It seems like almost everything we do these days can be done on a smartphone. From ordering a pizza to scheduling a dental checkup, if you can do it online you can do it with your phone. Along with tablets, these mobile devices now outnumber personal computers more than two-to-one. For more and more people, they’ve become the primary way of getting on the Internet.
That means your dental website must be optimized for mobile. “Optimized for mobile” means your site is not only designed for the smaller devices people are using, but also that it performs they way they expect it to. Performance is critical: did you know most people will leave a website after a mere three seconds, if it fails to load?
That’s a really small window, so your site has to be ready for it.
Smart Phone Stats
Smartphones as we know them today have been around since 2007, when we got our first look at the iPhone. With high-definition touchscreens and there’s-an-app-for-that technology, they were instant gamechangers.
Just consider:
- 97% of U.S. citizens own a smartphone; ownership cuts across most demographics.
- 47% say they couldn’t live without their devices.
- 15% of American adults are “smartphone only,” in terms of Internet use.
- 80.63% of the population worldwide own a smartphone.
By 2025, the number of smartphones in the United States alone is expected to reach 311.5 million!
Mobile First
Google recognizes this increase in mobile use, of course. For the last few years they’ve been moving forward with a “mobile first” policy, which prioritizes the mobile version of a webpage in search results. The search engine giant gave us a reprieve toward the end of 2021 by announcing they are no longer setting a firm date for mobile first. The deadline has already been pushed back a couple of times, because so many sites weren’t ready yet.
But it’s only a matter of time. Google may have dropped its deadline, but mobile first is clearly the future. Your dental website must be ready! Need help? ProspectaMarketing is an experienced Internet marketing firm specializing in dental practices and the tools of Internet marketing. We help you reach key prospects who are looking for what your practice has to offer. Our unique and thorough approach provides visibility, financial accountability, and ongoing refinement and improvement. You can find out more by contacting Lane Anderson toll-free at 1-877-322-4440 Ext 101, by email using the form on our Contact Us page, or online at ProspectaMarketing.com.