Mobile Applications - Old City Web Services

Why You Need Responsive Design

November 3, 2015 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

What is responsive design? Responsive web design is an approach that addresses a user’s needs based on the environment they are in when viewing your website. Whatever screen size, platform or orientation they are using – as they switch from their phone to their desktop to their ipad, the website adjusts to accommodate for resolution and sizes.

Why do you need responsive design?

Customer Expectation

It is expected in today's internet world that when a visitor arrives, they be able to navigate easily, find a mobile friendly menu, easy to find contact information, and a website that caters to the device they are using. If your website isn't meeting this expectation, it will look out of date and visitors may find it cumbersome and too difficult to make it worth their while to stay on your website.

It Helps Build Your Brand

Appealing design and function for a business website will help it grow. Neglecting proper branding will hurt it. Once a client has a bad website experience, it will affect their opinion of you as a business and it can be difficult to repair that image.

Sheer Numbers

Mobile websites that respond to the user environment isn't a trend. It is the way things are. It isn't something you can ignore until things go back to the way they were. It is vitally important to your small business that you stay up to date in online needs.

3 Choices for Your Mobile Website

October 29, 2014 by anoadmin

This is becoming a mobile world. Everywhere you turn, it seems people are using their phone or mobile device when they need information. It is imperative today to have a website that keeps up with this trend and fills the needs of customers who are looking for information on their mobile device rather than their computer screen.

Over 30% of website traffic now comes from mobile devices. While sales from mobile devices only make up 15% of total sales, mobile users are still very important for brand awareness and informational purposes. Since mobile users are generally on the go, they are often quickly coming to your site for key information - location, hours, directions, phone number - and having your mobile site provide that information quickly and in a streamlined manor can result in business down the road.

You have 3 choices when it comes to making your website work with mobile technology and all three serve different purposes and can help your business grow.

1. Mobile-Friendly - a mobile friendly website is your website as it renders on a computer screen. It correctly displays your website on the smaller screens of mobile devices. This is not specifically designed for mobile devices but users will still be able to navigate though not as easily as with other types.

2. Mobile Responsive - a mobile responsive website design is more widely used today than ever before. The basics are that the same design will work on a computer or mobile device and the design will respond to the varying conditions of the user's device. For example, phone numbers and addresses can be clicked for calling or directions.

3. Custom Mobile - Overly complex sites that have a lot of information on them are best served by having a custom mobile version of their site. When a user comes to the site, it is detected whether they are on a computer or mobile device and the corresponding version of the site is displayed. This type of mobile version is optimal because the experience can be customized by removing some content or features or add others that mobile users will require which a computer user wouldn't.

Regardless of which type of mobile experience you want to offer your users, having a website that is user-friendly and streamlined for the increasing number of mobile users is essential to your business' growth.

Square-up your business!

July 24, 2013 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

According to Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, "Square is the shape of things to come." The Square has built-up its reputation on a small credit card reader that plugs into the headphone jack of an iPhone or iPad and allows any user to accept credit card payments using an app. This new technology has taken off and is used by thousands of merchants across the world. From taxi cab drivers to lawn care, the Square is one of the most valuable devices for small businesses. Of course, with any new product, there are pros and cons for the Square. It may be your perfect solution or you may want to choose a similar product, but either way it is something to consider. Below are three arguments why the Square is the product of choice for many small businesses:

1. Efficiency

The Square is small, compact and easy to use. This tiny device allows for a smooth transaction process that makes accepting credit cards a breeze for you and your customers.

2. Convenience

Let's face it- how often do you not carry your phone with you? This handy Square connects right to your phone and can go anywhere with you. Avoid the hassle of cashing a check or depositing cash with the Square. The buyer is happy because of the convenience of emailed receipts and an expedited process. Besides, the Square makes you look professional and up-to-date with the newest technology trends!

3. Cost Effective

The Square integrates with your existing merchant account and doesn't have any costly start-up fees, therefore it is cheaper than some iPhone credit card processing services that are costly and require a flat monthly fee. Square provides an option for users to choose whether they want a monthly rate or a percentage deducted per swipe. The per swipe fee is 2.75%, however when a card is not present, the percentage is increased--something to consider before choosing the Square. Hint: Take a look at your customers buying history and determine what type of payments they are most likely to make. If you handle large transactions in person where the card is present, this may be your most cost effective solution.

Want to know more about the Square card reader for iPhone or learn about other innovative technology trends? Old City Web Services can help! Begin minimizing your stress and maximizing your profits today by giving us a call: 904.829.2772 or emailing us: letusmarketyou@oldcity.com for more information.

