I’m still at Computers in Libraries 2015 – great conference as usual!
I also just saw this from Gary Price on InfoDocket, and thought it was worth sharing.
In the US, the number of mobile-only internet users now exceeds the number of desktop-only internet users.
Here’s what ComScore says about this: “While the share of mobile-only users has climbed over the past year to 11.3 percent, the desktop-only population has drastically declined to just 10.6 percent. Of course these numbers also tell us that the vast majority of the digital population (78 percent) is multi-platform and goes online using both desktop and mobile platforms.”
What’s this mean? More of our us are carrying the internet around in our pockets, bags, and hands. We’re in front of small screens more often than we are in front of a desktop computer, which makes sense.
It also means that we need to make absolutely certain that our library and organization websites work on mobile devices. Having a great mobile-friendly website is more important than having it work fine on a desktop computer. Why? Because our customers are in front of the small screen more often, and have access to a small screen more often, than desktop or laptop computers.
For many things, it’s simply more convenient to pick up a smartphone to quickly check something. Not always the most optimal – but it is generally more convenient.
So – how’s your website’s mobile experience? Not too hot? If not, then … it’s time to start working on it!
Photo of my iPhone taken by me
Your inference does not make sense. Although mobile-only use has increased and desktop-only use has decreased, you said 78% use both mobile and desktop. You cannot infer that they are in front of a small screen more often by that statement. That statement only means that they use both desktop and mobile. The majority of that group may use a desktop most often and mobile occasionally, or the majority may use mobile more often and desktop occasionally, or maybe they use both desktop and mobile equal amounts of time.
All you can infer is that 11.3% use only a mobile device and do not use a desktop, and thus we should make sure websites work well on mobile or we exclude this group.
Of the 78 percent that use both a desktop and mobile, you do not provide any data about how much time they are in front of their desktop or in front of their mobile device. So it is invalid to say that the majority of the population is in front of a mobile device more often than a desktop. It may be the case that the majority are in front of a desktop more often than they are in front of a mobile device.
Well, I got a B- in undergrad logic class, so I’m sure my argument is far from bulletproof 🙂 Don’t lose sight of the main point though – mobile use is climbing, and organizations need to make sure that their websites work well on both desktops and on mobile devices.
Very important and relevant article for today David. I build sites for myself and friend, but in mobile style only as most of the time we access them using phablets. Mine is a Huawei with a 6 inch screen which I bought deliberately for browsing the net. I hardly even use my iPad anymore either.
Nice – that’s a perfect example of why designing for mobile is so important. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. Currently designing a writing site in mobile view only with front end posting. So I’ve also come to realise that it’s got to be as engaging for the poster/writer as much as it is for the audience.
My friend recommended this blog and he was totally right keep up the fantastic work.
Measuring the Benefits of Employee Engagement Case Solution
So true as we don’t leave home without our mobile device. This will only continue to grow in numbers.