The fact that you should have a mobile extension of your online shop is now a foregone conclusion. You know it’s a trend and you know that eshops with a mobile version make good money on it. But, if you still have doubts, take a look at the chart below! The numbers speak for themselves, people are definitely starting to use their mobile devises to do their shopping! 

 

The question is, how to do it right?  Here are a few tips:

Technicalities

1. Domain

Make it one domain for both your eshop and mobile shop. Two domains may create confusion whether it’s actually the same webshop or not. Just make sure that your system will direct a mobile user straight to the mobile version of the e-shop.

2. Give clients a choice

The client should have an option to browse either a “light” version of your e-commerce website or a “normal” version. People are using different devices and you never know who prefers what, so it’s good to leave a link that leads to the full site. This is how Amazon does it. In the bottom you can see a link “Amazon.com Full Site”.

 

3. Light design

Bear in mind that most of mobile devices are navigated differently, so you need to adjust your eshop’s design, so that it is convenient for the user of a touchscreen device. It also should be homogeneous with your eshop’s design to create the feeling that this is the same shop and increase brand recognition.

 

4. Display

Mobile devices vary in their screens’ sizes but one thing’s for sure, it’s smaller than computer’s screen. Don’t forget to put right pictures that are clear, visible and come in different sizes.

Shopping experience

1. Customize

The mini site of your eshop won’t hold your entire offer, so you need to choose the products that match the idea of mobile shopping. And the main idea is that it’s fast, so select those products that you can provide and deliver the fastest.

2. Treat them all the same

If anyone is to buy on a mobile device, they have to be sure they’ll get same treatment. Make sure you provide the same offer with all discounts and coupons that are available at your eshop. The scenario in which mobile shopping is more expensive won’t convince anybody and may cost you disappointed clients.

3. Mobile–friendly checkout

As mobile shopping is an innovation to e-commerce, you should make it as convenient and encouraging as possible. It’s time to think about mobile options in the area of payment. You can choose between Direct Mobile Billing, Mobile Web Payments and Direct Operator Billing. Let’s not forget that also online wallets, such as PayPal, Amazon Payments or Google Checkout all have mobile options. Preferably choose more than one option and match it to your prices.

Extend your marketing strategy

1. Spread the word

Promote the launch of the mobile version of your online shop but not only. Also present mobile shopping as convenient and fast, become the advocate for the trend.

And that’s exactly what I meant. Asos.com seems to illustrate the idea of a mobile advocate perfectly.

 

2. New channel

Mobile phones give you a possibility of communicating with your customers via sms. If you are blessed with your shoppers mobile phone numbers, send them useful information via text message. For example, use it to inform about sending the parcel or accepting the order.

3. Leave the signs

Play paper chase with your clients! Not literally of course, instead of chalk signs or paper shreds use QR codes. Leave them all over the area where your clients are: pubs, transportation, parks, etc. QR codes should direct your clients to your mobile shop and especially to special offers.

 

 

What’s your experience with mobile shopping? Have you already made your shop mobile? If not, why?

 

Tagged as: clients, design, mobile, mobile device, mobile shopping, QR codes, shoppers