It should be no secret to people that we are moving to a more mobile, more universally available internet. People are expecting to be able to access your information on a variety of different devices. While many of the newer web-enabled phones and devices can show your existing Web site and provide a browsing experience, the interface and screen shape and size isn’t quite what your Web designer had in mind when your site was first published.
“In the land of mobile Web site development, who else should be leading edge with content development and design, but the travel and tourism industry” ~ todd lucier
New services like Jag.ag have a user-friendly interface that lets anyone create a mobile version of their Web site using drag and drop technology. The service doesn’t use your existing site, but instead allows you to create a new – ready for the “en-route digital traveler” web site. Consider what your visitor wants to know, while they are travelling to visit you and provide access to en-route relevant content!
Mobile Web site design ideas
In the near future, your tourism business should look to provide the en-route digital traveler with content such as:
- phone number – how can your guests contact you if they are delayed.
- map, driving directions, and traffic - include your address and a map link.
- weather
- streaming audio – entertaining behind the scenes audio visit with your team, educational info on your area, enticing background information.
- current news feed – access to recent blog posts, photos or twitter tweets.
Free Mobile Web site provider Jag.ag is drag and drop WSYWIG
Other technologies like Mofuse, Infogin or Momac can help transport your existing web site design to mobile web site, but, forward thinking tourism businesses need to rethink how we display the Web on phones and portable devices with a custom mobile design. Jag.ag and other services like Zinadoo or Wirenode can help you get a portable “mobile traveller ready” web presence up and online in minutes.
While some online publishing forums like WordPress have plug-ins that automatically format content for iPhone, it is best to think about your mobile Web site as a completely distinct marketing opportunity, with a completely distinct format and content designed specifically to meet the needs of the en-route digital traveler.
When you are travelling to an unknown destination, what kind of content would you like to access en-route?
If you represent the digital marketing of your destination, how can you get cutting edge mobile optimized content onto your blog or Web site.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree that the tourism industry needs to embrace mobile technology as part of their business model, tourists entering a new city need to know what\’s on and where, tourists need maps and directions and click to call features to make bookings and reservations, a mobile handset is the perfect pocket guide companion! Zinadoo not only provides a site creation services but now offers a White Label Directory service which provides Google mapping, business card details, click to call features, m- commerce features etc this all inclusive package provides businesses with a fully standards compliant platform to leverage the tourist opportunity! the mobile handset is the perfect vehicle to drive this industry! – Its never been easier to go mobile with Zinadoo!
You mention a number of potential services to help port web content to mobile, but not Mippin (http://www.mippin.com). It’s worth a try. It lives up to your demand that the content is specifically designed for each mobile device and is completely free.
I love the list of design components to include on a mobile site. I’ll definitely be coming back to this page in the future – thanks for sharing!