Small Business Apps

February 27, 2013 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

"88% of consumers who search for a type of local business on a mobile device call or go to that business within 24 hours. That's real business!" - Trevor Sumner, LocalVox

There are millions of smart phone applications (apps) out there and knowing which ones to download can be a daunting task. Listed below are three business apps that are both very credible and extremely beneficial for enhancing small business success. Not only are these apps vastly popular, but they were listed on Forbes 10 Brilliant Apps Small Businesses Should Use in May 2012.

LocalVox:

LocalVox is a local, social and mobile marketing platform that helps local businesses market themselves online, across a network of publishers, social media, search, mobile, e-newsletters and even your own website! This app enables you to publish news and events with a click-of-a-button across many online channels and simultaneously optimizes organic search and Google Places listings. Furthermore, it's as simple to use as your email.

Bump:

Bump is an innovative networking app that allows entrepreneurs to trade business cards virtually. You can trade contact information, photos and files by simply "bumping" two smart phones together. Since this app was created in 2008, it has generated over 8 million monthly users and 27 million downloads.

Evernote Business:

Successful businesses are built on the knowledge and expertise of every team member. Evernote Business gives your company the tools to collect, discover and share ideas, suggestions and research. Some of the Evernote Business features include a company-wide business library, simplified billing and smart data ownership.

If you would like more information on how Old City Web Services can help you stay on top of new marketing trends, call us: 904.829.2772 or email us: letusmarketyou@oldcity.com to set up your free consultation.

What is your website lacking?

January 9, 2013 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Is your company website fully-optimized, user-friendly and easy to update on your own? Many business owners choose to develop a website for one sole purpose--to establish that online presence, however the key to any good website is that it's never a finished product. A successful website requires constant SEO, frequent updates, added features and a fresh new design never hurts!

Keeping up-to-date with your site is essential in attracting new customers and keeping the loyal ones coming back. If you're thinking of transforming your current website into an easy to manage, content management system (CMS), you've found the people who can help!

From content management to hundreds of useful plug-in tools and features, our CMS has become the web's leader in Internet programming. Old City Web Services will use this program to re-structure your entire site, giving you the ability to modify almost all static text and images on your website from your computer, any time you want!

Its user interface tool is password protected and can be accessed through any browser with internet access. It's as easy to use as any word processing tool. It also includes a number of plug-ins that can be installed including a Twitter widget, photo gallery, contact forms, a calendar function and our favorite--a mobile plug-in! The image to the right is an example of a custom mobile site we designed for our friends at American Personal Storage.

Old City Web Services will give you a brief tutorial before the site goes live and provide you with a user manual for future development. Additionally, we are always available for questions after your site goes live.

If your company website is in dire need of revamping, Old City Web Services can help!

If you are interested in re-designing your website, call us: 904.829.2772 or e-mail us: letusmarketyou@oldcity.com and we can schedule a free initial consultation meeting.

Be Smart: Mobile Friendly Sites & Apps

December 5, 2012 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

By 2014, it is projected that more users will access the internet from their phone than from a computer! Creating a mobile site does not have to be fancy or expensive...in fact it's typically a more simplified version of your actual site. The most important part in developing your mobile site is identifying the key actions you want your users to take.

Here is a list of things to keep in mind when designing your mobile site:

Keep forms simple--Name & Email are sufficient enough!
Minimize the content...just keep the important stuff--who, what, where, when & why.
Limit the size of the files--whether its 3G, 4G or 10G, phones are going to take a lot longer to load files that are too big.
Always include 'click to talk' phone numbers, allowing users to simply click "Call Us" and be connected with you in seconds.
Smart phones have GPS--make sure that your location is set-up for users to get directions to your business wherever they may be.

Let Old City Web Services help you reach your customers at their fingertips at any time of the day! We can design & program a custom mobile friendly site for your business in a timely & professional manner.

Mobile websites & Apps: What’s the difference?

January 22, 2012 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

This month we’ve been talking about our new service offering custom mobile application design. But how does that differ from a mobile website? What are the advantages and disadvantages for your business? We’re going to answer some of those questions for you.

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What is a mobile website?

A mobile website is a smaller scaled version of a regular website designed specifically to accommodate the smaller screens of mobile devices. Mobile websites can be accessed through an Internet browser and users can search through the pages just like they would a regular website, but there are a few features such as Flash animation and other interactive tools that are incompatible with some mobile devices.

The advantages of a mobile website over a mobile application are that it can be updated more frequently, is less expensive and reaches a wider audience.

