eMarketer quoted an Ad-ology survey today that found that 46 percent of small business owners do not have a Web site in 2009. A separate Vistaprint study cited by eMarketer found that only half of those with a site are currently tracking their marketing efforts.

Business owners need help.

What are You losing by NOT having a Mobile Web site?

In a word – Customers.

What you need to understand is that people aren’t using phone books for anything other than door stops anymore. As of 2010, all three major search engines (Google, Yahoo and Bing) are skewing search queries towards local even when a user doesn’t include a local modifier. That means if you type in “cd duplication” your results because you are searching from your specific location will show you resources in that town even if you didn’t type it as  “cd duplication austin” or “cd duplication houston”. As a small business owner you need to not only create a mobile presence, but to control it, as well.

Can’t I just use Yelp for my mobile site?

It’s possible to create a mobile presence without a mobile site thanks to things like Yelp and other social media outlets. However, you don’t control any of those. You have no say on how they’ll let you connect with customers. You can’t create an email list on Twitter. By relying on *other* sites to house your conversations you’re severely limiting the effectiveness of your business.

Without a real mobile Web site, you lose your ability to:

  • Distinguish yourself from your competitors – do they make it easy for clients to find them on a phone?
  • Benefit from the engines bias to show mobile local results – and having a mobile site is now a factor
  • Save costs by answering frequently asked questions
  • Target your specific neighborhood (defined by zip code, points of interest, ideas, etc)
  • Build an email list.

Where should you start in building a mobile web site?

Identify the purpose(s) of the site: Not all small business Web sites have the same goal so the goal of your mobile site may be different from your standard site. You would want to consider that a mobile customer’s needs might be different from someone searching on their computer. A mobile visitor might need directions, a quick way to call to make sure you’re open as well as confirmation that your services and products are what they are looking for. Give some thought to what you want to accomplish before you consider anything else. You’d be surprised how it changes your perspective.

Get a mobile expert to create your site: Ideally you’ll find someone who can add a little code to your current site that when someone comes to your site with a mobile phone that code will redirect to your mobile site. Much easier, smoother and friendlier to mobile customers. You can create a much sleeker mobile site to compliment the work of your main site.

Contact us for affordable effective mobile websites and have your very own within a few days for as little as $397 if you act fast.