Yup, 43% of email is now opened on a mobile device. That’s the message from my broadcast email provider, Constant Contact.
What does that mean for your consignment, resale or thrift shop?
Here’s what they recommend:
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1. Be concise
Screen real estate is very valuable on mobile so keep the design very clean and simple and focus on the essentials.
2. Use a single column template
…with multi-column layouts readers have to zoom or scroll to see everything. This can make it difficult to navigate your email and the call to action.
3. Use a single, clear call to action
Include a clear call to action near the top of your email. Tell readers what to do, and make it really easy. And remember—with mobile, the finger is the mouse, so make sure it’s really easy to click.
4. Avoid tiny fonts
Use a minimum 11pt font for body text and 22pt for heads. We also recommend using a strong contrast of colors. Many people turn down the brightness level on the mobile device—and are reading on the go in the sunlight—so a strong contrast of colors will be easier to read.
5. Take it easy on images
Only use images that are essential. Many mobile device platforms turn images off by default. If your email has images, they might just look like white space. [Include]image descriptions (also known as alt text) to let people know what the image is even when it’s not being displayed.
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Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
How do you feel about having a Mobile App Created instead of emails?
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Why would this be “instead of”? I think, correct me if I’m wrong, that more folks have email; than use mobile apps… so would you slight the majority for a minority? A mobile app, if you want one, is just one more tool, and quite possibly a great one for your marketplace. BUT: Would you throw away your hammer because you got a screwdriver?
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Exactly! In fact my stats tell me that 44% of my website visitors (not emails) are using a mobile device (cell, tablet,iPad,etc.). The real lesson is simple. Optimize your website now for mobile or visitors will move on. Here’s a good site to see what your website looks like on different mobile devices…
http://www.mobilemoxie.com/handset-emulators/phone-emulator/
Here’s another stat for you. Studies are now predicting that by late 2014 or early 2015 the MAJORITY of web traffic will be from MOBILE devices! Desktops/laptops are no longer the “king”. No wonder PC sales are dropping like a rock.
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Debbie, many thanks for this site. Here on the blog, my site turns up looking good, mobile-wise… but alas, I cannot say the same for my “home” web site, TGtbT.com Looks like I have some work to do!
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Wow smaller and less wordy. I’m gonna have to work on that one. Amazing that a 20+ year old device has taken over our lives. Everything is mobile and it make like easy for our customers and interesting for shopkeepers to Keep up. LOL
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You DO remember, Ruth, that an ancient Chinese curse is “May you live in interesting times.” Just sayin’.
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As always, fabulous advice and in my case great timing too! Thanks, Kate!
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Me too, Kim… I’ll be trying this out in the next issue of USED ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Here’s hoping some of our readers will tell me it helps!
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