Mobile Websites vs. Mobile Apps. Which One For The Dealer?

[Jim Bell (blog)]

Since Jeff is wanting to bring this conversation back to life, I will start it out. We have had our mobile site up for a year now (went live last June). So far this year, we have had a 200% increase in traffic over the last 6 months of 2010 in just the first 6 months of this year. If someone says that people aren't using their phones to shop, they are lying.

One stat that threw me back in my chair at DD was that 93% of the cell phones in the U.S. are smart phones. Of those, 37% were using their phones to surf at home over their home computer. Guess it's good to have your site mobilized.

As far as the app is concerned, we are seeing an increase month over month on the iPhone side of things. I can't see the usage of the Android version. Being able to push notifications is great, but you have to use those notifications and be careful of the amount of notifications you are pushing out. The usage is going up, and we are seeing more and more service appointments with the app. Was it worth it? I think so. I have even had a few customers hand written iPhone app on my sourcing sheet that is filled out by all of our sold customers in F&I. it's paid for itself.

 

[Joe Pistell]

Our www.usedcarking.mobi traffic is so strong lately that it's totally challenged my thoughts of how important mobi is to shoppers and where it fits in the marketing priority list.

Wait till 4G hits! It'll create another wave of usage.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Jim, my reports on mobile usage almost mirrors yours. However, as of 3 months ago, Android took the lead over iphone (with my Benz dealer being the exception where iphone is still number 1).

Where did you hear the 93% stat? That sounds way to high compared to other studies and stats I have read recently. I would say this could be correct for major metro areas.

No app here, and there is a thread on the blog I believe that dives into this conversation. Use our new Power Search to find it.

I love the idea of push notifications and service scheduling.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Came across this relevant article - http://www.simplyzesty.com/mobile/dont-believe-the-hype-mobile-apps-arent-killing-off-websites/

 

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