Mobile versus desktop computing is a key consideration for business owners. The prediction that more people would access internet content using mobile devices than traditional desktop computers came true last year. Mobile users, which include tablets and smart devices, quadrupled in numbers from 2007 to 2014, to some 1.6 Billion users. This number has grown more rapidly than the number of users with a desktop computer. This number is still growing, however, as many businesses and domestic users are still catching up with the ‘information age’. Also, the cost of computers is decreasing. A top spec PC is now around £800, and falls year-on-year.
So what does this mean for businesses? Well interestingly, according to a report by Flurry Analytics, only 2% of time is spent using productivity software tools. A third of the time is spent gaming, 18% on Facebook, and then entertainment and social networking are next. Even news only accounts for 2% of activity.
Another interesting pattern is the daily trend. A report by ComScore shows that users with PCs dominate the usage pattern from 9-5, which is no surprise really. Users then switch to using tablets at night – from 8pm to midnight is the peak. Perhaps this is the time when users are looking for a new job, a new supplier, reading social media from businesses?
All your business content needs to be as ‘mobile friendly’ as possible. Have you actually tested your website, blog and company videos on a tablet and smartphone?
My conclusion would be to consider these patterns and trends, and what they could mean to your business. Perhaps your tweets by day are being consumed by night, when your office is empty. Maybe social media content needs to be short and punchy by night, but during the daytime link to a blog, webpage, or PDF report, which daytime users can download and print – as they are more likely to be on a desktop PC, for example.