The Mobile Influence 2017

mobile influence 2017“Mobile to overtake fixed Internet access by 2014!” That bold prediction from a technology trends analyst was made in 2008. In 2017, we aren’t even asking whether mobile marketing is important. We know it is!

Anyone who markets products or services is challenged to adapt to the new realities of a connected world and the expectations that mobile presents to them and their customer.

There’s a word for mobile design. It’s called “responsive design” because whatever goes on a screen needs to adapt or “respond” to changing screen sizes and shapes. In the last few years, responsive design changed our approach to almost everything we did, from the shape of a logo to the sequence of information. Users were finding it easier to scroll on a tablet or smartphone than press a link, so we responded with leaner, cleaner layouts, brief top level content linking to longer underlying content, and more calls to action.

The best-designed site is worthless until it’s found, and Google rules search results. Last year, just when Google was happily delivering relevant search results to everyone, some unscrupulous characters hell-bent on gaming the system built massive workarounds in an effort to dominate the first page of Google. Google reacted. Now they trust no one. Want to be first on Google? Here’s what you need:

  1. Tenure. If you’re a brand-new site, it’s going to take time. Those sites who have the oldest “index age” get to be first. When you’re new, you have to work harder.
  2. Authority. You’re an authority if others turn to you for advice or information. Quality links from a variety of sites qualify. If you don’t have these links, there’s a pathway to acquire them. Tedious work where persistence pays off.
  3. Relevance. Relevant content is authoritative, well-written, error-free, never plagiarized, and about who you are, what you do, and how your products solve problems. Skimping on content is like tossing off a line to the dock and wondering why your boat slips away. Content must be well-written, lengthy, keyword centric, and highly engaging so that Google “sees” people spending time on your site.

Lastly, flat design ruled the market in 2016. In 2017 a new metaphor came to town: Material Design. It’s about simplicity, with subtle, natural, visual clues that help the eye’s navigation—textures, shading, contrasts, hues and so on. On the other hand, we prefer what we call honest design. No fads, just the right design to advance the brand.