful, both connected and it makes for a more complete package.

The reason I build and sell mobile websites is because every business needs one to (at least) compliment their existing website and to not isolate potential customers or clients that are visiting from their mobile phones. The reason I like apps is purely for their ability to push notifications which I presume are either free or cheaper than pushing an SMS though I've not really looked into it. One potential stumbling block is that users usually have to approve push notifications but users can be encouraged to allow them to receive discounts...e.g. "Download our Official App and Allow Push Notifications To Win!" (or get discounts...whatever).

koolphoto · 18th Oct 2012, 08:35 AM

I think that a lot of businesses use their websites as an online calling card. If they don’t they should. I think for many businesses a mobile site is the way to go. I think a mobile site is going to be needed much more in the future instead of the common type of websites built today.

Unless a business is a shopping cart retailer or a certain type of websites where push info is needed like forums, news, weather etc. then I think there is really no reason to have a full blown site to view on a computer. I want to see if a locksmith covers my area because I am locked out of my car, a pizza menu or some photos of their product. I want to look at these to help me make an immediate decision.

I live in a large city where people are constantly on the go. Everyone I know uses mobile phones or tablets to surf the internet for information and entertainment. So many customers carry them when they are on the go.

With Windows 8 tablets coming out soon I think this is going to be a more common way of acquiring the needed information. I myself do not rely on a desktop computer anymore except for work. And I don't surf on my laptop anymore either. I use either my cell phone or tablet for most of my internet use. I keep it by my chair when I am watching TV too. A tablet is so convenient. And they are getting better that I think they will eventually replace most desktop and laptop computing needs.

I download apps like weather, news, shopping sites like The North Face, Amazon, eBay, Best Buy. But if I am looking for a business on Yelp or Google places, I might get their information from these sites, but I am still curious and click through to websites on my phone or tablet. I want a fast loading site that gives me a feel for the business with any extra information like menu’s or services I didn’t see listed on Yelp or Google places.

I am not going to download an app for this type of cursory information. And I think building and app just for the sake of building an app is a waste of time for a business.

I think apps complement a mobile business website. They shouldn't replace it.

anpharmd09 · 6th Nov 2012, 08:17 PM

Some great discussion going on here.

Personally, I think both mobile websites and mobile apps have their place.

Like others have said, mobile websites are crucial to a pleasant consumer experience when a prospect is searching for a business online from a mobile device.

While it's true that some "regular" websites may not be significantly more cumbersome to navigate to certain people, there are still alot of people out there who demand a quick, easy, and pleasant web browsing experience.

At my firm, we like to lead with mobile websites for this reason, and because they are less expensive than mobile apps (we usually charge $397-497 for a mobile site, and $997-$1197 for a mobile app).

If I'm able to sell a client on a mobile website, I often then go for an upsell on a mobile app at a later time, emphasizing the customer retention benefits through push notifications.

rife · 6th Nov 2012, 08:24 PM

The whole mobile version of a site thing is a bit old fashioned no? What is wrong with responsive html5 / css for example HTML5 Up! Responsive HTML5 and CSS3 Site Templates

emarrufo · 6th Nov 2012, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by zoro

They both add value and can increase ROI for a business. Just remember that each has a different use. I don't think it's clever to compare apples with oranges.

I was thinking the same thing, well said.

jamtrading · 7th Nov 2012, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by Valdor Kiebach

Lets say I am driving through an unfamiliar town and get a flat tyre.

I use my smartphone to check Google that has my location already from my phones GPS.

I search for tyres and up come the results, I click one and get a 'mobile site' with a map location and a couple of buttons to a 'our services' and 'about us' page and a 'push to call' button. My problem is solved.

How would an app help me and why would the company be wasting time with their mobile site.?

An app would benefit the company by being able to use push notifications to inform users of discounts but an app for them would be no use me as I am just passing through and needed a new tyre.

A mobile app is not 'instead of' a mobile site.

great example, an app just does not come into play here, its just like saying to someone who needs a tyre, here is a nice set of alloys, yes it is a valid product to the car but not the right product to get the car moving again, a new tyre is...

Roberto F Carrera · 7th Nov 2012, 05:31 PM

Well, I believe that some people favour one or the other but in my experience the mobile website comes out on top IF you are trying to get business from the client for the first time.

The reason I say this is because a client doesn't really understand about aps but they sure know about Google and people searching for their business on it. This way you can SHOW them exactly what their business looks like to a mobile surfer and then they see that the money they spent on a website looks like cr*p on a mobile device.

It is more for the aesthetics of the site and you can have it show the exact place where the business is and also a call button and even coupons if you want. These are things that will help get people in the doors.

Once you have this done, THEN you could show them the advantage of an ap.

Roberto

S3Ware · 18th Nov 2012, 08:49 PM

Mobile sites = customer acquisition. Mobile apps = customer retention. Apps are not for every business, nor are they for every consumer. Every local business should have a mobile-optimized website, however.

xichabodx · 18th Nov 2012, 11:12 PM

In short, we're not selling an app builder in our signature? Therefore, the majority of us don't create threads to discuss the two. If you had asked this question (even with your bias toward apps), WITHOUT your guise to promote your app service, I might be more inclined to debate the two (given that I'm a mobile marketer).

But, seeing you created this thread for obvious reasons, how was your results?
We're all marketers, right?

WillR · 19th Nov 2012, 12:02 AM