When was the last time you accessed a website from your computer? The most likely answer is today! The results of the recent Worldwide Wireless Data Survey ( November 2007) that m.Net runs together with the University of Adelaide found that almost all Australian respondents access the Internet on their personal computers on a daily basis, while just under half of the respondents (44%) used the Internet at home for more than two hours a day! Pleasing results for companies, since these results confirm that traditional websites remain an powerful channel for interacting with customers – and pleasing results for customers because companies will continue to provide good sites packed with loads of valuable information. But what does this mean for the future of mobile websites? If using the PC to access the web is so popular will people still want to access websites on their phones?

GOOD NEWS!

Consumers want both not either or! People are increasingly accessing the mobile web. The most recent WDSS revealed that just over 40% of Australian respondents have accessed a website on their mobile phones. Although use is currently irregular, there is no early evidence of cannibalization of the traditional website traffic! This is not surprising given our consistent research findings that many respondents perceived a “natural” association between the website and the mobile. These channels are not in competition, but work in collaboration to promote your message and image, your presence in the marketplace.

Some companies already recognize the power of providing a presence in both the traditional web and mobile spaces. Late last year m.Net, in collaboration with AIMIA, carried out a survey that was designed to explore the profiles, interests, and current activities of companies in Australia that provide a web development service to their clients. The results found that 36% of respondents that offered a web service also offered applications or development in the mobile space. Of these respondents most (78%) provided mobile sites.

The way people access the traditional website versus the mobile site, however, is different! Don’t expect your customers to sit searching on the mobile phone for your mobile website, because they probably won’t! Cost is still a significant barrier to using the mobile phone beyond voice and texting. The most recent results of the WDSS found that for 74% of respondents cost was a barrier to using mobile data services. For many mobile subscribers, searching the Internet is still synonymous with the PC! Mobile means now - quickly and easy! So give subscribers want they want, a direct path to your mobile presence by leveraging off the success of your traditional websites. Use your traditional website to promote and drive traffic to your mobile websites. So if you haven’t already done so have a look at Campaign Mobile, m.Net’s innovative mobile-marketing platform. And remember, the early results are in – people want to access websites on both their PCs and mobiles. Each represents a powerful communication channel to your target markets BUT the ‘talk’ has to be different, after all:

The Personal computer is for communicating lots of information.
The Mobile is for communicating specific information!

So get specific and give your company a mobile presence!