How Prevalent is Mobile Traffic vs Desktop Traffic

Mobile Traffic Is As Prevalent As Desktop Traffic

The evolution of internet usage has been nothing short of revolutionary. One of the most significant shifts in recent years is the rise of mobile traffic, which has now become as prevalent as desktop traffic. This transition has profound implications for businesses, marketers, and web developers. In this blog, we will dive into the factors that are driving this change.

The Rise of Mobile Traffic

There are many factors that have contributed to the surge in mobile traffic, such as the advancements in mobile technology, the proliferation of mobile devices, and changes in consumer behaviour. Mobile devices have developed so much, to the point where they have become ubiquitous, offering convenience and connectivity that desktops cannot offer. According to Statista, the number of smartphone users worldwide reached approximately 6.8 billion in 2023, a significant increase from the 3.7 billion users in 2016.

Along with mobile devices being ubiquitous, mobile internet access has become more affordable and widespread, enabling more people to browse the web, shop online, and interact on social media via their mobile devices. The development of high-speed mobile networks such as 4G and 5G has further accelerated this, providing faster and more reliable internet access on the go.

Statistical Evidence

Several statistics highlight the growing dominance of mobile traffic in the modern world. As of 2023, mobile devices accounted for 56% of global web traffic, a significant increase from 31% in 2015. This shift is even more pronounced in certain regions, such as Asia and Africa, where mobile usage far exceeds desktop usage due to mobile devices being more accessible and affordable.

E-commerce is a sector where the impact of mobile traffic is evident. According to forecasts on Statista, retail sales from m-commerce in the UK are expected to surpass the 100 billion British pounds mark by 2025. This coincides with high mobile usage, as close to 100% of individuals in the UK between the ages of 16 and 54 owned a smartphone in 2023.

The Impact on Businesses

The rise of mobile traffic has significant implications for businesses across all industries. Companies must now prioritise mobile optimisation to ensure their websites and applications provide a seamless user experience. Google’s mobile-first indexing means that

mobile devices are prioritised ahead of other desktop devices in search results. This has made mobile optimisation more critical for maintaining search visibility and attracting organic traffic.

Due to this, businesses must adapt their marketing strategies to target mobile users effectively. This includes leveraging mobile-friendly advertising formats, such as vertical video ads and in-app advertisements, as well as utilising location-based marketing to reach consumers at the right place and time.

Case Studies

Major retailers such as Amazon have heavily invested in their mobile app and have optimised their website for mobile users. The Amazon app offers customers personalised recommendations, easy navigation, and one-click purchasing, which contributes to its dominance in the m-commerce market.

The banking sector has also seen a significant shift towards mobile banking. Many banks have developed mobile apps that allow customers to manage their finances, transfer money, and deposit checks. According to Insider Intelligence, mobile banking is expected to reach 3.6 billion users globally by the end of 2024.

Social media platforms are useful for businesses to use for advertising their products and services. As of 2023, Facebook reported that 98.3% of their active users accessed the platform from a mobile device. The high number of mobile users means that platforms such as Facebook optimise their interfaces and advertising formats for mobile use.

Final Thoughts

The shift towards mobile traffic is a defining trend of the modern digital landscape. Businesses must adapt to meet the demands of mobile users as mobile devices continue to dominate internet usage. Businesses must optimise websites and applications for mobile users, leverage mobile-centric marketing strategies, and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. Embracing the mobile-first approach allows businesses to enhance user engagement, increase sales, and secure a competitive advantage in an increasingly mobile world.

 

TikTok on phone

How and why you should be using a platform like TikTok to market your business

As Social Media marketing is such an important part of advertising, it’s important that all potential platforms are covered including platforms that may not seem suitable for a professional outlook. However, the growth in the platform TikTok has shown to greatly benefit businesses and has made thousands of users successful in marketing their brand on TikTok as well as well-known brands ranging from hospitality like Nando’s to commercial flight companies like Ryanair and to fashion brands such as Zara. Making this app the breeding ground for growing customer bases. However, this does mean that there is very high competition and so it is difficult to compete with these high-end brands that have an existing following base. But no fear, here are some tips and tricks you can use to be resourceful and use this app to your advantage.

  • Firstly, ensure you’re fully aware of how to operate the platform, similar to Instagram and Facebook there are hidden accessories that can make managing your account easier and more effective. For example, it might be as simple as making it a business account so you are able to see analytics of who is attracted to your page. Once you have this information you can assess whether you need to alter your content to get these customer groups or whether you want to diversify.
  • Also, it’s important to note that this app is for all types of content and users so the use of hashtags will be essential. This is because your videos could pop on certain timelines and algorithms and ensure you end up on the right one so you’re targeting the right audience, this can then be closely managed. Once you do it right the first time and fall into the right category all you have to worry about is your actual content.
  • Content is so imperative when it comes to marketing online as it puts across an image of your business to your followers and audience, so you have to make sure your content is creating the right image you want to have. For example, professionalism should be considered but being on an app like TikTok where your videos need to go viral to be successful can make it difficult, so you need to find the right balance. 
  • The best way to find out how to do this is simply through good old competitive stalking, seeing what your competitors are doing that is working. So, even though there is high competition, it also gives you a chance to adapt to their content and make it your own to give you an upper hand in bringing awareness to your brand.
  • Alongside finding customers it’s also a business opportunity to find business partners or potential influencers to market your products. By using this you are able to bring awareness to your products and profile to hopefully grow your following. If you want to find out any more information regarding influencer marketing or the use of word of mouth then check out our other blog ‘The impact of word of mouth and influencer marketing on a business and customer perspective’.

Once you have mastered the ins and outs of a platform like this one, these same skills can be used on other Social media platforms, making marketing on social easier and more effective. It’s good to note that this will take a lot of time and effort, but this will pay off in the future.