It’s quite common these days to hear or read about how important it is for a business to have a mobile-friendly site. In support of this, Google conducted a study to get some real statistics on exactly how important it is. As a business owner, you may have considered getting a site which is optimized for display on mobile devices. If you haven’t actually followed through, the stats from this study might just compel you to act fast.

Most people will leave a mobile unfriendly site

The study was commissioned by Google from Sterling Research and SmithGeiger this past July. About 1,000 participants who used smartphones in the US were selected.

Here are some striking facts from that study:

96% of people surveyed said they had encountered a non-mobile-friendly site.

50% of people surveyed said that they will use a business less often if they do not have a mobile-friendly site, even if they like the business or brand.

74% of people surveyed would return to a mobile friendly site they have already visited.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, 61% of users said they would leave a mobile site if they did not find want they wanted right away.

Google summed all this up nicely: “The fastest path to mobile customers is through a mobile-friendly site. If your site offers a great mobile experience, users are more likely to make a purchase.”

Your reputation is at stake

Google also concluded from the study that a site which is not mobile friendly will damage your business’ reputation:

36% of users said they feel like their time is wasted when visiting a non-mobile-friendly site.

52% of users said that a bad mobile site experience made them less likely to engage the business.

About half of all users thought that a poorly functioning mobile site reflects that a company does not care about their business.

Customers are demanding mobile friendly sites

The conclusion is clear: customers are growing impatient with sites that function poorly on mobile devices. It is no longer a nice luxury to have this type of site. It will actually hurt your business in more ways than one if you don’t have it. It will lead to less calls and sales as potential customers bounce immediately and go to your competition. Also, it will harm the overall image of your company, inhibiting future visits by potential clients who had a bad experience with your site. Your business will suffer, your brand will suffer and you will be overtaken by competitors instantly if you are not mobile-friendly, no matter what your business is. It’s as simple as that. If you’re looking to get a mobile friendly site for your business, don’t delay. Blue Hat is here to help with professional mobile web design solutions that will ensure your business’ continued success.