Entering the mobile market can be done at multiple levels. Below is a breakdown of three main ways to make the best of your website on mobile platforms.

Responsive web design (RWD) is a design approach that not only automatically scales the content of your webpage to match the size of the screen; it also dynamically prioritizes this content and adjusts page elements. This method would keep your website as the main focus, while allowing visitors to view it the way it was meant to be seen, on any device.

A hybrid app is a mobile app that can be downloaded from an app store, but has been developed using web technologies (HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.). By having a dedicated app, you have gained real estate on your customer’s mobile device. The benefits of these types of app are that the core code can be borrowed from your existing website, allowing for faster development and better portability to multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Windows). You can even incorporate some native features of smartphones and tablets to further interact with your customers (e.g. push notifications).

A native app is a mobile app that can be downloaded from an app store, but has been developed using the native technologies of the mobile device (Objective-C, Java, etc.). The benefits of these types of app are that they can utilize all the resources of the device and be filled with the most features. While most commerce sites may not need all the power a native app, they hands down have the best user experience and most freedom of features.

• Enhance engagement and brand recognition: Claim a spot on your target audience’s phones and tablets and stay connected with push notifications increases your brand awareness.
• International advantage: Many countries like Africa, India, and Indonesia have a high percentage of the population accessing the internet for the first time through a mobile device.
• Ensure ease: With a custom developed and tested mobile app, you can be sure users are seeing your company just the way you want to be.
• Provide value and support: Mobile apps can give users on-hand information, easy access to customer support, or even give them an advantage of using your business with a rewards program.
• Stand out: Add legitimacy and uniqueness to your business by being one of the few with a custom app.