By Kelly Werder, WedBiz Consulting, Naples, Fla.

The happy couple gets engaged, takes a selfie, shares the news on Facebook and then begins to plan their wedding—all using their smartphone.  If your website is still not mobile friendly, you may be missing business and not even realizing it!

According to Search Engine Journal, 57 percent of the United States’ population has a smartphone and spends up to two hours a day using it.  More of the population will be searching the web on their phones than on their laptops in the next couple years.  If your website is not mobile friendly, it could immediately turn-off a potential client.

Take a peek at your website—from your phone!

It’s time for a self-assessment of your website.  Using your smartphone, open up your web browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) and go to your business’ website.  What do you see?  Is it the same website you see when viewing it on your computer?  If so, how does it look to you?  Is the type too small?  Can you navigate it easily?  If you were a bride, would you call you?

The mobile version of your website should allow users to quickly find all the key information they need and contact you easily.  Buttons should be easy to read and click; the site should be easy to navigate.  If this is not the case, you have a few options:

• Your best option is to switch to a website provider with a built-in mobile site.  When someone accesses your website using a smartphone, they will automatically see the mobile version.  A web host with this option is www.SquareSpace.com.  It’s easy to use and creates a mobile version of your site automatically.  An example of one of the sites I created using SquareSpace is www.MyNoWorriesWedding.com.

• Another option is to install code that will redirect a mobile user visiting your website to a mobile friendly version.  WeddingWire offers a great option for this for free to wedding professionals who are signed up and listed on their site. 

• You also can create a separate mobile site or mobile app for your business.  If you have a more extensive or larger business that could benefit from additional features, this might be a useful option.  One area where this can be useful is for actual events, such as bridal shows.  I have created apps that include the show vendor information in a click-to-contact format along with direct feeds to the show’s social media.  A great example of a web-based app for a bridal show is www.NaplesBridalExpoApp.com.

Something else to consider

When searching for services on their phones, consumers are also connecting to the local businesses that may appear  on Google or another search engine.  It’s important to work your Search Engine Optimizaiton (SEO) so you appear closer to the top of the list for these searches or that you are listed on the websites that appear first (such as WeddingWire).  Those searching on their phones are more likely to buy/book as well.  New Google research shows that 50 percent of consumers who search for a retail establishment using their smartphone will visit that business within a day of their local search, according to a study published on SearchEngineWatch.com.

So for those who are searching for your business, it’s important to appear toward the top of the list and to have a mobile-friendly website.  One important piece of this SEO puzzle is Google Local and Google My Business.  Make sure your business listing is up-to-date and that you are maximizing your information on Google listings for mobile viewing.    

Get mobile-friendly today

No matter which option you decide is best for your business’ mobile website, there’s no time to delay.  If you’re not mobile friendly, you need to be right now—or you’re missing engaged couples searching for you right now!