On the Go: Making Your Organization Mobile-Friendly
Making pages mobile-accessible was once a bonus consideration for associations. My, how the times have changed!
Nowadays, most online traffic comes from mobile devices, and employing a responsive design to accommodate that traffic is a necessity!
Despite this, while organizations everywhere have adopted mobile friendliness, not all are equal. To reap the best rewards, associations must make having mobile responsive and accessible designs a priority.
Thankfully, that’s where this article comes in! Let’s take a look at the why and how of mobile-friendly designs:
1. Improve Communication
It’s no secret that mobile access encourages communication, but getting the most for your users in this area requires some forethought.
The goal should be to create the most interactive design possible. You want users feeling compelled to communicate with you–and with other users–regardless of what page they’re on.
Since mobile users are already in a more communicative state (they are on communication devices, after all!), be sure to make a variety of mobile applications and digital tools compatible with your system. You may consider push notifications, system text message capabilities, or click-to-call functionalities to allow for contact any time, anywhere.
Another consideration is to integrate your association’s social media into your organizational structure. This means more than just adding the odd social media link on pages: it’s about developing an entire social media marketing plan and presence.
You want your members, partners, and consumers to have the chance to engage with you and each other from anywhere. Over time, this can lead to better collaboration among members, more time spent with your organization, increased time and financial investment, and greater member loyalty!
2. Boost Productivity
A mobile-friendly organization is often a more productive organization. Users of all kinds can access the various facets of the organization’s online system whenever and wherever. Work? Commute? On the couch? No problem–your site is there! Members and staff can collaborate more easily, respond more quickly, and get more involved with less stress.
For the greatest impact, organizations should consider adopting a more mobile-forward approach. In both work and training, for example, studies have shown that participants are typically more motivated and productive when using mobile devices–especially when in a remote environment.
Organizations may wish to look into mobile-integrated data software, such as one of the many enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems that are available; these systems help manage mobile data and make it actionable, allowing users to access data updates and reports in real-time. The information available to individual users can be automatically customized and filtered to ensure only the most relevant and required data streams are made available.
3. Reduce Costs
Another substantial benefit to a mobile-friendly organization is the cost reduction that can result. More remote capabilities means fewer physical requirements for organizations, as well as less travel for staff and members.
At scale, reusable online and digital content replaces expensive physical materials and time-consuming in-person meetings and events. Organizations can also replace their physical storage systems in favor of the more cost-effective cloud.
It’s also important to note that a properly designed mobile online presence is also much less restrictive than developing mobile apps after the fact.
App development, for example, generally requires organizations to create different apps for different platforms, whereas mobile-forward design typically accommodates all users and platforms right away. App development can also take considerably more time, steps, and money.
Though revamping your platform to a mobile design may require more of an investment in the initial stages, it offers fewer barriers and increased savings for everyone in the long run!
4. Expand Your Reach
An accessible mobile organization offers a larger landing spot for users everywhere.
In general, mobile readiness and accessibility extends the reach of an organization for consumers, members, and advertising capabilities. For advertisers in particular, partnerships are more diverse, go further, last longer.
In fact, mobile design typically provides better advertising and sponsorship opportunities overall, as mobile marketing strategies are proving to be some of the most effective available. Mobile design can also lead to a more developed brand identity and more pervasive brand awareness.
In terms of developing an online presence, mobile friendliness is absolutely crucial. Modern Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies require a strong mobile design to be effective. All of the major search engines understand how central mobile usage is among online usage, so mobile access is now mandatory among the top search results.
Consequently, if you want the competitive advantage, you have to make mobile-responsiveness and design a necessity!
5. Increase Accessibility
True mobile device accessibility accommodates a wide variety of users and devices. This goes beyond standard mobile functions; mobile devices have the ability to bridge the gap between offline and online worlds and media.
For example, your organization may consider adopting QR code technology to allow users to perform actions both online and offline. For instance, this type of application can make information accessible on mobile devices whether they have an internet connection or not.
Though mobility is often synonymous with accessibility, many standard mobile sites are rather inaccessible, particularly for users with visual, auditory, and cognitive disabilities. Fully accessible pages allow users to customize their experience to meet their individual needs. These sites may allow for changes to the standard navigation or layout; they may enable users to change the font and screen layouts, altering text sizes and type or manipulating the brightness, colours, and contrasts on the screen.
Another option is to integrate voice control functionality and a variety of other assistive devices, screen-reader technologies, and keyboard navigation. Some simple considerations that go a long way are to include closed captions, allow for pinch and zoom, and support dynamic design type and styles.
The more accessible and inclusive your design, the more members you’ll be able to reach!
6. Enhance the Experience
A mobile experience is often a more enjoyable one.
Members and users are kept happier because of the mobile integration and less stressful settings. They can work with their peers freely and easily, and they can do so from wherever they like.
Furthermore, by improving the accessibility of your platform to welcome all users properly, your organization will better accommodate the requirements of the AODA and the needs of users with disabilities.
One of the most important things to remember is that a mobile-friendly experience is not a “lesser” experience. Mobile technology is fully capable of maintaining all standard business and membership operations from a distance. Instead of using mobile design as an alternative to the standard desktop method, consider it an amplification of your original design.
After all, your smartphone is (almost) always with you when you’re on the go!
You may also like: 11 Challenges (and Solutions!) of Digital Transformation
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, organizations must recognize that mobile accessibility, responsivity, and design isn’t just a trend but a vital strategy for success.
By prioritizing mobile-friendliness, you not only adapt to the current digital climate but also position your association for future growth and opportunities. Embrace the mobile revolution, and watch your organization thrive in a connected world!