What is a mobile application?

A mobile application is software that is actually downloaded onto your mobile device (iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.). Apps provide special features that might not be available on a mobile website such as picture galleries, contact forms, social media integration, calendars, one-touch calling, etc. They can also give you the ability to send “push notifications” (essentially a text message with a discount code or other promotion) to everyone who has downloaded the app to his or her device.

The advantages of a mobile application over a mobile website are that it can help you target your customers through specific messages, provide additional functionality and it can provide an additional revenue stream if you charge for the app.

Which one is best for your business?

That depends on what kind of business you have, who your customers are and what your budget is.

Your Business: Restaurants, accommodations, doctors/dentists and salons are examples of businesses that could really benefit from a mobile app. Clients can make reservations/schedule appointments, view photos and menus, etc. You can also use the push notifications to send time-sensitive incentives, like a 10% off coupon for patrons who come in within the next 24 hours or reminders like “Have you visited your dentist in the last 6 months? Make an appointment now!”
Your Customers: Mobile devices are becoming more popular among all age groups, but they are still highly concentrated in people aged 25 to 35. If most of your customers are around this age, a mobile app could be beneficial to your business.
Your Budget: Mobile websites are less expensive than mobile apps, but apps give you the ability to make additional money if your customers are willing to pay for the app. You can decide to make your app free or charge for it, but keep in mind that you might make more money by letting people download the app for free and therefore reaching a broader base of clients with your discount incentives.

Conclusion: Make sure your business is mobile.

Whether you decide that a mobile app or mobile website fits better with your business, the key is just to make sure that you’re moving in a mobile direction.

If you’d like more information about mobile apps or mobile websites, give us a call at 904-867-4112 or send us an email at letusmarketyou@oldcity.com and we’ll be glad to go over the details and help you figure out which service is right for your business .

Understanding mobile devices.

January 18, 2012 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

We’ve been throwing that term around a lot lately–mobile device–but what exactly does that mean? What is a mobile device and why is it important for your business to understand what they are and how people use them? We can answer all of those questions for you.

What is a mobile device?

A mobile device is a small handheld computer that can come in many forms. From iPads, Kindles and other touchscreen tablets to cellphones like the iPhone, Android and Blackberry, if you have a handheld device that connects to the internet, you have what the technology world refers to as a mobile device.

Why are mobile devices important?

With the creation of the iPad and the handheld tablet as well as the advances in smart phone technology, mobile devices are becoming incredibly popular tools for searching the internet. More and more, people are searching the internet on these devices instead of traditional desktop or laptop computers.

How do mobile devices affect your business?

Understanding how people use mobile devices to search the internet and what they are looking for can help your business get more traffic (both to your website and to your physical location).

More often than not, mobile device users want to find information quickly and easily. They are looking for your store hours, your phone number, your location or your menu/products/services depending on your business type. In short, they are making a decision about where to go to eat, shop or get help with something. They need to know if you’re available and how they can find you.

With this in mind, you should make sure that your website is mobile friendly or, where necessary, offer a mobile app to your customers to make it easier for them to find what they need when they need it. If a mobile user visits your website and finds it difficult to find what they want, they will quickly move on to something else.

Capture their attention, give them what they’re looking for and you’ll have converted them from a visitor to a customer.

Next week: Mobile websites vs. Apps

Next we’re going to tackle the difference between mobile websites and apps so that you can decide which one would be the better investment for your company.

If you have more questions about mobile devices or any of our other services, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 904-867-4112 or shoot an email to letusmarketyou@oldcity.com.

Make Your Business an “App”solute Success in 2012

January 4, 2012 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

New in 2012: Custom Mobile Applications

We are so excited to kick off the new year with a new service available to all of our clients. Through our partnership with App Smart, a Jacksonville based development company, we can now offer custom created mobile apps tailored to your industry.

Some of the features that can be added to custom applications (made for both Apple and Droid products) include:

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube integration.
Ability to add short term specials, coupons and discounts.
Push notifications and other new opportunities to reach customers through GPS technology.
QR Codes for quick downloads.
Calculators and other relevant resources.
Built-in contact forms.
Restaurant reservations.

Tracking statistics are also available with apps, giving you the ability to track your downloads and client usage.

For more information on the features and benefits of a mobile app, visit the App Smart website or give us a call for pricing and other details.

Later in the month we’ll go over mobile devices and the differences between mobile apps and mobile websites!

To read more about each of the topics above you can review all of our weekly tips, tools and tricks on our blog or just give us a call at 904-867-4112!