Get smart about smartphones

As the IMRG reports that sales on mobile devices accounted for more than half of the UK e-commerce market for the first time, e-commerce delivery specialist Fastlane International has urged start-ups and SME web retailers to “get smart about the switch to smartphones”. Fastlane’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks, commented: “Many of Fastlane’s customers are e-commerce sites delivering to the UK and overseas – and we’ve seen by the ever-increasing number of deliveries that it’s a fast-growing market. But we urge e-tailers of all sizes that have yet to make the change to responsive site designs to make the move, or be left behind. They can’t ignore the lure of the Small Screen.”

In the past, many consumers would use their smart phones or tablets to research items – but then switch over to their PCs or laptop to do the actual buying. Now, however, they are much more confident about the security and functionality of their mobile devices and are prepared to do everything on the go.

“Sites that don’t display well on mobiles or lose functionality will miss out to those geared towards customers increasingly on the move,” said Fastlane.

Fastlane added that it is “practising what it preaches”: it will be launching its new website this spring which has been optimized for mobile devices. The company has also posted a blog on new e-fulfilment developments.

“Booking a parcel pick-up is just as likely to be done on the go these days as any other web transaction,” said Jinks. “It’s important that all companies, from the smallest marketplace trader to expensive online boutiques, don’t miss out on this latest switch in consumer patterns.”