Saturday 23 June 2012

The Mobile Future of Business

mobile appThe key advantage of smartphones over traditional mobile phones is that smartphones are able to run mobile applications (apps). The growing number of smartphone users is an ideal opportunity for businesses to extend their market share.

Mobility of service is unavoidable.



Nowadays customers expect:

  •  online presence 24/7
  •  lower prices of internet services
  •  quicker mobile and web applications
  •  ease and comfort of using the service
  •  access to everything - mobile services

The market of mobile services is still developing. Every time a new model of a smartphone or iPhone is introduced, the customers expect them to have useful applications as well as being able to do online shopping or browse internet  on the go.


How a mobile application is designed?


1. First, the main function of the app is determined. For example, when creating an app for a bank, the most important is that the user should be able to perform any desired transaction on their bank account.
2. The application has to be viewed from the user’s point of view, and not the designer’s. Before beginning to design of the app, the designer/developer has to put themselves in the user’s place and consider what functionality they would like to have in the application themselves.
3. GUI (Graphical User Interface) specifies the way in which the information is presented by the computer and how the user interacts with any electronic device. The designer should emphasise functions that are important for the user through icons or any other graphical elements.
4. Designing lean and simple interface without unnecessary complicated functions.
5. Planning the application flow - the main function of the service is important, so it is not advisable to simply copy the web model.
6. Planning and implementing functions which do not require login, such as accessing new bank credit offers, for instance.
7. Reducing the number of available options.
8. Selecting the size of the application.
9. Testing the application.

 

Mobile app


Advantages:
  • High speed of functioning.
  • Exchange of real data.
  • Interface utilising all the smartphone’s functionalities.
  • Access to native smartphone’s functionalities such as address book, GPS or camera.
  • Effective communication with the customer.
  • Communication sent directly to the application.
  • Offline mode and constant presence on the phone’s screen.
  • Possibility of customising the application.

Disadvantages:
  • Higher cost of implementation.
  • Different versions for different platforms (e.g. Android, Sybian, iPhone).
  • Necessary support of the app on customers’ smartphones.

 

Mobile website


Lite service is a lean website adapted for small screens and free from unnecessary extra features.


Advantages:
  • Lite website - universal and accessible across various platforms.
  • User interface similar to a mobile app.
  • No need to install it on the user’s phone.
  • Quick to introduce any changes.
  • Relatively low cost of implementation.  

Disadvantages:
  • Slower than apps with its speed depending on GSM network.
  • Higher cost of using the service - interface constitutes data which is most often transferred.
  • Lack of offline mode.
  • Lack of the possibility of using advanced smartphone functions.
  • Lack of constant presence on the user’s phone.


Ask your mobile developer for more information or contact us if you need any help with preparing a professional mobile website.  

Sincerely,
HeadChannel Ltd
www.headchannel.co.uk

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