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This how-to guide was created by Zabisco This guide has also been edited by TomMcHugh and WEditor
How to make use of mobile
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CloseThings you'll need
- Clear messaging
- Understanding of target audience
- Clear purpose for mobile representation
- Existing website (optional but beneficial)
As mobile use continues to grow in popularity, charities need to ensure they are making the best use of the medium. This guide explains how to use mobile in charities to better engage the target audience and gain the best online representation.
Getting started
There are many successful mobile websites and apps out there and the charity sector is already making really good use of the medium. But just because mobile is right for one charity, doesn't mean it's right for all of them.
Key points to consider before even getting started on mobile are:
- Who are your audience? What is their age and how do they currently use mobile? Would they use your mobile website/app if you had one?
- What do your audience want from you? Why do they come to you and what value do you currently hold for them?
- How can you improve your offering through mobile?
Understanding your target audience and how you can better serve them will guide the decision on whether or not to use mobile at all.
Mobile websites vs Mobile apps
If mobile is right for you and your charity, you'll need to decide whether you want a mobile website or a mobile app, both of which have their pros and cons. Here is a graphic which illustrates the difference (text description at bottom of the page):
Mobile websites
Generally speaking, mobile websites are the cheaper option for charities moving into mobile. However, simply streamlining your desktop content and putting it into a smartphone format isn’t enough to really engage the end user; good mobile websites will utilise added functionality, such as pinch-and-zoom, and a restructured navigation to provide an optimised, bespoke mobile experience.
Mobile apps
Mobile apps are typically the more expensive option, both in terms of set up and maintenance cost, and for that reason charities must ensure their offering is suitable to an app to get the best return on investment.
Don't rush in!
Take your time to consider your mobile choices. Don't feel pressured to move quickly into the mobile arena; it's a medium which continues to grow and which will be around for a long time yet, so it's far better to take your time and create something truly valuable for the end user.
Taking your time will also give your organisation the chance to get used to the idea of mobile and better understand how it can be used, both on a practical level and also in terms of strategy and marketing.
Further information
More from Zabisco about mobile friendly websites and mobile apps.
- Also take a look at www.mashable.com for more on how we can better use technology.
- Charity Comms article on charity mobile use for advice tailored to the charity sector.
- Blog post from charity Gingerbread with top tips about making your website smartphone friendly.
- There are lots of great examples in this KnowHow discussion about charity smart phone apps.
Text description of mobile app vs mobile web graphic
Performance
- App - runs locally with quick loading and fluid interaction.
- Web - intenet reliance results in slower load and response.
Cost
- App - more investement due to resource and time demand.
- Web - less investment as it's quicker and easier to develop.
Maintenance
- App - updated through new versions for user to download.
- Web - relatively simpe to maintain with instant updates.
Compatibility
- App - separate versions required for each operating system.
- Web - easy creation of cross platform and browser versions.
User experience
- App - made for mobile so smooth, fast and intuitive to use.
- Web - optimised from desktop to website so less satisfying.
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